The Way of All Flesh

Overton repeatedly considers the function and nature of the Pontifexes’ habitual prayers. Early on, Overton offers his view that prayer is effective, though not always for good and not in the way people expect, presumably because the habit of prayer affects those who participate in it. Later, Overton expounds on his view of prayer by comparing the Pontifexes to bees that range over the floral wallpaper:

As I thought of the family prayer being repeated night and morning, week by week, month by month, and year by year, I could not help thinking how like it was to the way in which the bees went up the wall and down the wall, bunch by bunch, without ever suspecting that so many of the associated ideas could be present, and yet the main idea be wanting hopelessly, and for ever (76).

Overton draws attention to one phrase that the Pontifexes are fond of repeating in prayer, which is the plea that they might become “truly honest and conscientious” (76), a phrase that Overton finds ironic considering how Theobald and Christina manipulate Ernest. Ernest eventually comes to the same conclusion, and during his visit to Battersby during Christina’s illness, Ernest subtly modifies his participation in the family prayer to make his sister wonder whether he is poking fun.