"It makes it all the harder," he said, in a troubled voice, "when the
Father's other sons, whose mother she is not, jeer at the poor falling
creature, and at her own children for their very anguish in seeing it.
I do not think the Father can like them to do that. It is hard enough
for the children without it. And surely He loves her yet, and would
fain save her and bring her home."
And I felt he spoke in parables.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1. At this date, an innkeeper stood higher in the estimation of
society than at present, and a clergyman considerably lower, unless the
latter were a dignitary, or a man whose birth and fortune were regarded
as entitling him to respect apart from his profession.