well to avoid for the present the pompous joys
of life in London, where for one happy being there are a thousand
pretenders to happiness."

On the Sunday night following, Crook Lane, outside the clergy-house, was
almost blocked with noisy people of both sexes. They were a detachment of
the "Skeletons," and the talk among them was of the trial of the
Sharkeys, which had taken place the day before. "They've 'ed six menths,"
said one. "And it's all along o' minjee parsons," said another; and
Charlie Wilkes, who had a certain reputation for humour, did a step-dance
and sang some doggerel beginning--

Father Storm is a werry good man,
'E does you all the 'arm 'e can.

Through this crowd two gentlemen pushed their way to the clergy-house,
which was brilliantly lit up. One of them was the Greek owner, the other
was Lord Robert Ure. Entering a large room on the ground floor, they
first came upon John Storm, in cassock and biretta, standing at the door
and shaking hands with everybody who came in and went out. He betrayed no
surprise, but greeted them respectfully and then passed them on. Every
moment of his time was occupied. The room was full of the young girls of
the district, with here and there a Sister out of another world entirely.
Some were reading, some conversing, some laughing, some playing a piano,
and some singing. Their voices filled the air like the chirping of birds,
and their faces were bright and happy. "Good-evening, Father," they said
on entering, and "Good-night, Father," as they went away.

The two men stood some minutes and looked round the room. It was observed
that Lord Robert did not remove his hat. He kept chewing the end of a
broken cigarette, whereof the other end hung down his chin. One of the
Sisters heard him say, "It will do with a little alteration, I think."
Then he went off alone, and the Greek owner stepped up to John Storm.

It was not at first that John could attend to him, and when he was able
to do so he began to rattle on about his own affairs. "See," he said with
a delighted smile and a wave of the arm, "see how crowded we are! We'll
have to think of taking in the next door soon."

"Father Storm," said the Greek, "I have something serious to say, though
the official notification will of course reach you by another channel."

John's face darkened as a ripe cornfield does when the sun dies away from
it.

"I am sorry to tell you that the trustees, having had a favourable offer