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Were I to abandon my pulpit, unless forced to do so by legal means, I should in doing so be putting a plea of guilty against myself upon the record. This, my lord, I will not do. I have the honour to be, my lord, Your lordship's most obedient servant, When he had finished writing his letter he read it over slowly, and then handed it to Mr Thumble.
If he were to allow the matter to pass by without notice, that is to say, in the event of Mr Crawley being pronounced guilty by a jury, he would, I think, neglect in his duty. Now I have been informed that the bishop has recommended Mr Crawley to desist from his duties till the trial be over, and that Mr Crawley has declined to take the bishop's advice." "That is true," said Mr Thumble.
"Am I to understand that this man has professed himself to be altogether indifferent to the bishop's prohibition?" said Mrs Proudie, interrupting her husband and addressing Mr Thumble. "Quite so. He seemed to think that the bishop had no lawful power in the matter at all," said Mr Thumble. "Do you hear that, my lord?" said Mrs Proudie.
Besides themselves, they had only a young woman whom they themselves had instructed. "Ah, that is a pity," said Mr Thumble. "I, I am the certified teacher," said Mr Crawley, turning round upon him from his chair. "Oh, ah, yes," said Mr Thumble; and after that Mr Thumble asked no more questions about the Hogglestock school.
But as Mrs Proudie had spoken he dropped his finger and was silent. "Mr Thumble brought me back your written reply," continued the bishop, "by which I was grieved to find that you were not willing to submit yourself to my counsel in the matter." "I was most unwilling, my lord. Submission to authority is at times a duty; and at times opposition to authority is a duty also."
Then Mr Crawley stretched out his hand without a word, and taking the letter with him to the window, read it very slowly. When he had made himself master of its contents, he refolded the letter, placed it again in the envelope, and returned to the spot where Mr Thumble was standing. "I will answer the bishop's letter," he said; "I will answer it of course, as it is fitting that I should do so.
His wife at that moment came into the room and he looked at her with an air of triumph as he handed the letter to Mr Thumble. "If you will give that to his lordship with an assurance of my duty to his lordship in all things proper, I will thank you kindly, craving your pardon for the great delay to which you have been subjected." "As to the delay, that is nothing," said Mr Thumble.
Perhaps you will select two yourself out of your rural deanery; and, if you do not object, I will name as the other two Mr Thumble and Mr Quiverful, who are both resident in the city."
"And we request that you will be very firm in the mission which is confided to you, a mission which, as of course, you see, is of a very delicate and important nature. You must be firm." "I will endeavour," said Mr Thumble.
Neither to him nor to any of his family was there attached any longer the privilege of using the chancel of the church of Hogglestock. Mr Thumble scrambled into the reading-desk some ten minutes after the proper time, and went through the morning service under, what must be admitted to be, serious difficulties.
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