"But she sings only at night, when a maid of her tender years had far better be in her bed. And she serves thee a large part of the day. So I think it but thy duty to use what Master Sutcliff gives thee for her use alone."
"I shall," said Mistress Brace, "and more, too, for I clothe as well as feed her."
"But not overabundantly," insisted the parson. "I met the young damsel yesterday, and I think she wore no hosen."
"She hath stockings," said Mistress Brace.
"More than one pair?"
"Perhaps not, parson."
"Then more she must have. I find that I once met the maiden's father, a well-dressed, goodly appearing man. It puzzleth me that so little should have been left for his little daughter's needs. A gentleman he was whose image hath not faded from my mind."
Very much it vexed Mistress Brace that Parson Kendall should keep so sharp an eye on Maid Sally. And still more it troubled her that he should speak again of her father and the kind of man he seemed.
But from that time Sally had better clothes to wear and felt no shame as she went to and fro to evening lessons and to singing-school.
And so came the springtime, the sweet springtime, and there was beauty everywhere. On the porch at Ingleside the honeysuckle and climbing roses were bursting into radiant bloom. The birds began nesting in the magnolias and the white-belled halesia-trees.