Hastings made no reply, but Venna spoke up confidently.
"Dr. Hansom, you certainly know more about these people than I do, but I'm sure that young preacher we met last night is sincere and good."
"How do you know? You scarcely spoke to him."
"O, but don't you think there are some people you meet, you just simply feel are good?"
"There you are, my dear girl," replied her pastor, with a deprecatory wave of the hand. "Led by your emotional nature again! If you don't stifle that tendency, Venna, it will get you into all kinds of trouble."
Venna's direct gaze was unwavering. "I don't say this from any emotion, Dr. Hansom, but Paul says, 'Spiritual things are spiritually discerned' and I felt his spirituality in his look and tone of voice."
"Doubtless you thought you did," returned Dr. Hansom, a little taken aback. "But you are a very young girl to have such decided ideas about spiritual matters. It would be wise to trust to those who have had more experience."
Hastings' brow contracted as he gazed intently into the fire without comment.
Dr. Hansom noticed his expression and disliked his silence, both of which had disconcerted him before.
He arose to go.