Page:The unhallowed harvest (1917).djvu/149

144 With charming tact and simplicity Ruth strove to make herself agreeable to the mistress of the house. Her efforts were received coldly at first, but her evident sincerity and her unaffected interest soon brought a response, and it was not long before the two women were conversing pleasantly and without restraint. There was no offer of help, or of charity of any kind, on the part of the guest, no inquiry into economic conditions, no religious appeal, no intimation of any kind that she was there for any other purpose than that of a friendly visit. Mary Bradley was non-plused. This was something new in her experience. Women of the wealthy class who had called on her heretofore had come with offers of help, or sympathy, or religious consolation; and she had declined their help, had refused their charity, had resented their interference on behalf of the Church. But this was different. Why had this young woman come on what appeared to be simply a friendly visit? What ulterior motive was back of it? How much had the rector of Christ Church to do with it? Except at the moment of introducing herself Ruth had not mentioned his name. It was Mrs. Bradley herself who now brought it to the front.

"I hardly thought," she said, "that Mr. Farrar would have remembered me."

"He forgets no one, and he remembers you very well," was the reply. "He was much concerned over your lawsuit, and over the death of your husband, and he is interested now in your welfare."

"He is very kind. I think he is too good to be a preacher."

"Why do you say that, Mrs. Bradley? Should not a preacher be one of the best of men?"

"Oh, I suppose he should be; but if he is it's in spite of his calling, not because of it."

"I do not understand you."

"I mean this, Miss Tracy; a church such as yours is