The statement was received by the night—critical, attent—in a silence so deep that it seemed quizzical.
On his way home he felt rather dismayed at his task, because he saw that in making Hazel happy he must make his mother unhappy.
'Ah, well, it'll all come right,' he thought, 'for He is love, and He will help me.'
The sharp staccato sound of a horse cantering came up behind him. It was Reddin returning from a wide detour. He pulled up short.
'Is there any fiddler in your parish, parson?' he inquired.
Edward considered.
'There is one man on the far side of the Mountain.'
'Pretty daughter?'
'No. He is only twenty.'
'Damn!'