“Ah, poor creature! what indeed?” said Mrs. Farebrother, her sharpness blunted for the moment by her confidence in maternal judgments. “She says the truth to herself, depend upon it.”

“And what is the truth?” said Lydgate. “I am curious to know.”

“Oh, nothing bad at all,” said Mr. Farebrother. “He is a zealous fellow: not very learned, and not very wise, I think⁠—because I don’t agree with him.”

“Why, Camden!” said Miss Winifred, “Griffin and his wife told me only today, that Mr. Tyke said they should have no more coals if they came to hear you preach.”