When Hester came down with her hat on she found Dick untiring Mr. Gresley’s bicycle in the most friendly manner, while the outraged owner stood by remonstrating.

“I assure you, Dick, I don’t wish it to be touched.  I know my own machine.  If it were a common puncture I could mend it myself, but I don’t want the whole thing ruined by an ignorant person.  I shall take it in to Southminster on the first opportunity.”

“No need to do that,” said Dick, cheerfully.  “Might as well go to a doctor to have your nails cut.  Do it at home.  You don’t believe in the water test?  Oh! that’s rot.  You’ll believe in it when you see it.  You’re learning it now.  There!  Now I’ve got it in the pail; see all these blooming little bubbles jostling up in a row.  There’s a leak at the valve.  No, there isn’t.  It’s only unscrewed.  Good Lord, James! it’s only unscrewed; and you thought the whole machine was out of order.  There, now, I’ve screwed it up.  Devil a bubble!  What’s that you’re saying about swearing in your presence?  Oh! don’t apologize!  You can’t help being a clergyman.  Look for yourself.  You will never learn if you look the other way just when a good-natured chap is showing you.  I would have put the tire on again, but as you say you can do it better yourself, I won’t.  Sorry to keep you waiting, Hester.  And look here, James, you ought to bicycle more.  Strengthen your legs for playing the harmonium on Sundays.  Well, I could not tell you had an organ in that little one-horse church.  Good-bye, Fraeulein; good-bye, James.  Home, Coleman.  And look here,” said Dick, putting his mischievous face out of the window as the carriage turned, “if you are getting up steam for another temperance meeting, I’m your man.”

“Good-bye, dear James,” interrupted Hester, hastily, and the carriage drove away.

“He looks pasty,” said Dick, after an interval.  “A chap like James has no power in his arms and legs.  He can kneel down in church, and put his arm round Mrs. Gresley’s waist, but that’s about all he’s up to.  He doesn’t take enough exercise.”

“He is not well.  I don’t think I ought to have left them.”

“You had no choice.  Brown said, unless you could be got away at once you would be laid up.  I was at luncheon at the Palace when he said it.  The Bishop’s sister was too busy with her good works to come herself, so I came instead.  I said I should not come back alive without you.  They seemed to think I should all the same, but, of course, that was absurd.  I wanted the Bishop to bet upon it, but he wouldn’t.”

“Do you always get what you want?” said Hester.

“Generally, if it depends on myself.  But sometimes things depend on others besides me.  Then I may be beaten.”

They were passing Westhope Abbey, wrapped in a glory of sunset and mist.

“Did you know Miss West was there?” Dick said, suddenly.

“No,” said Hester, surprised.  “I thought she was in London.”