Page:Cuthbert Bede--Little Mr Bouncer and Tales of College Life.djvu/153

Rh from whence he thought it highly probable that he had come to call at the Woodlands. By way, therefore, of starting a conversation that would be agreeable to the gentleman—whom, from his costume, he presumed to be a clergyman—he asked him if there were many fine churches in that neighbourhood?

"I really don't know," replied his companion. "You ought to be better acquainted with this part of the country than I am."

"But I never saw it till yesterday; and, from what you say, I suppose this is your first visit to these parts?" said Mr. Bouncer in his turn being the interrogator.

"To this particular parish it is; though I know other parts of the county at no great distance from here," was the answer.

"Are you staying at the Rectory?" asked Mr. Bouncer, boldly.

"No; why do you ask?"

"Curiosity, I suppose. Excuse my impertinence."

"Oh, I don't think it impertinent. On the contrary, I think it pertinent," said Dr. Dustacre with a laugh. Though he thought to himself—This poor young Winstanley is very shrewd; although his hallucination as to his not having been here for many years would appear to be firmly fixed in his mind.

At the same moment these thoughts were chasing each other through Mr. Bouncer's brain—I hope the old bald-pate is not going to cut up rough. I wonder where he 's hanging out? Perhaps he 's a parson, from some neighbouring parish, come to solicit a subscription from the Squire. Or he may be a deputation from some Parent Society, out on the loose, and wanting to hold a missionary meeting, or something of that sort. Having