very handsome here." "Real silver,
and old silver, which is so much the rage, and a thing she could use
every day when she has her visitors for afternoon tea," said Susan to
Jane. "It is rather small," said Miss Hill, doubtfully. "But quite
enough for two people," said the other, forgetting that she had just
declared that the teapot would be serviceable when Elinor had visitors.
But that was a small matter. Elinor, however, had other things better
than these--a necklace, worth half a year's income, from John Tatham,
which he had pinched himself to get for her that she might hold up her
head among those great friends; and almost all that her mother possessed
in the way of jewellery, which was enough to make a show among these
simple people. "Her own family at least have done Elinor justice," said
the Rector, going again to have a look at the kettle, which was the
chief of the display to him. Thus the visitors made their remarks. The
Hills did nothing but stand apart and discuss their teapot and the means
by which "mother" could be got to assent.

The Rector took his cup of tea, always with a side glance at the kettle,
and cut his cake, and made his gentle jest. "If Alick and I come over in
the night and carry them all off you must not be surprised," he said;
"such valuable things as these in a little poor parish are a dreadful
temptation, and I don't suppose you have much in the way of bolts and
bars. Alick is as nimble as a cat, he can get in at any crevice, and
I'll bring over the box for the collections to carry off the little
things." This harmless wit pleased the good clergyman much, and he
repeated it to all the ladies. "I am coming over with Alick one of these
dark nights to make a sweep of everything," he said. Mr. Hudson retired
in the gentle laughter that followed this, feeling that he had acquitted
himself as a man ought who is the only gentleman present, as well as the
Rector of the parish. "I am afraid I would not be a good judge of the
'things,'" he said, "and for anything I know there may be mysteries not
intended for men's eyes. I like to see your pretty dresses when you are
wearing them, but I can't judge of their effect in the gross." He was a
man who had a pleasant wit. The ladies all agreed that the Rector was
sure to make you laugh whatever was the occasion, and he walked home
very briskly, pleased with the effect of the kettle, and saying to
himself that from the moment he saw it in Mappin's window h