Donald did not answer this, but smiled at Maggie. He was in a flannel suit, and Janet thought how nice he looked out of working clothes, and what easy manners he had. It was queer that somebody who could be such a nice person, so often spoilt himself by being unpleasant without reason.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Brain,” he said. “How are you getting on? Is your daughter taking you for a walk?”

Maggie explained their errand.

“And then we’re going to the evening service,” she added. “I really like the morning best, but as we were coming down to the village this afternoon we’re saving ourselves the second walk.”

Donald looked worried.

“I’m afraid I don’t get to church much these days. We do as little work as we can on Sundays, but in times like these we can’t lay off altogether. There’s a service for the children at ten o’clock on Sunday mornings, but I can seldom manage the time to take Iris, and Gladys doesn’t have Mrs. Honeywell on Sunday, so it’s a hopeless day for her.”

“I don’t mind,” said Iris. “On Sundays we do our big walk, and Ben says you can do all the praying you need out of doors, and there’s no need to go to God’s House to pray. He can hear you just as well in a field.”

“Ben’s an old heathen.” Donald turned back to Maggie. “Were you very strict about church when Janet and Sheila were Iris’ age?”

“Yes. They went to children’s service in the afternoon when they were tots. Some people say forcing church on a child puts them off going when they grow up; but I say they’ll have heard a lot that’s good, and maybe a help to them, you never know.”

“I rather like God,” said Iris. “He’s got a nice face.”

“But we don’t know what He’s like,” Janet objected.

Iris held Janet’s hand.

“You will if you look in my drawing book” She fingered Janet’s frock. “Daddy, doesn’t Janet look nice today? Not all buttoned up like she is when we do lessons.”

Donald’s eyes ran over Janet.

“Very nice, but we mustn’t expect her to waste her pretty things on us.”

Janet’s cheeks flamed.

“That’s a horrid thing to say. This is only cheap linen; the dress I wear to come to the farm cost more, if you want to know.”

Donald gazed at her with hurt surprise. Iris stared at her with her mouth open.

“Why are you angry, Janet? Don’t you like me and Daddy to think you look nice?”

Donald caught hold of the child.

“Come on, young woman, if we are going to have a look at that drain in Lower Bend we must be stepping. Goodbye, Mrs. Brain. Have a nice tea-party.”