Ah, there he goes!--and Brother Bonaday with him.

They are off to the river, for Brother Copas carries his rod.

What a strange fascination has that dry-fly fishing! And I can remember old anglers discussing it as a craze, a lunacy." He gazed out, still in a brown study.

The room was silent save for the ticking of a Louis Seize clock on the chimney-piece; and Mr.
Simeon, standing attentive, let his eyes travel around upon the glass-fronted bookcases, filled with sober riches in vellum and gilt leather, on the rare prints in black frames, the statuette of _Diane Chasseresse_, the bust of Antinous, the portfolios containing other prints, the Persian carpets scattered about the dark bees'-waxed floor, the Sheraton table with its bowl of odorous peonies.
"Eh?
I beg your pardon--" said the Master again after three minutes or so, facing around with a smile of apology.

"My wits were wool-gathering, over the sermon--that little peroration of mine does not please me somehow.