Dr. Lavendar made no answer, but opened a book; on which there was a
cheerful shuffling as the children jostled each other in their efforts
to kneel down in the space between the benches; when all was still,
Dr. Lavendar repeated the Collect. Helena dropped her face in her
hands, and listened:
_"Grant, we beseech Thee, merciful Lord, to Thy faithful people
pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and
serve Thee with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord."_
_"Amen!"_ said the children, joyfully; and, scrambling to their
feet, looked politely at the sideboard. David, who played host on
these occasions, made haste to poke the apples at Mrs. Richie, who
could not help whispering to him to pull his collar straight; and she
even pushed his hair back a little from his forehead. The sense of
possession came over her like a wave, and with it a pang of terror
that made her lips dry; at that moment she knew the taste of fear in
her mouth. When Dr. Lavendar spoke to her, she was unable to reply.
"Well, now, Mrs. Richie," he said, "I expect these little people can
eat their apples without us; can't you, chickabiddies?"
"Yes, sir!" said the children, in eager chorus, eying the apples.
"You and I will go into the study for a while," said Dr. Lavendar.
She followed him speechlessly...the time had come.
Dr. Lavendar, hospitable and fussy, drew up a horsehair-covered chair
with ears on each side of the back, and bade her sit down; then he
poked the fire, and put on a big lump of coal, and asked her if she
was sure she was warm enough? "It's pretty chilly; we didn't have
weather as cold as this in October when I was your age.
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