“Damn!” said the Vicar, under his breath. He had never used the word since he had taken orders. It shows you how an Angel’s visit may disorganize a man.
He stood under the verandah watching the carriage drive away. The world seemed coming to pieces about him. Had he lived a virtuous celibate life for thirty odd years in vain? The things of which these people thought him capable! He stood and stared at the green cornfield opposite, and down at the straggling village. It seemed real enough. And yet for the first time in his life there was a queer doubt of its reality. He rubbed his chin, then turned and went slowly upstairs to his dressing-room, and sat for a long time staring at a garment of some yellow texture. “Know his father!” he said. “And he is immortal, and was fluttering about his
