by such other of the inhabitants of Wychwood-on-the-Heath as had
happened to come into personal contact with the reverend gentleman,
had sought to impress upon him, by hints and innuendoes difficult to
misunderstand, their cordial and daily-increasing dislike of him, both
as a parson and a man. Matters had come to a head by the
determination officially announced to him that, failing other
alternatives, a deputation of his leading parishioners would wait upon
his bishop. This it was that had brought it home to the Rev. Augustus
Cracklethorpe that, as the spiritual guide and comforter of
Wychwood-on-the Heath, he had proved a failure. The Rev. Augustus had
sought and secured the care of other souls. The following Sunday
morning he had arranged to preach his farewell sermon, and the
occasion promised to be a success from every point of view.
Churchgoers who had not visited St. Jude's for months had promised
themselves the luxury of feeling they were listening to the Rev.
Augustus Cracklethorpe for the last time. The Rev. Augustus
Cracklethorpe had prepared a sermon that for plain speaking and
directness was likely to leave an impression. The parishioners of St.
Jude's, Wychwood-on-the-Heath, had their failings, as we all have.
The Rev. Augustus flattered himself that he had not missed out a
single one, and was looking forward with pleasurable anticipation to
the sensation that his remarks, from his "firstly" to his "sixthly and
lastly," were likely to create.

What marred the entire business was the impulsiveness of little Mrs.
Pennycoop. The Rev. Augustus Cracklethorpe, informed in his study on
the Wednesdav afternoon that Mr. and Mrs. Pennycoop had called,
entered the drawing-room a quarter of an hour later, cold and severe;
and, without offering to shake hands, requested to be informed as
shortly as possible for what purpose he had been disturbed. Mrs.