The Vicar thought this doubtful, but forbore to say so.
"We've had a lot of talk lately about my boy Jack—our boy I mean. Jack's always been a good boy to me, sir; the best boy a mother ever had. I've never had a hard word from Jack, not since he was a baby. But you know he's engaged to be married now."
"I know. To Jessie Perkins. Nice girl too."
"Yes, she's a very nice girl, sir; I wouldn't wish a nicer for my Jack; and nobody could wish a better young man for her than him. Jessie always was nice, but she's ever so much nicer since Miss Pattison went to live in that house. She's done a lot of good to Jessie. But it was about Jack that I wanted to ask you, sir. I do think, and so does Jack, that he'd ought to be in some other place, and doing something better than he's doing now. It's all very well his helping in our shop, but that won't lead to nothing better by-and-by; and there ain't no real need for Jack to help. Mimy and me can do all that's wanted. It isn't as if the shop was so very big, nor as if the business was getting to be more and more, for it don't; and I don't mind saying that to you, sir, though I wouldn't like it to be farther."
"No, no, I'm safe. You may trust me. Perhaps that is what troubles your husband."
"Maybe so, sir. I couldn't say. He won't allow that things ain't all just as they should be—and maybe they are better than I think. But I do know Jack had ought to get something better to do. He'd ought to be in some biggish town, where he can learn his business thoroughly, and hope to rise by-and-by. I've always told them so, and Jim wouldn't listen, and Jack didn't mind. Jack's easy-going, you know: and he's a good home-boy too, and didn't want to leave us all. But now he's thinking of getting married, it makes all the difference. He don't like the thoughts of going, but all the same, he knows it's got to be, and wants it as much as anybody."
"Yes, yes, I see. And what does your husband say?"
"He don't seem over well pleased, sir, but he don't say much. He's sort of gloomy-like, and don't talk much about nothing. He says he s'poses Jack 'll have to do as he chooses."
"And you want me to help you. I'll think about the matter. Perhaps I could write on his behalf to one or two large houses of business, where I am well-known. Worth the trial, at all events."
A little more talk on the subject, and Mrs. Groates decamped, to be followed by somebody else.