"—and may the blessing of God Almighty and His Son Jesus Christ remain with you always. Amen."
The young priest, followed by his assistant, moved across the chancel. Every head bowed before his going. There was a moment of silence, as if the earth had stilled, while God Himself went back to His own; then a rustle and people rose.
Martha and Jean were the first out. Jean slipped her arm into her mother's.
"Mummy, I'm terribly disappointed, but that belated Christmas present isn't done yet. You can't have it before Tuesday."
Martha pressed Jean's arm.
"I've had my present, Jeany, and it's made me wonderfully happy."
Jean smiled down at her. They walked along quickly for a few blocks, and then Martha said:
"Which do you think Mary would like better, Jean, chestnut dressing for the turkey, or just plain?"
CHAPTER THIRTY
In March, before the actual building of the tenements began, Jean and Gregory went away for a week-end. They had decided on the spur of the moment and taken the train like two truant children. Their plan was to get off wherever it looked attractive and stop at the first farmhouse that would take them in.