Roughsedge, with a pinched mouth. "My sister and
I shall, of course, remove our names from the Club."
"I say--don't your subscribers order the books they like?" asked
Roughsedge, half wroth and half laughing, surveying the lady with his
hand on his side.
"There is a very clear understanding among us," said Miss Maria,
sharply, "as to the character of the books to be ordered. No member of
the Club has yet transgressed it."
"There must be give and take, mustn't there?" said Miss Elizabeth, in a
deprecatory voice. She was the more amiable and the weaker of the two
sisters. "_We_ should _never_ order books that would be offensive to
Miss Mallory."
"But if you haven't read the books?"
"The Vicar's word is quite enough," said Miss Maria, with her most
determined air.
They all moved on together, Captain Roughsedge smoothing or tugging at
his mustache with a restless hand.
But Miss Bertram, presently, dropping a little behind, drew Mrs.
Roughsedge with her.
"There are all sorts of changes at the house," she said, confidentially.
"The laundry maids are allowed to go out every evening, if they
like--and Miss Mallory makes no attempt to influence the servants to
come to church.
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