"Yes, I suppose you can all know it now. You can't be as sorry as I am. I was just getting to like him so."
Miss Webb gave a little laugh.
"It wasn't so long ago that you used to vote him a bore, my dear. There are plenty of clergy. We must hope for one as good."
"But," cried Jill, "he can't go away. Who is to take our bag every Saturday? And the room is for him to preach in. Oh, how dreadful of him to go!"
"Lady Crane has the gift of the living, has she not?" said Miss Webb, addressing Mona.
"Yes, I believe so," said Mona listlessly.
"Perhaps she may give it to Cecil Arnold. He is her nephew!"
A rich colour came into Mona's cheeks.
"Oh, no," she said confusedly. "Why should she? Besides, he would never leave his work in the north."
Miss Webb nodded her head knowingly.