Page:Eliot - Felix Holt, the Radical, vol. II, 1866.djvu/147

Rh "Yes, and brought up a governess," said Mrs Muscat; "you'd have thought she'd know better how to choose. But the minister has let her get the upper hand sadly too much. It's a pity in a man of God'— I don't deny he's that."

"Well, I am sorry," said Mrs Tiliot, "for I meant her to give my girls lessons when they came from school."

Mr Wace and Mr Pendrell meanwhile were standing up and looking round at the audience, nodding to their fellow-townspeople with the affability due from men in their position.

"It's time he came now," said Mr Wace, looking at his watch and comparing it with the schoolroom clock. "This debating is a newfangled sort of thing; but the Rector would never have given in to it if there hadn't been good reasons. Nolan said he wouldn't come. He says this debating is an atheistical sort of thing; the Atheists are very fond of it. Theirs is a bad book to take a leaf out of. However, we shall hear nothing but what's good from Mr Sherlock. He preaches a capital sermon—for such a young man."

"Well, it was our duty to support him—not to leave him alone among the Dissenters," said Mr Pendrell. "You see, everybody hasn't felt that.