What do you think, sir?
You must have plenty of experience as a clergyman, for all the ladies are pretty sharp after the cloth.' The stranger laughed, and said he thought the world would be very disagreeable without the fair sex, and that he had no doubt Mr Prothero would find it so if they became suddenly extinct.
The farmer was so pleased with his new acquaintance that when they reached the Park gate, he said very heartily,-- 'Now, mind you, sir, there's a warm welcome, and a well-aired bed, and fine, white, home-spun linen at the farm.

The squire may give you a better dinner, may be, but not a hotter, I'll answer for it; Gladys'll see to that; she's capital for that.

And mother 'ould be so glad to hear what the rector said about our Rowly.' 'You may depend upon my coming,' said the stranger.

'What time does Mr Gwynne dine?
I suppose I shall escape his dinner hour?
It is now about five o'clock.' 'Oh! they don't dine till Christian folks are going to bed--seven or eight o'clock, or some such heathen hour.

You'll be able to see them all before dinner; but I don't believe Mr Gwynne'll let you come away.' 'I shall not see him probably.