so anxious for a change, that, as matters stand, I couldn't consistently
refuse my consent."

Now for some reason or other, the vicar at this point seemed to have an
idea that he had prevaricated; and as an honest vicar, it was a thing he
determined not to do. He corrected himself, blushing as he did so,
though why he should blush was not known to Reuben.

"Understand me rightly," he said: "the church-warden proposed it to me,
but I had thought myself of getting--Miss Day to play."

"Which churchwarden might that be who proposed her, sir?--excusing my
common way." The tranter intimated by his tone that, so far from being
inquisitive, he did not even wish to ask a single question.

"Mr. Shiner, I believe."

"Clk, my sonny!--beg your pardon, sir, that's only a form of words of
mine, and slipped out accidental--he nourishes enmity against us for some
reason or another; perhaps because we played rather hard upon en
Christmas night. Anyhow 'tis certain sure that Mr. Shiner's real love
for music of a particular kind isn't his reason. He've no more ear than
that chair. But let that be."

"I don't think you should conclude that, because Mr. Shiner wants a
different music, he has any ill-feeling for you. I myself, I must own,
prefer organ-music to any other. I consider it most proper, and feel
justified in endeavouring to introduce it; but then, although other music
is better, I don't say yours is not good."