The few words she spoke to her daughter were sharply cut, a
delightful contrast in his ear to the dialect to which he was
accustomed, distinguished by its universal vowel and suppression of the
consonants. How he inwardly rejoiced to hear the sound of the second
"t" in the word "distinct," when she told her little messenger that Mr.
Cobb had been "distinctly" ordered to send the coals yesterday. He
remained standing until the child had gone.
"Pray be seated," she said. She went to the fireplace, leaned on the
mantelpiece, and poked the fire. The attitude struck him. She was
about to put some coals in the grate, but he interfered with an "Allow
me," and performed the office for her. She thanked him simply, and sat
down opposite to him, facing the light. She began the conversation.
"It is good of you to call on me; calling on people, especially on
newcomers must be an unpleasant part of a clergyman's duty."
"It is so, madam, sometimes--there are not many newcomers."
"It is an advantage in your profession that you must generally be
governed by duty.
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