During the night Cassie breathed heavily, but her sleep was full of tranquillity. In the morning Mr. Morris again visited the sick woman, and brought a large basket of fruit for her, which had been given through him by Viscount Wilworth.

After matins, Pastor Glowford announced to the congregation Lord Draymore's plans to restore the church and rebuild their homes, while colourfully describing his short visit to Rivershold. The peasants were overjoyed: the story of the well-respected pastor assured them that the new landlord was a fine man and that he would take care of Walsingham. The landlord's secretary had come yesterday after the morning service and had written down the peasants' complaints in a special book, and assured the Walsingham people that the Count would look into them himself.

Cassie slept all day and did not wake until evening, tired and sad, but when Catherine gave her a large red apple, one of those sent by Viscount Wilworth, she cheered up and asked her sister to tell her a story.

– Sweetheart, why do you want these silly fairy tales? I'd rather read you the Scriptures instead, they're better than fairy tales," Catherine told her gently: she didn't approve of fictitious magic stories, so there were no books in the Glowford house except those containing religious texts.

– But I want to hear a fairy tale! – exclaimed Cassie capriciously, always hearing about them from the village children.

– A fairy tale is full of deceit and lies, and God doesn't like lies. He loves only the truth," Kate answered patiently. – But I can sing you a song, if you like.

– Yes, about the chickens! – Cassie said cheerfully.

Catherine did not approve of this "nonsense", but wishing to give her sick sister pleasure, this time strayed from her high principles not to sing such "vulgar" songs.

– There's a henhouse in our house

And the hens live in it.

But they've all run away.

Into the dark woods all…

Kate hesitated: the next word was not a good one, and she could not pronounce it.

– Dummies! – Cassie exclaimed excitedly, her face shining with happiness.

– They went out into the woods

Where the grey wolf was waiting for them

And he with his teeth

– Clang-clang-clang-clang! – Cassie put in again.

– And the hens…

But before Catherine could finish, Pastor Glowford entered the house.

– Daddy! Daddy! – Cassandra shouted joyfully and tried to jump up from the mattress, but her sister stopped her just in time:

– No, sweetheart, you're too weak. Father will come to you.

The pastor hurriedly threw off his shoes, changed into his home clothes and went into his daughters' room.

– Cassie, my angel, are you feeling better? – He asked affectionately, sitting down beside his daughter and stroking her head.

– Can I have another apple? – Cassie asked, grabbing her father's hand.

– Of course, you can. Catherine, wash an apple for her,' the pastor said to his eldest daughter.

– 'Will Chris have apples? – Cassie asked, looking lovingly at her father.

He took a deep breath and smiled: he was overwhelmed with love for his feeble-minded daughter.

– Daddy, will you have apples? – The girl asked again without getting an answer.

– No, dear, thank you, I've already eaten. Do you remember the new landlord who came to our church the day before yesterday?

– No.

– She was asleep that day," Kate whispered to her father, and handed her sister a washed apple, which she grabbed and chewed with pleasure.

– Lord Draymore has proved to be an honourable man: he has promised to rebuild our church," said Pastor to Cassie: he always told her everything, as if she could understand the importance of what he said.

– Is that a good thing? – Cassie asked, chewing an apple.

– It's very good, my dear," smiled her father. – But now we will listen to the Scripture and go to bed: we are all very tired and need rest.

– Where is Chris? – Kate asked suddenly. – She's still not here! She must be sitting on her rock again!

– She will be back soon: I sent her to the Coulters for milk; they promised to give Cassie some milk from their goat," the parson answered her.

– Christine's behaviour has been very bad lately," said Kate grudgingly. – She ought to pray more, not disappear under the oak tree.

– But if she doesn't want to, we can't force her. Christine has had a hard time with your mother's death, and it has made a strain on her character, so you can't blame her for being impertinent and disobedient," said the pastor wisely.

While Catherine and the pastor were talking, Cassie fell asleep again, clutching the half-eaten apple in her palm.

Soon Christine came home: she brought a clay jug of milk, set it on the table, took off her shoes in silence, and lay down on her mattress.

After the usual evening ritual and prayer, the family spread out on their bunks.

– Kate! – Christine called softly to her sister, afraid her father would hear her. – Kate, can you hear me?

– What?" Catherine answered her in a whisper.

– I'm going to tell you something, but just don't tell dad," Chris said and moved quietly onto Catherine's mattress.

– Okay. What?

– I want to leave.

– "Leave? Where to?" Kate was surprised: she thought it would be a great sin to leave her birthplace.

– To the city. I'll get a job and send you money.

– What nonsense! The city is full of sinners and temptation!

– But there's good work to be found there. What awaits me in the middle of nowhere? It's so boring here!

– If you're bored, get married.

– There's no one to marry!

– You're too choosy! Marry John. He's a good lad, kind and religious. He's already asked me why you say no to everything.

– Then marry him yourself! – Christine was disgusted at the thought of marrying a poor man like herself, but she could not tell her sister, for she was afraid of being seen as a corrupt wench.

– I'm not getting married because I'm looking after Cassie. If I leave her and start a family of my own, will you look after the poor girl? – Catherine was very unhappy at her sister's levity: what a thing to think of! To go to town!

– Kate, don't you understand? I can earn money and help you! I'm sick of depending on the favours of the neighbours! – whispered insistently and loudly, annoyed by her sister's stubbornness, Christine.

– It is not the neighbours who give us favours, but God who works through their hearts! But that is your business. Go wherever you like, but I don't approve of your plan," Catherine agreed reluctantly. – But how will you tell Dad?

– I'm a grown-up girl and I can go anywhere I want, you said so yourself.

– Where are you going to go?

– I was going to go to the nearest town, but I changed my mind. I'm going to the capital.

– London? Do you think there's someone waiting for you there? – Kate said mockingly, surprised at her sister's naivety.

– That's it, Kate. Good night," she said resentfully.

Christine went back to her mattress and lay facing the wall, resentful that no one understood her, or even tried to understand her desire to escape from the dreadful poverty she hated with all her heart and was ashamed of.

"Even father won't hold me back. I must change my life. All that awaits me here is poverty and (God forbid!) marriage to John. I must go away!" – she thought with despair.

– Chris! – Catherine whispered.

– What?

– But you need money to move to London. Where will you get it?

– I'll find something.

The sisters were silent, each absorbed in her own thoughts.

The next morning the pastor's house was again visited by Mr. Morris, who brought a large jug of fresh milk and a basket of vegetables for Cassie. The doctor examined the patient and reported that the crisis had passed, Cassie was on the mend, and would soon be able to leave the house for fresh air (the air in the cottage was heavy and stale, as the only small window had never been opened since winter). Cassie was very embarrassed when the doctor listened to her breathing through the hearing medical tube, and she was uncomfortable with the iron touching her chest, even though her nightgown, as the pastor would not allow the doctor to listen to her lungs properly.