“Whereabouts in Suffolk?” said I.
“At a place called —,” said the man.
“In what line of business?” said I.
“In none at all; he is a clergyman.”
“Shall I tell you his name?” said I.
“It is not likely you should know his name,” said the man.
“Nevertheless,” said I, “I will tell it you—his name was —.”
“Well,” said the man, “sure enough that is his name.”
“It was his name,” said I, “but I am sorry to tell you he is no more. To-day is Saturday. He died last Tuesday week, and was probably buried last Monday. An excellent man was Dr. H. O. A credit to his country and to his order.”
The man was silent for some time, and then said with a softer voice, and a very different manner from that he had used before, “I never saw him but once, and that was more than twenty years ago—but I have heard say that he was an excellent man—I see, sir, that you are a clergyman.”