As they entered the porch Mr.Reid, who stood solemnly tolling the small bell, popularly nicknamed the "Ting-tang," and of which the single rope passed down close to the south door, vouchsafed John a sour smile of recognition.

John felt as though he had come home.

Mrs.Goddard and Nellie appeared a moment afterwards and took their seats in the pew traditionally belonging to the cottage, behind that of the squire who was always early, and the sight of whose smoothly brushed hair and brown beard was a constant source of satisfaction to Mrs.Ambrose.John and Mrs.Ambrose sat on the opposite side of the aisle, but John's eyes strayed very frequently towards Mrs.Goddard; so frequently indeed that she noticed it and leaned far back in her seat to avoid his glance.

Whereupon John blushed and felt that the vicar, who was reading the Second Lesson, had probably noticed his distraction.

It was hard to realise that two years and a half had passed since he had sat in that same pew; perhaps, however, the presence of Mrs.Goddard helped him to understand the lapse of time.