Framley Parsonage | Page 7

up with wrong, with a great
deal of wrong. But no one need put up with wrong that he can remedy.
Why should he, the vicar, consent to receive an incompetent teacher for
the parish children, when he was able to procure one that was
competent? In such a case--so thought Mrs Robarts to herself--she
would have fought the matter out with Lady Lufton. On the next
morning, however, she did as she was bid, and signified to the dowager
that all objections to Sarah Thompson would be withdrawn.
'Ah! I was sure he would agree with me,' said her ladyship, 'when he
learned what sort of person she is. I know I had only to explain;'--and
then she plumed her feathers, and was very gracious; for to tell the truth,
Lady Lufton did not like to be opposed in things which concerned the
parish nearly.
'And, Fanny,' said Lady Lufton, in her kindest manner, 'you are not
going anywhere on Saturday, are you?'
'No, I think not.'

'Then you must come to us. Justinia is to be here, you know,' Lady
Meredith was named Justinia--'and you and Mr Robarts had better stay
with us till Monday. He can have the little book-room all to himself on
Sunday. The Merediths go on Monday; and Justinia won't be happy if
you are not with her.' It would be unjust to say that Lady Lufton had
determined not to invite the Robartses if she were not allowed to have
her own way about Sarah Thompson. But such would have been the
result. As it was, however, she was all kindness; and when Mrs Robarts
made some little excuse, saying that she was afraid she must return
home in the evening, because of the children, Lady Lufton declared that
there was room enough at Framley Court for baby and nurse, and so
settled the matter in her own way, with a couple of nods and three taps
of her umbrella. This was on a Tuesday morning, and on the same
evening, before dinner, the vicar again seated himself in the same chair
before the drawing-room fire, as soon as he had seen his horse led into
the stable.
'Mark,' said his wife, 'the Merediths are to be at Framley on Saturday
and Sunday; and I have promised that we will go up and stay over till
Monday.'
'You don't mean it! Goodness gracious, how provoking!'
'Why? I thought you wouldn't mind it. And Justinia would think it
unkind if I were not there.'
'You can go, my dear, and of course will go. But as for me, it's
impossible.'
'But why, love?'
'Why? Just now, at the school-house, I answered a letter that was
brought to me from Chaldicotes. Sowerby insists on my going over
there for a week or so; and I have said that I would.'
'Go to Chaldicotes for a week, Mark?'
'I believe I have even consented to ten days.'

'And be away two Sundays?'
'No, Fanny, only one. Don't be so censorious.'
'Don't call me censorious, Mark; you know I am not so. But I am so
sorry. It is just what Lady Lufton won't like. Besides, you were away in
Scotland two Sundays last month.'
'In September, Fanny. And that is being censorious.'
'On, but Mark, dear Mark; don't say so. You know I don't mean it. But
Lady Lufton does not like those Chaldicotes people. You know Lord
Lufton was with you the last time you were there; and how annoyed
she was!'
'Lord Lufton won't be there with me now, for he is still in Scotland.
And the reason why I am going is this; Harold Smith and his wife will
be there, and I am very anxious to know more of them. I have no doubt
that Harold Smith will be in the government some day, and I cannot
afford to neglect such a man's acquaintance.'
'But, Mark, what do you want of any government?'
'Well, Fanny, of course I am bound to say that I want nothing; neither
in once sense do I; but, nevertheless, I shall go and meet Harold Smith.'
'Could you not be back before Sunday?'
'I have promised to preach at Chaldicotes. Harold Smith's going to
lecture at Barchester, about the Australasian archipelago, and I am to
preach a charity sermon on the same subject. They want to send out
more missionaries.'
'A charity sermon at Chaldicotes!'
'And why not? The house will be quite full, you know! And I dare say
that the Arabins will be there.'
'I think not; Mrs Arabin may get on well with Mrs Harold Smith,

though I doubt that; but I'm sure she's not fond of Mr Smith's brother. I
don't think she would stay at Chaldicotes.'
'And the bishop will probably be there for a