They said, 'Thank you very much for the jolly tea,' and 'Thanks for
being so jolly,' and 'Thanks awfully for giving us such a jolly
time;' for the curate had stood fish-ponds, and bran-pies, and
phonographs, and the chorus of singing birds, and had stood them
like a man. The girls hugged Miss Peasmarsh, and as they went away
they heard the curate say--

'Jolly little kids, yes, but what about--you will let it be
directly after Easter. Ah, do say you will--'

And Jane ran back and said, before Anthea could drag her away,
'What are you going to do after Easter?'

Miss Peasmarsh smiled and looked very pretty indeed. And the
curate said--

'I hope I am going to take a trip to the Fortunate Islands.'

'I wish we could take you on the wishing carpet,' said Jane.

'Thank you,' said the curate, 'but I'm afraid I can't wait for
that. I must go to the Fortunate Islands before they make me a
bishop. I should have no time afterwards.'

'I've always thought I should marry a bishop,' said Jane: 'his
aprons would come in so useful. Wouldn't YOU like to marry a
bishop, Miss Peasmarsh?'

It was then that they dragged her away.