The click of the latch brought the Reverend Reginald back to the present with an uncomfortable start.
"Oh," he cried, tumbling out of his chair, "I didn't see the others had got away so quickly. Very kind of you to wait for me, I'm sure—very—we must lose no time in joining the ladies, must we, eh?"
"Only a little, a very little time, Mr. Lambert," replied the Secretary, leaning squarely against the closed door, which formed the sole exit from the room. "Just long enough to ask you one question."
"Really, I'm sure," said the little man, becoming flustered. "Another time perhaps— I should have the greatest pleasure——"
"You have, I know, performed the marriage ceremony in the last few days," began Stanley calmly.
"To be sure—yes, certainly—but this—permit me to suggest, is hardly the place to discuss my parochial duties."
"Of course anyone married from this house would have to be married by you."
"I'm in charge of this living, Mr. Stanley, there is no one else."
"I know that, and also that your nearest colleague—excuse me if I use a professional term—is some distance off."
"Fifteen miles. And now that I've answered all of your questions, let us waste no more time before joining the ladies."