He had no personal expenses of his own; his wife, though she was a very queer woman, as Lady Clara had said, could hardly be called an extravagant woman; there was nothing large or splendid about the way of living at the glebe; anybody who came there, both he and she were willing to feed as long as they chose to stay, and a good many in this way they did feed; but they never invited guests; and as for giving regular fixed dinner-parties, as parish rectors do in England, no such idea ever crossed the brain of either Mr.or Mrs.Townsend.
That they were both charitable all the world admitted; and their admirers professed that hence arose all their difficulties.

But their charities were of a most indiscreet kind.

Money they rarely had to give, and therefore they would give promises to pay.

While their credit with the butcher and baker was good they would give meat and bread; and both these functionaries had by this time learned that, though Mr.Townsend might not be able to pay such bills himself, his friends would do so, sooner or later, if duly pressed.

And therefore the larder at Drumbarrow Glebe--that was the name of the parish--was never long empty, and then again it was never long full.
But neither Mr.nor Mrs.Townsend were content to bestow their charities without some other object than that of relieving material wants by their alms.