“I am not sure of my own feeling,” said Margaret. “It has been settled without our interposition, and I have never been able to talk it over calmly with you. Papa does not seem to disapprove.”
“No,” said Ethel. “He will only laugh, and say it will spare him a great many of Mrs. Hoxton’s nervous attacks. He thinks of it nearly as I do, at the bottom, but I cannot get him to stop it, nor even to say he does not wish Flora to sell.”
“I did not understand that you really had such strong objections,” said Margaret. “I thought it was only as a piece of folly, and—”
“And interference with my Cocksmoor?” said Ethel. “I had better own to what may be wrong personal feeling at first.”
“I can hardly call it wrong,” said Margaret tenderly, “considering what Cocksmoor is to you, and what the Ladies’ Committee is.”
“Oh, Margaret, if the lawful authority—if a good clergyman would only come, how willingly would I work under him! But Mrs. Ledwich and—it is like having all the Spaniards and savages spoiling Robinson Crusoe’s desert island!”
“It is not come to that yet,” said Margaret; “but about the fancy fair. We all know that the school is very much wanted.”
“Yes, but I hoped to wait in patience and perseverance, and do it at last.”
“All yourself?”
“Now, Margaret! you know I was glad of Alan’s help.”