So the remaining ladies were divided—Ethel was to visit Miss Anderson, Miss Boulder, and Mrs. Ledwich; Dr. Spencer, the rest, and a meeting, if possible, be appointed for the next day.
Ethel did as she was told, though rather against the grain, and her short, abrupt manner was excused the more readily, that Dr. Spencer had been a subject of much mysterious speculation in Stoneborough, and to gain any intelligence respecting him, was a great object; so that she was extremely welcome wherever she called.
Mrs. Ledwich promised to come to tea, and instantly prepared to walk to Miss Rich, and authorise her to send out the notes of summons to the morrow’s meeting. Ethel offered to walk with her, and found Mrs. and Miss Rich in a flutter, after Dr. Spencer’s call; the daughter just going to put on her bonnet and consult Mrs. Ledwich, and both extremely enchanted with Dr. Spencer, who “would be such an acquisition.”
The hour was fixed and the notes sent out, and Ethel met Dr. Spencer at the garden gate.
“Well!” he said, smiling, “I think we have fixed them off—have not we?”
“Yes; but is it not heartless that everything should be done through so much nonsense?”
“Did you ever hear why the spire of Ulm Cathedral was never finished?” said Dr. Spencer.
“No; why not?”
“Because the citizens would accept no help from their neighbours.”
“I am glad enough of help when it comes in the right way, and from good motives.”