“Oh,” cried Ethel, “we are so glad you will see the beginning of the school!”
“I hear you are finishing Cherry Elwood, too.”
“Much against Ethel’s will,” said Margaret; “but we thought Cherry not easily spoiled. And Whitford school seems to be in very good order. Dr. Spencer went and had an inspection of it, and conferred with all the authorities.”
“Ah! we have a jewel of a parishioner for you,” said Dr. May. “I have some hopes of Stoneborough now.”
Mr. Wilmot did not look too hopeful, but he smiled, and asked after Granny Hall, and the children.
“Polly grew up quite civilised,” said Ethel. “She lives at Whitford, with some very respectable people, and sends granny presents, which make her merrier than ever. Last time it was a bonnet, and Jenny persuaded her to go to church in it, though, she said, what she called the moon of it was too small.”
“How do the people go on?”
“I cannot say much for them. It is disheartening. We really have done nothing. So very few go to church regularly.”
“None at all went in my time,” said Mr. Wilmot.
“Elwood always goes,” said Mary, “and Taylor; yes, and Sam Hall, very often, and many of the women, in the evening, because they like to walk home with the children.”