"You do know him; and perhaps if I mention his name, you will feel a momentary embarrassment."
"I fear no man; and I don't think I have got an enemy in all these parts."
"I am going to dine with Mr. Stevens."
"Hollo! I sometimes talk a bit too fast; the worse luck; however, don't say what I have said. He is a gentleman; I would not offend him for the world. We live on very good terms; and a better man does not exist, and I am sure his wife is the best woman in all the parish."
I told him that he might make himself very easy, as it was not my habit to sow discord among neighbours. I promised to call again before I left, which appeared to give him pleasure.
As I was walking up the hill which leads towards the villa, I met a venerable-looking gentleman, in the costume of a clergyman. We bowed; and, with an air of peculiar kindness, he said, "I presume I am addressing the Rev. Mr. S——s?"
"My name, Sir, is S——s."
"I am happy to see you in these parts; but I shall be more happy by seeing you at the rectory. We are both, I trust, ministers of the gospel; and though we labour in different communions, yet, as we expect to dwell together in heaven, I see no reason why we should shun each other's society on earth."
"Our Lord has broken down the middle wall of partition, but bigotry has been endeavouring almost ever since to rebuild it; and though she has succeeded in raising it up immensely high in some parts of her empire, yet, as she cannot always secure a good foundation, we occasionally find an opening through which we can pass to enjoy the fellowship of the saints."
"Ay, Sir, I often pray, 'Raze it, raze it, even to the foundation thereof.'"