“She must grow up some time.”

“More’s the pity,” retorted the vicar.  “Another point:  I’m not by any means sure I approve of that fellow Hyde.  I doubt if he’s a religious man.”  Val brushed away a smile.  “He comes to church with Laura pretty regularly, but would he come if her influence were removed?  I greatly doubt it.”  So did Val, therefore he prudently held his tongue.  “I hate to be uncharitable,” continued Mr. Stafford “but I doubt if he is even what one narrowly calls a moral man.  Take Jack Bendish, now one can see at a glance that he’s a good fellow, right-living and clean-minded.  But Hyde doesn’t inspire me with any such confidence.  I know nothing of his private life—­”

“Nor do I,” said Val rather wearily.  “But what does any man know of another man’s private life?  If you come to that, Jim, what do you know of Rowsley’s—­or mine?”

“Pouf, nonsense!” said Mr. Stafford.

At his feet lay a small black cat, curled up in the attitude of a comma.  Before going on he inserted one toe under her waist, rapidly turned her upside down, and chucked her under her ruffled and indignant chin.

“Val, my boy, has any one repeated to you a nasty bit of gossip that’s going about the village?”

“This violence to a lady!” Val held out his hand and made small coaxing noises with his lips.  But Amelia after a cold stare walked away and sat down in the middle of the floor, turning her back and sticking out a refined but implacable tail.  “There now! you’ve hurt her feelings.”

“Of course there’s nothing in it—­on one side at least.  But I can’t help wondering whether Hyde . . . . our dear Laura would naturally be the last to hear of it.  But Hyde’s a man of the world and knows how quickly tongues begin to wag.  In Laura’s unprotected position he ought to be doubly careful.”

“He ought.”

“But he is not.  Now is that designed or accidental?  We’ll allow him the benefit of the doubt and call it an error of judgment.  Then some one ought to give him a hint.”

“Some one would be knocked down for his pains.”

“D’you think he’d knock me down?” asked Mr. Stafford, casting a comical glance over his slender elderly frame.

“Hardly,” said Val laughing.  “But—­no, Jim, it wouldn’t do.  Too formal, too official.”  His real objection was that Mr. Stafford would base his appeal on ethical and spiritual grounds, which were not likely to influence Lawrence, as Val read him.  “But if you like I’ll give him a hint myself.  I can do it informally; and I very nearly did it as long ago as last June.  Hyde is amenable to treatment if he’s taken quietly.”