Mrs. Woodbourne looked greatly relieved; she had been for some time
in trouble for the dinner, not being able to console herself in the
way in which Elizabeth sometimes attempted to re-assure her in such
cases--'Never mind, Mamma, the dinner is used to waiting.'




CHAPTER III.



As soon as dinner was over, the girls proposed to walk to the new
church, that Anne might see it at her leisure before the
Consecration. The younger children were very urgent to be allowed to
accompany them, but Mrs. Woodbourne would only consent to Dora's
doing so, on her eldest sister's promise to return before her bed-
time.

'And, Mamma,' said Elizabeth, as soon as this question was decided,
and the other two children had taken out their basket of bricks at
the other end of the room, 'have you settled whether Edward is to go
to the Consecration to-morrow?'

'I really think he is almost too young, my dear,' said Mrs.
Woodbourne; 'you know it is a very long service.'

'Oh! Mamma,' said Dora, 'he is five years old now, and he says he
will be very good, and he will be very much disappointed if he has to
stay at home, now he has had his new frock and trousers; and Winifred