place bare and workhouse-like, insulting poverty and dulling the
spirit.

Grace suggested communication with the clergyman of the parish; but
the North Hill turned out not to belong to St. Norbert's proper,
being a part of a great moorland parish, whose focus was twelve miles
off. A district was in course of formation, and a church was to be
built; but in the meantime the new houses were practically almost
pastorless, and the children and their matron must take their chance
on the free seats of one of the churches of St. Norbert's. The staff
of clergy there were so busy that no one liked to add extra parochial
work to their necessary duties, and there was not sufficient
acquaintance with them to judge how they would view Mr. Mauleverer's
peculiarities. Clerical interference was just what Rachel said she
did not want; it was an escape that she did not call it meddling.

One bit of patronage at least she could exercise; a married pair of
former Homestead servants had set up a fuel store at St. Norbert's,
receiving coal from the ships, and retailing it. They were to supply
the F. U. E. E. with wood, coal, and potatoes; and this was a great
ingredient in Mrs. Curtis's toleration. The mother liked anything
that brought custom to Rossitur and Susan.

The establishment was at present to consist of three children: the
funds were not sufficient for more. One was the child of the matron,
and the other two were Lovedy Kelland and the daughter of a widow in
ill health, whose family were looking very lean and ill cared for.
Mrs. Kelland was very unwilling to give Lovedy up, she had always
looked to receiving the apprentice fee from the Burnaby bargain for
her as soon as the child was fourteen, and she had a strong prejudice