"Then I shall keep out of the way," said Julius. "I do not want to
have the request made to me in public."
"You do not mean to refuse?" said Cecil, with a sort of self-
identification with her constituents.
"The people are welcome to attend as many of our services as they
like; but there is no hour that I could give the church up to Mr.
Fuller on a Sunday."
"Nor would the use of St. Nicholas be very edifying for our people,"
added Mr. Bindon.
His junior clenched it by saying with a laugh, "I should think not!
Fancy old Fuller's rusty black gown up in our pulpit!"
"I rejoice to say that is burnt," rejoined Mr. Bindon.
"What bet will you take that a new one will be the first thing
subscribed for?" said the deacon, bringing a certain grave look on
the faces of both the elder clergy, and a horror-stricken one upon
Anne's; while Cecil pronounced her inevitable dictum, that at
Dunstone Mr. Venn always preached in a gown, and "we" should never
let him think of anything nonsensical.
Rosamond was provoked into a display of her solitary bit of
ecclesiastical knowledge--"A friar's gown, the most Popish vestment
in the church.
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