The doubt whether she had heard Agatha’s speech made the girls conscious enough to keep from responding, as she meant them to do, by cheerful criticisms, and indeed the task of cheering and dragging on Mrs. Best was quite enough to occupy her. There was only three years difference in their ages, but this seemed to have made a great interval between one whose _métier_ had been to be youthful and active, and her who had to be staid and dignified. The early dinner passed in all demureness and formality, and the poor visitor was too much tired for any more services to be thought of for her. Magdalen explained that when the days would be longer, she thought of walking to Rockstone for evensong, but now the best way was to go to the chapel at Clipstone, which was nearer than either of the others. “There is a lovely little chapel there, beautifully fitted up by Lord Rotherwood and Sir Jasper Merrifield, for the hamlet,” she said. “How far?” asked Mrs. Best. “About a mile and a half across the fields; further by the road. You will find your bicycles available when you know the way.” “Don’t we go to Rockstone?” asked Paulina. “I am sure there is a really satisfactory church there.” “St. Kenelm’s, do you mean? That is not so near as St. Andrew’s Church, but that is very satisfactory, and I go to one or other of them on week-days. It is too late to come back on these spring Sundays.” “I should not like to live among so many churches,” said Mrs. Best, “and so far from them all!” “You love your old parish church, like a faithful old churchwoman,” said Magdalen. “Well, you see, I am faithful enough to go to my parish in the morning, but I think we may be discursive afterwards. There is a Sunday school in which I was waiting to offer help till our party was made up.” Magdalen had looked twice for a responding smile, first from Agatha, and then from Paulina, but none was awakened. The girls clustered together in the bedroom, and the word “Goody” passed between them. “Tempered by respect for my Lord and Sir Jasper,” added Agatha. “And avoiding St. Kenelm’s because it is the real correct church,” said Paulina. “Oh, yes!” cried Vera. “Mr. Hubert Delrio went to see it in case Eccles and Beamster should have an order. We must go there.” “Of course,” said Paulina, with a sympathetic nod. “But,” said Agatha, “there will be an embargo on all acquaintance except the grandees at Clipstone.” “I shall never drop old friends,” cried Vera. “I am a rock of crystal as regards them, whatever swells may require, if they burst themselves like the frog and the ox.” “Well done, crystal rock; but suppose the old friends slide off and drop you?” laughed Agatha. Vera tossed her head; and Thekla ran in to say that Sister was ready.