"Most of my aunts," she said, stoutly, "were never confirmed, and they were good Christians and communicants all their lives." Miss Maria's expression showed that this reference to a preceding barbaric age of the Church had no relevance to the existing order of things.
"Of course," she added, hastily, "I do not wish to make myself troublesome or conspicuous in any way.

I merely mention these things as explaining why the Vicar felt bound to make a stand.

The Church feeling in this parish has been so strong it would, indeed, be a pity if anything occurred to weaken it." Mrs.Roughsedge gave a doubtful assent.

As to the Church feeling, she was not so clear as Miss Bertram.

One of her chief friends was a secularist cobbler who lived under the very shadow of the church.