Now if there was one topic on which this awe-inspiring woman was more awe-inspiring than another it was on the topic of teetotalism.

The vicar had already felt himself a criminal as he drank his modest glass of claret under her eye.
'Oh, the drunkenness about here is pretty bad,' said Dr.Baker from the other end of the table.

'But there are plenty of worse things in these valleys.

Besides, what person in his senses would think of trying to disestablish John Backhouse?
He and his queer brother are as much a feature of the valley as High Fell.

We have too few originals left to be so very particular about trifles.' 'Trifles ?' repeated Mrs.Seaton in a deep voice, throwing up her eyes.
But she would not venture an argument with Dr.Baker.He had all the cheery self-confidence of the old established local doctor, who knows himself to be a power, and neither Mrs.Seaton nor her restless, intriguing little husband had ever yet succeeded in putting him down.
'You must see these two old characters,' said Dr.Baker to Elsmere across the table.