These thoughts underlay his rambling history.

He was aware suddenly that his audience was inattentive.

He saw, indeed, that his sister was standing with her back half-turned, gazing on to the shining country beyond the window.

He ceased abruptly, gave his niece a wink, and when this was unsuccessful, muttering a few words, stumbled out of the room.
The whole village attended the funeral, not because it liked the Rev.
Charles, but because it liked funerals.

Maggie was, in all probability, the only person present who thought very deeply about the late Vicar of St.Dreot's.