"It was the sexton," said the professor; "he ought to have had a medieval costume. I must tell Wharton to-night to invent one for him. Hazard has asked me to come round to his rooms, because he thinks I am an unprejudiced observer and will tell him the exact truth. Now what am I to say?" "Tell him," said the aunt, "that he looked like a Christian martyr defying the beasts in the amphitheater, and George, you are one of them. Between you and your Uncle William I wonder how Esther and I keep any religion at all." "It is not enough to save you, Aunt Sarah," replied the professor. "You might just as well go with us, for if the Church is half right, you haven't a chance." "Just now I must go with my husband, who is not much better than you," she replied. "He must have his luncheon, church or no church. Good-by." So she departed, notifying Esther that the next day there was to be at her house a meeting of the executive committee of the children's hospital, which Esther must be careful to attend. When she was out of the room the professor turned to his uncle and said: "Seriously, Uncle William, I wish you knew Stephen Hazard. He is a pleasant fellow in or out of the pulpit, and would amuse you. If you and Esther will come to tea some afternoon at my rooms, I will get Hazard and Wharton and Aunt Sarah there to meet you." "Will he preach at me?" asked Mr. Dudley. "Never in his life," replied the professor warmly. "He is the most rational, unaffected parson in the world. He likes fun as much as you or any other man, and is interested in every thing." "I will come if Esther will let me," said Mr. Dudley. "What have you to say about it, Esther?" "I don't think it would hurt you, father. George's building has an elevator." "I didn't mean that, you watch-dog. I meant to ask whether you wanted to go to George's tea party?" "I should like it of all things. Mr. Hazard won't hurt me, and I always like to meet Mr. Wharton." "Then I will ask both of them this evening for some day next week or the week after, and will let you know," said George. "Is he easily shocked?" asked Mr. Dudley. "Am I to do the old-school Puritan with him, or what?"