,intolerableandruthlessifMarydesiredrevenge,sheneednothavebeendissatisfied.Butthatapparentlywasthelastthingshethoughtof.HewasgratefultohearofherangerwithMrs.Jackson,whosesympathyhadexpresseditselfinroundabuseofhim.Hismotherrepeatedthewords.
"IwillneverlistentoawordagainstCaptainParsons,Mrs.Jackson.Whateverhedid,hehadaperfectrighttodo.He'sincapableofactingotherwisethanasanhonourablegentleman."
ButifMary'sconductarousedtheadmirationofallthatknewher,itrenderedJamesstillmoreblameworthy.
Thehero-worshipwasconvenientlyforgotten,andnonestrovetoconcealthedislike,eventhecontempt,whichhefeltforthefallenidol.Jameshadoutragedthemoralsenseofthecommunityhisnamecouldnotbementionedwithoutindignationeverythinghedidwaswrong,evenhisveryrealmodestywasexplainedasoverweeningconceit.
Andcuriouslyenough,Jameswasprofoundlydistressedbythegeneraldisapproval.Asilent,shyman,hewasunreasonablysensitivetotheopinionofhisfellowsandthoughhetoldhimselfthattheywerestupid,ignorant,andnarrow,theirhostilityneverthelessmadehimmiserable.Eventhoughhecontemnedthem,hewasanxiousthattheyshouldlikehim.Herefusedtopandertotheirprejudices,andwastooproudtobeconciliatoryyetfeltbitterlywoundedwhenhehadexcitedtheiraversion.NowhesettotormentinghimselfbecausehehaddespisedtheadulationofLittlePrimpton,andcouldnotequallydespiseitscensure.
Sundaycame,andthegoodpeopleofLittlePrimptontroopedtochurch.MrsClibbornturnedroundandsmiledatJameswhenhetookhisseat,buttheColonelsatrigid,showingbythestiffnessofhisbackbonethathisindignationwassupreme.
Theserviceproceeded,andinduecourseMr.Jacksonmountedthepulpitsteps.Hedeliveredhistext:"ThefearoftheLordistohateevil:pride,andarrogancy,andtheevilway,andthefrowardmouth,doIhate."
TheVicarofLittlePrimptonwasanearnestman,andhedevotedmuchcaretothecompositionofhissermons.Hewasusedtoexpoundtwi