She also purchased some water-cresses; but the
water-cress man demanded prompt cash settlement, and she was in a
strait. At last the desire for the water-cresses prevailed, and she
said:
"How much?"
"Three-halfpence."
"Now, mind I give you twopence for yourself--mind I give it you. I
do not approve of buying and selling on Sunday. We will settle about
the other ha'porth another time."
"All right, ma'am; if you like it that way, it's no odds to me;" and
Mrs. Coleman went her way upstairs really believing that she had
prevented the commission of a crime.
Let those of us cast the stone who can take oath that in their own
morality there is no casuistry. Probably ours is worse than hers,
because hers was traditional and ours is self-manufactured.
Everything being at last in order, Mrs. Coleman, looking rather warm,
but still very neat and very charming, sat at the head of the table,
with her back to the fireplace; the Major was on her right, Jean on
her left, Pauline next to him, and opposite to her Zachariah.
Zachariah and his wife believed in asking a blessing on their food;
but, curiously enough, in 1814, even amongst the strictest sort, it
had come to be the custom not to ask it at breakfast or tea, but only
at dinner; although breakfast and tea in those days certainly needed
a blessing as much as dinner, for they were substantial meals.
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