"We shall miss you very much, Mr. Stanton. I hardly know how the children will get along without you."
"Oh, I shall drop in on you one of these days when you're least expecting me."
"Are you going far away?"
"Merely to Rixton."
"Rixton!" Mr. Garton exclaimed.
"Yes, why not? Some one must go there."
"Do you know anything about the place?"
"Very little. I have been told that it is a hard parish, and that the last rector was forced to leave."
"I should say it is. Why, they've killed several men there already, and do you want to be added to the number?"
"Killed them! did you say?" Douglas asked in surprise. "I never heard it was as bad as that."