CHAPTER SIXTEEN. 

LINCH-PINS. 

"And leave them laughing, Ho! Ho Ho!"--_Robin Goodfellow_. 

Notice was sent from the Bishop of the diocese that he was about to hold a Confirmation at Poppleby in six weeks' time. This was matter of rejoicing to Mr Harford, who had mourned over the very few communicants. Before he came the Celebrations had been only three times a year, and were attended by most of the aged paupers. To the joy of the Carbonels, the feast was monthly after his coming; but the first time the aged people were there, and all lingered, George Hewlett, the clerk, said, when the curate looked to him for information-- 

"The alms, sir. They be waiting for the money in the plate." 

"Why, that is to be reserved for sick and distressed." 

"Mr Selby, he always give it out to them, and so did Mr Jones afore him, sir. They be all expecting of it." 

Mr Harford thought that it might be best not to disappoint the old people suddenly, so he stood at the vestry door counting heads, and numbering among them two whom he had already been somewhat startled to see present themselves, namely, Dame Spurrell, whom he had heard abusing her neighbour with a torrent of foul words, and who pretended to be a witch, and Tom Jarrold, whom Hewlett had described to him as the wickedest old chap in the parish. 

He took counsel with the churchwardens, Farmers Goodenough and Rawson, who both agreed that they were a bad lot, who didn't deserve nothing, but it helped to keep down the rates. Then he talked to Captain Carbonel, who, being a reverent man, was dismayed at what he heard. 
Who sent the message?
What he was going to do?
Is ther any timframe?
When?
Who felt happy about that?
What he did beforehand?
How many times he went there?
Who accompanied him?
How often was the feast?
Anyone happy about that?
Who was that?
Were some folks very new to all these?
Were there any beggers?
Who did not want to upset the folks?
Where was he?
Did he recognize someone?
How many of them he recognize by name?
Did he consult anyone?
Who were they?
Were they in the same page in this issue?
the Bishop of the diocese
Notice was sent from the Bishop of the diocese
hold a Confirmation
hold a Confirmation
yes
in six weeks' time
in six weeks
 in six weeks' time
Mr Harford
This was matter of rejoicing to Mr Harford
he had mourned over the very few communicants.
 had mourned over the very few communicants.
three times a year
Before he came the Celebrations had been only three times a year
most of the aged paupers
 most of the aged paupers
monthly
the feast was monthly after his coming
yes
To the joy of the Carbonels
the Carbonels
the Carbonels
yes
George Hewlett, the clerk, said, when the curate looked to him for information
yes
The alms, sir. They be waiting for the money in the plate
Mr Harford
Mr Harford thought that it might be best not to disappoint the old people suddenly,
at the vestry door
he stood at the vestry door
yes
Dame Spurrell, whom he had heard abusing her neighbour with a torrent of foul words
two
Dame Spurrell, whom he had heard abusing her neighbour with a torrent of foul words, and who pretended to be a witch, and Tom Jarrold
yes
He took counsel with the churchwardens
the churchwardens, Farmers Goodenough and Rawson
the churchwardens, Farmers Goodenough and Rawson
yes
who both agreed that they were a bad lot