"Yes, I think we ought to do our best to console him. Don't you think he might go away for a month, Archibald?"
Mr. Dryland came to tea, and the Vicar's wife surrounded him with little attentions. She put an extra lump of sugar in his tea, and cut him even a larger piece of seed-cake than usual.
"Of course you've heard, Mr. Dryland?" she said, solemnly.
"Are you referring to Miss Clibborn's engagement to Captain Parsons?" he asked, with a gloomy face. "Bad news travels fast."
"You have all our sympathies. We did everything we could for you."
"I can't deny that it's a great blow to me. I confess I thought that time and patience on my part might induce Miss Clibborn to change her mind. But if she's happy, I cannot complain. I must bear my misfortune with resignation."
"But will she be happy?" asked Mrs. Jackson, with foreboding in her voice.
"I sincerely hope so. Anyhow, I think it my duty to go to Captain Parsons and offer him my congratulations."
"Will you do that, Mr. Dryland?" cried Mrs. Jackson. "That is noble of you!"
"If you'd like to take your holiday now, Dryland," said the Vicar, "I daresay we can manage it."