Page:Sheila and Others (1920).djvu/52

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SHEILA AND OTHERS

also sometimes, as if about to disintegrate. I suspect Williams is friends with the florist at the corner of his street, and is made the recipient of benefactions on Saturday nights.

At 4.30 precisely on Sunday afternoons, one hour earlier than on week-days, and just when the Sunday tea-drinkers are arriving, Williams strolls in through the back gate humming a hymn. If you chance to have any intercourse with him on that day, you call him Mr. Williams. You can't help yourself. And you experience a sense of humbling gratitude that such a fine-looking gentleman consents to keep your furnace going on any terms, even though it be only at half-blast, so to speak.

He is so get-at-able on Sundays, with Janet out and all, that if you don't happen to have company, you are tempted to take this occasion to unload your accumulation of grievances, or to give him his month's check. But it is not the thing to do at all. I tried it once or twice with regret. He made me feel that I was worldly and wanting in elementary Christian principles regarding Sabbath observance.

Janet says he is a Plymouth Brethren and consistent. Probably that is why he is so de-