Volume IX Part 6 (2/2)
How much did you say the debt of the Presbyterian Church is?”
”Six thousand, I think.”
”A good deal for a little church like that to owe.”
”Yes, but--”
”You didn't promise anything, Mary Jane, did you, to Mrs. Borrow?”
”No, for I had nothing to promise, but I did tell her on Sunday that I would help them liberally if I could.”
”They will base large expectations on that, sure. I wish you hadn't said it just that way. Of course, we are bound to help them, but I should like to have a perfectly free hand in doing it.”
There was silence for a moment, while both looked through the window at the General's place over the way.
”Beautiful, isn't it?” asked Mrs. Grimes.
”Lovely. That little annex on the side would make a snug den for me; and imagine the prospect from that south bedroom window! You would enjoy every look at it.”
”George?”
”What?”
”George, dear, tell me frankly, do you really feel in your heart as generous as you did yesterday?”
”Now, my dear, why press that matter? Call it meaner or narrower or what you will; maybe I am a little more so than I was; but there is nothing to be ashamed of. It is the conservative instinct a.s.serting itself; the very same faculty in man that holds society together. I will be liberal enough when the time comes, never fear. I am not going to disregard what one may call the pledges of a lifetime. We will treat everybody right, the Presbyterian Church and Mr. Borrow included. His salary is a thousand, I think you said?”
”Yes.”
”Well, I am willing to make it fifteen hundred right now, if you are.”
”We said, you remember, it ought to be two thousand.”
”Who said so?”
”You did, on the porch here the other evening.”
”I never said so. There isn't a preacher around here gets that much. The Episcopalians with their rich people only give eighteen hundred.”
”And a house.”
”Very well, the Presbyterians can build a house if they want to.”
”You consent then to pledge five hundred more to the minister's salary?”
”I said I would if you would, but my advice is just to let the matter go over until to-morrow or next day, when the whole thing can be considered.”
”Very well, but, George, sixty thousand dollars is a great deal of money, and we certainly can afford to be liberal with it, for the General's sake as well as for our own!”
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