Daniels home for the bridal reception, but David said, "Tell him to
take us to the manse first, Carol. I've got to rest a minute. I'm
tired to-night."

In the living-room of the manse he carefully removed the handsome black
coat in which he had been graduated from the Seminary in Chicago, and
in which a little later he had been ordained for the ministry and
installed in his church in the Heights. Still later he had worn it at
his marriage. David hung it over the back of a chair, saying as he did
so:

"Wearing pretty well, isn't it? It may be called upon to officiate in
other crises for me, so it behooves me to husband it well."

Then he dropped heavily on the davenport before the fireplace, with
Carol crouching on a cushion beside him, stroking his hand.

"Let's not go to the reception," she said. "We've congratulated them a
dozen times already."

"Oh, we've got to go," he answered. "They would be disappointed.
We'll only stay a few minutes. Just as soon as I rest--I am played out
to-night--it is only a step."

They slipped among the guests at the reception quietly and
unobtrusively, but were instantly surrounded.

"A good service, David," said Mr. Daniels, eying him keenly. "You make
such a pretty job of it I'd like to try it over myself."