that what I say is nonsense," said Mrs.
Tappitt.

"But, mamma, when we have already asked her!--Besides, she is a
lady," said Cherry.

"I can't say that I think Mrs. Butler Cornbury would wish to meet
her," said Mrs. Tappitt.

"Mrs. Butler Cornbury's father is their particular friend," said
Martha. "Mrs. Ray always goes to Mr. Comfort's parties."

In this way the matter was discussed, and at last Cherry's eagerness
and Martha's sense of justice carried the day. The envelope which
Cherry had addressed was brought into use, and the note to Rachel was
deposited in the post with all those other notes, the destination
of which was too far to be reached by the brewery boy without
detrimental interference with the brewery work. We will continue
our story by following the note which was delivered by the Cawston
postman at Bragg's End about seven o'clock on the Tuesday morning. It
was delivered into Rachel's own hand, and read by her as she stood by
the kitchen dresser before either her mother or Mrs. Prime had come
down from their rooms. There still was sadness and gloom at Bragg's
End. During all the Monday there had been no comfort in the house,
and Rachel had continued to share her mother's bedroom. At intervals,
when Rachel had been away, much had been said between Mrs. Ray and
Mrs. Prime; but no conclusion had been reached; no line of conduct
had received their joint adhesion; and the threat remained that Mrs.
Prime would leave the cottage. Mrs. Ray, while listening to her elder
daughter's words, still continued to fear that evil spirits were
hovering around them; but yet she would not consent to order Rachel
to become a devout attendant at the Dorcas meetings. Monday had not
been a Dorcas day, and therefore it had been very dull and very
tedious.

Rachel stood a while with the note in her hand, fearing that the
contest must be brought on again and fought out to an end before she
could send her answer to it. She had told her mother that she was to
be invited, and Mrs. Ray had lacked the courage at the moment which
would have been necessary for an absolute and immediate rejection of
the proposition. If Mrs. Prime had not been with them in the house,
Rachel little doubted but that she might have gone to the party.
If Mrs. Prime had not been there, Rachel, as she was now gradually
becoming aware, might have had her own way almost in everything.
Without the support which Mrs. Prime gave her, Mrs. Ray would have
gradual