"Has nobody called?"

"Mr. Earl, the Vicar of Arnscombe. He has promised to tell me how we
can be of use here. I believe there is great want of a lady at the
Sunday school."

This did not interest Vera--and she went on asking questions about
the neighbourhood, and whether any of the Rockstone people had left
cards, and whether there were any parties, garden or evening, at
Rockstone--more than Magdalen could yet answer, though she was glad
to promote any sort of conversation with either of the girls who did
not stand aloof from her.

"I say, the M.A. (maiden aunt) knows nobody but that old clergyman,
who wants her to teach his Sunday school."

"I'm out of that, thank goodness," said Agatha.

"And Sunday schools are a delusion, only hindering the children from
going to church with their parents," said Paulina.

"And if nobody calls, and they all think her no better than an old
governess, how awfully slow it will be," continued Vera.

"I do not suppose that will last," said Agatha. "There is Rockstone,
remember."

"Ten miles off," said Vera disconsolately. "Oh, Nag, Nag, isn't it
horrid! We shall be just smart enough to be taken for swells, and
know nobody; and the swells won't have us because she is a governess.