Page:Scenes of Clerical Life volume 1.djvu/26

Rh remember, as used to say, 'You're like the woodpigeon; it says do, do, do all day, and never sets about any work itself.' That's bringing it home to people. But our parson's no gift at all that way; he can preach as good a sermon as need be heard when he writes it down. But when he tries to preach wi'out book, he rambles about, and doesn't stick to his text; and every now and then he flounders about like a sheep as has cast itself, and can't get on'ts legs again. You wouldn't like that, Mrs Patten, if you was to go to church now?"

"Eh, dear," said Mrs Patten, falling back in her chair, and lifting up her little withered hands, "what 'ud Mr Gilfil say, if he was worthy to know the changes as have come about i' the Church these last ten years? I don't understand these new sort o' doctrines. When Mr Barton comes to see me, he talks about nothing but my sins and my need o' marcy. Now, Mr Hackit, I've never been a sinner. From the fust beginning, when I went into service, I al'ys did my duty by my emplyers. I was a good wife as any in the county&mdash;never aggravated my husband. The cheese-factor used to say my cheese was al'ys to be depended on.