The children squelched into school from muddy lanes and the puddle-filled playground, incurring the wrath of Mrs Pringle daily. Scaffolding was beginning to shroud the stumpy spire of St Patrick's and the damaged area of the nave, and the Appeal Fund board made a new feature in the village. So far the hand of the clock on the board stood only at one hundred and twenty-three pounds, but as we all pointed out to each other, it was a wonderful beginning.The weathervane had been removed and the cock awaited regilding. On the day that it was brought down to ground level Mr Willet put his head round the school door.'If you've got a minute to spare,' he said deferentially, 'you might like a close look at the ol' weathercock. He's come to roost in the churchyard, afore he gets a new lick of paint.'The children began clamouring at once, only too glad to leave their English exercises.'We'll come straightaway,' I told Mr Willet, rising in readiness to quell the stampede to the door. When we had attained some semblance of order we made our way decorously to the churchyard.
