Mr. Black felt as he said it that this sentiment was for him inadequate, but he was relieved that Annette did not appear to find it so. She smiled and said—
"It certainly is the pleasantest meal in the day."
At this moment, the Miss Blinketts and I saw, as I have already told you, the legs of the Vicar pass up the lane outlined against a lilac skirt. We watched them pass in silence, and then Miss Blinkett said solemnly—
"If anything should come of that, if he should eventually make up his mind to marry, I consider Annette would be in every way a worthy choice."
"Papa was always against a celibate clergy," said Miss Amy, as if that settled the question.
Annette and her possible future had nearly reached the Vicarage when a dogcart passed them which she recognized as the one she had seen at Red Riff. The man in it waved his hand to Mr. Black.
"That was Mr. Reginald Stirling, the novelist," Mr. Black volunteered.
"The man who wrote The Magnet?"
"Yes. He has rented Noyes Court from Lady Louisa. I hear he never attends divine service at Noyes, but I am glad to say he has been to Riff several times lately. I am afraid Bartlett's sermons are not calculated to attract an educated man."