– How are you, Cassie? – Christine asked her younger sister, hiding her beautiful dark hair under an old white bonnet.
– Good," Cassie said with a tired smile, glad that Christine had spoken to her, for the sick girl instinctively felt that her sister disliked her. – Had the birds arrived yet? – Cassie asked her.
She was tired of lying in bed, and Chris, for her part, was tired of carrying the night potty for her little sister, though Catherine rarely asked her to do so.
– Yes, they're here," Christine replied patiently.
Despite yesterday's unsuccessful search for a job, she was in a good, even mood.
– What kind?
– There are lots of them, big and small. And they all sing and chirp in different ways.
– How do they chirp?
– Well, each one in its own way.
– Chick-chick-chick-chick-chick?
– That, too. But soon you will hear them," said Christine, rising to her feet.
– Will you tell me a story? – Cassie asked her.
– No, Catherine doesn't like stories, you know that.
– And we won't tell her.
Christine smiled.
– "Come with me, Chris! – Catherine called as she entered the house, and then turned to her sick sister: – "And you lie down and don't get up.
– Okay," Cassie told her a little sadly.
The sisters headed for the church.
To the great surprise of the parishioners, Dr Morris attended the matins (the whole village knew that he was treating Cassie), but many wondered what he was doing here. Did he want to join their hymns and prayers? After all, there are only godless people in the cities!
But Mr. Morris was not embarrassed by the attention; he handed Pastor Glowford a letter from the Count, and sat down in one of the last pews.
– Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, our landlord has given me a letter, and I am now going to read it to you, so listen carefully and keep quiet," the pastor announced loudly.
Only the pastor and his two eldest daughters could read fluently and expressively in the whole village, but the rest of the Walsingham, though they attended the pastor's courses regularly, could read only syllables.
– "Reverend Glowford, I thank you and your congregation and the warm welcome you have given me, but business in London does not permit me to linger here. I left Rivershold this morning for London…
"He's gone!" – Christine thought with annoyance and immediately fell into pieces.