He had an idea that he could in about three
months talk the British world into civilizing New Guinea, and that
the world of Barsetshire would be made to go with him by one night's
efforts. He did not understand why others should be less serious, and
was inclined to resent somewhat stiffly the amenities of our friend
Mark.
"We must not keep the Baron waiting," said Mark, as they were
preparing to start for Barchester.
"I don't know what you mean by the Baron, sir," said Harold Smith.
"But perhaps the joke will be against you, when you are getting up
into your pulpit to-morrow, and sending the hat round among the
clod-hoppers of Chaldicotes."
"Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones; eh, Baron?"
said Miss Dunstable. "Mr. Robarts's sermon will be too near akin to
your lecture to allow of his laughing."
"If we can do nothing towards instructing the outer world till it's
done by the parsons," said Harold Smith, "the outer world will have
to wait a long time, I fear."
"Nobody can do anything of that kind short of a member of Parliament
and a would-be minister," whispered Mrs. Harold. And so they were all
very pleasant together, in spite of a little fencing with edge-tools;
and at three o'clock the _cortege_ of carriages started for
Barchester, that of the bishop, of course, leading the way.
Pages:
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109