Mr. Walton was puzzled. His guest was certainly appearing in an unexpected role, and he feared that all was not right.
After the meeting the brethren gathered round Gregory and thanked him for his assistance, and he shook hands with them and the elderly ladies present with the manner of one who might have been a "pillar in the temple." Many of them remembered his father and mother and supposed their mantle had fallen on him.
An ancient "mother in Israel" thanked him that he had "started a tune that they all could sing, instead of the new-fangled ones the young people are always getting up nowadays. But," said she, "I wish you could learn us that pretty one you first sang, for it took my fancy amazingly. I think I must have heard it before somewhere."
Gregory gave Annie another of his suggestive glances, that sent her out hastily into the darkness, and a moment later he joined her at the carriage steps.
CHAPTER XII
FOILED IN ONE DIRECTION
Gregory lifted Miss Walton very tenderly into the carriage and took his place by her side, while her father was detained by some little matter of business.
"I am not an invalid," said Annie, rather curtly.
"Indeed you are not, Miss Walton; from your super-abundance you are even giving life to me."
"I thought from your manner you feared I was about to faint," she answered, dryly.