ABSTRACT
While Mr Jones was speaking, the Curate slipped out of the room. In about a quarter of an hour he returned, and told the company something, which was not very agreeable to them. The horse, said he, is put to, and waits for us: children, we must now immediately take leave. Then they all began, as they did the evening before, to expostulate, complain and entreat. But after the Curate had represented to Mr Jones that the necessary duties of his profession now obliged him to return home, he took his part, and said I dare not detain a man who has important business at home. Charles and Mary had, at first, refused to give up the Curate’s great coat, which they had seized on; but as soon as their / father desired them, they brought it to him. They now stood, near a quarter of an hour, taking leave; thanking and kissing each other. Then the guests stepped into the cart, after having received an assurance from Mr Jones and the family, that they would soon come and see them; and off they drove to their own village.
