It'll be none to yer shame, sir, for mine's an honest hoose." "I'll do that, Mistress Croale," answered the minister, glad to escape.

"But mind," he added, "I don't give up my point for all that; and I hope you will think over what I have been saying to you--and that seriously." With these words he left the shop rather hurriedly, in evident dread of a reply.
Mistress Croale turned to the shelves behind her, took again the bottle she had replaced, poured out a large half-glass of whisky, and tossed it off.

She had been compelled to think and talk of things unpleasant, and it had put her, as she said, a' in a trim'le.
She was but one of the many who get the fuel of their life in at the wrong door, their comfort from the world-side of the universe.
I cannot tell whether Mr.Sclater or she was the farther from the central heat.

The woman had the advantage in this, that she had to expend all her force on mere self-justification, and had no energy left for vain-glory.

It was with a sad sigh she set about the work of the house.