torymenwho,ineverydifferenceofopinion,areconvincedthattheyarecertainlyinthewrong.Hewouldhavebornewiththemostcheerfulsubmissionanyrebukeofhisownconduct,andbeen,indeed,vastlygratefultotheVicar'swifeforpointingouthiserror.
JamesfoundMrs.Jacksonsittingboltuprightonastraight-backedchair,convinced,suchwasheradmirablesenseofpropriety,thataloungingattitudewasincompatiblewiththeperformanceofaduty.Sheheldherhandsonherlap,gentlyclaspedandhertightlipsexpressedasplainlyaspossibleherconvictionthatthoughthewayofrighteousnesswashard,she,thankGod!hadstrengthtowalkit.
"Howd'youdo,Mrs.Jackson?"
"Goodmorning,"shereplied,withastiffbow.
James,thoughtherewasnofire,wentovertothemantelpieceandleantagainstit,waitingfortheladytospeak.
"CaptainParsons,Ihaveaverypainfuldutytoperform."
Thosewereherwords,butitmusthavebeenadensepersonwhofailedtoperceivethatMrs.Jacksonfoundherdutyanythingbutpainful.TherewasjustthathardresonanceinhervoicethataninquisitormighthaveincondemningtothestakeaJewtowhomheowedmuchmoney.
"Isupposeyouwillcallmeabusybody?"
"Oh,I'msureyouwouldneverinterferewithwhatdoesnotconcernyou,"repliedJames,slowly.
"Certainlynot!"saidMrs.Jackson."Icomeherebecausemyconsciencetellsmeto.WhatIwishtotalktoyouaboutconcernsusall."
"ShallIcallmypeople?I'msurethey'dbeinterested."
"Iaskedtoseeyoualone,CaptainParsons,"answeredMrs.Jackson,frigidly."Anditwasforyoursake.Whenonehastotellapersonhome-truths,hegenerallyprefersthatthereshouldbenoaudience."
"Soyou'regoingtotellmesomehome-truths,Mrs.Jackson?"saidJames,withalaugh."Youmustthinkmeverygood-natured.HowlonghaveIhadthepleasureofyouracquaintance?"
Mrs.Jackson'sgrimnessdidnotrelax.
"Onelearnsagooddealaboutpeopleinaweek."
"D'youthinkso?Ihaveanideathattenyearsisashorttimetogettoknowthem.Youmustbeveryquick."
"Actionsoftenspeak."
"Actionsarethemostlyingthingsintheworld.Theyareduemostl