step of choosing the wrong profession. He
quoted to me what you said, Miss Garth - do you remember it?« (Mr. Farebrother
used to say »Mary« instead of »Miss Garth,« but it was part of his delicacy to
treat her with the more deference because, according to Mrs. Vincy's phrase, she
worked for her bread.)
    Mary felt uncomfortable, but, determined to take the matter lightly,
answered at once, »I have said so many impertinent things to Fred - we are such
old playfellows.«
    »You said, according to him, that he would be one of those ridiculous
clergymen who help to make the whole clergy ridiculous. Really, that was so
cutting that I felt a little cut myself.«
    Caleb laughed. »She gets her tongue from you, Susan,« he said, with some
enjoyment.
    »Not its flippancy, father,« said Mary, quickly, fearing that her mother
would be displeased. »It is rather too bad of Fred to repeat my flippant
speeches to Mr. Farebrother.«
    »It was certainly a hasty speech, my dear,« said Mrs. Garth, with whom
speaking evil of dignities was a high misdemeanour. »We should not value our
Vicar the less because there was a ridiculous curate in the next parish.«
    »There's something in what she says, though,« said Caleb, not disposed to
have Mary's sharpness undervalued. »A bad workman of any sort makes his fellows
mistrusted. Things hang together,« he added, looking on the floor and moving his
feet uneasily with a sense that words were scantier than thoughts.
    »Clearly,« said the Vicar, amused. »By being contemptible we set men's minds
to the tune of contempt. I certainly agree with Miss Garth's view of the matter,
whether I am condemned by it or not. But as to Fred Vincy, it is only fair he
should be excused a little: old Featherstone's delusive behaviour did help to
spoil him. There was something quite diabolical in not leaving him a farthing
after all. But Fred has the good taste not to dwell on that. And what he cares
most about is having offended you, Mrs. Garth; he supposes you will never think
well of him again.«
    »I have been disappointed in Fred,« said Mrs. Garth, with decision. »But I
shall be ready to think well of him again when he gives me good reason to do
so.«
    At this point Mary went out