ever get my permission,' was all she said; and then she
hobbled away like some malignant fairy, disappearing through a little
wicket gate at the end of the churchyard, and making Gwen exclaim, 'She
must be the clergyman's mother or aunt. Well, we have had a pleasant
introduction! What will Agatha say?'

CHAPTER IV

Bluebeard's Cupboard

'O most lame and impotent conclusion!'--_Shakespeare_.

Agatha was naturally very vexed when she heard from her sisters what
had happened. She was sometimes laughed at by her friends for her
devotion to the clergy, and all her hopes of doing good were centred in
the country church and its organizations.

'It is most unfortunate,' she said; 'I was hoping that perhaps some of
them might call before Sunday, but really after such an encounter they
may totally ignore us. It was not right to do such a thing, Elfie,
without permission. I can't think how Gwen could have allowed it.'

'Well, really, I am not up in propriety and etiquette in such matters,'
was Gwen's rather impatient response. 'We are not in town now, thank
goodness! In the country you are supposed to have a little freedom.
If they don't wish people to try the organ, they should not leave it
open, or they should chain a bulldog to the organ stool. Wasn't that
her suggestion, Clare? My dear Agatha, don't fuss yourself. This old
woman must be quite a character, and would abuse anybody, I feel
certain. We didn't tell her who we were, so if she comes to call on
you, we will keep out of the way. She seemed half blind, so I don't
expect she would recognise us again.'

'Jane says she lives alone with her brother, who is unmarried,' said
Clare, 'and she is quite a Tartar in the village, though she is very
good in relieving the villagers' wants.'

'What does Jane know about it?'

'Oh, she gets her gossip from Mrs. Tucker, who also told her that Miss
Miller sees better through her green glasses than most people do
without any glasses at all!'

'Mrs. Tucker talks a lot of rubbish, I expect,' said Gwen, rather
loftily; then, changing the conversation, she said, 'I am going to
unpack my books now. Who will come and help me? I am longing to fill
up those empty bookshelves in Mr. Lester's study. What a good thing he
left them as fixtures!'

'I will help you, if you like,' said Clare. 'Are you going to take
sole possession of that study, may I ask?'

Gwen looked across at her rather queerly.

'Not if you d