though she had all her ordinary work to do, went quietly about it, as
if she had some great thought of peace and awe upon her.

"Why, Patience, you seem as if you were making ready for some guest,
the Prince of Wales at least!" said Emlyn, on Saturday night.

Patience smiled a sweet little happy smile and in her heart she said
"And so I am, and for a greater far!" but she did say "Yes, Emlyn,
Dr. Eales is coming to sleep here to-night, and he will pray with us
in the early morning."

It had been agreed that the Celebration should take place first, and
then after a short pause, the Morning Service. Jerusha was eleven
years old, and a very good girl, and since Confirmation was
impossible, her brother and sister would have asked for her admission
to the Holy Feast without it, but she could not be called up without
the danger of awaking Emlyn; and Patience was so sure that it was not
safe to trust that damsel with the full knowledge of the treasure
that, though Steadfast always thought his sister hard on her, he was
forced to give way. The children were to be admitted to Matins, for
if any idea oozed out that this latter service had been held, no
great danger was likely to come of it. Dr. Eales arrived in the
evening, Steadfast meeting him to act as guide, and Patience set
before him of her best. A fowl, which she had been forced to broil
for want of other means of dressing it; bread baked in a tin with a
fire of leaves and small sticks heaped over it; roasted eggs,
excellent butter and milk. She apologised for not having dared to
fetch any ale for fear of exciting suspicion, but the doctor set her
quite at ease by his manifest enjoyment of her little feast,
declaring that he had not made so good a meal since Bristol was