should gird up
his loins and return all future cabbages to the proud donor.

Mr. Puddleham had his eye keenly set on the scene of his future
ministration, and was aware of Grimes's default almost as soon as
that man with his myrmidons had left the ground. He at once went to
Grimes with heavy denunciations, with threats of the Marquis, and
with urgent explanation as to the necessity of instant work. But
Grimes was obdurate. The Vicar had asked him to leave the work for
a day or two, and of course he must do what the Vicar asked. If
he couldn't be allowed to do as much as that for the Vicar of the
parish, Bullhampton wouldn't be, in Mr. Grimes's opinion, any place
for anybody to live in. Mr. Puddleham argued the matter out, but he
argued in vain. Mr. Grimes declared that there was time enough, and
that he would have the work finished by the time fixed,--unless,
indeed, the Marquis should change his mind. Mr. Puddleham regarded
this as a most improbable supposition. "The Marquis doesn't change
his mind, Mr. Grimes," he said; and then he walked forth from Mr.
Grimes's house with much offence.

By this time all Bullhampton knew of the quarrel,--knew of it,
although Mr. Fenwick had been so very careful to guard himself from
any quarrelling at all. He had not spoken a word in anger on the
subject to anyone but his wife; and in making his request to Grimes
had done so with hypocritical good humour. But, nevertheless, he was
aware that the parish was becoming hot about it; and when he sat down
to write his letter to the Marquis he was almost minded to give up
the idea of writing, to return to Grimes, and to allow the measuring
and sod-turning to be continued. Why should a place of worship
opposite to his gate be considered by him as an injury? Why should
the psalm-singing of Christian brethren hurt his ears as he walked
about his garden? And if, through the infirmity of his nature, his
eyes and his ears were hurt, what was that to the great purport for
which he had been sent into the parish? Was he not about to create
enmity by his opposition; and was it not his special duty to foster
love and goodwill among his people? After all he, within his own
Vicarage grounds, had all that it was intended that he should
possess; and that he held very firmly. Poor Mr. Puddleham had no such
firm holding; and why should he quarrel with Mr. Puddleham because
that ill-paid preacher sought to strengthen the ground on which his
Salem stood?