For Winifred had turned a quivering face toward her brother.
"I didn't, Hubert," she said. "There was no grace in my heart." And then she hastened up the stairs to her room.
"Hm-m!" said Hubert reflectively, and repeated the observation at intervals until dinner was served.
CHAPTER II
THE HOUSE OF GRAY
The family gathered for dinner with its usual decorum. Winifred sat
opposite the young minister, and Hubert was beside him. Mr. Robert
Gray carved the turkey with his usual skill and the sharpest of knives.
He began his anticipated discussion with the preacher:
"Your sermon fitted pretty closely to-day, Mr. Bond," he said, as he separated a joint successfully.
"Did it really?" said Mr. Bond, with a smile that lit up a singularly pleasant face. "I am glad to hear it. That is what sermons are for, I believe?"
"Just so," said Mr. Gray, and he added with a little chuckle of enjoyment, "I like it—I like it. We need it, I assure you. There is no question about that. Why, Winnie, not a bit of the fowl? You are losing your appetite, child. Yes, sir, we need to be stirred up. If there is anything I believe in, it is sincerity. But now, don't you think, Mr. Bond, that you put it just a little grain too stiff?"
"In what way, Mr. Gray?"