As has been seen she had ceased to blame Mrs.Goddard.Generally speaking the absent are in the wrong in such matters; she could not refer to John's conduct without a touch of severity.

But the Reverend Augustin bent his shaggy brows; John was now successful, probably senior classic--it was evidently no time to censure his behaviour.
"You must be charitable, my dear," he said, looking sharply at his wife.
"We have all been young once you know." "Augustin, I am surprised at you!" said Mrs.Ambrose sternly.
"For saying that I once was young ?" inquired her husband.

"Strange and paradoxical as such a statement must appear, I was once a baby." "I think your merriment very unseemly," objected Mrs.Ambrose in a tone of censure.

"Because you were once a baby it does not follow that you ever acted in such a very foolish way about a--" "My dear," interrupted the vicar, handing his cup across the table, "I wish you would leave John alone, and give me another cup of tea.

John will be here to-morrow.