"In frankness, I hardly know what to think," replied Hemstead.

"Frank is your name, is it not?"

"Yes."

"It seems appropriate. I hope you won't judge me too harshly."

"The danger is the other way, I fear," he said laughing.

"Well, one of your profession ought to be charitable. But I might
naturally expect to be disapproved of by one so good and wise as
you are."

"Why do you think me 'good and wise'?"

"Because you are a minister, if for no other reason."

"I am also a man."

"Yes," she said innocently. "You are quite grown up."

He looked at her quickly; her demure face puzzled him, and he said,
"I fear you think I am overgrown."

"And I fear you don't care what I think. Men of your profession
are superior to the world."

"Really, I shall think you are sarcastic, if you talk in that way
any more." But she looked so serious that he half believed she was