Ferrars's views underwent various modifications, like all hasty
yet candid judgments. She took Mr. Kendal into favour when she found
him placidly submitting to Miss Meadows's showers of words, in order
to prevent her gaining access to his wife.
'Maria Meadows is a very well-meaning person,' he said afterwards;
'but I know of no worse infliction in a sick-room.'
'I wonder,' thought Winifred, 'whether he married to get rid of her.
I should have thought it justifiable had it been any one but
Albinia!'
The call on Mrs. Dusautoy was consoling. It was delightful to find
how Albinia was loved and valued at the vicarage. Mrs. Dusautoy
began by sending her as a message, John's first exclamation on
hearing of the event. 'Then she will never be of any more use.' In
fact, she said, it was much to him like having a curate disabled, and
she believed he could only be consoled by the hopes of a pattern
christening, and of a nursery for his school-girls; but there
Winifred shook her head, Fairmead had a prior claim, and Albinia had
long had her eye upon a scholar of her own.
'I told John that she would! and he must bear it as he can,' laughed
Mrs. Dusautoy; and she went on more seriously to say that her
gratitude was beyond expression, not merely for the actual help,
though that was much, but for the sympathy, the first encouragement
they had met among their richer parishioners, and she spoke of the
refreshment of the mirthfulness and playful manner, so as to convince
Winifred that they had neither died away nor been everywhere wasted.
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