Mr Thumble listened to him patiently, standing with one foot a little in advance of the other, with one hand folded over the other, with his head rather on one side, and with his eyes fixed on the corner where the wall and ceiling joined each other.  He had been told to be firm, and he was considering how he might best display firmness.  He thought that he remembered some story of two parsons fighting for one pulpit, and he thought also that he should not himself like to incur the scandal of such a proceeding in the diocese.  As to the law in the matter he knew nothing himself; but he presumed that a bishop would probably know the letter better than a perpetual curate.  That Mrs Proudie was intemperate and imperious, he was aware.  Had the message come from her alone, he might have felt that even for her sake he had better give way.  But as the despotic arrogance of the lady in this case had been backed by the timid presence and hesitating words of her lord, Mr Thumble thought that he must have the law on his side.  ‘I think you will find, Mr Crawley,’ said he, ‘that the bishop’s inhibition is strictly legal.’  He had picked up the powerful word from Mrs Proudie and flattered himself that it might be of use to him in carrying his purpose.

‘It is illegal,’ said Mr Crawley, speaking somewhat louder than before, ’and will be absolutely futile.  As you pleaded to me that you yourself and your personal convenience were concerned in this matter, I have made known my intentions to you, which otherwise I should have made known only to the bishop.  If you please, we will discuss the matter no further.’

‘Am I to understand, Mr Crawley, that you refuse to obey the bishop?’

’The bishop has written to me, sire, and I will make known my intention to the bishop by a written answer.  As you have been the bearer of the bishop’s letter to me, I am bound to ask whether I shall be indebted to you for carrying back my reply, or whether I shall send it by course of post?’ Mr Thumble considered for a moment, and then made up his mind that he had better wait, and carry back the epistle.  This was Friday, and the letter could not be delivered by post till the Saturday morning.  Mrs Proudie might be angry with him if he should be the cause of loss of time.  He did not, however, at all like waiting, having perceived that Mr Crawley, though with language courteously worded, had spoken of him as a mere messenger.

‘I think,’ he said, ’that I may, perhaps, best further the object which we must all have in view, that namely of providing properly for the Sunday services in the church of Hogglestock, by taking your reply personally to the bishop.’

‘That provision is my care and need trouble no one else,’ said Mr Crawley, in a loud voice.  Then, before seating himself at his old desk, he stood awhile, pondering with his back turned to his visitor.  ’I have to ask your pardon, sir,’ said he, looking round for a moment, ’because by the reason of the extreme poverty of this house, my wife is unable to offer you any hospitality which is especially due from one clergyman to another.’