"That's hardly possible. He only arrived last week, and has not yet
had time to become familiar with facts in the life of any one here.
Moreover, a personal allusion in a first sermon, by a stranger, is
something so out of place and indelicate, that I cannot for a moment
believe that your inference is correct."

"While I have the best of reasons for believing that I complain of
him justly. He's been long enough here to visit a certain family,
fond of tittle-tattle, that I could name."

"The Harrisons?"

"Yes."

"I hope you are mistaken."

"No; I am not mistaken. C--was personal, and distinctly so. And
the Harrisons are at the bottom of the matter. To say the least, he
has acted in very bad taste. Charity should have prompted him to
wait until he could have heard both sides of the story."

"I agree with you, fully, if your allegation be correct. But I must
hope that you are in error."

"No. I have the best of reasons for what I allege."

"To whom did the personality apply?"

"To myself, if the truth must be spoken."