The truth is, Dan Matthews did not want to meet this woman as a priest, but as a man. He had already learned how the moment the preacher was announced the man was pushed into the background.
While he hesitated she watched him with increasing interest. His words had pleased her; she waited for him to speak again.
"I suppose your profession does keep you from anything like regular church attendance," he said.
"Yes," she answered, "I have found that sick people do not as a rule observe a one-day-in-seven religion. But it is not my professional duties that keep me from church."
"You are not then—"
"Decidedly I am not," she answered.
"Really, you surprise me. I thought of course you were a member of some church."
There was a touch of impatience in her quick reply. "You thought 'of course'? And why of course, please?"
He started to answer, but she went on quickly, "I know why; because I am a woman, the weaker sex!"
It is not possible to describe the fine touch in her voice when she said "the weaker sex." It was so delicately done, that it had none of the coarseness that commonly marks like expressions, when used by some women. Dan was surprised to feel that it emphasized the fineness of her character, as well as its strength.