vanity.

"Let me explain my visit. Your father is one of the principal people
in the village. He can assist me or thwart me in my work. I called to
invite his co-operation. Some clergymen are jealous of co-operation; I
am not. It is a good thing for all parties; best of all for those who
co-operate with us; for in giving alms wisely they receive grace, and
in teaching the ignorant they learn themselves. Am I right?" added he
rather sharply, turning suddenly upon Susan.

"Oh, sir," said Susan, a little startled, "it is for me to receive
your words, not to judge them."

"Humph!" said the reverend gentleman rather dryly; he hated
intellectual subserviency. He liked people to think for them-selves;
and to end by thinking with him.

"Father will never thwart you, sir, and I--I will co-operate with you,
sir, if you will accept of me," said Susan innocently.

"Thank you, then let us begin at once." He took out his watch. "I have
an hour and a half to spare, then I must gallop back to Oxford. Miss
Merton, I should like to make acquaintance with some of the people.
Suppose we go to the school, and see what the children are learning,
and then visit one or two families in the village, so I shall catch a
glimpse of the three generations I have to deal with. My name is
Francis Eden. You are going to get your bonnet?"

"Yes, sir."