my darling, I am very
sorry to have disappointed you so much--it would have been as great a
pleasure as we could have had in this world to have the lad here--"

"And Cocksmoor," sighed Ethel.

"I shall be grateful all my life to those good people for thinking of
it," continued the doctor; "but look you here, it was my business to get
the best man chosen in my power and, though as to goodness, I
believe the dear Ritchie has not many equals; I don't think we can
conscientiously say he would be, at present, the best vicar for
Stoneborough."

Ethel would not say no, for fear she should pain Margaret.

"Besides," continued Dr. May, "after having staved off the sale of the
presentation as a sin, it would hardly have been handsome to have let
my own son profit by it. It would have seemed as if we had our private
ends, when Richard helped poor old Mr. Ramsden."

Margaret owned this, and Ethel said Richard would be glad to be spared
the refusal.

"I was sure of it. The poor fellow would have been perplexed between the
right and consideration for us. A vicar here ought to carry things with
a high hand, and that is hardest to do at a man's own home, especially
for a quiet lad like him."

"Yes, papa, it was quite right," said Margaret, recovering herself; "it
has spared Richard a great deal."

"But are we to have Mr. Wilmot?" said Ethel. "Think of our not having
heard!"

"Ay. If they would not have had Wilmot, or a man of his calibre, perhaps
I might have let them offer it to Richard. I almost wish I had. With
help, and Ethel--"

"No, no, papa," said Margaret. "You are making me angry with myself for
my folly. It is much better for Richard himself, and for us all, as well
as the town. Think how long we have wished for Mr. Wilmot!"

"He will be in time for the opening of Cocksmoor school!" cried Ethel.
"How did you manage it?"

"I did not manage at all," said the doctor. "I told them exactly my
mind, that Richard was not old enough for such arduous work; and though
no words could tell how obliged I was, if they asked me who was the best
man for it I knew, I should say Edward Wilmot, and I thought he deserved
something from us, for the work he did gratis, when he was second
master. Tomkins growled a little, but, fortunately, no one was prepared
with another proposal, so they all came round, and the mayor is to write
by this evening's post, and so shall I. If we could only have given
Richard a dozen more years!"

Ma