At any rate, before sundown the next day, the whole parish was buzzing with the news of the conflict at the vestry meeting. Of course the people of the parish were divided in their opinions. The greater part of them, comprising nearly all of the rich and well-to-do, were strenuously opposed not only to the policy of free pews, but also to the idea of meeting the inferior classes on terms of social equality in any of the affairs of the Church. They were quite willing, as they had always been, to give liberally to the charities of the Church, and to uphold its institutional life and activities to the best of their ability; but when it came to a matter of social recognition, they drew the line, and they drew it straight.
It was, broadly speaking, only among the less prosperous persons in the parish that those were found who sided warmly with the rector. Those who were called “advanced,” “progressive,” “visionary,” those with deep sympathies and humanitarian impulses, those with new theories of government, and a passionate desire to witness, if not to assist in, the overturning of the social order; these were the ones who, together with nearly all of the poor, espoused heartily the cause of the rector, and as heartily condemned the reactionary attitude of the vestry.
It was early in the afternoon of Saturday that the news reached Miss Chichester, or rather that Miss Chichester overtook the news. There was seldom anything in the way of church gossip or a parish sensation that did not early reach the ears of Miss Chichester on its way through the community. And this vestry incident was a particularly attractive, not to say sensational bit of gossip. Miss Chichester could not rest with the exhilarating burden of it on her mind. She was eaten up with curiosity to know how the Reverend Mr. Farrar was taking the blunt criticism that, according to her informant, had been hurled at his head by certain members of the vestry, and how Mrs. Farrar was bearing up under the indignities that had been heaped upon her husband. Naturally and logically the most appropriate way of satisfying her curiosity would be to call at the rectory. As she was active and diligent in church work there were plenty of excuses for such a call. She gowned herself becomingly and sallied forth. At the corner of the street leading to the rectory she met Barry Malleson. He also was in full afternoon dress.
“Oh, Barry!” she exclaimed, “have you heard the news?”
“What news?” he inquired.
“About the awful time they had at the vestry meeting last night.”
“Yes, I heard about it. I consider it highly improper to have such a rumpus as that in a vestry meeting. I consider it time for some one with brains and judgment to interfere. I thought I’d better see what I could do. I’m just on my way up now to call on Farrar and try to get the thing settled.”
“How perfectly lovely of you! I was going up there too. I wanted to see Mr. Farrar about the Doncaster family. We’ll go up together.”
“No; I won’t interfere with your call. My errand’ll keep. I’ll go some other day.”
“Indeed, you won’t! You’ll go now. I’ll not be a bit in your way.”