'But you must think something when everybody is talking about it,
mamma.'

'Of course my mother thinks he did,' said John, going back to his book.
'It is impossible that she should think otherwise.'

'That is not fair, John,' said Mrs Walker; 'and I won't have you
fabricate thoughts for me, or put the expression of them into my mouth.
The whole affair is very painful, and as your father is engaged in the
inquiry, I think that the less said about the matter in this house the
better. I am sure that that would be your father's feeling.'

'I do not see that at all,' said John. 'Mr Crawley is not more than any
other man just because he's a clergyman. I hate all that kind of
clap-trap. There are a lot of people here in Silverbridge who think the
matter shouldn't be followed up, just because the man is in a position
which makes the crime more criminal in him than it would be in another.'

'But I feel sure that Mr Crawley has committed no crime at all,' said
Mary.

'My dear,' said Mrs Walker, 'I have just said that I would rather you
would not talk about it. Papa will be in directly.'

'I won't, mamma, only--'

'Only! yes; just only!' said John. 'She'd go on till dinner if anyone
would stay to hear her.'

'You've said twice as much as I have, John.' But John had left the room