"I bring up all my scholars so religious, it would do your heart good to see them," replied Pim. "They know the Bible all through, and understand the whole of the Church Catechism, as you will find, if you will give us the honour of a visit some day."
"I will, to morrow, Mr. Pim."
"Suppose we say the end of the week, ma'am, when they are furbished up for the parson. You will be more sure of being pleased towards the end of the week. I make my scholars very moral."
"Then they have no reason to fear spies, I should think."
"Why, as to that, ma'am, it all depends on people's notions of what it is to be moral; and when there is so much difference of opinion on that, it seems natural enough that each party should settle the point as seems most agreeable. I wonder, now, what you think of the gentlefolks that come to Hastings and Brighton, and all the bathing places along this coast."
"I suppose they are much like other gentlefolks, are they not? How do their morals affect those of your scholars?"
"Why, just this way. If ladies in their walks make acquaintance with the fishermen's children, and use that as a pretence for calling on their mothers, and letting drop that they would be glad of a lot of gloves or silk hose from over beyond there, is not it natural for the cottage-girls to think the bargain a very pretty and proper one, when they see the goods brought out of the cupboard? And if gentlemen drop in here and there, as they saunter about, to taste French brandy, or pocket a few cigars, is it not likely that the lads hereabouts, who are fond of adventure at all times, will take the hint, and try their luck at sea on dark nights?"
"But are such practices common among visiters to the coast?"
"Are they not?--And those who do not care to step across a poor man's threshold themselves are ready enough to buy of such as will; of the shop-keepers at Brighton, and others that import largely. Now all this is what the law calls immoral, while the people see no reason to think so."
"And which side do you take,--you who make your scholars so moral?"