"Why, I've no cause of complaint. The Lord's given me a long life, and I've kept my health and my faculties through it all. But, all the same, I'm an aged woman, and I might be struck down any day. So I've asked Susan Joshua, my cousin Joshua Palmer's widow, to come here and make her home for a time, and bring Sarah Jane with her. She was poorly left, poor thing; and then, if I should have a stroke, there'll be some one to look after the maids, and make you lads comfortable." Godfrey was much taken aback, but before he could interpose, she went on-- "And I've another reason for sending for her, Godfrey. I've made up my mind to spend some time at Waynflete before I die. So she can attend to the house here while I'm absent." "At Waynflete, auntie? But it's not in any sort of order. Have you ever seen it?" "Once, my lad, once," said the old lady, face and voice softening. "I made your good uncle take me there for a honeymoon trip, and I said to him, as we stood on the bridge, and looked up and down the bonnie valley, `Eh, Mr Thomas, ye'll be wanting a bit of land, as the money comes in to ye. Ye wedded me with my shawl over my head, but ye might be Waynflete of Waynflete yet, if ye liked to try.' And he said, `Margaret, if I can give ye your will, my lass, ye shall have it.' So I educated myself for this, and I kept his house well, and was as saving as was fitting for him and me. But there, Mr Thomas never owned but Upper Flete Farm before the Lord took him, and it was a lonesome thing for an old woman like me to set up in a fine house alone; besides that, I had the mill to attend to. But now, it's time I took my place before I die. Guy can go and see what's wanting." "Let me go, auntie. Guy does not care about Waynflete," said Godfrey, thoughtlessly. "Eh?" said his aunt. But here a rapturous bark from Rawdon Crawley, who had been penitently licking the blacking off his master's boots, directed attention to Guy's figure at the house door. He had had a long, hot journey from London, and now threw himself into a garden-chair, exclaiming with delight at the coolness and shade. "So you've seen the Miss Vyners again?" said Godfrey, referring to a note previously received from his brother. "Yes; they and two of Staunton's sisters are coming down to Moorhead for a reading party in their vacation." "A reading party," said Mrs Waynflete. "Young ladies?" "That's all quite correct, auntie," said Godfrey. "Girls go to college nowadays, and of course they must read for their exams. They _do_, generally." "Eh, well," said the old lady. "I see no reason against it. I never doubted that a woman's brains were as good as a man's. I could have taken a degree myself. I'll ask Constance Palmer to bring them here before we go to Waynflete. They can pursue their studies afterwards." "Waynflete?" said Guy, with a start.