A shoemaker begins by waxing his thread." "And Mr.Harold Smith-- ?" "By counting up his yesterday's figures, generally, I should say; or else by unrolling a ball of red tape.

Well-docketed papers and statistical facts are his forte." "And what does a bishop do?
Can you tell me that ?" "He sends forth to his clergy either blessings or blowings-up, according to the state of his digestive organs.

But Mrs.Proudie can explain all that to you with the greatest accuracy." "Can she now?
I understand what you mean, but I don't believe a word of it.

The bishop manages his own affairs himself, quite as much as you do, or Mr.Harold Smith." "I, Miss Dunstable ?" "Yes, you." "But I, unluckily, have not a wife to manage them for me." "Then you should not laugh at those who have, for you don't know what you may come to yourself, when you're married." Mr.Supplehouse began to make a pretty speech, saying that he would be delighted to incur any danger in that respect to which he might be subjected by the companionship of Miss Dunstable.

But before he was half through it, she had turned her back upon him, and begun a conversation with Mark Robarts.
"Have you much work in your parish, Mr.Robarts ?" she asked.