It would be a treat for Mabel, and I am
sure that Mrs. Conway will look after her well."
"How long are you thinking of stopping there, Mr. Penfold?"
"Oh, ten days or a fortnight. I shall be a day or two in town as I go
through, for I want to arrange about Ralph's commission. Then,
perhaps, I shall persuade Mrs. Conway to come up with Ralph to town
with us, and to go about with the young people to see the sights. Now,
if you and Mrs. Withers would join us there, that would complete my
happiness."
The clergyman and his wife both said that this was impossible. But Mr.
Penfold urged his request with so much earnestness, that at last they
agreed to come up to town and stay with him at a hotel. And, indeed,
when they recovered from the first surprise at the proposal, both of
them thought that the trip would be an extremely pleasant one; for in
those days it was quite an event in the lives of people residing at a
distance from a town to pay a visit to the metropolis.
"Then everything is arranged delightfully," Mr. Penfold said. "This
will be a holiday indeed for me; and however much you may all enjoy
yourselves I shall enjoy myself a great deal more. Now, I suppose I
may tell Mabel of our arrangement?"
"But you don't know that Mrs. Conway will take her in yet. Surely you
are going to wait to hear from her?"
"Indeed I am not, Mrs.
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