Most congregations are full of wonderful people, but these chronics are also present in many churches. They come in three varieties -- the chronic havers of personal problems, the chronic complainers, and the chronic workaholics.

Much of Powys’s writing may be seen as an attempt to define this Dostoievskyan “religion”, which is both new and old. It is, says Powys, Christianity; but “a Christianity completely different from what we are accustomed to”.

Each had a gun, and the three had been shooting at a number of rabbits. Only Werner had been successful, the others shooting wide of the mark.

Doctor Blimber accompanied them; and Paul had the honour of being taken in tow by the Doctor himself.