Fulsom, and
Mrs. Fulsom had told Mrs. Deacon Whittle, and Mrs. Whittle had told
another woman, who had felt it to be her Christian duty (however
unpleasant) to inform Fanny that the minister was "payin' attention
to Miss Orr."
"Of course," the woman had pointed out, "it wasn't to be wondered at,
special, seeing the Orr girl had every chance in the world to catch
him--living right in the same house with him." Then she had further
stated her opinions of men in general for Fanny's benefit. All
persons of the male sex, according to this woman, were easily put
upon, deceived and otherwise led astray by artful young women from
the city, who were represented as perpetually on the lookout for easy
marks, like Wesley Elliot.
"He ain't any different from other men, if he _is_ a minister," said
she with a comprehensive sniff. "They're all alike, as far as I can
find out: anybody that's a mind to soft-soap them and flatter them
into thinkin' they're something great can lead them right around by
the nose. And besides, _she's_ got _money!_"
Fanny had affected a haughty indifference to the doings of Wesley
Elliot, which did not for a moment deceive her keen-eyed informer.
"Of course, anybody with eyes in their heads can see what's taken
place," compassionated she, impaling the unfortunate Fanny on the
prongs of her sympathy. "My! I was telling George only yesterday, I
thought it was a _perfect shame!_ and somebody ought to speak out
real plain to the minister.
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