slow emphasis, as if he thought Mrs. Farquhar had
uttered a remarkable sentiment.) 'They find it impossible to invite her
to their house while she has that equivocal person staying with her.'

'Well!' remarked Miss Gibbs, 'if I was a wife, nothing should induce me
to bear what Mrs. Barton does.'

'Yes, it's fine talking,' said Mrs. Patten, from her pillow; 'old maids'
husbands are al'ys well-managed. If you was a wife you'd be as foolish as
your betters, belike.'

'All my wonder is,' observed Mrs. Hackit, 'how the Bartons make both ends
meet. You may depend on it, _she's_ got nothing to give 'em; for I
understand as he's been having money from some clergy charity. They said
at fust as she stuffed Mr. Barton wi' notions about her writing to the
Chancellor an' her fine friends, to give him a living. Howiver, I don't
know what's true an' what's false. Mr. Barton keeps away from our house
now, for I gave him a bit o' my mind one day. Maybe he's ashamed of
himself. He seems to me to look dreadful thin an' harassed of a Sunday.'

'O, he must be aware he's getting into bad odour everywhere. The clergy
are quite disgusted with his folly. They say Carpe would be glad to get
Barton out of the curacy if he could; but he can't do that without coming
to Shepperton himself, as Barton's a licensed curate; and he wouldn't
like that, I suppose.'

At this moment Mrs. Patten showed signs of uneasiness, which recalled Mr.
Pilgrim to professional attentions; and Mrs. Hackit, observing that it
was Thursday, and she must see after the butter, said good-bye, promising
to look in again soon, and bring her knitting.

This Thursday, by the by, is the first in the month--the day on which the
Clerical Meeting is held at Milby Vicarage; and as the Rev. Amos Barton
has reasons for not attending, he will very likely be a subject of
conversation amongst his clerical brethren Suppose we go there, and hear
whether Mr. Pilgrim has reported their opinion correctly.

There is not a numerous party today, for it is a season of sore throats
and catarrhs; so that the exegetical and theological discussions, which
are the preliminary of dining, have not been quite so spirited as usual;
and although a question relative to the Epistle of Jude has not been
quite cleared up, the striking of six by the church clock, and the
simultaneous announcement of dinner, are sounds that no one feels to be
importunate.

Pleasant (when one is not in the least bilious) to e