homely tea, a meal which was often interrupted by Mr Medlicott
getting up to attend to his duties upon the platform. When tea was
over, there was yet another hour's daylight. Mrs Medlicott suggested
to Mavis that it might be as well for her to call on Mrs Farthing,
to see if she liked her; she mentioned that Mr Farthing was a very
nice man, but that his wife was not a person everyone could get on
with.

Mavis set out for the Pennington end of Melkbridge, where, after
some inquiry, she found that Mrs Farthing lived in an old-world
cottage, which was situated next door to a farm.

The girl's knock brought Mrs. Farthing, first to the window, then to
the door, whereupon Mavis explained her errand, not forgetting to
mention who had recommended her to come.

"Please to come inside," said Mrs. Farthing.

Mavis followed the woman, who was little and sharp-eyed, into a
clean, orderly living room, where she was asked to take a seat. She
was surprised to see her prospective landlady also sit, for all the
world as if she were entertaining a guest.

"Did you say you were taking up church work?" asked Mrs Farthing.

"No, I did not."

"I thought you did," said Mrs Farthing, as her face fell.

"You see, my father was a sea captain, so I have to be so careful to