The Vicar appeared to be sincerely shocked by what she said. He apologized for having possibly, owing to his own stupidity, given pain and said how delightful it was to think that Editha Cottage would have such charming tenants. If any poor words of his, he added, could be of avail in their grief, it would be not only his duty but his privilege——
“No, Dunstan. Not prayers for the dead,” said the Vicar’s aunt in a piercing aside. “Un-English.”
“You know quite well, Aunt Monica,” said the Vicar, “that the Bishop does not approve of them. Of course if you are on his side there is no more to be said.”
He folded his long bony hands, finger-tip to finger-tip, and gently beat the air with his right leg which was crossed over his left leg. There was a short uncomfortable silence which even Kate
