that you mean to be impertinent--which is it?"

"Me!--drinking, sir?" cried the shopkeeper. "If I had been one as was
given that way, I wouldn't have attended to your interests not as I
have done. There aint another man in Carlingford as has stood up for
his clergyman as I have; and as for little Rosa, sir, most folks as
had right notions would have inquired into that; but being as I
trusted in you, I wasn't the one to make any talk. I've said to
everybody as has asked me that there wasn't nothing in it but
kindness. I don't say as I hadn't my own thoughts--for gentlemen don't
go walking up Grange Lane with a pretty little creature like that all
for nothing; but instead o' making anything of that, or leading of you
on, or putting it in the child's head to give you encouragement, what
was it I did but send her away afore you came home, that you mightn't
be led into temptation! And instead of feelin' grateful, you say I've
been drinking! It's a thing as I scorn to answer," said Mr Elsworthy;
"there aint no need to make any reply--all Carlingford knows _me_; but
as for Rosa, if it is understood plain between us that it's your wish,
I aint the man to interfere," continued Rosa's guardian, with a smile
which drove the Curate frantic; "but she hasn't got no father, poor
thing, and it's my business to look after her; and I'll not bring her
back, Mr Wentworth, unless it's understood between us plain."

Strong language, forcible, but unclerical, was on the Curate's lips,
and it was only with an effort that he restrained himself. "Look here,
Elsworthy," he said; "it will be better for you not to exasperate me.
You understand perfectly what I mean. I repeat, Rosa must come back,
and that instantly. It is quite unnecessary to explain to you why I
insist upon this, for you comprehend it. Pshaw! don't let us have any
more of this absurdity," he exclaimed, impatiently. "No more, I tell
you. Your wife is not such a fool. Let anybody who inquires about me
understand that I have come back, and am quite able to account for all
my actions," said the Curate, shouldering his bag. He was just about
leaving the shop when Elsworthy rushed after him in an access of alarm
and repentance.

"One moment, sir," cried the shopkeeper; "there aint no offence, Mr
Wentworth? I am sure there aint nobody in Carlingford as means better,
or would do as much for his clergyman. One moment, sir; there was one
thing I forgot to mention. Mr Wodehouse, sir, has b