"I shall not go."
"Why not? You spoke as if you would, this morning."
"I cannot go under the circumstances."
"Why not?" asked Addie, rather sharply.
"Could we take such gifts to a gentleman and lady, Cousin Addie?"
"Well, I suppose not," she answered, reddening.
"I see no proof that this clergyman and his wife are not in the fact that they are compelled to live on six hundred a year. Besides, I have too much respect for the calling."
"Don't you see?" said De Forrest to Addie, in a loud whisper. "'Our craft is in danger.'"
"Your explanation is more crafty than true, Mr. De Forrest," said
Hemstead, looking him straight in the eyes.
"Come," cried Lottie, "my party is not to be broken up. Mr. Hemstead, you need not look so serious or take the matter so much to heart. As you declared once before to-day, we were only 'talking in jest.' You cannot think we would willingly hurt the feelings of your brother clergyman. Surely, if you thought they were serious, it was good of you to stand up for him. We will all give money: that must be the thing the poor man needs most sorely."