"We'll have a bit of dinner presently," said Mrs. Tozer. "Phoebe, go and fetch the wine. There is one thing in trouble, that it makes folks find out their real friends. It wouldn't be to Lady Western the minister would think of taking his mother. I ain't saying anything, Tozer--nor Mr. Vincent needn't think I am saying anything. If I speak my mind a bit, I don't bear malice. Phoebe's a deal too feelin', Mrs. Vincent--she's overcome, that's what she is; and if I must speak the truth, it's disappointing to see our pastor, as we've all made sacrifices for, following after the ungodly. I am a mother myself," continued Mrs. Tozer, changing her seat, as her husband, followed by the indignant Vincent, went down-stairs, "and I know a mother's feelin's: but after what I heard from Mrs. Pigeon, and how it's going through all the connection in Carlingford----" Mrs. Vincent roused herself to listen. Her son's cause was safe in her hands. Meantime Vincent went angry and impetuous down-stairs. "I will not submit to any inquisition," cried the young man. "I have done nothing I am ashamed of. If I dine with a friend, I will suffer no questioning on the subject. What do you mean? What right has any man in any connection to interfere with my actions? Why, you would not venture to attack your servant so! Am I the servant of this congregation? Am I their slave? Must I account to them for every accident of my life? Nobody in the world has a right to make such a demand upon me." "If a minister ain't a servant, we pays him his salary at the least, and expects him to please us," said Tozer, sulkily. "If it weren't for that, I don't give a sixpence for the Dissenting connection. Them as likes to please themselves would be far better in a State Church, where it wouldn't disappoint nobody; not meaning to be hard on you as has given great satisfaction, them's my views; but if the Chapel folks is a little particular, it's no more nor a pastor's duty to bear with them, and return a soft answer. I don't say as I'm dead again' you, like the women," added the butterman, softening; "they're jealous, that's what they are; but I couldn't find it in my heart, not for my own part, to be hard on a man as was led away after a beautiful creature like that. But there can't no good come of it, Mr. Vincent; take my advice, sir, as have seen a deal of the world--there can't no good come of it. A man as goes dining with Lady Western, and thinking as she means to make a friend of him, ain't the man for Salem. We're different sort of folks, and we can't go on together. Old Mr. Tufton will tell you just the same, as has gone through it all--and that's why I said both him and me had a deal to say to you, as are a young man, and should take good advice."