'Well, Solomon Barzinsky does,' said the Parnass. 'Go to him instead, then, for I'm past soothing him. Choose!'
'I'll go to Simeon Samuels,' said the preacher gloomily.
X
'It is most kind of you to call,' said Simeon Samuels as he wheeled the parlour armchair towards his reverend guest. 'My wife will be so sorry to have missed you. We have both been looking forward so much to your visit.'
'You knew I was coming?' said the minister, a whit startled.
'I naturally expected a pastoral visit sooner or later.'
'I'm afraid it is later,' murmured the minister, subsiding into the chair.
'Better late than never,' cried Simeon Samuels heartily, as he produced a bottle from the sideboard. 'Do you take it with hot water?'
'Thank you—not at all. I am only staying a moment.'