“I heard what you were saying.  And although it takes a great deal to surprise me, I am surprised.  Such doctrines I consider most dangerous, highly so.  If you are thinking of setting up as a faith healer, the sooner we know it the better.  Desire, my dear, you might see Olive about tea.  Tell her not to forget the lemon.  I do not know what I have done to deserve a maid called Olive,” she sighed, “but the only alternative was Gladys.  And Gladys I could not endure.  As for illness, I am surprised at you, John Rogers.  I was not in church owing to a severe headache, but I know the sermon.  It is one of Mr. McClintock’s very best.  If you had not gone to sleep in the middle of the first point you would have heard the mystery of pain beautifully explained.  A wonderful preacher.  If he wouldn’t click his teeth.”

The professor shuddered.

“Benis acts so foolishly about it,” went on Aunt Caroline.  “He insists that the clicking makes him ill.  But why should it?  At the same time, if one of the Elders were to suggest, tactfully, to Mr. McClintock that he have the upper set tightened it might be well.  It would at least” (with grimness) “do away with the trivial excuses of some people for not attending Divine service.”

Her graceless nephew was understood to murmur something about “too hot to fight.”

“As for Mr. McClintock’s ideas,” pursued Aunt Caroline, “they are quite beautiful.  The first time he gave the deathbed description which comprises part of this morning’s discourse he had us all in tears.  I mean all of us who were sufficiently awake to realize the fact that it was a deathbed.  His description of the last agony has clearly lost nothing in poignancy, for Desire came home quite pale.  I wonder if you have noticed, Benis, that Desire is looking somewhat less robust?  Doctor, now that she is not here—­”

“Now that she is not here, we will not discuss her,” said Spence firmly.

“Indeed!  And may I ask why you wish to stop me, Benis?  I am speaking to a qualified medical man, am I not?  But there,” with resignation, “I never can expect to understand the present generation.  So lax on one hand, so squeamish on the other.  Surely it is perfectly proper that I, her Aunt—­oh, very well, Benis, if you are determined to be silly.”

“Now with regard to the Rev. McClintock,” put in the doctor hastily.  “Do you really think that he is sufficiently in touch with modern views to—­to—­oh, dash it! what was I saying?”

“You were interrupting me when I was telling Benis—­”

“Oh yes.  I remember.  We were talking about new ideas.  And you suggested heresy.  But you must remember that, in my profession, new ideas are not called heresy—­except when they are very new.  What would you think of me if I doctored exactly as my father did before me?”

“When you are half as capable as your father, young man, I may discuss that with you.”

“One for you!’’ said Benis gleefully.