'And last time Mrs. Turner called at the Vicarage, she was very
learned about the Bishop of Hippo,' said Elizabeth; 'she is really
very clever in concealing her ignorance, when she does not think
herself learned.'

'I thought they were not likely to promote the decoration of the new
church,' said Anne.

'Oh! she does not trouble herself about consistency,' said Elizabeth;
'anything which attracts notice pleases her. She thinks our dear
papa has done more for the living than nine out of ten would have
thought of; and if there was any talk of presenting him with some
small testimonial of respect, her mite would be instantly
forthcoming; and Sir Edward Merton, he is the most munificent
gentleman she ever heard of; if all of his fortune were like him
now!--"Only, my dear Miss Lizzie, does not your papa think of having
a lightning conductor attached to the spire? such an elevation, it
quite frightens me to think of it! and the iron of the railroad,
too--"'

'Oh! is she scientific, too?' aaid Anne.

'Yes; you see how the march of intellect has reached us,' said
Elizabeth; 'poor Kate is so much afraid of the electric fluid, that
she cannot venture to wear a steel buckle. You have no idea of the
efforts we are making to keep up with the rest of the world. We have
a wicked Radical newspaper all to ourselves; I wonder it has the face
to call itself the Abbeychurch Reporter.'

'Your inns are on the move,' said Anne; 'I see that little beer-shop