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"I went, Tom," he said, "because I was grieved about the young man, for I tried again and again to wean him from his life; but nothing could be done everything was too black against him. He and the others have been committed for trial, and Pete is sure to be severely punished." "Perhaps it will be for the best, Mr Maxted," said Tom.
"No," said Uncle Richard, smiling, but wincing at the same time; "she has had experience of me before in my dabblings in other things. What do you say was the cause of the trouble, Tom?" "Well, I should say, uncle, that the silver was too strong for the glass, and made it split all to pieces." "Not a bad theory," said Uncle Richard. "What do you say, Maxted?"
Then on leaving, when Mr Maxted bustled up to ask after Uncle Richard, fearing that he was absent from illness, till he heard that it was on account of his invalid brother, Sam began to show plenty of assumption and contempt for the little rustic church. "Why don't you have an organ?" he said. "For two reasons, my dear young friend," said Mr Maxted.
"Oh no," said the Vicar. "It must out now. I suppose some one's honour has gone a little astray." "Then we must fetch it back. Whose? Not yours, Tom?" "I don't know, uncle," said the boy, with his forehead all wrinkled up. "Yes, I do. Mr Maxted thinks I went to his garden last night to steal plums. Tell him I didn't, uncle, please." "Tell him yourself, Tom."
Stop and have a bit with us, Maxted, and see what the experiment says afterwards. It will be dry enough to polish by then." "Oh, thank you very much, but no, really I ought to er I did not mean to stay." "Never mind, stop," cried Uncle Richard warmly. "Yes, do stay, Mr Maxted," cried Tom. "It's very good of you, but I think I ought to " "Stop," said Uncle Richard.
"Not exactly that, sir," said Mrs Fidler, looking sadly troubled and perplexed; "but she said she was sure you would be doing something uncanny up there, and she hoped that no evil would descend upon the village in consequence, for she fully expected that we should be smitten for your sins." "Did she tell you this?" "No, sir; she said it to Mr Maxted." "Told the vicar?" "Yes, sir."
"I think, Maxted, if you will go on first, and warn his grandmother, and have a bed ready, and also get the doctor there, we will make a litter of a couple of poles and some fir-boughs, and carry him home. It would be better for you to go to the old woman than for Tom." "Yes," said the Vicar, who set aside his regular quiet, sedate bearing, and ran off through the wood at a sharp trot.
"Yes; the poor ignorant people here believe that she has the power to do them harm; and in spite of all Mr Maxted tells them, he cannot shake their faith." "What shall you do now, uncle?" "Nothing, my boy, upon second thoughts. I am afraid we should not be able to prove that this young scoundrel did the mischief without calling in the police, and that I am very loth to do."
"Dear me!" said Mr Maxted dryly, "it never sounds comic to my ears, for there is so much sincerity in the simple act of praise. But we are homely country people down here, and very rustic no doubt to you." "Confounded young prig!" said Mr Maxted, as he walked back to the Vicarage. "I felt as if I could kick him. Nice sentiments these for a clergyman on a Sunday," he added.
"It seems I lost it, uncle. I haven't seen it, I think, since I had it to put a wedge under that leg of the stool." "And when was that?" "As far as I can remember, uncle, it was the day or the day before the speculum was broken. I fancy I left it on the window-sill or bench." "Plain as a pike-staff, my dear Maxted," said Uncle Richard, clapping the Vicar on the shoulder.
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