It was not so however with her ladyship, who could not keep herself from reflecting that the old clergyman in the Close at Barchester certainly had but two sons, one of whom was now the doctor at Greshamsbury, and the other of whom had perished so wretchedly at the gate of that farmyard.

Who then was the father of Mary Thorne?
The days passed very quietly at Boxall Hill.

Every morning Mary went out on her donkey, who justified by his demeanour all that had been said in his praise; then she would read or draw, then walk with Lady Scatcherd, then dine, then walk again; and so the days passed quietly away.

Once or twice a week the doctor would come over and drink his tea there, riding home in the cool of the evening.

Mary also received one visit from her friend Patience.
So the days passed quietly away till the tranquillity of the house was suddenly broken by tidings from London.