“She’s not going?” cried Philip, with astonishment.
Mary Ann had been at the vicarage ever since he could remember. She never forgot his birthday, but made a point always of sending him a trifle, absurd but touching. He had a real affection for her.
“Yes,” answered Mr. Carey. “I didn’t think it would do to have a single woman in the house.”
“But, good heavens, she must be over forty.”
“Yes, I think she is. But she’s been rather troublesome lately, she’s been inclined to take too much on herself, and I thought this was a very good opportunity to give her notice.”