and of statements as 'curious but undoubted,' till he had planted the poor clergyman in a bog of heretical bewilderment.But then Mr Ashton's pain and suffering at suddenly finding out into what a theological predicament he had been brought, his real self-reproach at his previous admissions, were so great that Mr Gibson lost all sense of fun, and hastened back to the Thirty-nine Articles with all the good-will in life, as the only means of soothing the vicar's conscience.On any other subject, except that of orthodoxy, Mr Gibson could lead him any lengths; but then his ignorance on most of them prevented bland acquiescence from arriving at any results which could startle him.He had some private fortune, and was not married, and lived the life of an indolent and refined bachelor; but though he himself was no very active visitor among his poorer parishioners, he was always willing to relieve their wants in the most liberal, and, considering his habits, occasionally in the most self-denying manner, whenever Mr Gibson, or any one else, made them clearly known to him.'Use my purse as freely as if it was your own, Gibson,' he was wont to say.'I'm such a bad one at going about and making talk to poor folk - I dare say I don't do enough in that way - but I am most willing to give you anything for any one you may consider in want.' 'Thank you; I come upon you pretty often, I believe, and make very little scruple about it; but if you'll allow me to suggest, it is, that you should not try to make talk when you go into the cottages; but just talk.' 'I don't see the difference,' said the vicar, a little querulously; 'but I dare say there is a difference, and I have no doubt what you say is quite true.I should not make talk, but talk; and as both are equally difficult to me, you must let me purchase the privilege of silence by this ten-pound note.' 'Thank you.It is not so satisfactory to me; and, I should think, not to yourself.But probably the Joneses and Greens will prefer it.' Mr Ashton would look with plaintive inquiry into Mr Gibson's face after some such speech, as if asking if a sarcasm was intended.On the whole they went on in the most amicable way; only beyond the gregarious feeling common to most men, they had very little actual pleasure in each other's society.Perhaps the man of all others to whom Mr Gibson took the most kindly - at least, until Lord Hollingford came into the neighbourhood -was a certain Squire Hamley.He and his ancestors had been called squire as long back as local tradition extended.But there was many a greater landowner in the county, for Squire Hamley's estate was not more than eight hundred acres or so.But his family had been in possession of it long before the Earls of Cumnor had been heard of; before the Hely-Harrisons had bought Coldstone Park; no one in Hollingford knew the time when the Hamleys had not lived at Hamley.'Ever since the Heptarchy,' said the vicar.'Nay,'
第19章 MR GIBSONS NEIGHBOURS (2)（2 / 3）