"It is very hideous," she said, almost apologetically, "especially the chancel; Mr. Daintree wants to have it restored, but I suppose that can't be done at all now."
"Why can't it be done?"
"Oh, because nothing can be done unless the chancel is pulled down; that belongs to the lay rector, and he has refused to restore it."
"Sir John Kynaston is the lay rector."
"Yes!" Vera looked a little startled; "do you know him?"
The gentleman passed his hand over his chin.
"Slightly," he answered, not looking at her.
"It is a pity he cannot be brought to see how necessary it is, for he certainly ought to do it," continued Vera. "You see I cannot help being interested in it because Mr. Daintree is such a good man, and has worked so hard to get up money to begin the rest of the church. He had quite counted upon the chancel being done, and now he is so much disappointed; but, I beg your pardon, this cannot interest you."
"But it interests me very much. Why does not somebody put it in this light to Sir John; he would not surely refuse?"
"My brother-in-law, Mr. Daintree, I mean, did ask him last night, and he would not promise to do anything."