Hester shook her head. "I have no mother. He came as my guest, and that evening--for he never spent more than one night with us--we talked for a long while. He knew, of course, that I was a schoolmistress; and he began to mock at some things in which I believe very deeply. He did it to try me, perhaps. I don't know whether he came meaning to try me, or seeing me alone in the world, and making ready to leave the old home, he suddenly took this notion into his head. At any rate, I did not guess for a moment; and when he spoke scorn of girls' teaching, I answered him--too hotly, I thought at the time; but it seems that he forgave me." She rose. "I have told you all this, sir, because you say you are in the dark. I am here because Mr. Rosewarne offered me the post. But you seem disposed to deny this; and so in fairness I must consult a friend, if I can find one, or a lawyer perhaps, before showing you the letter." "Wait a moment, please." Hester's story had held a light as it were, though but a faint one, to an unexplored passage in old Rosewarne's life; and to Mr. Sam every unexplored corner in that life was now to be suspected. "You jump to conclusions, Miss Marvin. I merely meant to say that as my father's executor I have to use reasonable caution. Might I inquire your age? Excuse me, I know that ladies--" "I am twenty-five," she struck in sharply. "Married, or unmarried?" "Unmarried." "You will excuse me for saying that I am surprised. A young person of your attractiveness--" "Have you any more questions, sir?" "Eh?--ah, to be sure! Qualifications?" Hester briefly enumerated these. He did not appear to be listening, but sat eyeing her abstractedly, while he rattled the point of the paper-knife between his Upper and lower teeth. "Yes, yes--quite satisfactory. Religious views?" "I beg your pardon?" "Religious views?" "If you really think that a necessary question, I was baptised and brought up in the Church of England." "Not a bigoted Churchwoman, I hope?" "Not bigoted, I certainly hope," Hester answered demurely. "I feel sure of it," said Mr. Sam, rising gallantly. "In the matter of so-called apostolic succession, for instance--" But here there came a tap at the door, and Elizabeth Jane, the housemaid, announced that Parson Endicott had called. "Show him in," ordered Mr. Sam promptly, and at the same time--having suddenly made up his mind--he flung Hester an insufferably confidential glance, which seemed to say, "Never mind _him_; you and I are in the same boat." Parson Endicott suffered from shortness of sight and a high parsonic manner. He paused on the threshold to wipe his eyeglasses, adjusted them on his nose, and gazing around the room, cleared his throat as if about to address a congregation. "Good-day, parson." Mr. Sam saluted him amiably, still without rising. "You've come in the nick of time. I have just been chatting with Miss Marvin here--our new schoolmistress."