"So that is the question, is it?" said Mr. Richmond smiling. "Is Norton thinking of taking the situation?"
"Norton thinks it cannot be a comfortable life, Mr. Richmond; and I thought he was mistaken."
"What do you suppose a minister's business is, Norton? that is the first consideration. You must know what a man has to do, before you can judge whether it is hard to do it."
"I thought I knew, sir."
"Yes, I suppose so; but it don't follow that you do."
"I know part," said Norton. "A minister has to preach sermons, and marry people, and baptize children, and read prayers at funerals and—"
"Go on," said Mr. Richmond.
"I was going to say, it seems to me, he has to talk to everybody that wants to talk to him."
"How do you get along with that difficulty?" said Mr. Richmond. "It attacks other people besides ministers."
"I dodge them," said Norton. "But a minister cannot,—can he, sir?"