misty as he opened the door.

CHAPTER III

THE WIDOW'S VISIT

Parson Dan spent most of the day in visiting his people in the parish,
and accordingly had little time to give to Rodney. But after supper he
began to romp with the wee man much to Mrs. Royal's amusement. There
was considerable excitement for a while as the clergyman, on all-fours,
carried the baby through the kitchen, into the dining-room, and back
again. The boy shivered with delight as he sat perched upon the broad
back. Forgotten were all parish cares as the venerable man gave
himself up to the little waif. He had become a child again, and had
entered that kingdom where children are the uncrowned monarchs, and the
strong and the aged are willing subjects, yea, even most abject slaves.

In the midst of this hilarious frolic, the door of the dining-room,
leading into the hall, was suddenly opened, and a woman entered. She
was dressed all in black which costume was well in keeping with her
face, which bore the same expression it did the day she buried her
husband two years before. Her sober face grew a shade more sober as
her eyes rested upon the undignified scene before her, and she was
about to turn and hurry back out of doors, when the parson caught sight
of her. His face, flushed with the excitement of the romp, took a
deeper hue when he saw Mrs. Marden standing before him. He scrambled
to his feet, and plunked Rodney down upon the floor, much to that young
gentleman's disgust. He at once set up a dismal howl, which took Mrs.
Royal some time to silence when she had him alone in the kitchen.

"I didn't see you, Mrs. Marden," the parson gasped, as he tried to
recover his breath as well as his composure.

"So I observe," was the somewhat sarcastic reply, as the visitor
surveyed her rector. "I knocked long and loud, but as there was no
response, I took the liberty to enter. I am sorry that I have
intruded. Perhaps I had better go."

"No, no, you must not think of such a thing," the parson replied, as he
handed her a chair, and then struggled quickly into his coat, which he
had cast aside at the beginning of the frolic. He was annoyed at Mrs.
Marden's intrusion into the privacy of his family life, especially when
he was off guard. He knew that she had come on some important
business, as she otherwise never darkened the rectory door.

"You've become quite a family man, so I understand," she began. "It's
the first time that I've