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VII

unday was a day crowded with incident. Mr. Carey was
Saccustomed to say that he was the only man in his par-
ish who worked seven days a week.
The household got up half an hour earlier than usual. No
lying abed for a poor parson on the day of rest, Mr. Carey
remarked as Mary Ann knocked at the door punctually at
eight. It took Mrs. Carey longer to dress, and she got down
to breakfast at nine, a little breathless, only just before her
husband. Mr. Carey’s boots stood in front of the fire to
warm. Prayers were longer than usual, and the breakfast
more substantial. After breakfast the Vicar cut thin slices
of bread for the communion, and Philip was privileged to
cut off the crust. He was sent to the study to fetch a marble
paperweight, with which Mr. Carey pressed the bread till it
was thin and pulpy, and then it was cut into small squares.
The amount was regulated by the weather. On a very bad day
few people came to church, and on a very fine one, though
many came, few stayed for communion. There were most
when it was dry enough to make the walk to church pleas-
ant, but not so fine that people wanted to hurry away.
Then Mrs. Carey brought the communion plate out of
the safe, which stood in the pantry, and the Vicar polished
it with a chamois leather. At ten the fly drove up, and Mr.
Carey got into his boots. Mrs. Carey took several minutes

Of Human Bondage