'I think her a very unfeeling little thing,' said Gertrude. 'Very
unbecoming behaviour under the circumstances.'

'What would you think becoming behaviour?' asked Tom.

'I won't encourage it,' returned Daisy, with dignified decision, that
gave her father his first approach to a laugh on that day; but nobody
was in spirits to desire Miss Daisy to define from what her important
sanction was withdrawn.

Mary gave up her Sunday-school class to see how Averil was, and found
Henry much perturbed. He had seen her fast asleep at night, and in
the morning Minna had carried up her breakfast, and he was about to
follow it, as soon as his own was finished, when he found that she
had slipped out of the house, leaving a message that she was gone to
practise on the harmonium.

He was of the mind that none of the family could or ought to be seen
at church; and though Mary could not agree with him, she willingly
consented to go to the chapel and try what she could do with his
sister. She met Mrs. Ledwich on the way, coming to inquire and see
whether she or dear Matilda could do anything for the 'sweet
sufferer.' Even Mary could not help thinking that this was not the
epithet most befitting poor Ave; and perhaps Mrs. Ledwich's
companionship made her the less regret that Ave had locked herself
in, so that there was no making her hear, though the solemn chants,
played with great fervour, reached them as they waited in the porch.
They had their own seats in the Minster, and therefore could not wait
till the sexton should come to open the church.