Miss Mallory's subscription to the Club is, however,
much larger than mine. _I_ shall therefore resign--protesting, of
course, against the reason which induces me to take this course."
"What's wrong with the books?" asked Hugh Roughsedge.
The Vicar drew himself up.
"I have given my reasons."
"Why, you see that kind of thing in every newspaper," said Roughsedge,
bluntly.
"All the more reason why I should endeavor to keep my parish free from
it," was the Vicar's resolute reply. "However, there is no more to be
said. I wished Mrs. Roughsedge to understand what had happened--that
is all."
He paused, and offered a limp hand in good-bye.
"Let me speak to Miss Mallory," said Mrs. Roughsedge, soothingly.
The Vicar shook his head.
"She is a young lady of strong will." And with a hasty nod of farewell
to the Captain, whose hostility he divined, he walked away.
"And what about obstinate and pig-headed parsons!" said Roughsedge,
hotly, addressing his remark, however, safely to the Vicar's back, and
to his mother. "Who makes him a judge of what we shall read! I shall
make a point of asking for both the books!"
"Oh, my dear Hugh!" cried his mother, in rather troubled protest.
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