rtening. We really have done
nothing. So very few go to church regularly."

"None at all went in my time," said Mr. Wilmot.

"Elwood always goes," said Mary, "and Taylor; yes, and Sam Hall, very
often, and many of the women, in the evening, because they like to walk
home with the children."

"The children? the Sunday scholars?"

"Oh, every one that is big enough comes to school now, here, on Sunday.
If only the teaching were better--"

"Have you sent out any more pupils to service?"

"Not many. There is Willie Brown, trying to be Dr. Spencer's little
groom," said Ethel.

"But I am afraid it will take a great deal of the doctor's patience to
train him," added Margaret.

"It is hard," said Dr. May. "He did it purely to oblige Ethel; and, I
tell her, when he lames the pony, I shall expect her to buy another for
him, out of the Cocksmoor funds."

Ethel and Mary broke out in a chorus of defence of Willie Brown.

"There was Ben Wheeler," said Mary, "who went to work in the quarries;
and the men could not teach him to say bad words, because the young
ladies told him not."

"The young ladies have not quite done nothing," said Dr. May, smiling.

"These are only little stray things, and Cherry has done the chief of
them," said Ethel. "Oh, it is grievously bad still," she added,
sighing. "Such want of truth, such ungoverned tongues and tempers, such
godlessness altogether! It is only surface-work, taming the children at
school, while they have such homes; and their parents, even if they do
come where they might learn better, are always liable to be upset, as
they call it--turned out of their places in church, and they will not
run the chance."

"The church must come to them," said Mr. Wilmot. "Could the school be
made fit to be licensed for service."

"Ask our architect," said Dr. May. "There can be little doubt."

"I have been settling that I must have a curate specially for
Cocksmoor," said Mr. Wilmot. "Can you tell me of one, Ethel--or perhaps
Margaret could?"

Margaret could only smile faintly, for her heart was beating.

"Seriously," said Mr. Wilmot, turning to Dr. May, "do you think Richard
would come and help us here?"

"This seems to be his destiny," said the doctor, smiling, "only it
would not be fair to tell you, lest you should be jealous--that the Town
Council had a great mind for him."

The matter was explained, and Mr. Wilmot was a great deal more struck
by Dr. May's conduct than the good doc