"Thinking about yesterday?" Dr. Lavendar repeated puzzled. David
offered no explanation, and the old minister searched his memory for
any happening of interest after church ... but found none. He had come
out of the vestry and in the church David had joined him, following
him down the aisle to the door and waiting close behind him through
the usual Sunday greetings: "Morning, Sam!" "Good morning, Dr.
Lavendar." "How are you, Ezra? How many drops of water make the mighty
ocean, Ezra?" "The amount of water might be estimated in tons, Dr.
Lavendar, but I doubt whether the number of minims could be compu--"
"Hullo! there's Horace; how d'ye do, Horace? How's Jim this
morning?"--and so on; the old friendly greetings of all the friendly
years.... Surely nothing in them to make the child thoughtful?

Suddenly David got up and came and stood beside him.

"What is your name?"

"N. or M.," Dr. Lavendar replied.

"What, sir?" said David, in a troubled voice; and Dr. Lavendar was
abashed.

"My name is Edward Lavendar, sir. Why do you want to know?"

"Because, yesterday everybody said 'Dr. Lavendar.' I didn't think
Doctor could be your front name. All the other people had front
names."

"Well, I have a front name, David, but you see, there's nobody in Old
Chester to call me by it." He sighed slightly, and then he smiled.