Mr Robarts was not altogether easy in his mind as he approached Mr Crawley’s house.  He was aware that the task before him was a very difficult one, and he had not confidence in himself—­that he was exactly the man fitted for the performance of such a task.  He was a little afraid of Mr Crawley, acknowledging tacitly to himself that the man had a power of ascendancy with which he would hardly be able to cope successfully.  In old days he had once been rebuked by Mr Crawley, and had been cowed by the rebuke; and though there was no touch of rancour in his heart on this account, no slightest remaining venom—­but rather increased respect and friendship—­still he was unable to overcome his remembrance of the scene in which the perpetual curate of Hogglestock had undoubtedly the mastery of him.  So, when two dogs have fought and one has conquered, the conquered dog will always show an unconscious submission to the conqueror.

He hailed a boy on the road as he drew near to the house, knowing that he would find no one at the parsonage to hold his horse for him, and was thus able without delay to walk through the garden and knock at the door.  ‘Papa was not at home,’ Jane said.  ’Papa was at the school.  But papa could certainly be summoned.’  She herself would run across to the school if Mr Robarts would come in.  So Mr Robarts entered, and found Mrs Crawley in the sitting-room.  Mr Crawley would be in directly, she said.  And then, hurrying on to the subject with confused haste, in order that a word or two might be spoken before her husband came back, she expressed her thanks and his for the good things which had been sent to them at Christmas-tide.

‘It’s old Lady Lufton’s doings,’ said Mr Robarts, trying to laugh the matter over.

’I knew that it came from Framley, Mr Robarts, and I know how good you all are there.  I have not written to thank Lady Lufton.  I thought it better not to write.  Your sister will understand why, if no one else does.  But you will tell them from me, I am sure, that it was, as they intended, a comfort to us.  Your sister knows too much of us for me to suppose that our great poverty can be a secret from her.  And, as far as I am concerned, I do not much care who knows it.’

‘There is no disgrace in not being rich,’ said Mr Robarts.

’No; and the feeling of disgrace which does attach itself to being so poor as we are is deadened by the actual suffering which such poverty brings with it.  At least it has become so with me.  I am not ashamed to say that I am very grateful for what you all have done for us at Framley.  But you must not say anything to him about it.’

‘Of course I will not, Mrs Crawley.’

’His spirit is higher than mine, I think, and he suffers more from the natural disinclination which we all have from receiving alms.  Are you going to speak to him about the affair—­the cheque, Mr Robarts?’

‘I am going to ask him to put his case into some lawyer’s hands.’