"My sister and I shall, of course, remove our names from the Club." "I say--don't your subscribers order the books they like ?" asked Roughsedge, half wroth and half laughing, surveying the lady with his hand on his side.
"There is a very clear understanding among us," said Miss Maria, sharply, "as to the character of the books to be ordered.

No member of the Club has yet transgressed it." "There must be give and take, mustn't there ?" said Miss Elizabeth, in a deprecatory voice.

She was the more amiable and the weaker of the two sisters.

"_We_ should _never_ order books that would be offensive to Miss Mallory." "But if you haven't read the books ?" "The Vicar's word is quite enough," said Miss Maria, with her most determined air.
They all moved on together, Captain Roughsedge smoothing or tugging at his mustache with a restless hand.
But Miss Bertram, presently, dropping a little behind, drew Mrs.
Roughsedge with her.
"There are all sorts of changes at the house," she said, confidentially.
"The laundry maids are allowed to go out every evening, if they like--and Miss Mallory makes no attempt to influence the servants to come to church.

The Vicar says the seats for the Beechcote servants have never been so empty." "Dear, dear!" murmured Mrs.Roughsedge.
"And money is improperly given away.