But in spite of the former's ostentatious greeting, Brace could see that his visit was inopportune and unwelcome.

The sheriff nodded a quick, impatient recognition, which, had it not been accompanied by an anathema on the heat, might have been taken as a personal insult.

Neither spoke of Miss Nellie, although it was patent to Brace that they were momentarily expecting her.

All of which went far to strengthen a certain wavering purpose in his mind.
"Ah, ha! strong language, Mr.Dunn," said Father Wynn, referring to the sheriff's adjuration, "but 'out of the fullness of the heart the mouth speaketh.' Job, sir, cursed, we are told, and even expressed himself in vigorous Hebrew regarding his birthday.

Ha, ha! I'm not opposed to that.
When I have often wrestled with the spirit I confess I have sometimes said, 'D--n you.' Yes, sir, 'D--n you.'" There was something so unutterably vile in the reverend gentleman's utterance and emphasis of this oath that the two men, albeit both easy and facile blasphemers, felt shocked; as the purest of actresses is apt to overdo the rakishness of a gay Lothario, Father Wynn's immaculate conception of an imprecation was something terrible.