To be sure thou'll talk
about it; but go and talk i' thy class-meeting wi' Josiah Banks looking
i' thy face, and then thou'll talk wi' a kind heart. Do as I tell
thee."
"Nay, I'll not do it."
"Thou nivver will disappoint t' devil, Peggy."
Peggy did not answer; she was too much interested in the rector's
proceedings. He was actually crossing the road and joining the ladies
and the preacher.
"Now, then! Dost ta see that, Ezra? Whativer's coming to folk? Why-a!
They're a' going on together!"
"Why not? T' rector's a varry good man. It 'ud be strange if he didn't
feel for poor Martha as well as ivery other kind heart. Her trouble
hes made a' maks o' Christians feel together."
"If Martha was nobbut a Church o' England woman."
"Dost ta really think that t' rector is cut on that sort o' a pattern?
Not he. A man may be a Christian, Peggy, even if he isn't a Wesleyan
Methody. Them's my principles, and I'm not a bit 'shamed o' them."
It was quite true; the rector had joined the girls and the preacher,
and they walked on together as far as the park gates, talking of Martha
and her great sorrow and great faith. Then the preacher turned back,
carrying with him to his little chapel the strength that comes from
real Christian sympathy and communion.
"What clear prophetic eyes that Mr.
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