It embraced
some ten families, who drew up their Mudie lists in common and sent the
books from house to house. The Vicar and Dr. Roughsedge had been till
now mainly responsible for these lists--so far, at least, as "serious
books" were concerned, the ladies being allowed the chief voice in
the novels.
Mrs. Roughsedge, a little fluttered, asked for information.
"Miss Mallory has recommended two books which, in my opinion, should not
be circulated among us," said the Vicar. "I have protested--in vain.
Miss Mallory maintains her recommendation. I propose, therefore, to
withdraw from the Club."
"Are they improper?" cried Mrs. Roughsedge, much distressed. Captain
Roughsedge threw an angry look first at his mother and then at
the Vicar.
"Not in the usual sense," said the Vicar, stiffly--"but highly improper
for the reading of Christian people. One is by a Unitarian, and the
other reproduces some of the worst speculations of an infidel German
theology. I pointed out the nature of the books to Miss Mallory. She
replied that they were both by authors whom her father liked. I
regretted it. Then she fired up, refused to withdraw the names, and
offered to resign.
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