"It seems to me I would like to be a member of your Church," said the girl, artlessly, at which interesting stage of the conversation, Rev. Fitzallan entered, who greeted the party stiffly, his brow having a distinct frown as he looked at the westerner.
"Pardon me," said the Clergyman, after a few commonplaces had passed, "but we 'gather wisdom by the wayside,' and I have just acquired some information from that source concerning our friend here from the wilds, and as it surprised me, I thought it might equally surprise the rest of you, himself included, perhaps."
Evidently the churchman had been engaged in the questionable calling of picking up stray scraps of gossip here and there, containing as usual some truth mixed with much error. There was obviously trouble ahead.
"Anything concerning me is not apt to be of sufficient consequence to be very interesting," said Mr. Durant, "and having already stated all I thought worth saying about myself and my errand, there can be little or nothing that is surprising, I am sure."
"Is it not a fact that you are from Salt Lake City?"
"It is."
"It is! Why you never informed us of this and yet you have been associated with us several days."
"Indeed! May I ask you, Mrs. Marshall, and you, Miss Marshall, what part of the country our friend here comes from?"
The ladies did not know.
"Indeed! Why sir, you have been associated with this family several weeks, and yet they do not know what particular point you came from. Perhaps like myself, you were never asked."