Go to your homes now and ponder
this; and having pondered, if you will, pray for us."
As the Raymonds left the church they found Squire Moyle waiting by
the porch. Honoria stood just behind him. The rest of the
congregation had drawn off a little distance to watch. The Squire
lifted his hat to Humility, and turned to Mr. Raymond with a sour
frown.
"That means war?"
"It means that I stay," said the Vicar. "The war, if it comes, comes
from your side."
"I don't think the worse of 'ee for fighting. You're not going to
law then?"
Mr. Raymond smiled. "I don't doubt you've put yourself within the
reach of it. But if it eases your mind to know, I am not going to
law."
The Squire grunted, raised his hat again and strode off, gripping
Honoria by the hand.
She had not glanced towards Taffy. Clearly she was not allowed to
speak to him.
The meaning of the Vicar's sermon became plain next morning, when he
walked down to the village and called on Joel Hugh, the carpenter.
"I knows what thee'rt come after," began Joel, "but 'tis no use,
parson dear. Th' old fellow owns the roofs over us, and if I do a
day's work for 'ee, out I goes, neck and crop."
Mr. Raymond had expected this. "It's not for work I'm come," said
he; "but to hire a few tools, if you're minded to spare them."
Joel scratched his head. "Might manage that, now. But, Lord bless
'ee! thee'll never make no hand of it.
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