Vincent grasped the exultant butterman's hand in an overflow of gratitude and compunction. "I shall never forget your kindness," he said, with a little tremor in his voice. "You have been a true friend. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will go at once, and accept this other great kindness from you. I shall never forget what I owe to you as long as I live." "I never was the man to forsake my pastor in trouble--not to say a young man like you as is a credit to the connection, and the best preacher I may say as I ever heard in Salem," said Tozer, with effusion, returning the grasp; "but we ain't a-going a step till you've had your breakfast. Your good mother, Mrs. Vincent, as is a real lady, sir, and would never advise you different from what I would myself, being for your own interests, would have little opinion of me if I took you out on a Monday mornin' after your labours without so much as a bit o' breakfast to sustain you. I'll sit by you while you're a-eating of your bacon. There's a deal to consider of concerning Salem as I couldn't well bring before you as long as you were in such trouble. Them were uncommon sermons, sir, yesterday, I don't know as I ever heard anything as was just to be compared with the mornin' discourse, and most of the flock was of my opinion; but what is the good of standing up for the pastor--I ask you candid, Mr. Vincent--when he'll not take no pains to keep things square? I'm speaking plain, for you can't mistake me as it's anything but your own interests I am a-thinking of. We was all marching in, deacons and committee and all, to say as we was grateful to you for your instructions, and wishing you well out of your trouble--and I was in great hopes as matters might have been made up--when behold, what we finds was the vestry empty and the pastor gone! Now, I ain't a-finding fault. Them news would explain anything; but I don't deny as Pigeon and the rest was put out; and if you'll be guided by one as wishes you well, Mr. Vincent, when you've done our business as is most important of all, you'll go and make some visits, sir, and make yourself agreeable, if you'll excuse me. It ain't with no selfish thoughts as I speak," said Tozer, energetically. "It's not like asking of you to come a-visiting to me, nor setting myself forward as the minister's great friend--though we was remarking as the pastor was unknown in our house this fortnight and more--but it's for peace and union, Mr. Vincent, and the good of the flock, sir, and to keep--as your good mother well knows ain't easy in a congregation--all things straight."