He had been speaking to you just before, it seemed, by the churchyard; and though you had told him who you were, I could hardly persuade him that you were not high in the Church." "Idiot ?" said Peartree.
"Ass!" said Kimber.
"Idiot and Ass!" said the other five members.
"Idiot and Ass, gentlemen," I remonstrated, looking around me, "are strong expressions to apply to a young man of good appearance and address." My generosity was roused; I own it.
"You'll admit that he must be a Fool," said Peartree.
"You can't deny that he must be a Blockhead," said Kimber.
Their tone of disgust amounted to being offensive.

Why should the young man be so calumniated?
What had he done?
He had only made an innocent and natural mistake.

I controlled my generous indignation, and said so.
"Natural ?" repeated Kimber.

"_He's_ a Natural!" The remaining six members of the Eight Club laughed unanimously.

It stung me.