Mr. Walton, the vicar, goes to visit two elderly sisters from his congregation, Jemima and Hester. Hester is younger than Jemima by ten years, yet she seems older because she is so stiff and formal. She reads old religious books and seldom leaves home. Jemima is lively and young at heart. She is always going to visit the people who live on the sisters' land, to make sure all is well with them.
Hester tells Mr. Walton he should emphasize good works more in his sermons, but her sister Jemima protests that Mr. Walton always preaches about good works. The one thing they agree on is that Mr. Walton should not spend so much time with Ethelwyn Oldcastle because she thought to be a little odd.
Mr. Walton leaves thinking how much he would like to help Ethelwyn escape the oppression of her wicked mother, Mrs. Oldcastle.
