There was nothing but Prayer-time to look forward to.
He began to fidget again. He filled his pipe and thought better about smoking it. Then he rang the bell for his glass of water.
After more delay than was at all necessary Essy appeared, bringing the glass of water on a plate.
She came in, soft-footed, almost furtive, she who used to enter so suddenly and unabashed. She put the plate down on the roll-top desk and turned softly, furtively, away.
The Vicar looked up. His eyes were large and blue as suspicion drew in the black of their pupils.
"Put it down here," he said, and he indicated the ledge of the bureau.
Essy stood still and stared like a half-wild creature in doubt as to its way. She decided to make for the bureau by rounding the roll-top desk on the far side, thus approaching her master from behind.
"What are you doing?" said the Vicar. "I said, Put it down here."
Essy turned again and came forward, tilting the plate a little in her nervousness. The large blue eyes, the stern voice, fascinated her, frightened her.
The Vicar looked at her steadily, remorselessly, as she came.