Tell her that the Reverend Pontifex Deetle and Miss Deetle have called to present their compliments." Brushing past Eudoxia, who vainly tried to close the door, the Rev.Deetle coolly entered the house, followed by his sister, and took a seat in the parlour.
"She'll blame me for this," wailed the girl, who had not budged and who stood there fingering the Rev.Deetle's card.
"Blame you?
For what ?" demanded the clerical visitor in surprise.
"She told me to say she was out--but I can't lie to a minister of the Gospel--leastways not to his face.

I'll give her your card, sir." The reverend caller waited until Eudoxia had disappeared, then he rose and looked around curiously at the books and pictures.
"Hum--not a Bible or a prayer book or a hymn book, not a picture or anything that would indicate the slightest reverence for holy things." He picked up a few papers that were lying on the table and after glancing at them threw them down in disgust.
"Law reports--Wall Street reports--the god of this world.
Evidently very ordinary people, Jane." He looked at his sister, but she sat stiffly and primly in her chair and made no reply.

He repeated: "Didn't you hear me?
I said they are ordinary people." "I've no doubt," retorted Miss Deetle, "and as such they will not thank us for prying into their affairs." "Prying, did you say ?" said the parson, resenting this implied criticism of his actions.
"Just plain prying," persisted his sister angrily.

"I don't see what else it is." The Rev.Pontifex straightened up and threw out his chest as he replied: "It is protecting my flock.

As Leader of the Unified All Souls Baptismal Presbytery, it is my duty to visit the widows and orphans of this community." "These people are neither widows or orphans," objected Miss Deetle.
"They are strangers," insisted the Rev.Pontifex, "and it is my duty to minister to them--if they need it.