Page:Wuthering Heights and Agnes Grey (1st edition), Volume 3 (Agnes Grey).djvu/175

Rh couldn't understand, an' th' prayer-book only served to shew me how wicked I was, that I could read such good words, an' never be no better for it, and oftens feel it a sore labour an' a heavy task beside, instead of a blessing and a privilege as all good christians does. It seemed like as all were barren an' dark to me. And then, them dreadful words 'Many shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able.' They like as they fair dried up my sperrit.

"But one Sunday, when Maister Hatfield gave out about the sacrament, I noticed where he said, 'If there be any of you that cannot quiet his own conscience, but requireth further comfort or counsel, let him come to me, or some other discreet and learned minister of God's word and open his grief! So next Sunday morning, afore service, I just looked in to th' vestry, an' began a talking to th' rector again...c hardly could fashion to take such a liberty, but I thought when my soul was at stake, I shouldn't stick at a trifle. But he said he hadn't time to attend to me then."

And indeed,' says he, 'I've nothing to say to you, but what I've said beforetake the sacrament of course, and go on doing your