She offered her general assistance to the fourteen unprovided babes, if, as she had no doubt, she should find them worthy; expressed a hope that the eldest of them would be fit to undertake tuition in her Sabbath-schools; and altogether made herself a very great lady in the estimation of Mrs.Quiverful.
Having done this, she thought it prudent to drop a few words before the bishop, letting him know that she had acquainted the Puddingdale family with their good fortune; so that he might perceive that he stood committed to the appointment.

The husband well understood the ruse of his wife, but he did not resent it.

He knew that she was taking the patronage out of his hands; he was resolved to put an end to her interference and reassume his powers.

But then he thought this was not the best time to do it.

He put off the evil hour, as many a man in similar circumstances has done before him.
Such having been the case, Mr.Slope naturally encountered a difficulty in talking over the bishop, a difficulty indeed which he found could not be overcome except at the cost of a general outbreak at the palace.