Two women are in the carriage, one very old and the other very young. They are Mrs. Oldcastle and her granddaughter Miss Gladwyn. They are from the big house on the hill with the fearsome iron gates.
Mrs. Oldcastle calls the vicar by his name, Mr. Walton. He invites them in and they visit for awhile. He finds that Mrs. Oldcastle is dogmatic and hard-hearted to everyone but her 14 year old granddaughter Miss Gladwyn. Miss Gladwyn is unafraid of her grannie and teases her when she becomes dogmatic.
The vicar, Mr. Walton, is at a loss as to how to do any good for the grandmother but is encouraged to see the positive influence of the fearless Miss Gladwyn. With relief he sees them off, promising himself to visit them in the future.
