Having ascertained from the vicar that Mrs.Grumbit would not accept of charity, he said abruptly,-- "And why not,--is she too proud ?" "By no means," replied the vicar.

"She says that she would think shame to take money from friends as long as she can work, because every penny that she would thus get would be so much less to go to the helpless poor; of whom, she says, with much truth, there are enough and to spare.

And I quite agree with her as regards her principle; but it does not apply fully to her, for she cannot work so as to procure a sufficient livelihood without injury to her health." "Is she clever ?" inquired Mr.Jollyboy.
"Why, no, not particularly.

In fact, she does not often exert her reasoning faculties, except in the common-place matters of ordinary and every-day routine." "Then she's cleverer than most people," said Mr.Jollyboy, shortly.

"Is she obstinate ?" "No, not in the least," returned the vicar with a puzzled smile.
"Ah, well, good-bye, good-bye; that's all I want to know." Mr.Jollyboy rose, and hurrying through the village, tapped at the cottage door, and was soon closeted with Mrs.Dorothy Grumbit.