He played with a loose curl of hair, thinking what a pretty little fool she was. "Maudie dear, I'm going away." "Do you mean for _good_?" "I'm afraid so, darling." She opened her eyes wide and puckered up her forehead. She looked very nice, and he kissed her again. "I don't understand," she said. "Well, the fact is the guvnor has stopped supplies, and I'm sent down." "And you're going to leave _me_?... and we've had such an awfully jolly time ... oh, you cruel boy!" And she began to sob. He grinned perplexedly over her head. " ... Never mind, dearest, I'll write to you and come down and see you soon." "I don't know _what_ I shall do.... I l-liked you s-so much better than the others.... _Don't_ go." "But, Maudie, I must. Look here, I will come in after lunch and arrange things properly. I'm in a fearful hurry now, and I shan't go till to-morrow." "Really!" "Oh, rather; now give me a B. and S. I really must depart." She got up from his knee, and went behind the counter in the corner of the room. "I'm going to have some first," she said. "You're a naughty little girl!" "Am I? you rather like it, don't you?" ... She looked tempting when she smiled. "May I?" "You've had such a lot!" "Just one to keep me going till after lunch." "Stupid boy; well, there----" "That was ve-ry nice. Good-bye for the present, dear." She made a little mock curtsey. "I shall expect you at two ... dear!" He kissed his hand and shut the door, breathing a sigh of relief when he got outside. "She won't see me again. I'm well out of that," he thought, his cheeks still burning with her hot kisses. "Now for the worst ordeal." Father Gray came out of the private chapel of the clergy-house in his cassock and biretta. He had been hearing the somewhat long confession of an innocuous but unnecessary Keble man, and felt inclined to be irritable. He met Gobion going up to his room. His pale lined face lighted up--most people's faces did when they saw Gobion. "You here, dear boy? Come in--come into my room." He opened the door, and went in with his hand on Gobion's shoulder. The room was panelled in dark green, and warmed by a gas stove. The shelves were filled with books, and books littered the floor and chairs, and even invaded two big writing-tables covered with papers. Over the mantelpiece was hung a print of Andrea Mantegna's Adoration of the Magi. On the wall opposite was a great crucifix, while underneath it was a little shelf covered with worn black velvet, with two silver candlesticks standing on it. Behind a green curtain stood an iron frame, holding a basin and jug of water. All the great Anglican priests had been in that room at one time or another. From it retreats were organized, the innumerable squabbles of the various sisterhoods settled, and arrangements made for the private confession of High Church bishops who required a tonic.