A CLERICAL MISTAKE.
(Fragment of a Romance found shortly after the holding of the recent Clerical Meetings.)
"You are most kind," said the guest, getting down from the dogcart and assisting the retainer to carry his portmanteau into the house.
"Not at all," was the reply. "If you are so good as to wait a moment, I will take the vehicle round to the stables and then show you your room."
The guest bowed his head gratefully, and yet with some embarrassment. Who was this retainer? He seemed to be a man of education, and yet—— He had no time for further thought, as the subject of his meditations returned to him.
"I was as speedy as possible," said he; "as I knew you would like to dress. The rector dines rather early, and is sure to be punctual to-night. This way."
And then the two young men marched up the staircase, and entered together the spare room.
"There!" exclaimed the retainer, as he finished laying out the contents of the guest's portmanteau. "Now all you have to do is to look sharp and get down into the drawing-room, before the arrival of the bishop. I shall try and snatch a few moments' doze, as I have been busy from the early morning."
"I really cannot sufficiently thank you," said the guest, hunting in his waistcoat pocket for a shilling. "But if you will allow me——"
"Oh, no thank you," interrupted the retainer, with a slight blush. "I really do not require a tip."
"But surely, from your multitudinous duties, you must be the butler?"
Then came the solution to the mystery.
"Oh dear no! I am not the butler! I am only the curate!"