"But they have prayers in the Houses of Parliament," said Mrs.Winterfield, with much anger.

To this the town councillor's wife, who was almost silenced by the great lady's wrath, said that indeed she did not know.

After this Mrs.Winterfield continued to hope for the best, till the platform was filled and the proceedings had commenced.

Then she declared the present men of Perivale to be a godless set, and expressed herself very sorry that her nephew had ever had anything to do with them.

"No good can come of it, my dear," she said.