declared his lack of interest in the whole
concern, she smiled again, and refused to be convinced. "Oh, but you
must hear, because in a kind of way it was your party, as you are the
patron, and give them all that they have... There were such crowds of
people, and they looked so gay. Old Lady Everett wore a magenta satin,
quite the most awful garment I ever beheld, and she got hot, poor dear,
and it matched her face. And such an awkward thing happened; she
brought a little basket with a few under-sized grapes, about a pound,
perhaps, and presented them to Mrs Thornton with such an air of
munificence, and then turned round and saw the table spread with all
that exquisite fruit! She was quite angry even when Mrs Thornton
explained that it also was a gift."

"Why need she have explained at all? No other woman would have thought
of doing so. Why should a clergyman's wife be expected to explain her
private affairs to any inquisitive stranger? Surely it is her own
business what she puts on her own table?" This from Jack, in a burst of
querulous impatience which brought his host's eyes upon him with an
answering flash.

"If a woman in a public position provides what is obviously unsuited to
her means, the least she can do is to offer an explanation. A
clergyman's means do not run to expensive entertainments."

"Exactly; yet he is expected to entertain, and to humble his pride to do
it in an inferior style to his neighbours. And his wife is expected to
accept paltry gifts from her neighbours which another woman in her
position would look upon as an insult, and to be thankful for the
chance. I suppose she often is thankful, poor creature, as she has not
the means of providing properly for herself."

Mr Farrell put down his knife and fork, and, leaning back in his seat,
stared fixedly in Jack's face. His thin lips worked, and his eyes
gleamed ominously.

"May I ask if you are speaking in general terms, or individually of the
clergyman's wife in my own parish?"

Jack shrugged his shoulders.

"Oh, I suppose she would be included, since her husband's income is
insufficient for her needs."

"You are aware, of course, that I am responsible for that income?"

"I suppose so--in a way, since the living is in your gift."

"And what grounds may you have for considering it insufficient?"

Jack burst into a short laugh, undeterred by the appealing glances cast
upon him by three frightened feminine listeners.

"Wha