Fanny would accuse him of exacting too much from the people, and he would retort upon her that she coddled them.

Fanny would often decline to obey him, and he would make angry hints as to his clerical authority.

In this way they had worked together pleasantly, without any of the awkwardness which on other terms would have arisen between a young man and a young woman.

But now that he began to praise her with some peculiar intention of meaning in his tone, she was confounded.

She had made no immediate answer to him, but walked on rapidly through the mud and slush.
"You are very constant," said he; "I have not been two years at Clavering without finding that out." It was becoming worse and worse.