His light tenor voice sounded almost denunciatory, as if he had a right to demand an explanation of Malling's presence in Mr. Harding's house, and as he came away quickly from the window, he repeated, with still more emphasis:
"You are here!"
"Lunching—yes," replied Malling, imperturbably.
He looked at Chichester and smiled.
"You have no objection, I hope?"
His words and manner evidently brought the curate to a sense of his own unconventionality. He held out his hand.
"I beg your pardon. Your coming in surprised me. I had no idea"—his blue eyes went searchingly over Malling's calm face—"that you could be here. I thought you and the rector were complete strangers till I introduced you yesterday."
"So we were."
Malling sat down comfortably on a sofa. His action evidently recalled
Chichester's mind to the fact that he was to see the rector.
"Isn't the rector coming to see me?" he asked.