He returned to the library still frowning, very angry, but really thankful for any diversion which seemed to lead from an offensive discussion.
"Wonder what's up now. Stacey has just called. Wants to see me at once. Coming right over," he explained.
"Church business. I'll go up and see if the children are comfortable. It's very warm," Agatha said innocently as she left the room.
Five minutes later Stacey came in. He looked like a good man whose salvation had been mortgaged for its full value. He parted his long coat-tails and sat down. He regarded Coleman with a watery expression. His mouth was pulled up in the middle and drawn down at the corners.
"I suppose Mrs. Coleman has already informed you?" he began in sepulchral tones.
"About what?" asked Coleman, who warily avoided admitting that he was not in Agatha's confidence.
"About what happened this afternoon at the Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary meeting."
"My wife is still upstairs with the children," he evaded.
"I saw Mrs. Sasnett as soon as it was over. She came straight to me and told me all that had occurred. Really I could not have believed such a thing could happen in a Christian community!" he groaned.
"What did happen? Has that Walton woman garnisheed the missionary collection?" asked Coleman impatiently.