At least three minutes elapsed before she reappeared.
"Missis says it's late, sir; but walk in." The parson accepted the not very gracious invitation, stepped across the little hall, and entered the parlour.
Old John Avenel, a mild-looking man, who seemed slightly paralytic, rose slowly from his armchair.

Mrs.Avenel, in an awfully stiff, clean, Calvinistical cap, and a gray dress, every fold of which bespoke respectability and staid repute, stood erect on the floor, and fixing on the parson a cold and cautious eye, said,-- "You do the like of us great honour, Mr.Dale; take a chair.

You call upon business ?" "Of which I apprised Mr.Avenel by letter." "My husband is very poorly." "A poor creature!" said John, feebly, and as if in compassion of himself.

"I can't get about as I used to do.

But it ben't near election time, be it, sir ?" "No, John," said Mrs.Avenel, placing her husband's arm within her own.
"You must lie down a bit, while I talk to the gentleman." "I'm a real good Blue," said poor John; "but I ain't quite the man I was;" and leaning heavily on his wife, he left the room, turning round at the threshold, and saying, with great urbanity, "Anything to oblige, sir!" Mr.Dale was much touched.