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John Ward, Preacher by Margaret Wade Campbell Deland
page 76 of 448 (16%)
After all, love is frequently a matter of propinquity.

Dick found himself going often to the rectory, and Lois fell into the
habit of making her plans with the reservation, "In case Mr. Forsythe
calls;" and it generally happened that he did call. "Mother sends her
love, and will Miss Lois come and read to her a little while this
afternoon, if she is not too busy?" or, "Mother returns this dish, and
begs me to thank you for the jelly, and to tell Jean how good it was."

It was easy for Dick to manufacture errands like these. Dr. Howe began to
think young Forsythe spent the greater part of his time at the rectory.
But this did not trouble him at all; in fact it was a satisfaction that
this lively young man liked the rectory so much. Dr. Howe did not go very
far into the future in his thoughts; he was distinctly flattered in the
present. Of course, if anything came of it (for the rector was not
entirely unworldly), why, it would be all for the best. So he was quite
patient if Lois was not on hand to hunt up a book for him or to fetch
his slippers, and he fell into the habit of spending much time in Mr.
Denner's office, looking over the "Field" and talking of their next
hunting trip. He was not even irritated when, one morning, wishing to
read a letter to his daughter, he had gone all over the house looking
for her, and then had caught a glimpse of her through the trees, down in
the sunny garden, with Dick Forsythe. "I'll just let that letter wait,"
he said, and went and stretched himself comfortably on the slippery,
leather-covered sofa in the shaded library, with a paper in his hand and
a satisfied smile on his lips.

The garden was ablaze with color, and full of all sorts of delicious
scents and sounds. The gay old-fashioned flowers poured a flood of
blossoms through all the borders: hollyhocks stood like rockets against
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