John expected to
find the reverend gentleman a hard nut to crack, their views on the
subject of a state aid to religion being diametrically opposed. Polly
thought a substantial donation to the chancel-fund might smooth things
over, while for John to display a personal interest in Mrs. Long's
charities would help still more. Then there were the Ococks. The old man
could be counted on, she believed; but John might have some difficulty
with Mr. Henry--and here she initiated her brother into the domestic
differences which had split up the Ocock family, and prevented Richard
from approaching the lawyer. John, who was in his most democratic mood,
was humorous at the expense of Henry, and declared the latter should
rather wish his father joy of coming to such a fine, bouncing young wife
in his old age. The best way of getting at Mr. Henry, Polly considered,
would be for Mrs Glendinning to give a luncheon or a bushing-party, with
the lawyer among the guests: "Then you and I, John, could drive out and
join them--either by chance or invitation, as you think best." Polly
was heart and soul in the affair.
But business over, she put several straight questions about the boy,
little Johnny--Polly still blamed herself for having meekly submitted
to the child's removal from her charge--and was not to be fobbed off
with evasions. The unfavourable verdict she managed to worm out of John:
"Incorrigible, my dear Polly--utterly incorrigible! His masters report
him idle, disobedient, a bad influence on the other scholars," she met
staunchly with: "Perhaps it has something to do with the school.
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