'And pray, what does the sister say?'
'That remains to be proved. What does she say? Come, darling Bird, had you really no notion?'
'I knew Mr. Fulmort wanted Clement to take St Matthew's, but I did not think he would.'
'He said he left me to tell you, but I did not think he could have kept it so entirely back.'
'But what is to become of Cherry?'
Will told her the designs as far as they had been unfolded to him, and her eyes glistened with tears.
'Dear Willie,' she said, 'it is not that I am not thankful and glad, but it comes so suddenly after all these long years, and it is so like turning them out.'
'Not if we set up in the Vicarage—Rectory—I beg its pardon. Besides, they'll be down here pretty often, and I shall never feel like anything but Clement's curate. It is the most wholesome thing for me, that his mode of coming up to breathe will be running down here to take note of my shortcomings.'
'As if you meant to short come.'
'I don't mean, but I shall—if ever man needed whipper-in. So you see I've taken care to provide myself. Seriously, I don't think I should ever have worked up this place as Clement has done, but having worked under him, and with you all about me, I trust not to let it down. It is too good for me, that's a fact; but then it is not too good for you.'