Chapter 7 Chapter VII

On Sunday, things were packed.Mr. Carey always boasted that he was the only one in the whole parish who worked seven days a week. On this day, the whole family got up half an hour earlier than usual.When Mary Ann came knocking at the door at eight o'clock, Mr. Carey could not help muttering that it was such a miserable life to be a clergyman that he couldn't stay in bed any longer on his days off.Mrs. Carey also spent more time getting dressed that day. She didn't go downstairs for breakfast until nine o'clock, out of breath, just one step ahead of her husband.Mr. Carey's boots were placed before the fire to keep them warm.Prayers were held longer than usual, and breakfast was richer than usual.After breakfast the vicar went to prepare the communion and sliced ​​the bread; Philip was honored to help peel the crust.The vicar sent Philip to the study to fetch a marble paperweight with which to press the bread.When the slices of bread are pressed thin and soft, cut them into many small cubes.The amount depends on the weather.On windy and rainy days, few people go to church; if the weather is particularly good, there will be a lot of churchgoers, but there will not be many people staying for the Holy Communion.If it is neither rainy nor sunny at the same time, it is a pleasure to go to church, and the faithful are not in a hurry to enjoy the fun of the holiday-on such days, communion There will be a lot of people.

Then Mrs. Carey took the communion tray from the pantry cupboard and the Vicar polished Z to a shine with a piece of chamois leather.At ten o'clock the carriage drew up to the door, and Mr. Carey put on his boots.It took Mrs. Carey several minutes to put on her cap, during which the vicar, in a loose bonnet, was waiting in the hall with the expression on his face of a Christian of old, waiting to It's like being led into an arena.It's strange that after thirty years of marriage, the old woman is still dawdling like this every Sunday morning.At last she came slowly, dressed in black satin.No matter what the occasion, the pastor felt uncomfortable when he saw the priest's wife wearing red and green; on Sundays, he even insisted that his wife must wear all black.Several times Mrs. Carey, in collusion with Miss Graves, had the courage to put a white feather in her cap, or a pink rose or something, but the vicar insisted on removing them, saying he would not Willing to go to church with alluring sluts.As a woman, Mrs. Carey couldn't help letting out a long sigh; as a wife, she had to obey.When they were about to get into the carriage, the pastor suddenly remembered that his family hadn't given him any eggs today.They knew clearly that he needed an egg to moisten his throat; there were two women in the family, but none of them cared about his daily life.Mrs. Carey complained about Mary Ann, but Mary Ann retorted that she couldn't think of everything by herself.Mary Ann hurried to fetch the eggs; Mrs. Carey cracked them into a glass of sherry.The priest swallowed it in one gulp.The communion tray was loaded into the carriage, and they set off.

This one-horse carriage was sent by the "Red Lion" car dealership, and there was a strange smell of musty straw in the carriage.Along the way, the windows on both sides of the car were tightly closed, lest the pastor catch a cold.The church deacon, who was waiting at the porch of the church, took the communion tray.The Vicar went straight to the vestry, and Mrs. Carey and Philip sat down at the vicar's family table.Mrs. Carey put before her the sixpence piece which she always put in the communion tray, and gave Philip a threepence piece which served the same purpose.The church gradually filled up and the service began.

Philip listened to the vicar's sermon and grew weary.But as soon as he moved a little, Mrs. Carey put her hand on his arm and gave him a reproachful look.When the last hymn was over, and Mr. Graves took the communion tray and distributed the communion, Philip's spirits were renewed. The congregation had all left the church, and Mrs. Carey went up to Miss Graves's pew, and chatted with Miss Graves while she waited for the Vicar and them, while Philip slipped into the vestry.The uncle, the curate, and Mr. Graves were still in their white vestments.Mr. Carey gave Philip what was left of the communion, and told him to eat it.He had always eaten it himself, for it seemed sacrilege to throw it away; Philip had a great appetite, and now he happened to do it for him.Then they counted the coins in the pan, and there were onepence coins, sixpence coins, and threepence coins.Each time there were two shilling pieces.One had been put in by the vicar, another by Mr. Graves; now and then a florin came out.Mr. Graves told the vicar who gave the silver, usually some stranger who was visiting Blackstable.Mr. Carey wondered secretly what kind of person this benefactor was.But Miss Graves had already seen the indiscretion, and was able to tell Mrs. Carey everything about the stranger: he was from London, married, and had children.On the drive home, Mrs. Carey broke the news, and Mr. Carey made up his mind to pay a personal visit and ask the benefactor to contribute generously to the Lay Curate Society.Mr. Carey asked if Philip had behaved in church, and Mrs. Carey went on about Mrs. Wigram's new cloak, Mr. Cox's absence from church, and the thought that Miss Phillips had I'm engaged.When they got home, they all felt that after a whole morning, they should have a good meal.

After dinner, Mrs. Carey retired to her room to rest.Mr. Carey was lying on the sofa in the living room, taking a nap in his busy schedule. Tea was served at five o'clock in the afternoon, and the pastor ate an egg specially so that he would not be overwhelmed when he presided over evening prayer.Mrs. Carey herself remained at home so that Mary Ann could go to church for vespers, but she said her prayers and chanted her hymns all the same.In the evening Mr. Carey walked to church, Philip limping along at his side.Walking on the country road at night, Philip felt a sense of novelty.The brightly lit church in the distance, approaching little by little, seems very friendly.At first, Philip was a little timid in front of his uncle, but gradually he got used to it. He often put his hand into his uncle's palm quietly. He felt that someone was protecting him, and he felt more at ease when he strode.

As soon as they got home, they started eating dinner.Mr. Carey's slippers were ready, and stood on the footstool before the fire; Philip's were beside them: one, like an ordinary boy's shoe, and the other, which was misshapen and queer. .Philip was exhausted when he went upstairs to bed, and he let Mary Ann undress him.Mary Ann tucked Philip in and kissed him; Philip began to like her.