after we had crossed the stile into the fields.

"Very fine indeed, brother," said Mr. Petulengro; "he is talked of,
far and wide, for his sermons; folks say that there is scarcely
another like him in the whole of England."

"He looks rather melancholy, Jasper."

"He lost his wife several years ago, who, they say, was one of the
most beautiful women ever seen. They say that it was grief for her
loss that made him come out mighty strong as a preacher; for,
though he was a clergyman, he was never heard of in the pulpit
before he lost his wife; since then, the whole country has rung
with the preaching of the clergyman of M--- as they call him.
Those two nice young gentlewomen, whom you saw with the female
childer, are his daughters."

"You seem to know all about him, Jasper. Did you ever hear him
preach before?"

"Never, brother; but he has frequently been to our tent, and his
daughters too, and given us tracts; for he is one of the people
they call Evangelicals, who give folks tracts which they cannot
read."

"You should learn to read, Jasper."

"We have no time, brother."

"Are you not frequently idle?"