“Then you don’t think there has been a mistake about him?” said Jenny, in a low voice of alarm.
“I have little doubt that when anything develops his inner life, so as to overcome the great strong animal that demands play and exercise, he will be a most useful clergyman.”
“Perhaps he is too young, though I don’t see how it could be helped. Papa always intended it, because of the living; and Herbert never wished anything else. I thought he really desired it, but now I don’t know whether he did not only take it as a matter of course.”
“Obedience is no unwholesome motive. As things stood, to delay his ordination would have been a stigma he did not deserve; and though he might have spent a year with advantage in a theological college, pupilage might only have prolonged his boyhood. It must be experience, not simply years of study, that deepens him.”
“Ah, those studies!”
“To tell the truth, that’s what I am most uneasy about. I take care he should have two hours every forenoon, and three evenings every week, free; but when a man is in his own neighbourhood, and so popular, I am afraid he does not get many evenings at home; and I can’t hinder Bindon from admonishing him.”
“No,” said the sister; “nothing will stir him till the examination is imminent; but I will try what I can do with him for the present. Here he comes, the dear old idle fellow!”
“Joanie, here you are at last, in conclave with the Rector. Lady Rose wants me to sing, and you must accompany me. No one is so jolly for picking one up.”
‘Picking one up’ was apt to be needed by Herbert, who had a good ear and voice, but had always regarded it as ‘bosh’ to cultivate them, except for the immediately practical purposes that had of late been forced on him. The choral society had improved him; but Jenny was taken aback by being called on to accompany him in Mrs. Brown’s Luggage; and his father made his way up to him, saying, “Eh, Herbert! is that the last clerical fashion?”
“’Tis my Rectoress who sets me on, sir,” was Herbert’s merry answer, looking at her. “Now, Lady Rose, you’ll keep me in countenance! My father has never heard you sing Coming through the Rye.”