th you on Sunday."

He nodded reassuringly at Mr. Parham-Carter.

"Well, we have morning prayer at ten-thirty next Sunday, and the Holy
Eucharist at eleven--and, of course, at eight."

"No vestments, I hope?" said the Major sternly.

Mr. Parham-Carter faltered a little. Vestments were not in use, but to
his regret.

"Well, we don't use vestments," he said, "but--"

The Major resumed his pipe with a satisfied air.

"That's all right," he said. "Now, I'm not bigoted--my friend here's a
Roman Catholic, but--"

The clergyman looked up sharply, and for the first time became
consciously conscious of the second man. Frank had sat back again on the
bed, with Jimmie beside him, and was watching the little scene quietly
and silently, and the clergyman met his eyes full. Some vague shock
thrilled through him; Frank's clean-shaven brown face seemed somehow
familiar--or was it something else?

Mr. Parham-Carter considered the point for a little while in silence,
only half attending to the Major, who was now announcing his views on
the Establishment and the Reformation settlement. Frank said nothing at
all, and there grew on the clergyman a desire to hear his voice. He
made an opportunity at last.

"Yes, I see," he said to the Major; "and you--I don't know your name?"

"Gregory, sir," said Frank. And again a little shock thrilled Mr.
Parham-Carter. The voice was the kind of thing he had expected from that
face.

* * * * *

It was about ten minutes later, that the clergyman thought it was time
to go. He had the Major's positive promise to attend at least the
evening service on the following Sunday--a promise he did not somehow
very much appreciate--but he had made no progress with Frank. He shook
hands all round very carefully, told Jimmie not to miss Sunday-school,
and publicly commended Maggie for a recitation she had accomplished at
the Band of Hope on the previous evening; and then went out, accompanied
by Mrs. Partington, still silent, as far as the door. But as he actually
went out, someone pushed by the woman and came out into the street.

"May I speak to you a minute?" said the strange young man, dropping the
"sir." "I'll walk with you as far as the clergy-house if you'll let me."

* * * * *

When they were out of earshot of the house Frank began.

"You're Parham-Carter, aren't you?" he said. "Of Hales'."

The other nodded. (Things were beginni