Part 10 (1/2)

”You've not been here very long, I believe,” said Bertie.

”No--not long,” said the bishop and tried again to make his way between the back of the sofa and a heavy rector, who was staring over it at the grimaces of the signora.

”You weren't a bishop before, were you?”

Dr. Proudie explained that this was the first diocese he had held.

”Ah--I thought so,” said Bertie, ”but you are changed about sometimes, a'nt you?”

”Translations are occasionally made,” said Dr. Proudie, ”but not so frequently as in former days.”

”They've cut them all down to pretty nearly the same figure, haven't they?” said Bertie.

To this the bishop could not bring himself to make any answer, but again attempted to move the rector.

”But the work, I suppose, is different?” continued Bertie. ”Is there much to do here, at Barchester?” This was said exactly in the tone that a young Admiralty clerk might use in asking the same question of a brother acolyte at the Treasury.

”The work of a bishop of the Church of England,” said Dr. Proudie with considerable dignity, ”is not easy. The responsibility which he has to bear is very great indeed.”

”Is it?” said Bertie, opening wide his wonderful blue eyes. ”Well, I never was afraid of responsibility. I once had thoughts of being a bishop, myself.”

”Had thoughts of being a bishop!” said Dr. Proudie, much amazed.

”That is, a parson--a parson first, you know, and a bishop afterwards.

If I had once begun, I'd have stuck to it. But, on the whole, I like the Church of Rome the best.”

The bishop could not discuss the point, so he remained silent.

”Now, there's my father,” continued Bertie; ”he hasn't stuck to it.

I fancy he didn't like saying the same thing over so often. By the by, Bishop, have you seen my father?”

The bishop was more amazed than ever. Had he seen his father? ”No,”

he replied; he had not yet had the pleasure: he hoped he might; and, as he said so, he resolved to bear heavy on that fat, immovable rector, if ever he had the power of doing so.

”He's in the room somewhere,” said Bertie, ”and he'll turn up soon.

By the by, do you know much about the Jews?”

At last the bishop saw a way out. ”I beg your pardon,” said he, ”but I'm forced to go round the room.”

”Well--I believe I'll follow in your wake,” said Bertie. ”Terribly hot--isn't it?” This he addressed to the fat rector with whom he had brought himself into the closest contact. ”They've got this sofa into the worst possible part of the room; suppose we move it. Take care, Madeline.”

The sofa had certainly been so placed that those who were behind it found great difficulty in getting out; there was but a narrow gangway, which one person could stop. This was a bad arrangement, and one which Bertie thought it might be well to improve.

”Take care, Madeline,” said he, and turning to the fat rector, added, ”Just help me with a slight push.”

The rector's weight was resting on the sofa and unwittingly lent all its impetus to accelerate and increase the motion which Bertie intentionally originated. The sofa rushed from its moorings and ran half-way into the middle of the room. Mrs. Proudie was standing with Mr. Slope in front of the signora, and had been trying to be condescending and sociable; but she was not in the very best of tempers, for she found that, whenever she spoke to the lady, the lady replied by speaking to Mr. Slope. Mr. Slope was a favourite, no doubt, but Mrs. Proudie had no idea of being less thought of than the chaplain. She was beginning to be stately, stiff, and offended, when unfortunately the castor of the sofa caught itself in her lace train, and carried away there is no saying how much of her garniture.

Gathers were heard to go, st.i.tches to crack, plaits to fly open, flounces were seen to fall, and breadths to expose themselves; a long ruin of rent lace disfigured the carpet, and still clung to the vile wheel on which the sofa moved.