carwasbelow,andaslightfrowndarkenedherforehead.MissGlovercaughtsightofit.
“Idon’tthinkshelikesyourcoming,”saidMissGlover—toencouragehim—whenshefetchedherbrother,“butIthinkit’syourduty.”
“Yes,Ithinkit’smyduty,”repliedMr.Glover,wholikedtheapproachinginterviewaslittleasBertha.
Hewasanhonestman,oppressedbytheinroadsofdissentbuthisministrationswereconfinedtotheservicesinchurch,thecollectingofsubscriptions,andthevisitingofthechurch-goingpoor.Itwassomethingnewtobebroughtbeforearebelliousgentlewoman,andhedidnotquiteknowhowtotreather.
MissGloveropenedthebedroomdoorforherbrotherandheentered,acoldwindladenwithcarbolicacid.Shesolemnlyputachairforhimbythebedsideandanotherforherselfatalittledistance.
“Ringfortheteabeforeyousitdown,Fanny,”saidBertha.
“Ithink,ifyoudon’tmind,Charleswouldliketospeaktoyoufirst,”saidMissGlover.“AmInotright,Charles?”
“Yes,dear.”
“Itookthelibertyoftellinghimwhatyousaidtometheotherday,Bertha.”
Mrs.Craddockpursedherlips,butmadenoreply.
“Ihopeyou’renotangrywithmefordoingso,butIthoughtitmyduty....Now,Charles.”
TheVicarofLeanhamcoughed.
“Icanquiteunderstand,”hesaid,“thatyoumustbemostdistressedatyouraffliction.It’samostunfortunateoccurrence.IneednotsaythatFannyandIsympathisewithyoufromthebottomofourhearts.”
“Wedoindeed,”saidhissister.
StillBerthadidnotanswerandMissGloverlookedatheruneasily.TheVicarcoughedagain.
“ButIalwaysthinkthatweshouldbethankfulforthecrosswehavetobear.Itis,asitwere,ameasureoftheconfidencethatGodplacesinus.”
BertharemainedquitesilentandMissGloversawthatnogoodwouldcomebybeatingaboutthebush.
“Thefactis,Bertha,”shesaid,breakingtheawkwardsilence,“thatCharlesandIareveryanxiousthatyoushouldbechurched.Youdon’tmindoursayingso,butwe’rebothagreatdealolderthanyouare,andwethinkitwilldoyougood.Wedohopeyou’llconsenttoitbut,morethanthat,Charlesishereastheclergymanofyourparish,totellyouthatitisyo