Even others who did not know Gregory could not prevent a broad smile at the incongruous hymn he had chosen, but they unitedly wailed it through, for he persisted in singing it all in the most dirge-like manner. They gave him credit for doing the best he could, and supposed his unhappy choice resulted from haste and embarrassment. In the spontaneity of social meetings people become accustomed to much that is not harmonious. Mr. Walton was puzzled. His guest was certainly appearing in an unexpected role, and he feared that all was not right. After the meeting the brethren gathered round Gregory and thanked him for his assistance, and he shook hands with them and the elderly ladies present with the manner of one who might have been a "pillar in the temple." Many of them remembered his father and mother and supposed their mantle had fallen on him. An ancient "mother in Israel" thanked him that he had "started a tune that they all could sing, instead of the new-fangled ones the young people are always getting up nowadays. But," said she, "I wish you could learn us that pretty one you first sang, for it took my fancy amazingly. I think I must have heard it before somewhere." Gregory gave Annie another of his suggestive glances, that sent her out hastily into the darkness, and a moment later he joined her at the carriage steps. CHAPTER XII FOILED IN ONE DIRECTION Gregory lifted Miss Walton very tenderly into the carriage and took his place by her side, while her father was detained by some little matter of business. "I am not an invalid," said Annie, rather curtly. "Indeed you are not, Miss Walton; from your super-abundance you are even giving life to me." "I thought from your manner you feared I was about to faint," she answered, dryly. Mr. Walton joined them and they started homeward. "Come, Miss Annie," said Gregory (addressing her thus for the first time); "why so distant? Was I not called a brother in the meeting? If I am a brother you are a sister. I told you I would secure this relationship." She did not answer him. "I think it was too bad," he continued, "that you did not second my efforts better. You would not help me sing either of the tunes I started." "Mr. Gregory," said Annie, emphatically, "I will never go to a prayer-meeting with you again." "What a rash resolve! But I confess that I preferred to have you stay at home with me." "You have spoiled the whole evening for me." "And you spoiled mine. So we are quits," he replied, laughingly. "No, we are not. How can you turn sacred things into a jest?" "I was possessed to see a smile light up the awful gravity of your face, and I feel amply repaid in that I succeeded. It was a delicious bit of sunshine on a cloudy day." "And I am provoked at myself beyond measure, that I could have laughed like a silly child." "But did you not like the first tune I sang? 'Old Hundred' was selected in deference to the wishes of the meeting."