"The Bishop's coming on purpose to confirm me. Isn't it good of him and of Mr. Chance to have settled it? I'm so happy, I don't know how to lie still. I'd like to be up and jumping for joy."
But Jack stood looking at her with wondering eyes.
"I don't understand," he said. "What makes you so happy?"
"That I'm going to be confirmed," said Jessie simply. "I've wished it ever so much, and thought I might wait for years."
"What's being confirmed?"
Jessie flushed a little. "Being strengthened by God's Holy Spirit. It's only the Bishop who can confirm you, you know."
Jack asked no more; here was something quite beyond his understanding. Perhaps Uncle Tom could make it clearer if he could talk to him about it when they were quite alone.
He approached the subject cautiously on the following morning as he trotted down to church by Tom's side.
"Is a Bishop a sort of head doctor?" he asked.
Tom gave an inward chuckle, but kept outwardly grave.