The Vicar had obviously brushed his hair and washed his hands before coming to meet his guest and, remembering what Rosabelle had said, the Earl could not help noticing how thin all the family were, while the Vicar looked almost gaunt.
He was wondering whether he should refer to the matter of the stipend right away when the Vicar said,
“I am afraid I cannot offer you what you would feel was adequate refreshment, my Lord, but perhaps you would like a cup of tea?”
“Thank you,” the Earl replied. “I find myself quite thirsty after all the talking your daughter and I have had to do to persuade Mrs. Meadows and Burrows to come back to Yarde.”
“You are having them both back?” the Vicar asked. “Good! It was a great mistake that they were sent away in the first place!”
Dorina left the room to
