And between ourselves, my dear boy, I rather like a nicely-conducted service." So Uncle Ascott and Mr.Clerke were the very best of friends, and my uncle would go to the Rectory for a quiet smoke, and was always hospitably received.

(Neither my aunt nor my father liked the smell of tobacco.) Aunt Maria's favour was a little withdrawn.

She tried a delicate remonstrance, but though he was most courteous, it was not to be mistaken that the Rector of Dacrefield meant to go his own way: "the way of a better man than I shall ever be," he said.

Failing to change his principles, or guide his practice, my aunt next became anxious to find him a wife.

"Medical men and country parsons ought to be married," said she, "and it will settle him." She selected a young lady of the neighbourhood, the daughter of a medical man.