"So they say," said Caroline again watching Maggie curiously."Well, anyway, Miss Avies is the strongest of the lot really.I'd back her against anybody.I'm terrified of her myself, I tell you frankly.
She'd wring any one's neck for twopence.Oh yes, she would!...
Then there are the third lot who simply don't believe in Mr.
Warlock's visions at all and just laugh at him.People like Miss Smythe and Mrs.Bellaston.A lot of them are leaving the chapel.Mr.
Warlock won't listen to anybody.He's getting stranger and stranger, and his heart's so bad they say he might die any day if he had a shock.Then he's always quarrelling with Martin."Caroline suddenly stopped.She looked at Maggie.
"Martin's a terrible trial to his father," she said.
But Maggie was secure now.
"Is he?" she asked indifferently.Then she added slowly, "What do you believe, Caroline?""What do I believe?"
"Yes, about Mr.Warlock's visions."
"Oh, of course, it's only because he's ill and prays for hours without getting off his knees, and won't eat enough, that he sees things.And yet I don't know.There may be something in it.If Iwere on my knees for weeks I'd never see anything.But I'll be terribly sorry for Mr.Warlock if the time comes and nothing happens.He'll just have to go."They sat a little longer together and then Caroline said: "Well, darling, I must be off.Where's that note?" She hesitated, looking at Maggie with a wicked gleam in her pale blue eyes."You know, Maggie, I can't make up my mind.I've had an offer of marriage.""I'm so glad, Caroline," said Maggie.
"Yes, but I don't know what to do.It's a man--Mr.Purdie.His father's ever so rich and they've got a big place down at Skeaton.""Where's that?" asked Maggie.
"Oh, don't you know? Skeaton-on-Sea.It's a seaside resort.I've known William for a long time.His father knows father.He came to tea last week, and proposed.He's rather nice although he's so silent.""Why don't you marry him then?" asked Maggie.