minister.

"Why, it will be delightful--and Rhoda will be so pleased!"
nodded and smiled the minister's wife. But after their caller had
gone she faced the minister with indignant eyes.

"Why did you let her?" she demanded. "Why did you spoil it all by
that?"

"Because she was Miss Olivia," he answered, gently.

"Yes--yes, I suppose so," reluctantly; "but, anyway, you needn't
have let her do it in advance. Actually it made me blush,
Robert!"

The minister rubbed his cheeks tentatively. "Made me, too," he
admitted, "but I respect Miss Olivia so much--"

The minister's wife tacked abruptly to her other source of
indignation.

"Why doesn't she TAKE Rebecca Mary? Robert, wait! You know it
isn't because--You know better!"

"It isn't because, dear--I know better," he hurried, assuringly.
The minister was used to her little indignations and loved them
for being hers. They were harmless, too, and wont to have a good
excuse for being. This one, now--the minister in his heart
wondered that Miss Olivia did not take Rebecca Mary.