Feathers tilted his hat over his eyes, and the rest of his ugly face looked rather grim.
"I am sorry you overheard," he said constrainedly. "I did get up in 87 the pulpit a bit, I know! And there was no harm in what had happened, really."
She did not speak, and he repeated firmly:
"There was no harm in it at all, Mrs. Lawless."
Marie raised her eyes and laughed with a little hysterical catch in her voice.
"Oh, surely you're not one of those people who think I am jealous of Mrs. Heriot?" she asked.
"Good Lord, no!" He sat up with sudden energy. "Jealous! Of that woman!"
Marie gave a long sigh.
"She thinks I ought to be," she said drearily. "I wonder if she is right?"
Feathers looked angry.