"The fact is, Lady Adela, the Archdeacon asked me to come round this afternoon and warn Mr.--Mr.--" he was uncertain of Mr. Mainwaring’s exact status and title, so decided to hedge--"your husband, about the First Lesson in to-morrow morning’s service. The Arch-deacon--" "Be seated, Mr. Rylands," said Lady Adela, in the voice which she reserved for golfers, politicians, and other people who attempted to talk shop in her presence. "My husband will be downstairs presently. This is my--" "The Archdeacon," continued the conscientious Rylands, "thinks it would be better to substitute an alternative Lesson--" At this point his walking-stick, which he had after several efforts succeeded in leaning against the corner of the mantelpiece, fell a second time upon the floor, and a further hail of apology followed. "--An alternative Lesson to-morrow morning," he resumed pertinaciously, "in view of the fact that certain passages--" "This is my daughter Sylvia," said Lady Adela coldly. "Oh, I beg your pardon!" exclaimed the curate to Sylvia, starting up and dropping his hat. "I did n’t see you. My glasses are rather dimmed by the rain. I have come here," he recommenced rapidly, evidently hoping for a more receptive auditor this time, "at the request of the Arch-deacon, to see Mr.--your father--about an alteration in the First Lesson to-morrow--" "I don’t think you need trouble, Mr. Rylands," replied the dutiful Sylvia. "My father will probably read the wrong Lesson in any case." "Who is taking my name in vain?" enquired the playful voice of Mr. Mainwaring, as its owner, newly kempt, descended the stairs. "This is Mr. Rylands, Abel, who has recently come among us," said Lady Adela. "To assist the Archdeacon," she added, with feeling. Mr. Mainwaring shook hands with characteristic friendliness. "Welcome to Shotley Beauchamp, Mr. Rylands!" he said warmly. "Thank you, sir, very much," replied the curate, flushing with pleasure. "I have called," he continued with unabated enthusiasm--evidently he saw port ahead at last--"at the request of the Archdeacon, with reference to the First Lesson at Matins to-morrow. One of those rather characteristic Old Testament passages--" "Mr. Rylands," interposed Lady Adela, with the air of one who cannot stand this sort of thing much longer, "how many lumps of sugar do you take?" "Four, please," replied Mr. Rylands absently, with his finger in Mr. Mainwaring’s buttonhole. Lady Adela’s eyebrows rose an eighth of an inch. "Four, did you say?" The curate came suddenly to himself. "I beg your pardon," he said cringingly, "I meant none." "Then why did you specify four, Mr. Rylands?" enquired Sylvia, who disliked what she called "vague" people. "Well, the fact is," explained the curate, in a burst of shy confidence--"I always take four when I am alone in my lodgings. But when I go out to tea anywhere, four always seems such a fearful lot to ask for, that--oh, I beg your pardon!"