– Dominic, you, Viscount, are not supposed to have such a sensitive and kind heart," said the Count of Draymore grudgingly: he had always thought his friend too sentimental, but he did not wish to take advantage of his kindness and sell his unprofitable estate with all its inhabitants to the Viscount. – But, since you insist so fervently, I promise to think it over again, but I will let you know my final decision in a month at the earliest. – He held out his hand to his friend.

The earl's answer did not satisfy Viscount Wilworth, who wished for the speedy welfare of the poor and Cassie, but he had no other choice but to agree to the earl's condition.

– It is agreed," he answered firmly, and shook his friend's hand.

At this the friends parted, but if the Viscount was deeply grieved by the situation, his friend was amused by it. This was the first time that the difference in the characters of Viscount Wilworth and the Count of Draymore had brought a coldness and disapproval of each other's intentions into their long-standing friendship.

June passed at Walsingham just as it passed every year: inconspicuous, routine, full of anxiety and work in the fields. During the summer, all the adult peasants of the village worked together to cultivate the large field where the potatoes grew. The work in the field was hard: day after day it was necessary to check every leaf, every stem and the ground around to find and eradicate the voracious beetle. This summer it was even more difficult to get rid of the pest, for the beetles were so numerous, as if God had punished the poor Walsinghamites for some great sin. But in spite of their work in the fields, the peasants attended all the matins, vespers and Sunday services in the church. Pastor Glowford himself continued to work on the restoration of the church, and his daughters, with the exception of Cassie, worked in the fields: as Cassie was of little use, the peasants unanimously relieved her of this duty, but sometimes the girl would come and put beetles on sharp sticks for amusement. Mostly, however, Cassie spent her days running around with the village children in the summer fields and woods.

Christine came home exhausted from her hard physical labour and went straight to bed after supper. Catherine, on the other hand, did not seem to be tired at all: she remained full of vigour and activity, and would not go to bed until all the housework was done and breakfast for tomorrow morning was prepared. Almost every evening, when twilight fell, Kate took Cassie, and the sisters went to the river to wash their dresses: Kate concentrated on washing clothes, while Cassie ran excitedly over the stones and wet her feet in the water. Having got rid of the pressing household chores and finally getting to bed, the next day Catherine would get up early in the morning to wake her father and sisters, feed them, dress Cassie and go with Christine to the field.

The Glowford sisters were careful to keep their bodies clean and washed their hair every other day: usually at noon or in the evening when the girls came home for meals. The girls also took good care of their teeth, and every morning and before going to bed, they rinsed their teeth with chamomile infusion. In summer the Glowfords bathed in the river like all the peasants.

Cassie often thought of Mr. Morris, who had entertained her a month before, and sometimes asked her father and Catherine if the "good doctor" was coming, but they could not tell her, for they did not know the answer.

Pastor Glowford was distressed that the restoration of the church had been delayed so long, and he could see Mr. Pilough's irritation at being stuck in this "hole," as he called Walsingham, for two months, so he tried not to cross him.

Sundays were the only Sundays off from work in the fields and church, but despite the fatigue, everyone, including the children, came to the service. The pastor himself was as tired as the others, but he did not show it, so that he could encourage the spirit and faith of his parishioners by his own example.

Christine was desperate to see Lord Draymore and had not yet spoken to her father about her desire to move to London, for she had no money, and her soul was in deep distress.

The weather had been hot since the beginning of July, and the peasants had to water their gardens every day by travelling to the river and carrying heavy buckets of water. At the Glowfords', the parson, Kate and Chris took turns fetching water when they came home for lunch. Cassie, on the other hand, was exempt from this duty and spent all day out of the house, arriving at her squalid dwelling late at night. Since the apple trees of the local peasants had been ripped off, the children and Cassie plundered the orchard at Rivershold, where the apple trees were tall, lush, and full of beautiful, tasty apples (but this was kept a closely guarded secret between the children and Cassie, for it was punishable by a big smack from the parents and a lecture from the parson). But the children did not regard their actions as stealing or any other offence, for to tear apples was a common thing for them, and Cassie, who was not so clever as they were, thought the same.

In the middle of the month the work in the fields and in the church was suspended for the christening of a newly born child at Walsingham, but then the hard work began again. They had had some rest in body and mind over the weekend of the christening and were now eager to get on with their work, singing hymns in the field, chatting, gossiping and making plans for the betrothal of Christine Glowford and John Tiley. There was even a rumour in the village that the girl had at first "backed out» but had agreed to marry John. Christine herself, who knew that it was a pure lie, did not talk to anyone, did not socialise, was sullen and forced her father to officially announce at one of the evenings that these rumours are not justified, but bored poor people did not calm down and judged that the maidens Glowford overstayed in maidens: okay, say, Catherine did not go to marry for a good reason, but Christine what she is waiting for!

Kate saw how these nasty gossips affected her sister's mood and tried to cheer her up. Now, when she saw Christine crouched near her place of work, crying with resentment because her neighbours in the field didn't bother to whisper gossip and did it in full voice, Kate went over to her and stroked her back.

– Don't be sad, Chris: the Lord's judgement will come upon those gossipers, and then they will be sorry for speaking their tongues," she said affectionately to Christine.

– Yes, but when will that be? When it happens, I won't care about all this gossip, because I'll be in heaven too! – Chris exclaimed hotly, and tears of resentment sprang from her eyes. – How dare they say such nasty things, as if I were going to marry that redneck! If I don't, then I'm not good and proud!