This man, who had not been without good nature in his dealings, had heard stories of the dean's good-will and such like, and had loudly expressed his opinion that the perpetual curate of Hogglestock would show a higher pride in allowing himself to be indebted to a rich brother clergyman, than in remaining under thrall to a butcher.

And thus a rumour had grown up.

And then the butcher had written repeated letters to the bishop,--to Bishop Proudie of Barchester, who had at first caused his chaplain to answer them, and had told Mr.Crawley somewhat roundly what was his opinion of a clergyman who eat meat and did not pay for it.

But nothing that the bishop could say or do enabled Mr.Crawley to pay the butcher.

It was very grievous to such a man as Mr.Crawley to receive these letters from such a man as Bishop Proudie; but the letters came, and made festering wounds, but then there was an end of them.