ABSTRACT
When the telephone rang, Gina Fuller was looking in the files for a copy of the appeal for funds for the Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene. Dean Hervey was looking at Gina. He was not aware that he was looking at her, nor why. It was for religious consolation. As she stood with her back to the window, the morning light defined three points of gold on the nape of her neck, at the edge of her hair. He had never noticed it before, because her hair was dark, bronze-black, but shading to chestnut when the sun struck through it. Her head was bent and her lowered lashes made inverted crescent shadows. The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, he thought. The Dean believed in God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of Mrs. Jelliffe Pearson. He gave God tactful advice every Sunday, but he was perplexed how to turn aside the wrath of Mrs. Pearson. The lady had been invited to subscribe to the Chapel Building Fund. By return mail, Mrs. Pearson reminded the Dean bluntly that as a divorcee she had been refused the benediction of the church upon her second marriage. Also it had been intimated to her that her voluntary resignation from active direction of the Flower Guild of Saint Stephen’s would relieve the Bishop of serious embarrassment. Mrs. Pearson could not suppose that her money would be welcome where her presence was not. She had no doubt that enough stones would be contributed by eminent Pharisees to complete the Chapel.
