120 Sportsmen Parsons in Peace and War 



Bishop (now most uncomfortable). — " No ! No ! Mr. Froude, 

 I have not come to drink hot brandy and water, but to ask you 

 about certain charges." 



But here again he was interrupted. 



Mr. Froude. — " Yes, my lord, it is my only doctor, and 

 if I had been wise and taken it at first I should not have been 

 sitting here now like any old woman, as deaf as an adder " 



This was the last straw. The Bishop made a solemn bow 

 and dignified exit to his carriage, and gave orders for home. 



If history is to be believed, as soon as his lordship had 

 disappeared Mr. Froude's cold suddenly disappeared, and just 

 to shake off the last remnants of it, he jumped into the saddle 

 and was away. 



It sounds more like a mischievous schoolboy's trick than the 

 conduct of a clergj^man. I wonder how he reconciled it to his 

 conscience, and what his housekeeper thought, who was used as 

 a tool ! 



As the stories of Mr. Froude's doings did not grow less, the 

 Bishop thought he would try again, meaning to talk to the 

 vicar like a father. 



On arriving at the vicarage he was again shown into the 

 same sitting-room, and Mary explained that her master was 

 much too ill to see anyone. 



The Bishop was so impressed by the solemn face of the 

 faithful Mary that he feared the illness must be serious, but still 

 pressed his point, saying, " But I feel sure Mr. Froude would 

 like to see me. Tell him the Bishop is here ! " 



Mary. — " Indeed, sir, I fear he is much too ill to see any- 

 body ; indeed, sir, I don't know perhaps as how I ought to tell 

 you " 



Bishop (interrupting nervously). — " It is nothing infectious, 

 I trust ? " 



Mary {in a relieved, almost cheerful voice). — " That's it, sir — 

 a terrible infection, indeed ; they call it a fever ! " 



Bishop {imih suppressed agitation). — "What kind of fever, 

 my good woman — not scarlet fever ? " 



Mary. — " Oh no, my lord, much worse ; they do tell me as 

 how it be typhus fever." 



This was too much. The poor Bishop began to feel symp- 

 toms of internal trouble, and made hastily for the door. He 



