“Never mind your afternoon arrangements, my dear; they are generally of a sort that can be altered, for I have something to tell you, something very important. My call has come.”
“Your call, dear. What call? I did not know that you expected anyone—and, by the way——”
She got no further, for her husband interrupted.
“Do not be ridiculous, Dorcas. I said call—not caller, and I use the word in its higher sense.”
“Oh! I understand, forgive me for being so stupid. Have they made you a bishop?”
“A bishop——”
“I mean a dean, or an archdeacon, or something!” she went on confusedly.
“No, Dorcas, they have not. I could scarcely expect promotion as yet, though it is true that I thought—but never mind, others no doubt have better claims and longer service. I have, however, been honoured with a most responsible duty.”
“Indeed, dear. What duty?”
“I have been nominated priest-in-charge of the Sisa Station.”