170 The Little Minister

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you misunderstand me less than those who have’
known me longer.” .

This was a perilous confidence, for it at once
made Gavin say “ Babbie.”

“Ah,” she answered, frankly, “I am glad to
hear that. I thought you did not really like me,
because you never called me by my name.”

Gavin drew a great breath.

“ That was not the reason,” he said.

The reason was now unmistakable.

“J was wrong,” said the Egyptian, a little
alarmed ; “ you do not understand me at all.”

She returned to Nanny, and Gavin set off,
holding his head high, his brain in awhirl. Five
minutes afterwards, when Nanny was at the fire,
the diamond ring on her little finger, he came
back, looking like one who had just seen sudden
death.

“T had forgotten,” he said, with a fierceness
aimed at himself, “that to-morrow is the
Sabbath.”

“‘ Need that make any difference?” asked the

uDSye

“At this hour on Monday,” said Gavin,
hoarsely, “I will be at the Kaims.”

He went away without another word, and
Babbie watched him from the window. Nanny
had not looked up from the ring.

“What a pity he is a minister!” the girl said,
reflectively. ‘“ Nanny, you are not listening.”

The old woman was making the ring flash by
the light of the fire.

“Nanny, do you hear me? Did you see Mr.
Dishart come back?”