Mr Barham always made his approaches very gradually.  The taciturn humility with which he commenced his operations was in exact proportion to the enthusiastic volubility of his advanced intimacy.  Mrs Yeld thought that it became her to address to him a few civil words, and he replied to her with a shame-faced modesty that almost overcame her dislike to his profession.  She spoke of the poor of Beccles, being very careful to allude only to their material position.  There was too much beer drunk, no doubt, and the young women would have finery.  Where did they get the money to buy those wonderful bonnets which appeared every Sunday?  Mr Barham was very meek, and agreed to everything that was said.  No doubt he had a plan ready formed for inducing Mrs Yeld to have mass said regularly within her husband&rsquo...