She shook her head.
"They never could. You must remember how severe the Vicar was with him when he was a boy."
"I know he liked always to be here," I said, "and never seemed to care to go home."
"Just so; the poor lad never knew a mother's love, nor what it is to have a happy home," said my aunt. "Mr. Upsher's housekeeper is a very worthy woman, but not in the least fit to look after a young fellow like Jack. The Vicar cares only for his books. He likes to shut himself up in his study, and is almost a stranger to his son, except that he has a keen perception of his faults. And yet he is a good man, and, I am sure, loves Jack in his way."
"Jack is very fond of you, auntie," I said. "You have been almost a mother to him."
"I have always felt a great longing to 'mother' him," she said. "People talk against step-mothers, but it might have been a happy thing for Jack if he had had a step-mother."
"Does the Vicar still preach such dry sermons?" I asked.
"I cannot say that they have improved, Nan," replied my aunt with a smile.
"Humph," I said, "then we cannot offer the 'paying guests' the attraction of good preaching, though they will be able to worship in a beautiful old church."
Upon which we reverted to the subject we were destined to discuss again and again during the ensuing weeks.