I cannot say that he
partook of these delicacies with any freedom himself, but he did
drink his tea when it was given to him although it contained Framley
cream;--and, had he known it, Bohea itself from the Framley chest. In
truth, in these days, he had given himself over to the dominion of
this stranger; and he said nothing beyond, "Well, well," with two
uplifted hands, when he came upon her as she was sewing the buttons
on to his own shirts--sewing on the buttons and perhaps occasionally
applying her needle elsewhere,--not without utility. He said to her
at this period very little in the way of thanks. Some protracted
conversations they did have, now and again, during the long evenings;
but even in these he did not utter many words as to their present
state of life. It was on religion chiefly that he spoke, not
lecturing her individually, but laying down his ideas as to what the
life of a Christian should be, and especially what should be the life
of a minister. "But though I can see this, Miss Robarts," he said, "I
am bound to say that no one has fallen off so frequently as myself.
I have renounced the devil and all his works; but it is by word of
mouth only--by word of mouth only. How shall a man crucify the old
Adam that is within him, unless he throw himself prostrate in the
dust and acknowledge that all his strength is weaker than water?"
To this, often as it might be repeated, she would listen patiently,
comforting him by such words as her theology would supply; but then,
when this was over, she would again resume her command and enforce
from him a close obedience to her domestic behests.
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