I shall take lodgings in Barchester."
"And we shall not see you all the time," said Mrs. Robarts with
dismay. But the prebendary explained that he would be backwards and
forwards at Framley every week, and that in all probability he would
only sleep at Barchester on the Saturdays, and Sundays--and, perhaps,
not always then.
"It does not seem very hard work, that of a prebendary," said Lucy.
"But it is very dignified," said Fanny. "Prebendaries are dignitaries
of the Church--are they not, Mark?"
"Decidedly," said he; "and their wives also, by special canon law.
The worst of it is that both of them are obliged to wear wigs."
"Shall you have a hat, Mark, with curly things at the side, and
strings through to hold them up?" asked Lucy.
"I fear that does not come within my perquisites."
"Nor a rosette? Then I shall never believe that you are a dignitary.
Do you mean to say that you will wear a hat like a common
parson--like Mr. Crawley, for instance?"
"Well--I believe I may give a twist to the leaf; but I am by no means
sure till I shall have consulted the dean in chapter."
And thus at the parsonage they talked over the good things that were
coming to them, and endeavoured to forget the new horse, and the
hunting boots that had been used so often during the last winter, and
Lady Lufton's altered countenance.
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