behind the times in our music. At Pedlinge we've only got a piano, but
I'm not worrying about that now.... Perhaps the harmonium might be
patched up enough for Pedlinge, where our services are not as yet Fully
Choral ... it all depends on how much money we collect."

"How much do you want?"

"Well, I'm told that a cheap, good make would be thirty pounds. We want
it to last us well, you see, as I don't suppose we shall ever have a
proper organ."

He handed her a little book in which he had entered the names of
subscribers.

"People have been very generous already, and I'm sure if your name is on
the list they will give better still."

The generosity of the neighbourhood amounted to five shillings from
Prickett of Great Ansdore, and half-crowns from Vine, Furnese, Vennal,
and a few others. As Joanna studied it she became possessed of two
emotions--one was a feeling that since others, including Great Ansdore,
had given, she could not in proper pride hold back, the other was a
queer savage pity for Mr. Pratt and his poor little collection--scarcely
a pound as the result of all his begging, and yet he had called it
generous....

She immediately changed her mind about the scheme, and going over to a
side table where an ink-pot and pen reposed on a woolly mat, she
prepared to enter her name in the little book.