Tea was ready, with its usual cheer of eatables and pleasant faces; not quite with its usual flow of talk. Mrs. Derrick certainly had something bewildering on her mind, for she even looked at her guest two or three times when he was looking at her. The pond lilies were alone in the twilight parlour. That was probably the reason why Lucinda introduced Parson Somers into the tea-room, the parson happening to call at this identical time. Parson Somers was always in a genial state of mind;--always, at least, whenever he came into Mrs. Derrick's parlour; by the testimony of numbers it was the same in many other parlours. He came in so now; gave a smile all round; and took an empty chair and place at the table like one who found it pleasant. "Well, I declare, Mrs. Derrick," said Mr. Somers when he was seated,--"I don't think there's--a--a more cheerful room in Pattaquasset than this one; why, you always have everything agreeable here. A cup of tea, now--I didn't expect it" "Why we always _do_ have tea, Mr. Somers," said Mrs. Derrick, "but it don't seem strong to-night. Lucindy--take the teapot and make some fresh." "These baked apples are strong--in numbers at least," said Mr. Linden, as he bestowed one upon Mr. Somers. "Thank you!--it's all strong enough, Mrs. Derrick--thank you!--very good. And Mr. Linden--how are you--a--getting along with your juvenile charge? Confining work, sir,--isn't it?" "Rather, sir--to the body." "Not to the mind, eh? Well--I should have thought that to a gentleman like you it would prove--a--_more_ deleterious to the mental faculties. But I suppose you find yourself rewarded by your pupils' improvement and--regard!" "Yes sir--their regard is very precious to me," was the quiet reply. "I should think so! Why there's that boy Reuben Taylor--strange father that boy has--fisherman;--I met that boy this evening, in the street, and he was crying,--down a little below here--he was going home. I asked him--ha--if Mr. Linden had been dealing hardly with him?--and I declare!--I didn't know but Reuben would have attacked me on the spot." "Has Mr. Linden a character in the village for cruelty?" said Faith. "I--I declare--not that I know of, Miss Faith. I should think it could not be deserved. That boy's attachment is certainly--ha--very warm. My dear Mrs. Derrick, how well Miss Faith is looking! She always looks well; but to-night--ha--the colour of her cheeks is--to be remarked." "You will get a character for cruelty, Miss Faith," said Mr. Linden, "if you ask about my character before my face." Faith looked up as if she would willingly have asked a question; but that being in present circumstances impossible, she merely uttered a quiet little 'no,' and went on with her tea and with a colour still further improved, A quiet little 'yes,' of about equal prominence, did not divert the attention of Mr. Somers from his own remarks.