He did not utter one word of remonstrance.  ‘It will perhaps be better,’ the dean had said.  ‘Yes—­it will be better,’ Mr Harding had replied.  ’Few have had accorded to them the high privilege of serving their Master in His house for so many years—­though few more humbly, or with lower gifts.’  But on the following morning, and for nearly a week afterwards, he had been unable to face the minor canon and the vergers, and the old women who knew him so well, in his ordinary black garments.  At last he went down with the dean, and occupied a stall close to the dean’s seat —­far away from that which he had sat for so many years—­and in this seat he had said his prayers ever since that day.  And now his surplices were washed and ironed and folded and put away; but there were moments in which he would stealthily visit them, as he also stealthily visited his friend in the black wooden case.  This was very melancholy, and the sadness of it was felt by all those who lived with him; but he never alluded himself to any of those bereavements which age had brought him.  Whatever might be his regrets, he kept them ever within his own breast.

Posy was with him when Mrs Grantly went up into his room, holding for him his hat and stick while he was engaged in brushing a suspicion of dust from his black gaiters.  ‘Grandpapa, here is aunt Susan,’ said Posy.  The old man looked up with something—­with some slightest sign of that habitual fear which was always aroused within his bosom by visitations from Plumstead.  Had Mrs Arabin thoroughly understood the difference in her father’s feeling toward herself and toward her sister, I think she would hardly have gone forth upon any tour while he remained with her in the deanery.  It is very hard sometimes to know how intensely we are loved, and of what value our presence is to those who love us!  Mrs Grantly saw the look—­did not analyse it, did not quite understand it—­but felt, as she had often felt before, that it was not altogether laden with welcome.  But all this had nothing to do with the duty on which she had come; nor did it, in the slightest degree, militate against her own affection.  ‘Papa,’ she said, kissing him, ’you are surprised to see me so early?’

’Well, my dear, yes;—­but very glad all the same.  I hope everybody is well at Plumstead?’

‘Everybody, thank you, papa.’

’That is well.  Posy and I are getting ready for church.  Are we not, Posy?’

‘Grandpapa is getting ready.  Mrs Baxter won’t let me go.’

’No, my dear, no—­not yet, Posy.  When Posy is a great girl she can go to the cathedral every day.  Only then, perhaps, Posy won’t want to go.’

’I thought that, perhaps, papa, you would sit with me a little while this morning, instead of going to morning prayers.’

’Certainly, my dear—­certainly.  Only I do not like not going;—­for who can say how often I may be able to go again?  There is so little time left, Susan—­so very little left.’