"Then," said Mark, "I am forgiven for my failure to call, for I left you free for the more important things."
Father Murray laughed. "You are quite a master in the art of making excuses, my dear Mark. You are forgiven, so far as I am concerned. But I am not the only one who has been neglected."
"That is true, Father. Won't you let me walk with you? I want to speak about a matter of importance."
So the friends walked along the main street of Sihasset and out toward the Bluff Road. Mark was silent for a long time, wondering how he could approach the subject. When he spoke he went directly to the point:
"Father, you know that I love Miss Atheson?"
"Yes."
"You approve?"
"Decidedly."
"But I am not of her faith."
"You are. Lax you may be in practice, but you are too good to stay long satisfied with present conditions. I am frank, my dear Mark."