"From what little I have seen of Billingsfield I fancy you will find all the quiet you could wish, here.

Really, I realise that at my own gate I must come to you for information.

What sort of man is that excellent rector down there, whom I met last night ?" The squire's tone became more confidential as he put the question.
"Well--he is not a rector, to begin with," answered Mrs.Goddard with a smile, "he is the vicar, and he is a most good man, whom I have always found most kind." "I can readily fancy that," said Mr.Juxon.

"But his wife seems to be of the severe type." "No--she struck me so at first, too.

I think it is only with strangers.
She is such a motherly sort of woman, you do not know! She only has that little manner when you first meet her." "What a strange thing that is!" remarked the squire, looking at Mrs.
Goddard.