The door was then locked, the keys hung on their nail, and so masterful was the ex-Vicar that before he knew where he was Colonel Crofts had written a cheque and shaken hands with his predecessor.
“Well, God bless you,” said the ex-Vicar with a humanity of which Colonel Crofts had hardly thought him capable and which sat well upon his tall bony figure and gaunt face. “May you have a long and happy life here. Come along, Aunt Monica.”
His aunt, much shaken by recent events, but bearing no grudge against Colonel Crofts whom she generously recognized to be innocent of any of the trouble, wished him every happiness.
“Your choice is in perfect accord with the house,” were her parting words. “If blue comes into it, all will be well. Have a stout heart. God bless you.”
She hurried after her n
