The doctor, on the contrary, seemed unaccountably to linger.

He even paused to talk to a fat lady in mauve velvet who had mauve cheeks to match.
"So glad to see you in church, Doctor! Young men, you know, are inclined to be young men! And these nice days--very tempting, I'm sure! Is your friend a stranger ?" Callandar gravely introduced Willits, who became immediately convinced that this mauve lady was the most unpleasant person he had ever seen and doubtless the very person to whom the minister had spoken in his sermon.
Why had Callandar let him in for this?
Why was he waiting around for anyway?
There he was, shaking hands with some one else--this time it was the girl who had laughed.
"May I present my friend, Professor Willits, Miss Coombe ?" The girl extended a graceful hand and for an instant the professor was permitted a look into eyes which caused him to set his firm lips somewhat grimly.
"And I know, Willits, you will be delighted to meet our pastor, Mr.
Macnair." A spark began to glow in the professor's eye, but Callandar's face was guileless.

The minister shook hands with professional heartiness, but his gaze, Willits thought, was wandering.

He began to feel interested.
"Very fine day," he remarked imperturbably.
"Lovely, lovely," agreed the minister, still heartily.

The mauve lady was waiting for the pastoral handshake, but he did not notice her.