Woodley retired to the hall and left the parsonage vacant, after the
minister had preached a farewell sermon in the church which made
everyone cry, for he was a good man and had made himself loved, and
there were very few in the parish who could understand that
difference between the true Church and a body without bishops. Mr.
Holworth had in the meantime gone to Wells to see his own Bishop
Piers, an old man of eighty-six, and it was from thence that he was
now returning. He had not chosen to enter his parish till the
intruded minister had resigned the charge, but he had been somewhat
disappointed that none of his old flock, not even any Kentons, who
had so much in charge, had come in to see him. He now arrived in
this quiet way, thinking that it would not be delicate to the
feelings of the squire and ex-minister to let the people get up any
signs of joy or ring the bells, if they were so inclined. Indeed, he
was much afraid from what he had been able to learn that it would be
only the rougher sort, who hated Puritan strictness and wanted sport
and revelry, who would give him an eager welcome.
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