Thentherewasapause。’Andwhathavetheygiventome？’saidMrCrawley，whentheman’sill—humourabouthissixpencehadsofarsubsidedastoallowofhisbusyinghimselfagainaboutthepremises。
’Yes，indeed；——yes，indeed，’saidthewoman。’Yes，yes，wefeelthat；
wedoindeed，MrCrawley。’
’Itellyouwhat，sir；foranothersixpenceI’dhaveswornyou’dneverguv’methepaperatall；andsoIwillnow，ifitbean’ttoolate；——sixpenceornosixpence。WhatdoIcare？D———them。’
’Dan！’
’Andwhyshouldn’tI？Theyhain’tgotbrainsenoughamongthemtowinnythetruthfromthelies——notamongthelotof’em。I’llswearaforethejudgethatyoudidn’tgiveitmeatall，ifthat’lldoanygood。’
’Man，doyouthinkIwouldhaveyouperjureyourself，evenifthatwoulddomeaservice？Anddoyouthinkanymanwaseverservedbyalie？’
’Faix，amongthemchapsitdon’tdototellthemtoomuchofthetruth。
Lookatthat！’Andhebroughtoutthesixpenceagainfromhisbreeches—pocket。’Andlookatyourreverence。Onlythatthey’veletyououtforawhile，they’vebeennighashardonyouasthoughyouwereoneofus。’
’IftheythinkthatIstoleit，theyhavebeenright，’saidMrCrawley。
’It’sbeenalongofthatchapSoames，’saidthewoman。’Thelordwould’vepaidthemoneyoutofhisownpocketandneversaidnotaword。’
’IftheythinkthatI’vebeenathief，they’vedoneright，’repeatedMrCrawley。’Buthowcantheythinkso？Howcantheythinkso？HaveIlivedlikeathiefamongthem？’
’Forthemattero’that，ifamanain’tpaidforhisworkbythemashisemployers，hemustpayhisself。Them’smynotions。Lookatthat！’
Whereuponheagainpulledoutthesixpence，andhelditforthinthepalmofhishand。
’Youbelieve，then，’saidMrCrawley，speakingveryslowly，’thatIdidstealthemoney。Speakout，Dan；Ishallnotbeangry。Asyougoyouareanhonestmen，andIwanttoknowwhatsuchofyouthinkaboutit。’
’Hedon’tthinknothingofthekind，’saidthewoman，almostgettingoutofbedinherenergy。’Ifhe’thoughtthelikeo’thatinhishead，I’dread’unsuchalessonhe’dneverthinkagainthelongestdayhehadtolive。’
’Speakout，Dan，’saidtheclergyman，notattendingtothewoman。’Youcanunderstandthatnogoodcancomeoflie。’DanMorrisscratchedhishead。’Speakout，man，whenItellyou，’saidCrawley。
’Dratitall，’saidDan，’where’stheuseofsomuchjawaboutit？’
’Sayyouknowhisreverenceisasinnocentasthebabeasisn’tborn，’
saidthewoman。
’No；Iwon’t——sayanythingofthekind，’saidDan。
’Speakoutthetruth，’saidCrawley。
’Theydosay，among’em，’saidDan，’thatyoupickeditup，andthengotwoolgatheringinyourheadtillyoudidn’trightlyknowwhereitcomefrom。’Thenhepaused。’Andafterabityouguv’itmetogetthemoney。
Didn’tyou，now？’
’Idid。’
’Andtheydosayifapoormanhaddoneit，it’dbestealing，forsartin。’
’AndI’mapoorman——thepoorestinallHogglestock；and，therefore，ofcourse，itisstealing。OfcourseIamathief。Yes；ofcourseIamathief。Whentheworldbelievetheworstofthepoor？’Havingsospoken，MrCrawleyrosefromhischairandhurriedoutofthecottage，waitingfornofurtherreplyfromDanMorrisorhiswife。Andashemadehiswayslowlyhome，notgoingtherebythedirectroad，butbyalongcircuit，hetoldhimselftherecouldbenosympathyforhimanywhere。EvenDanMorris，thebrickmaker，thoughtthathewasathief。
’AndamIathief？’hesaidtohimself，standinginthemiddleoftheroad，withhishandsuptohisforehead。
CHAPTERXIII
THEBISHOP’SANGEL
ItwasnearlyninebeforeMrCrawleygotbacktohishouse，andfoundhiswifeanddaughterwaitingbreakfastforhim。’IshouldnotwonderifGracewereoverheretoday，’saidMrsCrawley。’She’dbetterremainwheresheis，’saidhe。Afterthisthemealpassedalmostwithoutaword。Whenitwasover，Jane，atasignfromhermother，wentuptoherfatherandaskedhimwhethersheshouldreadwithhim。’Notnow，’hesaid，’notjustnow。Imustrestmybrainbeforeitwillbefitforanywork。’Thenhegotintothechairoverthefire，andhiswifebegantofearthathewouldremainthereallday。
Butthedaywasnotfaradvanced，whentherecameavisitorwhodisturbedhim，andbydisturbinghimdidhimarealservice。Justattentherearrivedatthelittlegatebeforethehouseamanonapony，whomJaneespied，standingtherebythepony’sheadandlookingaboutforsomeonetorelievehimofthechargeofthesteed。ThiswasMrThumble，whohadriddenovertoHogglestockonapoorspavinedbrutebelongingtothebishop’sstable，andwhichhadoncebeenthebishop’scob。NowitwasthevehiclebywhichMrsProudie’sepiscopalmessagesweresentbackwardsandforwardsthroughatwelve—milesrideroundBarchester；andsomanywerethelady’srequirements，thatthepooranimalbynomeansatethehayofidleness。MrThumblehadsuggestedtoMrsProudie，aftertheirinterviewwiththebishopandthegivingupofthelettertotheclericalmessenger’scharge，thatbeforehiringagigfromtheDragonofWantley，heshouldbegladtoknow——lookingashealwaysdidto’MaryAnneandthechildren’——whencethepriceofthegigwastobereturnedtohim。MrsProudiehadfrownedathim——notwithalltheyausterityoffrowningwhichshecouldusewhenreallyangered，butsimplywithafrownwhichgavehersomelittletimeforthought，andwouldenablehertocontinuetorebukeif，afterthinking，sheshouldfindthatrebukewasneeded。ButmatureconsiderationshowedherthatMrThumble’scautionwasnotwithoutreason。Werethebishopenergetic——oreventhebishop’smanagingchaplainasenergeticasheshouldbe，MrCrawleymight，asMrsProudiefeltassured，bemadeinsomewaytopayforaconveyanceforMrThumble。Buttheenergywaslacking，andthepriceofthegig，ifthegigwereordered，wouldcertainlyfallultimatelyonthebishop’sshoulders。Thiswasverysad。MrsProudiehadoftengrievedoverthenecessaryexpenditureofepiscopalsurveillance，andhadbeenheardtodeclareheropinionthataliberalallowanceforsecretserviceshouldbemadeineverydiocese。WhatbettercouldtheEcclesiasticalCommissiondowithallthoserichrevenueswhichtheyhadstolenfromthebishops？Buttherewasnosuchliberalallowanceatpresent，andtherefore，MrsProudie，afterhavingfrownedatMrThumbleforsomeseconds，desiredhimtotakethegreycob。Now，MrThumblehadriddenthegreycobbefore，andwouldhavemuchpreferredagig。Buteventhegreycobwasbetterthanagigathisowncost。
’Mamma，there’samanatthegatewaitingtocomein，’saidJane。’I
thinkhe’saclergyman。’
MrCrawleyimmediatelyraisedhishead，thoughhedidnotatonceleavehischair。MrsCrawleywenttothewindow，andrecognisedthereverendvisitor。’Mydear，itisthatMrThumble，whoissomuchwiththebishop。’
’WhatdoesMrThumblewantwithme。’
’Nay，mydear；hewilltellyouthathimself。’ButMrsCrawley，thoughsheansweredhimwithavoiceintendedtobecheerful，greatlyfearedthecomingmessengerfromthepalace。Sheperceivedatoncethatthebishopwasabouttointerferewithherhusbandinconsequenceofthatwhichthemagistrateshaddoneyesterday。
’Mamma，hedoesn’tknowwhattodowithhispony，’saidJane。
’Tellhimtotieittotherail，’saidMrCrawley。’Ifhehasexpectedtofindmenialshere，ashehasthematthepalace，hewillbewrong。Ifhewantstocomeinhere，lethimtiethebeasttotherail。’SoJanewentoutandsentamessagetoMrThumblebythegirl，andMrThumbledidtietheponytotherail，andfollowedthegirlintothehouse。JaneinthemeantimehadretiredoutbythebackdoortotheschoolbutMrsCrawleykeptherground。Shekepthergroundalthoughshebelievedthatherhusbandwouldhavepreferredtohavethefieldtohimself。AsMrThumbledidnotatonceentertheroom，MrCrawleystalkedtothedoor，andstoodwithitopeninhishand。ThoughheknewMrThumble’sperson，hewasnotacquaintedwithhim，andthereforesimplybowedtothevisitor，bowingmorethanonceortwicewithacoldcourtesy，whichdidnotputMrThumblealtogetherathisease。’MynameisMrThumble，’saidthevisitor——’theReverendCalebThumble，’andheheldthebishop’sletterinhishand。MrCrawleyseemedtotakenonoticeoftheletter，butmotionedMrThumblewithhishandintotheroom。
’IsupposeyouhavecomefromBarchesterthismorning？’saidMrsCrawley。
’Yes，madam——fromthepalace。’MrThumble，thoughahumblemaninpositionsinwhichhefelthumilitywouldbecomehim——ahumblemantohisbetters，ashehimselfwouldhaveexpressedit——hadstillabouthimsomethingofthatpridewhichnaturallybelongedtothoseclergymenwhowerecloselyattachedtothepalaceatBarchester。HadhebeensentonamessagetoPlumstead——couldanysuchmessagefromBarchesterpalacehavebeenpossible——hewouldhavebeenproperlyhumbleinhisdemeanourtothearchdeacon，ortoMrsGrantlyhadhebeenadmittedtotheaugustpresenceofthatlady；buthewasawarethathumilitywouldnotbecomehimonthispresentmission；hehadbeenexpresslyorderedtobefirmbyMrsProudie，andfirmhemeanttobe；andtherefore，incommunicatingtoMrsCrawleythefactthathehadcomefromthepalace，hedidloadthetoneofhisvoicewithsomethingofthedignitywhichMrCrawleymightperhapsbeexcusedforregardingasarrogance。
’Andwhatdoesthe\"palace\"wantwithme？’saidMrCrawley。MrsCrawleyknewatoncetherewastobeabattle。Nay，thebattlehadbegun。Norwasshealtogethersorry；forthoughshecouldnottrustherhusbandtositalonealldayinhisarm—chairoverthefire，shecouldtrusthimtocarryonadisputationwithanyotherclergymanonanysubjectwhatever。
’Whatdoesthepalacewantwithme？’AndasMrCrawleyaskedthequestionhestooderect，andlookedMrThumblefullintheface。MrThumblecalledtomindthefact，thatMrCrawleywasaverypoormanindeed——sopoorthatheowedmoneyallroundthecountrytobutchersandbakers，andtheotherfactthathe，MrThumblehimself，didnotoweanymoneytoanyone，hiswifeluckilyhavingalittleincomeofherown；
and，strengthenedbytheseremembrances，heendeavouredtobearMrCrawley’sattackwithgallantry。
’Ofcourse，MrCrawley，youareawarethatthisunfortunateaffairatSilverbridge——’
’IamnotpreparedtodiscusstheunfortunateaffairatSilverbridgewithastranger。IfyouarethebearerofanymessagetomefromtheBishopofBarchester，perhapsyouwilldeliverit。’
’Ihavebroughtaletter，’saidMrThumble。ThenMrCrawleystretchedouthishandwithoutaword，andtakingtheletterwithhimtothewindow，readitveryslowly。Whenhehadmadehimselfmasterofitscontents，herefoldedtheletter，placeditagainintheenvelope，andreturnedtothespotwhereMrThumblewasstanding。’Iwillanswerthebishop’sletter，’hesaid；’Iwillansweritofcourse，asitisfittingthatIshoulddoso。ShallIaskyoutowaitformyreply，orshallI
senditbycourseofpost？’
’Ithink，MrCrawley，asthebishopwishesmetoundertaketheduty——’
’Youwillnotundertaketheduty，MrThumble。Youneednottroubleyourself，forIshallnotsurrendermypulpittoyou。’
’Butthebishop——’
’Icarenothingforthebishopinthismatter。’Somuchhespokeinanger，andthenhecorrectedhimself。’Icravethebishop’spardon，andyoursashismessenger，ifintheheatoccasionedbymystrongfeelingsIhavesaidaughtwhichmaysavourofirreverencetowardshislordship’soffice。Irespecthislordship’shighpositionasbishopofthisdiocese，andIbowtohiscommandsinallthingslawful。ButImustnotbowtohiminthingsunlawful，normustIabandonmydutybeforeGodathisbidding，unlesshisbiddingbegiveninaccordancewiththecanonsoftheChurchandthelawsoftheland。Itwillbemyduty，onthecomingSunday，toleadtheprayersofmypeopleinthechurchofmyparish，andtopreachtothemfrommypulpit；andthatmyduty，withGod’sassistance，Iwillperform。NorwillIallowanyclergymantointerferewithmeintheperformanceofthosesacredoffices——no，notthoughthebishophimselfshouldbepresentwiththeobjectofenforcinghisillegalcommand。’MrCrawleyspokethesewordswithouthesitation，evenwitheloquence，standingupright，andwithsomethingofanobleangergleamingoverhispoorwanface；and，Ithink，thatwhilespeakingthem，hewashappierthanhehadbeenformanyalongday。
MrThumblelistenedtohimpatiently，standingwithonefootalittleinadvanceoftheother，withonehandfoldedovertheother，withhisheadratherononeside，andwithhiseyesfixedonthecornerwherethewallandceilingjoinedeachother。Hehadbeentoldtobefirm，andhewasconsideringhowhemightbestdisplayfirmness。Hethoughtthatherememberedsomestoryoftwoparsonsfightingforonepulpit，andhethoughtalsothatheshouldnothimselfliketoincurthescandalofsuchaproceedinginthediocese。Astothelawinthematterheknewnothinghimself；buthepresumedthatabishopwouldprobablyknowtheletterbetterthanaperpetualcurate。ThatMrsProudiewasintemperateandimperious，hewasaware。Hadthemessagecomefromheralone，hemighthavefeltthatevenforhersakehehadbettergiveway。Butasthedespoticarroganceoftheladyinthiscasehadbeenbackedbythetimidpresenceandhesitatingwordsofherlord，MrThumblethoughtthathemusthavethelawonhisside。’Ithinkyouwillfind，MrCrawley，’
saidhe，’thatthebishop’sinhibitionisstrictlylegal。’HehadpickedupthepowerfulwordfromMrsProudieandflatteredhimselfthatitmightbeofusetohimincarryinghispurpose。
’Itisillegal，’saidMrCrawley，speakingsomewhatlouderthanbefore，’andwillbeabsolutelyfutile。Asyoupleadedtomethatyouyourselfandyourpersonalconveniencewereconcernedinthismatter，Ihavemadeknownmyintentionstoyou，whichotherwiseIshouldhavemadeknownonlytothebishop。Ifyouplease，wewilldiscussthematternofurther。’
’AmItounderstand，MrCrawley，thatyourefusetoobeythebishop？’
’Thebishophaswrittentome，sire，andIwillmakeknownmyintentiontothebishopbyawrittenanswer。Asyouhavebeenthebearerofthebishop’slettertome，IamboundtoaskwhetherIshallbeindebtedtoyouforcarryingbackmyreply，orwhetherIshallsenditbycourseofpost？’MrThumbleconsideredforamoment，andthenmadeuphismindthathehadbetterwait，andcarrybacktheepistle。ThiswasFriday，andthelettercouldnotbedeliveredbyposttilltheSaturdaymorning。
MrsProudiemightbeangrywithhimifheshouldbethecauseoflossoftime。Hedidnot，however，atalllikewaiting，havingperceivedthatMrCrawley，thoughwithlanguagecourteouslyworded，hadspokenofhimasameremessenger。
’Ithink，’hesaid，’thatImay，perhaps，bestfurthertheobjectwhichwemustallhaveinview，thatnamelyofprovidingproperlyfortheSundayservicesinthechurchofHogglestock，bytakingyourreplypersonallytothebishop。’
’Thatprovisionismycareandneedtroublenooneelse，’saidMrCrawley，inaloudvoice。Then，beforeseatinghimselfathisolddesk，hestoodawhile，ponderingwithhisbackturnedtohisvisitor。’Ihavetoaskyourpardon，sir，’saidhe，lookingroundforamoment，’becausebythereasonoftheextremepovertyofthishouse，mywifeisunabletoofferyouanyhospitalitywhichisespeciallyduefromoneclergymantoanother。’
’Oh，don’tmentionit，’saidMrThumble。
’Ifyouwillallowme，sir，Iwouldpreferthatitshouldbementioned。’
Thenheseatedhimself，andcommencedhisletter。
MrThumblefelthimselftobeawkwardlyplaced。HadtherebeennothirdpersonintheroomhecouldhavesatdowninMrCrawley’sarm—chair，andwaitedpatientlytillthelettershouldbefinished。ButMrsCrawleywasthere，andofcoursehewasboundtospeaktoher。Inwhatstrainshouldhedoso？Evenhe，aslittleashewasgiventoindulgeinsentiment，hadbeentouchedbytheman’sappealtohisownpoverty，andhefelt，moreover，thatMrsCrawleymusthavebeendeeplymovedbyherhusband’spositionwithreferencetothebishop’sorder。Itwasquiteoutofthequestionthatheshouldspeakofthat，asMrCrawleywould，hewaswellaware，wouldimmediatelyturnuponhim。Atlasthethoughtofasubject，andspokewithavoiceintendedtobepleasant。’Thatwastheschool—houseIpassed，probably，asIcamehere？’MrsCrawleytoldhimthatitwastheschool—house。’Ah，yes，Ithoughtso。Haveyouacertifiedteacherthere？’MrsCrawleyexplainedthatnoGovernmentaidhadeverreachedHogglestock。Besidesthemselves，theyhadonlyayoungwomanwhomtheythemselveshadinstructed。
’Ah，thatisapity，’saidMrThumble。
’I——Iamthecertifiedteacher，’saidMrCrawley，turningrounduponhimfromhischair。
’Oh，ah，yes，’saidMrThumble；andafterthatMrThumbleaskednomorequestionsabouttheHogglestockschool。SoonafterwardsMrsCrawleylefttheroom，seeingthedifficultyunderwhichMrThumblewaslabouring，andfeelingsurethatherpresencewouldnotnowbenecessary。MrCrawley’sletterwaswrittenquickly，thougheverynowandthenhewouldsitforamomentwithhispenpoisedintheair，searchinghismemoryforaword。Butthewordscametohimeasily，andbeforeanhourwasoverhehadhandedhislettertoMrThumble。Theletterwasasfollows：——
’THEPARSONAGE，HOGGLESTOCK，December，186—
’RIGHTREVERENDLORD，’Ihavereceivedtheletterofyesterday’sdatewhichyourlordshiphasdonemethehonourofsendingbythehandsoftheReverendMrThumble，andIavailmyselfofthatgentleman’skindnesstoreturntoyouananswerbythesamemeans，movedthistousehispatiencechieflybytheconsiderationthatinthiswaymyreplytoyourlordship’sinjunctionsmaybeinyourhandswithlessdelaythanwouldattendthecourseofthemail—post。
’ItiswithdeepregretthatIfeelmyselfconstrainedtoinformyourlordshipthatIcannotobeythecommandwhichyouhavelaiduponmewithreferencetotheservicesofmychurchinthisparish。IcannotpermitMrThumble，oranyotherdelegatefromyourlordship，tousurpmyplaceinthepulpit。Iwouldnothaveyouthink，ifIcanpossiblydispelsuchthoughtsfromyourmind，thatIdisregardyourhighoffice，orthatIamdeficientinthatrespectfulobediencetothebishopsetoverme，whichisduetotheauthorityoftheCrownastheheadofthechurchintheserealms；butinthis，asinallquestionsofobedience，hewhoisrequiredtoobeymustexaminetheextentoftheauthorityexercisedbyhimwhodemandsobedience。Yourlordshipmightpossiblycalluponme，usingyourvoiceasbishopofthediocese，toabandonaltogetherthefreeholdrightswhicharenowmineinthisperpetualcuracy。Thejudgeofassize，beforewhomIshallsoonstandformytrial，mightcommandmetoretiretoprisonwithoutaverdictgivenbyajury。
Themagistrateswhocommittedmesolatelyasyesterday，uponwhosedecisioninthatrespectyourlordshiphastakenactionagainstmesoquickly，mighthaveequallystrainedtheirauthority。Butinnocase，inthisland，ishethatissubjectboundtoobey，furtherthanwherethelawgivesauthorityandexactsobedience。ItisnotinthepoweroftheCrownitselftoinhibitmefromtheperformanceofmyordinarydutiesinthisparishbyanysuchmissiveasthatsenttomebyyourlordship。Ifyourlordshipthinkrighttostopmymouthasaclergymaninyourdiocese，youmustproceedtodosoinanecclesiasticalcourtinaccordancewiththelaws，andwillsucceedinyourobject，offail，inaccordancewiththeevidencesastotheministerialfitnessorunfitness，whichmaybeproducedrespectingmebeforethepropertribunal。
’Iwillallowthatmuchattentionisduefromaclergymantopastoraladvicegiventohimbyhisbishop。OnthatheadImustfirstexpresstoyourlordshipmyfullunderstandingthatyourletterhasnotbeenintendedtoconveyadvice，butanorder；——aninhibition，asyourmessenger，theReverendMrThumble，hasexpressedit。TheremightbeacasecertainlyinwhichIshouldsubmitmyselftocounsel，thoughIshouldresistcommand。Nocounsel，however，hasbeengiven——exceptindeedthatIshouldreceiveyourmessengerinaproperspirit，whichIhopeIhavedone。Nootheradvicehasbeengivenme，andthereforethereisnownosuchcaseasthatIhaveimagined。Butinthismatter，mylord，Icouldnothaveacceptedadvicefromalivingman，no，notthoughthehandsoftheapostlesthemselveshadmadehimbishopwhotenderedittome，andhadsethimovermeformyguidance。Iaminaterriblestrait。Trouble，andsorrow，anddangerareuponmeandmine。Itmaywellbe，asyourlordshipsays，thatthebitterwatersofthepresenthourmaypassovermyheadanddestroyme。IthankyourlordshipfortellingmewhitherIamtolookforassistance。TrulyIknownotwhetherthereisanytobefoundformeonearth。Butthedeepermytroubles，thegreatermysorrow，themorepressinganydanger，thestrongerismyneedthatI
shouldcarrymyselfinthesedayswiththatoutwardrespectofselfwhichwillteachthosearoundmetoknowthat，letwhowillcondemnme，Ihavenotcondemnedmyself。WereItoabandonmypulpit，unlessforcedtodosobylegalmeans，Ishouldindoingsobeputtingapleaofguiltyagainstmyselfupontherecord。This，mylord，Iwillnotdo。
’Ihavethehonourtobe，mylord，’Yourlordship’smostobedientservant，’JOSIAHCRAWLEY’
Whenhehadfinishedwritinghisletterhereaditoverslowly，andthenhandedittoMrThumble。Theactofwriting，andthecurrentofthethoughtsthroughhisbrain，andthefeelingthatineverywordwrittenhewasgettingthebetterofthebishop——allthisjoinedtoacertainmanlydelightinwarfareagainstauthority，lighteduptheman’sfaceandgavetohiseyesanexpressionwhichhadbeenlongwantingtothem。
HiswifeatthatmomentcameintotheroomandhelookedatherwithanairoftriumphashehandedthelettertoMrThumble。’Ifyouwillgivethattohislordshipwithanassuranceofmydutytohislordshipinallthingsproper，Iwillthankyoukindly，cravingyourpardonforthegreatdelaytowhichyouhavebeensubjected。’
’Astothedelay，itisnothing，’saidMrThumble。
’Ithasbeenmuch；butyouasaclergymanwillfeelthatithasbeenincumbentuponmetospeakmymindfully。’
’Oh，yes；ofcourse。’MrCrawleywasstandingup，asalsowasMrsCrawley。ItwasevidenttoMrThumblethattheybothexpectedthatheshouldgo。Buthehadbeenespeciallyenjoinedtobefirm，andhedoubtedwhetherhithertohehadbeenfirmenough。Asfarasthismorning’sworkhadasyetgone，itseemedtohimthatMrCrawleyhadhadtheplaytohimself，andthathe，MrThumble，hadnothadhisinnings。
He，fromthepalace，hadbeen，asitwere，cowedbythisman，whohadbeenforcedtopleadhisownpoverty。Itwascertainlyincumbentuponhim，beforehewent，tospeakup，notonlyforthebishop，butforhimselfalso。’MrCrawley，’hesaid，’hithertoIhavelistenedtoyoupatiently。’
’Nay，’saidMrCrawley，smiling，’youhaveindeedbeenpatient，andI
thankyou；butmywordshavebeenwritten，notspoken。’
’Youhavetoldmethatyouintendtodisobeythebishop’sinhibition。’
’Ihavetoldthebishopso，certainly。’
’MayIaskyounowtolistentomeforafewminutes？’
MrCrawley，stillsmiling，stillhavinginhiseyestheunwontedtriumphwhichhadlightedthemup，pausedamoment，andthenansweredhim。
’Reverendsir，youmustexcusemeifIsayno——notonthissubject。’
’Youwillnotletmespeak？’
’No；notonthismatter，whichisveryprivatetome。WhatshouldyouthinkifIwentintoyourhouseandinquiredofyouastothosethingswhichwereparticularlyneartoyou？’
’Butthebishopsentme。’
’Thoughtenbishopssentme——acouncilofarchbishopsifyouwill！’MrThumblestartedback，appalledbytheenergyofthewordsusedtohim。
’Shallamanhavenothingofhisown；——nosorrowinhisheart，nocareinhisfamily，nothoughtinhisbreastsoprivateandspecialtohim，butthat，ifhehappentobeaclergyman，thebishopmaytouchitwithhisthumb？’
’Iamnotthebishop’sthumb，’saidMrThumble，drawinghimselfup。
’Iintendednottohintanythingpersonallyobjectionabletoyourself。
Iwillregardyouasoneoftheangelsofthechurch。’MrThumble，whenheheardthis，begantobesurethatMrCrawleywasmad；heknewofnoangelsthatcouldrideabouttheBarsetshirelanesongreyponies。’AndasmuchasIrespectyou；butIcannotdiscusswithyouthematterofthebishop’smessage。’
’Oh，verywell。Iwilltellhislordship。’
’Iwillprayyoutodoso。’