‘I’m not afraid, as far as the girl is concerned,’ said Humfrey. ‘You are strict enough with her.’
‘But how am I to be strict when poor little Owen never does anything wrong?’
‘Yes, he is a particularly sweet child.’
‘And not at all wanting in manliness,’ cried Honor, eagerly. ‘So full of spirit, and yet so gentle. Oh! he is a child whom it is a privilege to train, and I don’t think I have spoilt him yet, do you?’
‘No, I don’t think you have. He is very obedient in general.’
‘Oh! if he could be only brought up as I wish. And I do think his innocence is too perfect a thing not to be guarded. What a perfect clergyman he would make! Just fancy him devoting himself to some parish like poor dear old
St. Wulstan’s—carrying his bright sweetness into the midst of all that black Babel, and spreading light round him! he always says he will be a clergyman like his papa, and I am sure he must be marked out for it. He likes to look at the sheep on the moors, and talk about the shepherd leading them, and I am sure the meaning goes very deep with him.’
She was not going quite the way to show Humfrey that her heart was not set on the boy, and she was checked by hearing him sigh. Perhaps it was for the disappointment he foresaw, so she said, ‘Whether I bring him up or not, don’t you believe there will be a special care over such a child?’
‘There is a special care over every Christian child, I suppose,’ he said; ‘and I hope it may all turn out so as to make you happy. Here is your door; good night, and good-bye.’
‘Why, are not you coming in?’