“By the way, Deacon Crane,” said the minister, who was enjoying in his quiet way the deacon’s misunderstanding, “I am glad you called in. I want to consult you about church matters. Guy wants me to ask for a younger man to share with me the responsibilities of parish work, as a colleague.”
“Mr. Fenwick,” said the deacon, greatly surprised, “you must be aware that the parish cannot afford to pay two ministers. As it is, we are cramped by our agreement to pay you a thousand dollars.”
“For that reason I propose to relinquish my own salary. There will be but one salary to pay.”
“But,” said the deacon, inexpressibly surprised, “how are you going to live?”
“Perhaps I ought to mention that a relative has given me twenty-five thousand dollars. I can live on the income arising from that.”
Deacon Crane looked at the minister with greatly increased respect, for he set high value on worldly prosperity.
“Why, that makes you a rich man, Mr. Fenwick,” he said.
“Indeed, I feel so.”
“But I didn’t know you had any rich relatives.”
“Nor I, till to-day.”