Galloway. Whether of work, or
whether of gossip, his ears were ever open to listen to its records.
Besides, they were not so overburdened with work in that office, but
that there was ample time for discussing any news that might be
agreeable to its master. His work was light; his returns were heavy;
his stewardship alone brought him in several hundreds a year.
"The Reverend Mr. Pye seems uncommonly annoyed about it, sir," Mr.
Jenkins ventured to put in. To interrupt, or take part in any
conversation, was not usual with him, unless he could communicate
little tit-bits of information touching the passing topic. "You are
aware that Mr. Harper, the lay-clerk, lodges at our house, sir. Well,
Mr. Pye came round last night, especially to question him about it."
"What could Harper tell?" asked Mr. Galloway.
"He could not tell anything; except that he would answer for the
lay-clerks knowing nothing of the transaction. The master said he never
supposed the lay-clerks did know anything of it, but he had his reasons
for putting the question. He had been to the masons, too, who are
repairing the cathedral; and they declared to the master, one and all,
that they had not been into the vestry yesterday, or even round to that
side of the college where the vestry is situated."
"Why should the master take it up so pertinaciously?" wondered Roland
Yorke.
"I'm sure I don't know, sir. He was like one in a fever, so excited
over it, Harper said.
Pages:
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70