He brooded deep into his own soul upon this thought and spoke little more that day. But Mark was waiting for his dinner when they returned, and he and Rupert found themes in common to occupy them through the meal.
The great project of the new vicar chiefly supplied conversation. Rupert felt indifferent, but Mark was much interested.
"I'm very willing to lend a hand all I can, and I expect the parish will support it," he said. "But as for play-acting myself, and taking a part, I wouldn't for all the world. It beats me how anybody can get up on a platform and speak a speech afore his fellow-creatures assembled."
"The girls will like it," foretold Rupert.
"Cora Lintern is to play a part," declared Mark; "and no doubt she'll do it amazing well."
Rupert was up in arms at once.
"I should think they'll ask Milly Luscombe too. She's got more wits than any of 'em."
"She may have as much as Cora, but not more, I can assure you of that," answered Mark firmly.
He rarely contradicted a statement or opposed an assertion; but upon this great subject his courage was colossal.