"Is the new clergyman coming?" Nell asked, now greatly interested.
"I can't say, miss. It may be the Bishop himself, for all I know. But as this is Friday, there isn't much time to get things ready. I wonder what the Bishop would say if he could have seen the church as it was when I began work. It was certainly disgraceful."
"But who is to play the organ?" Nell enquired. "And the hymns should be practised by those who are willing to come into the choir. Is any one attending to that?"
"I am, miss. Si asked me if I would speak to you, and I was going to your house on my way home. I hope you will play, for then I know everything will be all right with the music. Just try the organ, and play a few tunes. It is a long time since I have heard them, and it will help me with my work."
"Not now," Nell smilingly replied. "I am going to dust the chancel and the vestry; that is, if you will let me."
"Sure, sure, go ahead. You have as much right here as I have. We all have the same privileges in the Father's House, for we are all His children."
Joe had swept the chancel and vestry room, so Nell dusted them both with great thoroughness. She was very happy at this work, just why she could not explain. When she was through, she polished the brass Altar vases, which were much tarnished. Then she went out of doors and gathered an abundance of wild flowers, and going into the vestry she arranged these artistically in the vases. Stepping back, she viewed her handiwork.
"How will they do?" she asked, as Joe just then looked in at the door.
"Don't you think they will suit any one?"
"I should say so," was the enthusiastic reply. "Even the Bishop himself couldn't find any fault with them."
When the flowers had been placed upon the Communion Table, and the last book had been carefully dusted and arranged, Nell sat down at the little organ and began to play. Joe came and sat down in one of the choir seats at the left. Hymn after hymn Nell played, and when she at last stopped, Joe stepped softly to her side.