"I don't mean that he is literally blind, but spiritually; that is, he does not understand the religion of the Bible, and therefore he does not teach it." "That's what our Sam says, and I heard mistress let fly at him rather sharply t'other day for saying so. But master now says the same thing, which, I am told by the dairy-maid, gives mortal offence to mistress and the young ladies. But I never knew master wrong in his judgment of men and things. Where, Sir, are you going, if one may be so bold to ask?" "I am going to hear Mr. Ingleby, whose preaching has been such a great blessing to many of his parishioners and others." "That's the parson our Sam goes to hear; and master has taken to go to hear him lately. He wants, so I have heard, mistress to go with him, and the young ladies; but they won't; they say he is a Methodist and _fantic_." "Have you ever heard him preach?" "No, Sir. I am told that his preaching drives people out of their senses, and I should not like to part with what little I have." "Did you ever know any one driven out of his senses by him?" "Why, no, Sir; and I must say that I don't much believe it; and for this reason, I always find people who like his preaching more inclined to do poor people good, than those who talk against it. Why, Sir, when my wife was last confined, we all thought that she would die; and it is wonderful how kind some of Mr. Ingleby's followers were to her. They gave her what she wanted for this world, and talked to her so kindly about another world, that she has taken a liking to them, and would have been off to their religion, but I would not let her. We have had more words on this subject than any other since we have been married, which is now eighteen years come Christmas." "And do you think that you have done right by opposing your wife? Now, suppose you were to make up your mind to go and hear Mr. Ingleby preach, how would you like for your master to say to you, _No, you shall not go_?" "I should not like it at all, because I think I have a right to go where I please on a Sunday, if I do my work in the week." "Then, has not your wife a right to go where she likes to worship God, and get religious instruction, if she does her duties at home." "Why, yes, Sir, and I sometimes think that I have done wrong by stopping her." "Now, take my advice, let her go, and go you too, and hear and judge for yourself; and, take my word for it, you will never regret it."