parishioner, who was principal judge, chief exhibitor, and organizer of
the show. The exhibits must be there by ten; but Edward did not care in
the least how many hours he spent there. The day was only darkened for
him by one thing.

When the trap came round, and Hazel climbed in joyously, Edward forgot
the exhibits. He would have gone off without them had not Martha come
flying down the path shouting:

'Mr. Ed'ard! Mr. Ed'ard! Nineteen six! Nineteen nine! Jam!'

'What for's Martha cursing?' asked Hazel.

Edward, looking round, saw his mother's face in the doorway, dismayed,
surprised, wounded. He jumped out and ran up the path.

'Oh, mother! How could I?' he said miserably.

Mrs. Marston looked up; her mouth, that had fallen in a little,
trembling pitifully, and her eyes smarting with the thick, painful
tears of age.

'It wasn't you, my dear,' she said; 'you never forget; it was--the
young woman.'

One's god must at all hazards go clear of blame.

Edward kissed her, but with reserve, and when he got into the trap he
put an arm protectingly round Hazel.