The next morning the Wetheralls went off.  Barthrop and I, with Father Payne, saw them go.  The Wetheralls were serenely enjoying the prospect of returning home after a successful visit, but Miss Phyllis looked mournful, and as if she were struggling with concealed emotions.  She kissed her hand to Father Payne as the carriage drove away.

“Very worthy people!” said Father Payne cheerfully, as the carriage passed out of sight.  “I am very glad to have seen them, and no less thankful that they are gone.”

“But the charming Phyllis?” said Barthrop, “Is that all you have to say about her?  I never saw a more delightful girl!”

“She is—­quite delightful,” said Father Payne.  “Phyllis is my only joy!  The sight of her and the sound of her make me feel as if I had been reading an Elizabethan song-book—­’Sing hey, nonny nonny!’ But why didn’t one of you fellows make up to her?—­that’s a girl worth the winning!”

“Why didn’t we make up to her?” I said indignantly.  “I wonder you have the face to ask, Father!  Why, she was simply taken up with you, and she hadn’t a word or a look for anyone else.  I never saw such a case of love at first sight!”

“She gave me a flower this morning,” said Father Payne meditatively, “and I believe I kissed her hand.  It was like a scene in one of my novels.  It wasn’t my fault—­the woman tempted me, of course!  But I think she is a charming creature, and as clever as she is pretty.  I could have made love to her with the best will in the world!  But that wouldn’t do, and I just made friends with her.  She wants an older friend, I think.  She has ideas, the pretty Phyllis, and she doesn’t strike out sparks from the Wetheralls much.”

Barthrop went off, smiling to himself, and I strolled about with Father Payne.

“You really could hardly do better than be Phyllis’s faithful shepherd,” he said to me, smiling.  “She’s a fine creature, you know, full of fire and vitality, and eager for life.  She must marry a nice man and have nice children.  We want more people like Phyllis.  You consider it, old man!  I would like to see you happily married.”

“Why, Father,” I said boldly, “if you feel like that, why don’t you put in for her yourself?  Phyllis is in love with you!  You may not know it—­she may not know it—­but I know it.  She could talk of nothing else.”

“Get thee behind me, Satan!” said Father Payne very emphatically.  Don’t say such things to me!  The pretty Phyllis wants a father confessor—­that’s all I can, do for her.”

“I don’t think that is so, Father,” I said.  “She would be prepared for something much closer than that, if you held out your hand.”