Chapter VII

           OnthefollowingSundaymorning,Mr.Mordaunthadalargecongregation.Indeed,hecouldscarcelyrememberanySundayonwhichthechurchhadbeensocrowded.Peopleappeareduponthescenewhoseldomdidhimthehonorofcomingtohearhissermons.

           TherewereevenpeoplefromHazelton,whichwasthenextparish.Therewerehearty,sunburnedfarmers,stout,comfortable,apple-cheekedwivesintheirbestbonnetsandmostgorgeousshawls,andhalfadozenchildrenorsotoeachfamily.Thedoctor’swifewasthere,withherfourdaughters.Mrs.KimseyandMr.Kimsey,whokeptthedruggist’sshop,andmadepills,anddiduppowdersforeverybodywithintenmiles,satintheirpew;Mrs.Dibbleinhers;MissSmiff,thevillagedressmaker,andherfriendMissPerkins,themilliner,satintheirs;thedoctor’syoungmanwaspresent,andthedruggist’sapprentice;infact,almosteveryfamilyonthecountysidewasrepresented,inonewayoranother.

           Inthecourseoftheprecedingweek,manywonderfulstorieshadbeentoldoflittleLordFauntleroy.Mrs.Dibblehadbeenkeptsobusyattendingtocustomerswhocameintobuyapennyworthofneedlesoraha’porthoftapeandtohearwhatshehadtorelate,thatthelittleshopbelloverthedoorhadnearlytinkleditselftodeathoverthecomingandgoing.Mrs.Dibbleknewexactlyhowhissmalllordship’sroomshadbeenfurnishedforhim,whatexpensivetoyshadbeenbought,howtherewasabeautifulbrownponyawaitinghim,andasmallgroomtoattendit,andalittledog-cart,withsilver-mountedharness.