Read "Coelebs" by Ethel Mills online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
The vicar, as he took off his surplice after the early celebration on Christmas morning, and turned to hang it on its peg, became aware that Robert had entered the vestry, and was hovering about, busying himself unnecessarily, moving things ostentatiously and replacing them in the same positions, and watching the vicar furtively meanwhile, as a man might whose conscience is not altogether free from reproach. The vicar looked at his sexton with as much severity as he was capable of assuming towards Robert, whose failings were sufficiently familiar to him to have ceased to appear disproportionately grave. But Robert merited rebuke, and was apparently expecting it. In anticipation of reproof he attempted propitiation.
"Never seed a bigger congregation than we 'ad for 'Oly Commoonion this morning, sir," he observed. "Folks don't turn up most places like they do at our church."