they were both silent. And the vicar having thoroughly warmed
himself, as far as this might be done by facing the fire, turned
round and began the operation a tergo.

'Come, Mark, it is twenty minutes past six. Will you go and
dress?'

'I'll tell you what, Fanny: she must have her way about Sarah
Thompson. You can see her to-morrow and tell her so.'

'I am sure, Mark, I would not give way, if I thought it wrong. Nor
would she expect it.'

'If I persist this time, I shall certainly have to yield the next;
and then the next may probably be more important.'

'But if it's wrong, Mark?'

'I didn't say it was wrong. Besides, if it is wrong, wrong in some
infinitesimal degree, one must put up with it. Sarah Thompson is
very respectable; the only question is whether she can teach.'

The young wife, though she did not say so, had some idea her
husband was in error. It is true that one must put up with wrong,
with a great deal of wrong. But no one need put up with wrong that
he can remedy. Why should he, the vicar, consent to receive an
incompetent teacher for the parish children, when he was able to
procure one that was competent? In such a case--so thought Mrs
Robarts to herself--she would have fought the matter out with Lady
Lufton. On the next morning, however, she did as she was bid, and