Steps were heard on the sparse planking which served for sidewalk between Beachcrest and the road to Crystalia.
The minister, rising quickly, began rubbing his hands together. "It must be Mr. Barry," he said.
Mrs. Needham appeared at the cottage door, as though bidden by some psychic intelligence. "Are they here?" she asked excitedly.
"I can't see yet, for the shrubbery. But I think I hear Louise's voice."
"I see her," Miss Whitcom advised them from her position on the steps. "And what's more," she added, while her sister hastily patted and preened herself, "I see him also!"
"Mr. Barry?"
"Um. Rather tall. Not exactly bad looking.... But," she added darkly, "they're walking ever so far apart!"
What did she mean by that? The Rev. Needham glanced a little nervously at his wife and unconsciously began humming the Invocation.
They arrived. Lynndal was presented to Mrs. Needham, then to Miss Whitcom. He was, of course, very warmly greeted by the minister.
Louise looked troubled....