“A clergyman, I think?”

“Oh yes; he is in orders,—­in priest’s orders,” said Mrs. Carroll, meaning to make the most of Mr. Matterson.  “He has a church over at Putney.”

“I am glad of that,” said Mr. Grey.

“Yes, indeed; though it isn’t very good, because it’s only a curate’s one hundred and fifty pounds.  Yes; he does have one hundred and fifty pounds, and something out of the surplice fees.”

“Another one hundred pounds I believe it is,” said Amelia.

“Not quite so much as that, my dear, but it is something.”

“He is a widower with children, I believe?” said Mr. Grey.

“There are children—­five of them; the prettiest little dears one ever saw.  The eldest is just about thirteen.”  This was a fib, because Mrs. Carroll knew that the eldest boy was sixteen; but what did it signify?  “Amelia is so warmly attached to them.”

“It is a settled thing, then?”

“We hope so.  It cannot be said to be quite settled, because there are always money difficulties.  Poor Mr. Matterson must have some increase to his income before he can afford it.”

“Ah, yes!”

“You did say something, uncle, about five hundred pounds,” said Amelia.

“Four hundred and fifty, my dear,” said Mr. Grey.

“Oh, I had forgotten.  I did say that I hoped there would be five hundred.”

“There shall be five hundred,” said Mr. Grey, remembering that now had come the time for doing to one of the Carroll family the good things of which he had thought to himself.  “As Mr. Matterson is a clergyman of whom I have heard nothing but good, it shall be five hundred.”  He had in truth heard nothing either good or bad respecting Mr. Matterson.

Then he asked Amelia to take a walk with him as he went home, reflecting that now had come the time in which a little wholesome conversation might have its effect.  And an idea entered his head that in his old age an acquaintance with a neighboring clergyman might be salutary to himself.  So Amelia got her bonnet and walked home with him.

“Is he an eloquent preacher, my dear?” But Amelia had never heard him preach.  “I suppose there will be plenty for you to do in your new home.”

“I don’t mean to be put upon, if you mean that, uncle.”

“But five children!”

“There is a servant who looks after them.  Of course I shall have to see to Mr. Matterson’s own things, but I have told him I cannot slave for them all.  The three eldest have to be sent somewhere; that has been agreed upon.  He has got an unmarried sister who can quite afford to do as much as that.”  Then she explained her reasons for the marriage.  “Papa is getting quite unbearable, and Sophy spoils him in everything.”

Poor Mr. Grey, when his niece turned and went back home, thought that, as far as the girl was concerned, or her future household, there would be very little room for employment for him.  Mr. Matterson wanted an upper servant who instead of demanding wages, would bring a little money with her, and he could not but feel that the poor clergyman would find that he had taken into his house a bad and expensive upper servant.