After Mathew Cardinal's visit the talk rose to a shriek.Grace knew that those sudden silences on her entrance into the room meant lively and excited discussion."How terrible for the poor rector!""Such an odd girl--taken out of the slums." "Yes, quite drunk.He knocked Mrs.Maxse down." "Oh I assure you that she went to see Caroline Purdie the very day after.She did indeed..."Yes.Grace knew all about it.Unless things changed Paul would have to go.His life was ruined by this girl.
Nevertheless for a whole happy week the world seemed to sink back into its old accustomed apathy.The very house seemed to take on its old atmosphere.Paul came out of his study and went about paying calls.That hour, from six to seven, when he was at home to his parishioners seemed once again to be crowded with anxious old women and men out of work and girls in trouble.He took Grace with him on his rounds.Every one was very friendly.Grace was able to reassume some of her old importance.
Her old flow of conversation--checked recently by the sense of Maggie's strangeness--returned to her.In the morning she would stand by her brother's study-table, duster in hand, and pour out her heart.
"You know, Paul, it's all very well, you may say what you like, but if Mrs.Maxse thinks she's going to have the whole of that second pew she's mistaken.It's only for a week or two that she's got the Broadbents staying with her, and I know what she's after.Just fancy! What she wants is to put the Broadbents in that second seat the two Sundays they're here and then stick to it after they're gone.Just fancy what Miss Beats and Miss Hopwood will feel about it! What I mean is that they've had that seat for nearly eight years and now to be turned out! But I assure you, Paul, from what Linda Maxse said to me yesterday I believe she intends that, I do indeed.
She thinks Miss Beats and Miss Hopwood will get used to sitting somewhere else after two Sundays.'I'm sure they won't mind--poor old things,' she said only yesterday.'Poor old things.' Just fancy!