Transcriber's Notes: From page scans of this book which waspublishedas a serial in the Taranaki Herald (New Zealand), Vol. LXIII, Issue144753, 9 August 1915 through Volume LXIII, Issue 144793, 24September 1915 (Papers Past, National Library of New Zealand).See web sitehttps://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TH19150807.2.57
CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XII.
CHAPTER XIII.
CHAPTER XIV.
CHAPTER XV.
CHAPTER XVI.
CHAPTER XVII.
CHAPTER XVIII.
CHAPTER XIX.
CHAPTER XX.
CHAPTER XXI.
CHAPTER XXII.
CHAPTER XXIII.
CHAPTER XXIV
CHAPTER XXV
CHAPTER XXVI
The dingy little cart containing the clean linen of the Rectory, wason its way by an unusually roundabout route. Neddy Mellin, the washerwoman's son, who disliked work as much as he liked play, which wasnatural in a lad of thirteen, grumbled openly at the uncongenial taskof driving the large white donkey. The animal herself, who answeredto the name of Nelly, grumbled also in her own way, as she objected toinnovations. Hitherto she had been allowed to take the short road tothe parson's residence; now she was compelled to go by the long one,which was particularly annoying on this damp, misty Novemberafternoon. With the obstinacy of her race she refused to trot, andalthough Neddy whipped her, coaxed her, and threatened her, Nellytstill behaved as though she were attending a funeral. Mrs. Mellin didnot mind. Throned amidst the bundles of linen, she peered through thefog for something sh