“YOU are very thoughtful, Miss Jopling.”
The speaker was Bob from London. He was at her elbow. His voice was low and insinuating. She woke up suddenly.
“Oh, how you startled me!” she exclaimed.
“You were so absorbed that you failed to notice my approach,” he remarked, smiling.
She was confused; a little agitated.
“I am afraid; really—I—oh, upon my word, I am silly. But the fact is I’ve just heard something that has set me pondering.”
“Umph! Just so. Known that gentleman long?”
“Which gentleman?” she asked, her confusion increasing.
“Mr. Ralph Tinker.”
“Oh, yes. Well, you see, Ministerfield is a small place, and everybody knows everybody else. And I sing in the choir of the church he attends, so we often meet.”
“Interesting, very. Any adders in this wood, Miss Jopling?”
The abrup
