"Indeed, Mr. Fleet, do church members flatter?" said she, secretly
much pleased.

"I did not mean to flatter," said he, flushing. "They who have power
should use it like the All-powerful--gently, considerately."

It was her turn to flush now, and she said, "Oh, I perceive, the
compliment was the sugar-coating of the little homily to follow."

"I have no such diplomacy as you credit me with," said Dennis, looking
straight into her eyes with honest frankness. "I merely spoke my passing
thought."

"But he has fine eyes," said she to herself, and then she said to him:
"Very well, I certainly will give you credit for being superior to
your position. Be ready again to-morrow at the same hour;" and with
a smile somewhat kindly she vanished.

Somehow she seemed to take the light out of the room with her. The
pictures suddenly looked tame and ordinary, and everything commonplace.
Here was an effect not exactly artistic, which he could not understand.
He sighed, he scarcely knew why.

But the day's duties came with a rush, and soon he was utterly absorbed
in them.

That evening Dennis was much cheered by Mr. Bruder's comments on his
sketches.