Time slipped by.

Robert Lyon had been away more than three years.

But in the monotonous life of the three sisters at Stowbury, nothing was changed.

Except, perhaps, Elizabeth, who had grown quite a woman; might have passed almost for thirty; so solidly old fashioned were her figure and her manners.
Ascott Leaf had finished his walking the hospitals and his examinations, and was now fitted to commence practice for himself.
His godfather had still continued his allowance, though once or twice, when he came down to Stowbury, he had asked his aunts to help him in small debts the last time in one a little more serious; when, after some sad and sore consultation, it had been resolved to tell him he must contrive to live within his own allowance.

For they were poorer than they used to be; many more schools had arisen in the town, and theirs had dwindled away.