an object for
Miffin's addressing, seldom had the courage to comment upon his
employer's opinions.

At the "Wings and Spur," as the afternoon wore on, there was also the
unusual excitement of despatching a creaky old gig to the station to
bring up the travellers, and Edward John must needs wander down to
exchange opinions with his friend Mr. Jukes as the vehicle was being got
ready.

Even the aged vicar was among the callers at the Post Office, inquiring
if it was certain that Henry would be at home for the next Sunday, as
that day was to be memorable by the preaching of Mr. Godfrey Needham's
farewell sermon, and nothing would please him better than to see among
his congregation "one over whom he had watched with interest and
admiration from his earliest years."

Time had dealt severely with the once quaint and sprightly figure of
this good man. Since Eunice had taken him in hand he had lost his old
eccentric touches of habit, but year by year age had slackened his gait
and slowed him down to a grey-haired, tottering figure, who, when we
first saw him, took the village street like the rising wind. He had now
decided to give up the hard work of his parish and his pulpit, and this
was to devolve upon an alert young curate who had recently been
appointed.

"We need new blood, Mr. Charles, even in the pulpit. And we old men must
make way for the younger generation," he said sadly to his faithful
parishioner.

"Aye, Mr. Needham, none o' us can stand up again' Natur'. But you're
good for many a year yet to come, and I hope I am too."

"You are hale as ever, but I can say with the Psalmist: 'My days are
like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.'"

"True, Mr. Needham, all flesh is grass, but it is some comfort to the
grass that's withering to see the new blades a-growing around it"--a
speech Edward John recalled in later years as one of his happiest
efforts in the art of conversation.

"Yes, if the old grass knows that the new is its seedling. You are
happy, Mr. Charles, in that way."

Edward John hitched at his uncomfortable collar and modestly fingered
his necktie, while Mr. Needham proceeded to sound the praises of Henry.

"But I confess," the vicar went on to say, "I am at times troubled in my
mind as to how his faith has withstood the shocks it must receive in the
buffetings of City life. I trust the good seed which I strove to plant
in his heart as a boy has grown up unchoked by the thistles