There was an audible sigh of relief as the lesson ended, and the vicar wiped the dew from his forehead, for it had been to him a trial, and his voice was low and troubled as he continued the service, but feeling glad at heart that he had not chosen that lesson for the strong, suitable discourse which he afterwards delivered. It is needless to do more than refer to it here, even though Joey Tight stood up with his hand to his ear so as not to miss a word, and winked and blinked ecstatically, and though it, too, struck Richard Glaire home, inasmuch as it was in allusion to the trade troubles in the town, and ended with a prayer that the blessings of unity and brotherly love might come among them, and peace and plenty once more reign in their homes. Old Bultitude and Jessie were waiting at the door as the vicar came out, to look in a troubled way up the High Street, after Richard Glaire and his companions; but there was nothing to fear, the street was deserted, save by the people leaving church. "He's raight enew to-day, parson," said the old farmer, divining his thought. "Nobody will touch him o' Sunday, and wi' the women. Zoonds, but you gi'e it him hot, and no mistake. That were clever o' ye. Dal it all, parson, I could like to ha' offended you, for the sake of getting such a tongue thrashing." "My dear Mr Bultitude," said the vicar sadly, "if you will look at your Prayer-book, you will find that this was no plan of mine, but a matter of accident, or fate--who can say which." "Weer it, though?" said the farmer, as they walked on, his road lying by the vicarage, and he stared round-eyed at his companion. "Think o' that, Jess. I wouldn't ha' believed it: it's amazing. By the way, parson, I want a few words wi' you. Jess, lass, walk on a bit. Theer, ye needn't hurry. I don't want ye to o'ertake John Maine." Jessie blushed, and the tears came into her eyes as she went on a few paces; and the farmer, as soon as she was out of ear-shot, pointed at her with his thumb. "Bit touched, parson, courting like. She's fond o' that lad, John Maine, and I want her to wed young Brough." "Maine seems to me a very good worthy young fellow," said the vicar. "Hem!" said the farmer. "I don't know so much about that, and t'other's got the brass." "Money won't bring happiness, Mr Bultitude." "Raight, parson, raight; but it's main useful. Me and my poor missis, as lies there in chutchyard, hedn't nowt when we began; but we made some," he continued, proudly. "By sheer hard work, no doubt." "Ay, we hed to work, but that's nowt after all. I wouldn't gi' a straw for a lad as can't work, and is skeart of it. Why, when I went to the bit o' farm, `Boottherboomp' they used to call it then, cause of the `boottherboomps.'" "Let me see, that's your local name for the bittern, is it not?"