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that I was not doing the job as wholeheartedly as I should have done.
    Then our organist, who is distinctly “touchy,” had taken offence and had to be smoothed down.
    And four of my poorer parishioners declared open rebellion against Miss Hartnell, who came to me bursting with rage about it.
    I was just going home when I met Colonel Protheroe. He was in high good humour, having sentenced three poachers, in his capacity as magistrate.
    â€œFirmness,” he shouted in his stentorian voice. He is slightly deaf and raises his voice accordingly as deaf people often do. “That’s what’s needed nowadays—firmness! Make an example. That rogue Archer came out yesterday and is vowing vengeance against me, I hear. Impudent scoundrel. Threatened men live long, as the saying goes. I’ll show him what his vengeance is worth next time I catch him taking my pheasants. Lax! We’re too lax nowadays! I believe in showing a man up for what he is. You’re always being asked to consider a man’s wife and children. Damned nonsense. Fiddlesticks. Why should a man escape the consequences of his acts just because he whines about his wife and children? It’s all the same to me—no matter what a man is—doctor, lawyer, clergyman, poacher, drunken wastrel—if you catch him on the wrong side of the law, let the law punish him. You agree with me, I’m sure.”
    â€œYou forget,” I said. “My calling obliges me to respect one quality above all others—the quality of mercy.”
    â€œWell, I’m a just man. No one can deny that.”
    I did not speak, and he said sharply:
    â€œWhy don’t you answer? A penny for your thoughts, man.”
    I hesitated, then I decided to speak.
    â€œI was thinking,” I said, “that when my time comes, I should be sorry if the only plea I had to offer was that of justice. Because it might mean that only justice would be meted out to me….”
    â€œPah! What we need is a little militant Christianity. I’ve always done my duty, I hope. Well, no more of that. I’ll be along this evening, as I said. We’ll make it a quarter past six instead of six, if you don’t mind. I’ve got to see a man in the village.”
    â€œThat will suit me quite well.”
    He flourished his stick and strode away. Turning, I ran intoHawes. I thought he looked distinctly ill this morning. I had meant to upbraid him mildly for various matters in his province which had been muddled or shelved, but seeing his white strained face, I felt that the man was ill.
    I said as much, and he denied it, but not very vehemently. Finally he confessed that he was not feeling too fit, and appeared ready to accept my advice of going home to bed.
    I had a hurried lunch and went out to do some visits. Griselda had gone to London by the cheap Thursday train.
    I came in about a quarter to four with the intention of sketching the outline of my Sunday sermon, but Mary told me that Mr. Redding was waiting for me in the study.
    I found him pacing up and down with a worried face. He looked white and haggard.
    He turned abruptly at my entrance.
    â€œLook here, sir. I’ve been thinking over what you said yesterday. I’ve had a sleepless night thinking about it. You’re right. I’ve got to cut and run.”
    â€œMy dear boy,” I said.
    â€œYou were right in what you said about Anne. I’ll only bring trouble on her by staying here. She’s—she’s too good for anything else. I see I’ve got to go. I’ve made things hard enough for her as it is, heaven help me.”
    â€œI think you have made the only decision possible,” I said. “I know that it is a hard one, but believe me, it will be for the best in the end.”
    I could see that he thought that that was the kind of thing easily said by someone who didn’t know what he was talking about.
    â€œYou’ll look after Anne? She needs a