was only waiting for the
Bishop's acceptance to send you an invitation; but we hear now," he said
in a dubitative and tentative way--"we hear now that it is possible that
the Bishop may be lunching with you."

There was a twitch about the corners of Canon Parkyn's mouth. The
position that a Bishop should be lunching with Mr Sharnall in a common
lodging-house was so exquisitely funny that he could only restrain his
laughter with difficulty.

Mr Sharnall gave an assenting nod.

"Mrs Parkyn was not quite sure whether you might have in your lodgings
exactly everything that might be necessary for entertaining his
lordship."

"Oh dear, yes," Mr Sharnall said. "It looks a little dowdy just this
minute, because the chairs are at the upholsterers to have the gilt
touched up; we are putting up new curtains, of _course_, and the
housekeeper has already begun to polish the best silver."

"It occurred to Mrs Parkyn," the Rector continued, being too bent on
saying what he had to say to pay much attention to the organist's
remarks--"it occurred to Mrs Parkyn that it might perhaps be more
convenient to you to bring the Bishop to lunch at the Rectory. It would
spare you all trouble in preparation, and you would of course lunch with
us yourself. It would be putting us to no inconvenience; Mrs Parkyn
would be glad that you should lunch with us yourself."

Mr Sharnall nodded, this time deprecatingly.

"You are very kind. Mrs Parkyn is very considerate, but the Bishop has
signified his intention of lunching in _this_ house; I could scarcely
venture to contravene his lordship's wishes."

"The Bishop is a friend of yours?" the Rector asked.

"You can scarcely say that; I do not think I have set eyes on the man
for forty years."

The Rector was puzzled.

"Perhaps the Bishop is under some misconception; perhaps he thinks that
this house is still an inn--the Hand of God, you know."

"Perhaps," said the organist; and there was a little pause.

"I hope you will consider the matter. May I not tell Mrs Parkyn that
you will urge the Bishop to lunch at the Rectory--that you both"--and he
brought out the word bravely, though it cost him a pang to yoke the
Bishop with so unworthy a mate, and to fling the door of select
hospitality open to Mr Sharnall--"that you both will lunch with us?"

"I fear not," the organist said; "I fear I must say no. I shall be very
busy preparing for the extra service, and if I am to play `See the
Conq