Samuel shook his head,
"Helen's" said Dr. Lavendar.
The senior warden frowned, then suddenly understood. "Oh, yes, I know all about that. Another evidence of his folly!"
"I've no doubt you feel like spanking him," Dr. Lavendar said sympathetically, "but—" he stopped short. Sam Wright was crimson.
"I! Spank him? I?" He got up, opening and shutting his hands, his face very red. The old minister looked at him in consternation.
"Sam! what on earth is the matter with you? Can't a man have his joke?"
Mr. Wright sat down. He put his hand to his mouth as though to hide some trembling betrayal; his very ears were purple.
Dr. Lavendar apologized profusely. "I was only in fun. I'm sure you know that I meant no disrespect to the boy. I only wanted to cheer you up."
"I understand, sir; it is of no consequence. I—I had something else on my mind. It is of no consequence." The color faded, and his face fell into its usual bleak lines, but his mouth twitched. A minute afterwards he began to speak with ponderous dignity. "This love-making business is, of course, most mortifying to me; and also, no doubt, annoying to Mrs. Richie. To begin with, she is eleven years older than he—he told his mother so. He added, if you please! that he hoped to marry her."
"Well! Well!" said Dr. Lavendar.