proprietorship, which meant that she thoroughly approved of Mr. Forsythe,
and regarded him as her own discovery.

"This is the time we miss Gifford," said Miss Deborah, who had gone out
into the hall to put on her overshoes. "He was such a useful child." Lois
came to help her, for Mr. Denner was far too timid to offer assistance,
and the rector too stout, and Mr. Dale too absent-minded. As for Mr.
Forsythe, he did not notice how Miss Deborah was occupied, until Lois had
joined her; and then his offer was not accepted, for Miss Deborah felt
shy about putting out her foot in its black kid slipper, tied about the
ankle with a black ribbon, in the presence of this young man, who was,
she was sure, very genteel.

Mr. Forsythe's call was necessarily a short one, for, charming as he was,
Ashurst custom would not have permitted him to stay when the party had
broken up. However, he meant to walk along with the Dales, and hear her
aunt talk about Lois.

The Misses Woodhouse's maid was waiting for them, her lantern swinging in
her hand. Mr. Denner had secretly hoped for a chance of "seeing them
home," but dared not offer his unnecessary services in Sarah's presence.

Dr. Howe and his daughter went as far as the gate with their guests, and
then stood watching them down the lane, until a turn in the road hid the
glimmer of the lantern and the dark figures beside it.

"Bless my soul!" said the rector, as they turned to go back to the house.
"This gayety has made me almost forget my sermon. I must not put it off
so, next week."

This remark of Dr. Howe's was almost as regular as the whist party
itself.

Miss Deborah and Miss Ruth trotted behind Sarah, whose determined stride
kept them a little ahead of the others; Dick Forsythe had joined Mrs.
Dale at once, so Mr. Dale and Mr. Denner walked together. They were only
far enough behind to have the zest one feels in talking about his
neighbors when there is danger of being overheard.

"He is a very fine conversationalist," said Mr. Denner, nodding his head
in Dick's direction; "he talks very well."

"He talks a great deal," observed Mr. Dale.

"He seems to feel," Mr. Denner continued, "no--ah, if I can so express
it--timidity."

"None," responded Mr. Dale.

"And I judge he has seen a great deal of the world," said Mr. Denner;
"yet he appears to be satisfied with Ashurst, and I have sometimes
thought, Henry, that Ashurst is not, as it were, gay." As he said this,
a certain