Soon afterwards Mrs.
Crawley left the room, seeing the difficulty under which Mr.Thumble was labouring, and feeling sure that her presence would not now be necessary.

Mr.Crawley's letter was written quickly, though every now and then he would sit for a moment with his pen poised in the air, searching his memory for a word.

But the words came to him easily, and before an hour was over he had handed his letter to Mr.Thumble.
The letter was as follows:-- The Parsonage, Hogglestock, Dec.

186--.
RIGHT REVEREND LORD, I have received the letter of yesterday's date which your lordship has done me the honour of sending to me by the hands of the Reverend Mr.Thumble, and I avail myself of that gentleman's kindness to return to you an answer by the same means, moved thus to use his patience chiefly by the consideration that in this way my reply to your lordship's injunctions may be in your hands with less delay than would attend the regular course of the mail-post.
It is with deep regret that I feel myself constrained to inform your lordship that I cannot obey the command which you have laid upon me with reference to the services of my church in this parish.

I cannot permit Mr.Thumble, or any other delegate from your lordship, to usurp my place in my pulpit.