Apparently the need of such affectionate stimulant was strong in Mrs.Beecher.

When Hyacinth hung back, she left him for her husband, put her arms round his neck, and kissed him heartily on both cheeks.
'Isn't it fortunate,' she said, 'that you saw Dr.Henry last week while you were in Dublin?
You little thought how important that talk with him was going to turn out--I mean, of course, important for us.

It always was important for Mr .-- I mean for Hyacinth.' The Canon seemed a little embarrassed.

He cleared his throat somewhat unnecessarily, and then said: 'I haven't mentioned that matter yet.' 'Not mentioned Dr.Henry's offer! Then, what have you been talking about all this time ?' It did not seem necessary to tell Mrs.Beecher all that had been said, or to repeat the scene in the study for her benefit.

The Canon cleared his throat again.
'I was in Dublin last week attending a meeting of the Scriptural Schools Society, and I met Dr.Henry.We were talking about the Quinns.