Mrs. Higgins had let him in and was already busying herself to replace the tea once more, telling him not to worry, she'd make sure his things were up in his room and he'd have something warm in his stomach in no time.

Gabriel rose. It made him slightly nauseous. "I am," he said, extending his hand. "Pleasure to meet you, father. I'm sorry. We should have sent someone to the station to meet you. I hope you didn't experience too much trouble?" He gestured for the man to sit down and sat down himself. His head was worse.

Gabriel had met many other priests from the diocese, but not this one. He wasn't sure what he had expected hearing 'father Brennan', but not quite this. A handsome man he was, with a friendly appearance. And some part of Gabriel hoped that things would go better now than they had under father Kemble.