Still, I don't wish the young lady no harm, it not being Christian to do so; and it is sad at her age to be tied to a husband from which there is no outlet but the grave." "I don't hold with you there, Mrs.Hankey; it is dull work for the women who have nobody to order 'em about and find fault with 'em.

Why, where's the good of taking the trouble to do a thing well, if there's no man to blame you for it afterward?
But what I want to see is Miss Elisabeth married to Master Christopher, them two being made for one another, as you might say." "He has a new heart and a nice fresh colour, has Master Christopher; which is more than his own mother--supposing she was alive--could say for Mr.Tremaine." "That is so, Mrs.Hankey.

I'm afeared there isn't much religion about him.

He don't even go to church on a Sunday, let alone chapel; though he is wonderful charitable to the poor, I must admit." Mrs.Hankey pursed up her mouth.

"And what are works without faith, I should like to know!" "Quite true--quite true; but maybe the Lord ain't quite as hard on us as we are on one another, and makes allowances for our bringing-up and such." "Maybe," replied Mrs.Hankey, in a tone which implied that she hoped her friend was mistaken.
"You see," continued Mrs.Bateson, "there's nothing helps you to understand the ways of the Lord like having children of your own.