The Vicar says the seats for the Beechcote servants have
never been so empty."
"Dear, dear!" murmured Mrs. Roughsedge.
"And money is improperly given away. Several people whom the Vicar
thinks most unfit objects of charity have been assisted. And in a
conversation with her last week Miss Mallory expressed herself in a very
sad way about foreign missions. Her father's idea, again, no doubt--but
it is all very distressing. The Vicar doubts"--Miss Maria spoke warily,
bringing her face very close to the gray curls--"whether she has ever
been confirmed."
This final stroke, however, fell flat. Mrs. Roughsedge showed no
emotion. "Most of my aunts," she said, stoutly, "were never confirmed,
and they were good Christians and communicants all their lives."
Miss Maria's expression showed that this reference to a preceding
barbaric age of the Church had no relevance to the existing order
of things.
"Of course," she added, hastily, "I do not wish to make myself
troublesome or conspicuous in any way. I merely mention these things as
explaining why the Vicar felt bound to make a stand. The Church feeling
in this parish has been so strong it would, indeed, be a pity if
anything occurred to weaken it.
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