They deal with actions, and
motives, and so forth; but they do not go down to the one root of
wrong which is the same in every man."
"You are getting beyond me: but why do you not apply a little of the
worldly wisdom which these same casuists taught you?"
"To tell you the truth, I have tried in past years, and found that the
medicine would not act."
"Humph! Well, that would depend, again, on the previous diagnosis of
human nature being correct; and those old monks, I should say, would
know about as much of human nature as so many daws in a steeple.
Still, you wouldn't say that what was the matter with old Heale was
the matter also with Vavasour?"
"I believe from my heart that it is."
"Humph! Then you know the symptoms of his complaint?"
"I know that he never comes to church."
"Nothing more? I am really speaking in confidence. You surely have
heard of disagreements between him and Mrs. Vavasour?"
"Never, I assure you; you shock me."
"I am exceedingly sorry, then, that I said a word about it: but the
whole parish talks of it," answered Tom, who was surprised at this
fresh proof of the little confidence which Aberalva put in their
parson.
"Ah!" said Frank sadly, "I am the last person in the parish to hear
any news: but this is very distressing."
"Very, to me. My honour, to tell you the truth, as a medical man,
is concerned in the matter; for she is growing quite ill from
unhappiness, and I cannot cure her; so I come to you, as soul-doctor,
to do what I, the body-doctor, cannot.
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