Lady Laura cried out her dismay and disappointment, and Mrs. Stapleton played chorus. It was _too_ tiresome, they said, _too_ provoking, particularly just now, when "Annie" was so complacent. (Mrs. Stapleton explained kindly to the two young gentlemen that "Annie" was a spirit who had lately made various very interesting revelations.) What was to be done? Were there no other rooms? Mr. Vincent shook his head. It was too late, he said, to make arrangements now. While the ladies continued to buzz, and Mr. Jamieson to listen from the extreme edge of his chair, Laurie continued to make mental comments. He felt distinctly puzzled by the marked difference between the prophet and his disciples. These were so shallow; this so impressive by the most ordinary of all methods, and the most difficult of imitation, that is, by sheer human personality. He could not grasp the least common multiple of the two sides. Yet this man tolerated these women, and, indeed, seemed very kind and friendly towards them. He seemed to possess that sort of competence which rises from the fact of having well-arranged ideas and complete certitude about them. And at last a pause came. Mr. Vincent set down his cup for the second time, refused buttered bun, and waited. "Yes, do smoke, Mr. Vincent." The man drew out his cigarette-case, smiling, offering it to the two men. Laurie took one; the clergyman refused. "And now, Mr. Vincent." Again he smiled, in a half-embarrassed way. "But no speeches, I think you said," he remarked. "Oh! well, you know what I mean; just like friends, you know. Treat us all like that." Mrs. Stapleton rose, came nearer the circle, rustled down again, and sank into an elaborate silence. "Well, what is it these gentlemen wish to hear?" "Everything--everything," cried Lady Laura. "They claim to know nothing at all." Laurie thought it time to explain himself a little. He felt he would not like to take this man at an unfair advantage. "I should just like to say this," he said. "I have told Mrs. Stapleton already. It is this. I must confess that so far as I am concerned I am not a believer. But neither am I a skeptic. I am just a real agnostic in this matter. I have read several books; and I have been impressed. But there's a great deal in them that seems to me nonsense; perhaps I had better say which I don't understand. This materializing business, for instance.... I can understand that the minds of the dead can affect ours; but I don't see how they can affect matter--in table-rapping, for instance, and still more in appearing, and our being able to touch and see them.... I think that's my position," he ended rather lamely.