Broad privately
explained to Brother Bushel, it would come to the same thing in the
end. Then Mr. Broad, as he had suggested at an earlier stage, was
himself to write a letter to the Allens, stating in "general terms"
the dissatisfaction felt by the church and its minister with them,
and requesting their appearance in the vestry on the day named.
Brother Scotton was still malcontent, but as he was in a minority he
held his peace. He resolved, however, on his own account, to
acquaint the Allens with what had happened, and prepare them. They
were no particular friends of his, but Bushel also was no particular
friend, and his auctioneering trade had at least educated him, in the
disputes amongst buyers, to hold the scales of justice a little more
evenly than they were held by Bushel's hands.
Neither George nor his father were much disturbed by any of the items
in Scotton's information nor by Mr. Broad's letter, save the
reference to Pauline. It is true it was very remote, but the
meaning, especially after Scotton's explanation, was obvious, and
George was in a fury which his father found it very difficult to
repress. For himself George did not care, but he did care that
Pauline's name should not be dragged into the wretched squabble.
Pages:
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366