Then the current met an obstacle. A man, young and graceful and very
much preoccupied, walked through the church-goers, faced in the
opposite direction. His riding breeches and boots showed in spite of
the loose overcoat worn to cover them. He bowed continually, like
royalty from a landau, almost as mechanically, and answered the
remarks that greeted him.
"Hello, Geth."
"Hello."
"Good morning, Mr. Gething. Not going to church this morning." This
from a friend of his mother.
"Good morning. No, not this morning." He met a chum.
"Good riding day, eh?"
"Great."
"Well, Geth, don't break your neck."
"You bet not."
"I'll put a P.S. on the prayer for you," said the wag.
"Thanks a lot." The wag was always late--even to church on Easter
morning. So Gething knew the tail of the deluge was reached and past.
He had the street almost to himself. It was noticeable that the man
had not once called an acquaintance by name or made the first remark.
His answers had been as reflex as his walking. Geth was thinking,
and in the sombre eyes was the dumb look of a pain that would not be
told--perhaps he considered it too slight.
He left Holly Street and turned into Holly Park. Here from the grass
that bristled so freshly, so ferociously green, the tree trunks rose
black and damp.
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