"You mustn't mind Teddie talking French to me," said Mrs. Marsh, as she handed him a tea cup. "He thinks it is such a treat for me, as indeed it is, and Teddie is greatly afraid that I might forget how to speak French." "I wish I could follow it all, Mrs. Marsh--you speak French so frenchily," said John, munching toast. He loved her already; there was something so comfortable about her. "Well, you see I was sent to a French school when quite a little girl. "Jolly good thing for me, Mater, wasn't it?" cried Marsh, linking his arm through his mother's. "Why, dear?" "'Cause I shouldn't have been here if you hadn't fallen in love with a red-haired young curate on a walking tour through Provence!" Mrs. Marsh laughed. "You naughty boy--what would your father say if he knew you called him a red-haired curate--his hair was golden then." "That's the usual story--if a man has red hair they say it's golden; if a girl, they call it auburn." "My mother had au-red hair," said John flushing. Mrs. Marsh looked quickly at the boy at her side, mingling her love with admiration of his courage. "Sorry, Scissors--but it can't have been red, for you haven't a freckle. He's jolly good-looking, isn't he, Mother?" John coloured; further confusion was checked by the abrupt opening of the door. A clerical collar told him that it was Mr. Marsh. After the formal introduction John was able to study the Reverend George Marsh while the latter questioned his son. He was a tall man of striking appearance. His hair, although almost white, was thick, and a great wave of it lay over his brow. He had a tanned healthy face and laughing eyes. A smile was never long absent from his face, which was handsome in a broad-featured way. John noticed how large and strong were his hands. He had been a great cricketer in his day, and the athlete still lingered in his frame. He would have been recognised as an English country gentleman in any community, and his geniality was blended with an exquisite courtesy. Of the parson there was not a trace, and when afterwards he appeared without a clerical collar, there was no indication whatever that he was anything but a full-blooded English gentleman fond of his horse and his pipe.