and comfortably close the day
together."

"Well, I--I--I've no objection," said MR. TRUEPENNY; as though
desperately making up his mind to endure the worst.

"A most admirable preacher, I'm told. Has preached before his Gracious
Majesty, when Prince Regent," said FRED.

"Indeed?" said MR. TRUEPENNY, as if he wished to be astonished.

"A great favourite at Brighton; he's so extremely mild and well-bred.
Touches upon the pomps and vanities of this wicked world--and scourges
the miserable sinners who keep carriages--gently, tenderly. For all the
world as if with a bunch of peacock's feathers you'd dust so many images
of Dresden China."

"That's lucky," said MR. TRUEPENNY.

"_Why_ lucky?" I asked--for there _was_ something in the man's manner.

"I meant to say," he stammered, "that there are times when one doesn't
like--like one's sins to be--bullied--that is, not at the sea-side."

"Quite right, TOM," said FRED, who I could see was helping him out.
"Very well in one's own parish church, but"--

"We shall be too late," said I, and I ran from the room; and in a
minute--never in all my life did I put my bonnet on so quick--in a
minute I was ready.

The church was extremely full--as we afterwards found--for the season.
FREDERICK was particularly serious; and for MR. TRUEPENNY, if he'd been
listening to his own condemned sermon, he couldn't have been more
solemn. It was odd, too, I thought, the glances he now and then cast
towards me. And particularly when the clergyman said--and he seemed, I
really _did_ think for the minute, as though he was looking right into
our pew, when he said--"_Thou shalt do no murder_"--at the very words,
MR. TRUEPENNY let his prayer-book slip, and made such a start to catch
it, that he drew all eyes upon us. I saw FREDERICK colour scarlet, and
bite his lips as he glanced at his friend. At last the service was over,
and we got away.

"A very nice sermon," said MR. TRUEPENNY, trying to say something.

"Very soothing," I added; for I knew he was half-asleep all the time.

"Yes; that's it," said he: "but that's what I like, when I come to a
watering-place. Something quiet, something to think over."

Well we returned to the inn; and somehow we got through the day. I don't
know how late MR. TRUEPENNY would have sat; but, for all FRED'S nods and
winks, I was determined to sit him out. At last,--it was nearly
twelve--at last he went away.

"We shall meet in the morning," said FRED to him.