IN WHICH THE PARSON AND MR.

PEPPER DECLARE THEIR INDEPENDENCE That afternoon, when dinner was over, the Reverend John decided to make a few duty calls.

The first of these he determined should be on the Peppers.

Lavinia and her brother had called at the Parsonage several times, but as yet he had not paid them a visit.

It was not a ceremony to which he looked forward with delight, but it must be performed.
Miss Pepper had hinted several times, at sewing circle and after prayer meeting, of "partiality" and "only stoppin' in where they had fancy curtains up to the windows." So, as it could not be put off longer, without causing trouble, he determined to go through with it.
The Pepper house was situated just off the main road on the lane leading over the dunes to the ocean and the light.