“I CONSIDER IT A SHAME AND A DISGRACE TO THE PARISH TO HAVE OUR RECTOR IN FILTHY CLOTHES, DRAWING STONE WITH A LOT OF RUFFIANS”
“Can it be possible that this is you, Mr. Maxwell?” he almost whispered, at last.
“It is, to the best of my knowledge and belief.”
“What in the name of heaven are you working with these men for, if I may ask?”
“To earn sufficient money to pay my grocer’s bill.”
Bascom colored hotly, and sputtered:
“I consider it a shame and a disgrace to the parish to have our rector in filthy clothes, drawing stone with a lot of ruffians.”
Maxwell colored as hotly, and replied:
“They are not ruffians, sir; they are honest men, supporting their families in a perfectly legitimate way, giving their labor and”—significantly—“receiving their pay for it.” 250