"Yes, poor Fred did not make his art succeed when he had a family to
provide for, and he is the head of the Art School here. His son has
a good deal of talent, and very prudently has got taken on by the
firm of Eccles and Co., who do a great deal of architectural
decoration. The boy is doing very well, but there have been giggles
and whispers that make me rejoice that Vera should be out of the
neighbourhood."

"Is she not very pretty?"

"You will be very much struck with her, I think; and Paulina is
pretty too, and more thoughtful. She would not go with Thekla,
because Waring Grange is far from church, and she would not disturb
her Christmas and Epiphany. She is the most religious of them all,
and puts me in mind of our old missionary castles in the air."

"Ah, what castles they were! And they seem further off than ever!
Or perhaps you will fulfil them, and go and teach the Australian
blacks!"

"A very unpromising field," said Mrs. Best, "though I hear there is a
Sister Angela at the station who does wonders with them. I hear the
quarter striking--they will be back directly."

"Ah! before they come, we ought to talk over means! Something is
owing for these last holidays. Oh! Sophy, I cannot find words to say
how thankful I am to you for having helped me through this time, even
to your own loss! It has made our life possible."

"Indeed, I was most thankful to do all I could for poor Agnes'