– But is it not in his power to come himself? – Christine hoped to see the lord again, and vaguely felt the need to make him admire her beauty even more.
– The Count of Draymore is a highborn person. I think we shall never again have the honour of seeing him at Walsingham," the parson answered her with a slight chuckle.
Christine's heart sank: she was suddenly seized with an irresistible desire to see the Count, but her father's words disappointed her.
– I hope that during my audience you will not indulge in laziness, but will tidy up the church, – the pastor announced to his daughters.
– When will you be back? Will you be back in time for dinner? – worried Catherine: she jealously watched that her father did not starve.
– I think so. And now we must rest from the day's labours.
The family lay down on their miserable beds.
Cassie was always the first to fall asleep, but this evening she was full of energy and desperate to do something naughty.
– Katie, shall we sing a song? – came a little voice in the darkness.
– It's late, darling, we need to sleep," Catherine answered her.
– But I can't sleep. Let's sing a song!
– Oh, God, Kate, calm her down! – came Christine's disgruntled voice.
– Chris, you should be more restrained," her father told her sternly. – Cassie, we'll sing, but tomorrow.
– But I want it now! It's a funny little song about chickens.
– Will you keep your mouth shut?
Christine's loud shout frightened poor Cassie, and she stopped talking and breathed deeply in fear.
– God will punish you for this! – Kate shouted at Christine, knowing what Cassie's heavy breathing meant. – You scared her! Cassie, come here.
Cassie quickly moved over to Kate's mattress and put her arms around her sister's neck. She couldn't get over her fright, and she couldn't understand why she had made Christine so angry, because all she wanted to do was sing a song about chickens.
She covered her ears with her hands and tried not to hear Cassie's sighs, which only annoyed her.
In the morning Cassie felt sick: her forehead was burning, and her skin was hot and moist. The girl did not go to matins. Cassie tossed and turned on her mattress for a long time, but still managed to fall asleep. When the Glowfords' neighbours heard that Cassie was unwell, they promised to bring some milk for her.