"If you will give that to his lordship with an assurance of my duty to his lordship in all things proper, I will thank you kindly, craving your pardon for the great delay to which you have been subjected." "As to the delay, that is nothing," said Mr.Thumble.
"It has been much; but you as a clergyman will feel that it has been incumbent on me to speak my mind fully." "Oh, yes; of course." Mr.Crawley was standing up, as also was Mrs.
Crawley.

It was evident to Mr.Thumble that they both expected that he should go.

But he had been specially enjoined to be firm, and he doubted whether hitherto he had been firm enough.

As far as this morning's work had as yet gone, it seemed to him that Mr.Crawley had had the play all to himself, and that he, Mr.Thumble, had not had his innings.

He, from the palace, had been, as it were, cowed by this man, who had been forced to plead his own poverty.