Although the facts as thus discovered were ludicrous, the results might have been serious. For while the pastor and the elder were thus ascertaining the facts, the Readys, and Smiths, and a whole clique of kindred spirits with Mr. Bounce, were keeping up the circulation of the scandal; and notwithstanding the pastor and his elder instantly began to correct the mischief, it was a long time before the general impression died out that Proctor was chasing his wife with the intention of beating her. In fact, Mr. Bounce himself, and Mrs. Bounce, his wife, with several others, always believed it to the day of their death; and ever and anon tried to do a little business in it by whisperings; but they found no custom, unless with an occasional new-comer into the neighbourhood, or with some one who owed the Proctors a little spite. * * * * * Mr. Webster, of Necham, was much given to the habit of making mischief by his talk. At one time he did great damage to a Church and its minister, of which the following may be taken as an illustration:-- "You have had a new minister come among you lately, I understand," said Mr. Webster one day to Mr. Watson. "Yes, we have." "What is his name?" "His name is Mr. Good." "Did not he come from Stukely to your place?" "I believe he did," replied Mr. Watson. "I thought it was the same man." "Do you know him, Mr. Webster?" "I cannot say that I do, but I have heard of him. I know some of the members of his former Church. In fact, I have just come from the neighbourhood in which he laboured before he came to you." It may be well to say here, that Mr. Watson had never heard, as yet, anything prejudicial to his Minister. He, with the whole Church, seemed to think highly of him, and to be satisfied with him in all respects. "How is he liked?" inquired Mr. Webster. "I, for one, like him very much," said Mr. Watson; "and I think all that have heard him do." "I hope you may always like him; but if all that is said about him be true, I think you won't like him long. In fact, I should not like him at all." "Mr. Webster, what have you to say against Mr. Good?" "_I_ have nothing to say, but others have. My information has come from other people, and people, too, on whom I can rely." Mr. Watson very naturally began to feel rather curious to learn the meaning of these innuendoes. He did not know but all that Mr. Webster had _heard_ was perfectly correct; because he thought it quite possible for Mr. Good to satisfy them for a few weeks and not for years. He was a stranger among them, and when he should be more fully known it may be that he would not prove to be what he now seemed. He began to reason, and then to doubt and suspect. "What have you heard of Mr. Good?" asked Mr. Watson. "I will tell you. I am told that he was at Stukely only a few months, when the people resolved to dismiss him from their Church." "Indeed!" said Mr. Watson, with astonishment.