Before she could answer the voice of Morris, anxious and irritated, for as the next verse did not follow he concluded that something had gone wrong with the apparatus, rang through the church asking:
“‘Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts, or who hath given understanding to the heart?’”
“Good gracious,” said Mr. Layard. “I had no idea that Monk was here; I left him at the Abbey. Where is he?”
“At the Abbey,” answered Stella, as for the second time the voice of Morris rolled out the question from the Book.
“I don’t understand,” said Stephen, beginning to look frightened; “has it anything to do with his electrical experiments?”
Stella nodded. Then, addressing the instrument, said:
“Please stop reading for a while. Mr. Layard is calling here.”
“Confound him,” came the swift answer. “Let me know when he is gone. He said he was going home,” whereon Stella switched off before worse things happened.
Mr. Layard, who had heard these words, began a confused explanation till Stella broke in.
“Please don’t apologise. You changed your mind, and we all do that; but I am afraid this is a cold place to come to.”