intercourse with the Newhavens some of that sublime awe, that subdued rapture, which others experience in cathedrals.  Mr. Pratt had also taken a momentary pleasure in the defeat of Mr. Gresley, who did not pay him the deference which he considered due to him and his “seat.”  Mr. Pratt always expected that the Vicar should, by reason of his small income, take the position of a sort of upper servant of the Squire; and he had seen so many instances of this happy state of things that he was perpetually nettled by Mr. Gresley’s “independent” attitude; while Mr. Gresley was equally irritated by “the impatience of clerical control” and shepherding which Mr. Pratt, his largest and woolliest sheep, too frequently evinced.

As the chairman benignly expressed his approval of both views, and toned down each to meet the other, the attention of the audience wandered to the occasional laughs and cheers which came from the school play-ground.  And when, a few minutes later, Rachel emerged with the stream, she saw Dick standing under the solitary lamp-post speaking earnestly to a little crowd of youths and men.  The laughter had ceased.  Their crestfallen appearance spoke for itself.

“Well, good-night, lads,” said Dick, cordially, raising his cap to them, and he rejoined Rachel and Hester at the gate.

When Dick and Rachel had departed on their bicycles, and when the deputation, after a frugal supper, had retired to rest, and when the drawing-room door was shut, then, and not till then, did Mr. Gresley give vent to his feelings.

“And he would not stop,” he repeated over and over again almost in hysterics, when the total-abstinence hose of his wrath had been turned on Dick until every reservoir of abuse was exhausted.  “I signed to him; I spoke to him.  You saw me speak to him, Minna, and he would not stop.”

Hester experienced that sudden emotion which may result either in tears or laughter at the cruel anguish brought upon her brother by the momentary experience of what he so ruthlessly inflicted.

“He talked me down,” said Mr. Gresley, his voice shaking.  “He opposed me in my own school-room.  Of course, I blame myself for asking him to speak.  I ought to have inquired into his principles more thoroughly, but he took me in entirely by saying one thing in this room and the exact opposite on the platform.”

“I thought his views were the same in both places,” said Hester, “and, at the time, I admired you for asking him to speak, considering he is a vine-grower.”

“A what?” almost shrieked Mr. Gresley.

“A vine-grower.  Surely you know he has one of the largest vineyards in South Australia?”

For a moment Mr. Gresley was bereft of speech.

“And you knew this and kept silence,” he said at last, while Mrs. Gresley looked reproachfully, but without surprise, at her sister-in-law.

“Certainly.  What was there to speak about?  I thought you knew.”