“Clothes don’t amount to much anyway,” said Betsey. “Hepsey’s right. They are alike as two peas, but Ben is the strongest morally, because he hasn’t been spoiled by property, as Clifton has. Not that he is altogether spoiled yet.”
“But about the minister?” interrupted Miss Bean.
“He has not come, it seems,” said Elizabeth. “There is to be a sermon read to-day,” but she did not say that her brother Jacob was to read it.
The bell which had been delayed beyond the usual time pealed out, and all faces were turned to the church door. Clifton and Ben lingered till the last.
“There is old Mr Fleming going off home,” said Ben as he caught sight of a figure on horseback turning the corner toward North Gore. “I expect he don’t care about your brother Jacob’s preaching,” he added, gravely.
“Isn’t it his practice he don’t care about?” said Clifton, laughing.
“I shouldn’t wonder,” said Ben.
“Well, I can’t say I care much about his preaching either. Come, Ben, let us go down to the big elm and talk things over.”
Ben shook his head, but followed.
“It is not just the same as if the minister was there,” said he, doubtfully.