"Indeed, I will. We will have a long talk about it."
"And how are all your boys and girls?" asked Jill.
Mr. Arnold's face shadowed instantly. He was looking ill and careworn; it was only in talking to the children that his face lightened up.
"Ah," he said; "my poor people! Don't remind me of them. Nothing but the doctor's orders would have made me leave them."
Then speaking to Miss Falkner, he said—
"I have been ill, otherwise you would not have seen me here. As it is, I fear I shall not find sufficient scope for my energies!"
"You have over a thousand in your parish," said Mona, "and Chilton Common and other outlying districts in addition. I should think there was scope enough for one man's energies, especially as that man has already had a serious breakdown. Now come and have some tea. Miss Webb will wonder what we are doing."
Mona carried him off, and the children did not see him again for some time.
"Miss Falkner," asked Jill one day, "why doesn't Miss Webb like Mr. Arnold? She doesn't, you know."