He was still less seen than heretofore, kept himself still less in time with the rhythm and racket of the movements called progress in the world without.

For many months after his wife's decease the economy of his household remained as before; the cook, the housemaid, the parlour-maid, and the man out-of-doors performed their duties or left them undone, just as Nature prompted them--the vicar knew not which.

It was then represented to him that his servants seemed to have nothing to do in his small family of one.

He was struck with the truth of this representation, and decided to cut down his establishment.

But he was forestalled by Sophy, the parlour-maid, who said one evening that she wished to leave him.
'And why ?' said the parson.
'Sam Hobson has asked me to marry him, sir.' 'Well--do you want to marry ?' 'Not much.