"We didn't even tell Mr. Arnold; we said we would send him some one to-morrow."
"And have you told her her fate?" asked Miss Webb.
"Jill is going to see Miss Grant in the morning," said Jack with dignity, and not perceiving he had let the cat out of the bag.
Miss Webb began to laugh afresh, and even Mona smiled. Miss Grant was a lady between fifty and sixty who was an indefatigable parish worker, but whose strong will and love of interference had always been a sore trial to her vicar.
"You think she'll make him a good wife?" Miss Webb said, trying to draw the children out.
"She's just the sort to make tea," said Jack, "and she'll be much more help to him than Mrs. Errington would be, or any one else."
"I think you will have to keep certain small people hard at lessons to-morrow, Miss Falkner. This proposed visit must be nipped in the bud."
Miss Falkner took her charges off to the school-room and presently Jill appeared.
She seemed to have forgotten the subject under discussion, for she was full of a plan she had talked over with Mr. Arnold of supporting a children's cot in the local hospital.
"And my bag will begin it, like it did the Bethel Room. Don't you think it lovely?"