Heres a nice place for you, Mr. Vincent quite the place for you, where you can hear all the music, and see all the young ladies. For I do suppose ministers, bein young, are like other young men, said Mrs. Tozer, drawing aside her brilliant skirts to make room for him on the sofa. I have a son myself as is at college, and feel motherlike to those as go in the same line. Sit you down comfortable, Mr. Vincent. There aint one here, sir, Im proud to say, as grudges you the best seat.
Oh, mamma, how could you think of saying such a thing! said Phœbe, under her breath; to be sure, Mr. Vincent never could think there was anybody anywhere that would be so wicked and he the minister.
Indeed, my dear, said Mrs. Pigeon, who was close by, not to affront Mr. Vincent, as is deserving of our best respects, Ive seen many and manys the minister I wouldnt have given up my seat to; and I dont misdoubt, sir, youve heard of such as well as we. There was Mr. Bailey at Parsons Green, now. He went and married a poor bit of a governess, as common a looking creature as you could see, that set herself up above the people, Mr. Vincent, and was too grand, sir, if youll believe me, to visit the deacons wives. Nobody cares less than me about them vain shows. Whats visiting, if you know the vally of your time? Nothing but a laying up of judgment. But I wouldnt be put upon neither by a chit that got her bread out of me and my husbands hard earnins; and so I told my sister, Mrs. Tozer, as lives at Parsons Green.
Poor thing! said the gentler Mrs. Tozer, its hard lines on a ministers wife to please the congregation. Mr. Vincent here, hell have to take a lesson. That Mrs. Bailey was pretty-looking, I must allow
Sweetly pretty! whispered Phœbe, clasping her plump pink hands.
Pretty-looking! I dont say anything against it, continued her mother; but its hard upon a minister when his wife wont take no pains to please his flock. To have people turn up their noses at you aint pleasant
And them getting their livin off you all the time, cried Mrs. Pigeon, clinching the milder speech.
But it seems to me, said poor Vincent, that a minister can no more be said to get his living off you than any other man. He works hard enough generally for what little he has. And really, Mrs. Tozer, Id rather not hear all these unfortunate particulars about one of my brethren
He aint one of the brethren now, broke in the poulterers wife. Hes been gone out o Parsons Green this twelvemonths. Them stuck-up ways may do with the Church folks as cant help themselves, but theyll never do with us Dissenters. Not that we aint as glad as can be to see you, Mr. Vincent, and I hope youll favour my poor house another night like youre favouring Mrs. Tozers. Mr. Tufton always said that was the beauty of Carlingford in our connection. Cheerful folks and no display. No display, you know nothing but a hearty meetin, sorry to part, and happy to meet again. Thems our ways. And the better you know us, the better youll like us, Ill be bound to say. We dont put it all on the surface, Mr. Vincent, continued Mrs. Pigeon, shaking out her skirts and expanding herself on her chair, but its all real and solid; what we say we mean and we dont say no more than we mean and thems the kind of folks to trust to wherever you go.
Poor Vincent made answer by an inarticulate murmur, whether of assent or dissent it was impossible to say; and, inwardly appalled, turned his eyes towards his deacons, who, more fortunate than himself, were standing all in a group together discussing chapel matters, and wisely leaving general conversation to the fairer portion of the company. The unlucky ministers secret looks of distress awoke the interest and sympathy of Phœbe, who sat in an interesting manner on a stool at her mothers side. Oh, mamma, said that young lady, too bashful to address himself directly, I wonder if Mr. Vincent plays or sings? There are some such nice singers here. Perhaps we might have some music, if Mr. Vincent
I dont perform at all, said that victim, not in any way; but I am an exemplary listener. Let me take you to the piano.
the end. I dont like the new fashion, said Mrs. Brown, with a significant glance towards Mrs. Tozer, of separatin like heathens, when alls of one connection. We might never meet again, Mr. Vincent. In the midst of life, you know, sir. Youll not forget Thursday, at six.
But, my dear Mrs. Brown, I am very sorry: Thursday is one of the days I have specially devoted to study, stammered forth the unhappy pastor. What with the Wednesday meeting and the Friday committee
Mrs. Brown drew herself up as well as the peculiarities of her form permitted, and her roseate countenance assumed a deeper glow. Weve been in the chapel longer than Tozer, said the offended deaconess. Weve never been backward, in takin trouble, nor spendin our substance, nor puttin our hands to every good work; and as for makin a difference between one member and another, its what we aint been accustomed to, Mr. Vincent. Im a plain woman, and speak my mind. Old Mr. Tufton was very particular to show no preference. He always said, it never answered in a flock to show more friendship to one nor another; and if it had been put to me, I wouldnt have said, I assure you, sir, that it was us as was to be made the first example of. If I havent a daughter fresh out of a boarding-school, Ive been a member of Salem five-and-twenty year, and had ministers in my house manys the day, and as friendly as if I were a duchess; and for charities and such things, weve never been known to fail, though I say it; and as for trouble