CHAPTER XI
IS GOD GOOD?
During these dark days Neighbour Bessie was a constant visitor, and she never came without seeking to bring some brightness, though mostly it was in the form of fun. Sometimes it jarred on Phebe when she first came in, but invariably Phebe was found enjoying the fun before Bessie left.
Bessie was in high feather when Phebe told her in neighbourly confidence that an old great-uncle, recently deceased, had left her the freehold of a meadow at Edenholme, a place four miles from Hadley.
"Do you mean to say you are a landed proprietress?"
"Yes, if you care to put it in that grand style."
"Of course I do—style is everything. But really to be serious, I should like to see this estate of yours!"
"Estate! Just one field, with one solitary donkey, perhaps, in it."
"Well, let's make the dear donkey's acquaintance, anyhow. Could we not drive there? Couldn't Darling Jones drive you and me, and let's have half-a-day's holiday? Now, do, there's a dear! I'm sure I'm losing all my complexion because I never get an outing."