The vicar mused, and fidgeted his neck in his stiff cravat, as involuntarily he turned over in his own mind the list of persons who had private access to the church--clerk, pew-opener, beadle, curate, organist, organ-blower, churchwardens, himself; and then he shook his head again, and the pair proceeded to count the money over once more upon the vestry table, calculated the total amount of silver and copper, made entries, and then tied the money carefully up in a little bag, and all to the accompaniment of Jared's music, which ever and again made the windows of the little vestry to rattle loudly. "Fine organist, Mr Pellet!" said the vicar, after listening in silence for a few minutes. "We were lucky in getting him, Timson." "Very fine; quite agree with you," said Mr Timson. "Capital congregations we get, too, now--almost double what they were in old Harvey's time." "Um!" ejaculated the vicar, with a curious dry look upon his features. "Just so, sir," said Mr Timson. "You see, people like music, and will come miles to hear it." "Well, yes, I suppose so," said the vicar, half sadly; "and ours certainly is a very fine instrument." "And beautifully played," said Mr Timson; "not but what I think we have too much of it; but people say it is well played." "Yes," said the vicar, absently, for his thoughts were upon the poor-box; "beautifully played, certainly. By the way, how startled Mr Pellet seemed when he came in!" "Poor man! yes: he's nervous," said Timson; "those musical chaps generally are. Didn't expect us, you know. Might ask his opinion about the box." "Yes, we might, certainly," said the vicar; and then, uneasily, "No, I don't think it would be of any use. Let it rest for the present, Mr Timson; perhaps, after all, we may be mistaken." "Very true, sir," said Timson. "Not often that there is gold in the box. People are not very fond of giving to the poor and lending to the Lord, though that's all of a piece with their behaviour. They're not fond of lending to anybody. Seems to go against a man's nature." "Not in all cases, Mr Timson," said the vicar, stiffly; "there are many exceptions,--yourself, for instance." "Present company--present company, sir," said Mr Timson, "always left out of the question;" and Mr Timson looked very fidgety and uncomfortable. "Not in a case of this description," said the vicar. "A shining light should never be placed beneath a bushel."