A strong-minded man goes direct from the hall door to his chamber without encountering the temptation of the drawing-room fire.
"No; but Lady Lufton was down here." "Full of arguments in favour of Sarah Thompson ?" "Exactly so, Mark." "And what did you say about Sarah Thompson ?" "Very little as coming from myself: but I did hint that you thought, or that I thought that you thought, that one of the regular trained schoolmistresses would be better." "But her ladyship did not agree ?" "Well, I won't exactly say that;--though I think that perhaps she did not." "I am sure she did not.

When she has a point to carry, she is very fond of carrying it." "But then, Mark, her points are generally so good." "But, you see, in this affair of the school she is thinking more of her protegee than she does of the children." "Tell her that, and I am sure she will give way." And then again they were both silent.

And the vicar having thoroughly warmed himself, as far as this might be done by facing the fire, turned round and began the operation _a tergo_.
"Come, Mark, it is twenty minutes past six.

Will you go and dress ?" "I'll tell you what, Fanny: she must have her way about Sarah Thompson.

You can see her to-morrow and tell her so." "I am sure, Mark, I would not give way, if I thought it wrong.