Tim, feeling as usual "awfully empty
after church," was sure they ran as fast as ever they could the moment
they were out of sight. A Congregation was a wonderful thing
altogether. It was a puzzle how the little church could hold so many
people. They watched the whole familiar business with suppressed
excitement, forgetting they were hungry and impatient. It was both
real and unreal, something better beckoned beyond all the time; but
there was no hurry. It was a deep childhood mystery--wonder filled
them to the brim.
"Come on, children; we'll be off now," sounded their uncle's voice,
and at the same moment Come-Back Stumper joined them. He had been
counting over the money with the clergyman, of course, all this time.
He was very slow. They hoped their contributions had been noticed.
"You'll come back with us?" suggested Uncle Felix. And Stumper,
growling his acceptance, walked home to lunch with them in the old
Mill House. In his short black coat, trousers of shepherd's plaid, and
knotted white tie bearing a neat horseshoe pin, he looked smart yet
soldierly. Tim apologised for his moist finger and the threepenny bit.
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