Gabriel didn't know if father Kemble had received bishops orders or was watching Gabriel closely on his own initiative. Whatever it was Gabriel had been kept busy with many mostly menial tasks and had gone through some trouble convincing the older priests to allow him to pay a housecall this afternoon.

Now he was walking down to where he had learned Mrs. Calloway's cottage was. Passing a window just as Karen opened it, he stopped and smiled. "Ah, good afternoon, Mrs. Calloway. I hope I don't call at an inconvenient time."

He still looked too skinny and unhealthy, something that was accentuated by his grim black cassock, but he looked happier, for he enjoyed the sun and smell of spring and the prospect of paying a housecall.