"
"Everybody will grant that, Edward--grant it privately, anyway. For six
months, now, the village has been its own proper self once more--honest,
narrow, self-righteous, and stingy."
"It is what he always called it, to the day of his death--said it right
out publicly, too."
"Yes, and he was hated for it."
"Oh, of course; but he didn't care. I reckon he was the best-hated man
among us, except the Reverend Burgess."
"Well, Burgess deserves it--he will never get another congregation here.
Mean as the town is, it knows how to estimate _him_. Edward, doesn't it
seem odd that the stranger should appoint Burgess to deliver the money?"
"Well, yes--it does. That is--that is--"
"Why so much that-_is_-ing? Would _you_ select him?"
"Mary, maybe the stranger knows him better than this village does."
"Much _that_ would help Burgess!"
The husband seemed perplexed for an answer; the wife kept a steady eye
upon him, and waited. Finally Richards said, with the hesitancy of one
who is making a statement which is likely to encounter doubt,
"Mary, Burgess is not a bad man."
His wife was certainly surprised.
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