And then, to
Gissing's horror and amazement, Mr. Poodle appeared from behind a
pillar where he had been chafing unseen. In a fierce tenor voice
shaken with indignation he cried:
"Heretic and hypocrite! Pay no attention to his abominable
nonsense! He deserted his family to lead a life of pleasure!"
"Seize him!" cried the Bishop in a voice of thunder.
The church was now in an uproar. A shrill yapping sounded among
the choir. Mrs. Airedale swooned; the Bishop's progress up the
aisle was impeded by a number of ladies hastening for an exit.
Old Mr. Dingo, the sexton, seized the bell-rope in the porch and
set up a furious pealing. Cries of rage mingled with hysterical
howls from the ladies. Gissing, trembling with horror, surveyed
the atrocious hubbub. But it was high time to move, or his
retreat would be cut off. He abandoned his manuscript and bounded
down the pulpit stairs.
"Unfrock him!" yelled Mr. Poodle.
"He's never been frocked!" roared the Bishop.
"Impostor!" cried Mr.
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