Mr. Richmond himself came again to the door.
"Norton," said he, "I am going to ask you to take Matilda to the parsonage. The best thing will be for you and her to make your home there, until Mrs. Laval gives further orders. You will both be heartily welcome. Will you take her there and take care of her until I come home?"
"Thank you, sir," said Norton, "it is not necessary——"
"You must let my word go for that," said the minister, smiling. "If not necessary, I think it prudent. I wish it; and I invite both of you. It would be treating me very ill to refuse me, and I am sure you will not do that. I trust you to take care of Matilda until I get home. The house will be quite alone when Miss Redwood leaves it. Is anybody in the house on the bank?"
"No, sir; nobody."
"I will lock it up, then, and bring the key. Go in and put up anything you will want for a day or two, and I will send it after you."
With a nod and a smile at them Mr. Richmond went in again. The two children looked at each other, and then began to mount the bank.
"You do what Mr. Richmond tells you," remarked Norton.
"Of course," said Matilda. "So do you."
"It wouldn't be civil to do anything else," said Norton. "But isn't it jolly, that you and I should go to make a visit at the parsonage! What is a parsonage like? It isn't like other houses, I suppose."