Mary felt uncomfortable, but, determined to take the matter lightly,

answered at once, "I have said so many impertinent things to Fred--we

are such old playfellows."

"You said, according to him, that he would be one of those ridiculous

clergymen who help to make the whole clergy ridiculous. Really, that

was so cutting that I felt a little cut myself."

Caleb laughed. "She gets her tongue from you, Susan," he said, with

some enjoyment.

"Not its flippancy, father," said Mary, quickly, fearing that her

mother would be displeased. "It is rather too bad of Fred to repeat my

flippant speeches to Mr. Farebrother."

"It was certainly a hasty speech, my dear," said Mrs. Garth, with whom

speaking evil of dignities was a high misdemeanor. "We should not

value our Vicar the less because there was a ridiculous curate in the

next parish."

"There's something in what she says, though," said Caleb, not disposed

to have Mary's sharpness undervalued. "A bad workman of any sort makes

his fellows mistrusted. Things hang together," he added, looking on

the floor and moving his feet uneasily with a sense that words were

scantier than thoughts.

"Clearly," said the Vicar, amused. "By being contemptible we set men's

minds, to the tune of contempt. I certainly agree with Miss Garth's

view of the matter, whether I am condemned by it or not. But as to

Fred Vincy, it is only fair he should be excused a little: old

Featherstone's delusive behavior did help to spoil him. There was

something quite diabolical in not leaving him a farthing after all.

But Fred has the good taste not to dwell on that. And what he cares

most about is having offended you, Mrs. Garth; he supposes you will

never think well of him again."

"I have been disappointed in Fred," said Mrs. Garth, with decision.

"But I shall be ready to think well of him again when he gives me good

reason to do so."

At this point Mary went out of the room, taking Letty with her.

"Oh, we must forgive young people when they're sorry," said Caleb,

watching Mary close the door. "And as you say, Mr. Farebrother, there

was the very devil in that old man. Now Mary's gone out, I must tell you

a thing--it's only known to Susan and me, and you'll not tell it again.

The old scoundrel wanted Mary to burn one of the wills the very night

he died, when she was sitting up with him by herself, and he offered her

a sum of money that he had in the box by him if she would do it. But Mary,

you understand, could do no such thing--would not be handling his iron

chest, and so on. Now, you see, the will he wanted burnt was this last,

so that if Mary had done what he wanted, Fred Vincy would have had ten

thousand pounds. The old man did turn to him at the last. That touches

poor Mary close; she couldn't help it--she was in the right to do what

she did, but she feels, as she says, much as if she had knocked down

somebody's property and broken it against her will, when she was

rightfully defending herself. I feel with her, somehow, and if I could

make any amends to the poor lad, instead of bearing him a grudge for

the harm he did us, I should be glad to do it. Now, what is your opinion,

sir? Susan doesn't agree with me. She says--tell what you say, Susan."




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