"Why, certainly," said Miss Bolton, "because there would be no pews to dust."
"But not only in office, but in person, or rather in character, she must make her exit from the church," said White.
"Impossible," said Miss Bolton; "are women, then, to remain Protestants?"
"Oh, no," answered White, "the good lady will reappear, only in another character; she will be a widow."
"And who will take her present place?"
"A sacristan," answered White; "a sacristan in a cotta. Do you like the short cotta or the long?" he continued, turning to the younger lady.
"I?" answered Miss Charlotte; "I always forget, but I think you told us the Roman was the short one; I'm for the short cotta."
"You know, Charlotte," said Miss Bolton, "that there's a great reform going on in England in ecclesiastical vestments."
"I hate all reforms," answered Charlotte, "from the Reformation downwards. Besides, we have got some way in our cope; you have seen it, Mr. White? it's such a sweet pattern."
"Have you determined what to do with it?" asked Willis.