lic wars, and
not of domestic or social battles; but he should have been more
explicit. Women are born fighters--with their tongues; and an
illustration of this truth was given in Beorminster when Miss Whichello
threw down the gage to Mrs Pansey. The little old lady knew well enough
that when George and Mab were married, the archdeacon's widow would use
her famous memory to recall the scandals she had set afloat nearly
thirty years before. Therefore, to defeat Mrs Pansey once and for all,
she called on that good lady and dared her to say that there was any
disgrace attached to Mab's parentage. Mrs Pansey, anticipating an easy
victory, shook out her skirts, and was up in arms at once.

'I know for a fact that your sister Ann did not marry the man she eloped
with,' cried Mrs Pansey, shaking her head viciously.

'Who told you this fact?' demanded Miss Whichello, indignantly.

'I--I can't remember at present, but that's no matter--it's true.'

'It is not true, and you know it is an invention of your own spiteful
mind, Mrs Pansey. My sister was married on the day she left home, and I
have her marriage certificate to prove it. I showed it to Bishop
Pendle, because you poisoned his mind with your malicious lies, and he
is quite satisfied.'

'Oh, any story would satisfy the bishop,' sneered Mrs Pansey; 'we all
know what he is!'

'We do--an honourable Christian gentleman; and we all know what you
are--a scandalmongering, spiteful, soured cat.'

'Hoity-toity! fine language this.'

'It is the kind of language you deserve, ma'am. All your life you have
been making mischief with your vile tongue!'

'Woman,' roared Mrs Pansey, white with wrath, 'no one ever dared to
speak like this to me.'

'It's a pity they didn't, then,' retorted the undaunted Miss Whichello;
'it would have been the better for you, and for Beorminster also.'

'Would it indeed, ma'am?' gasped her adversary, beginning to feel
nervous; 'oh, really!' with a hysterical titter, 'you and your
certificate--I don't believe you have it.'

'Ask the bishop if I have not. He is satisfied, and that is all that is
necessary, you wicked old woman.'

'You--you leave my house.'

'I shall do no such thing. Here I am, and here I'll stay until I speak
my mind,' and Miss Whichello thumped the floor with her umbrella, while
she gathered breath to continue. 'I haven't the certificate of my
sister's marriage--haven't I? I'll show it to you in a court of law, Mrs
Pansey, w