Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Clare had given his parents no warning of his visit, and his arrival stirred the atmosphere of the Vicarage as the dive of the kingfisher stirs a quiet pool. His father and mother were both in the drawing-room, but neither of his brothers was now at home. Angel entered, and closed the door quietly behind him. ¡¡¡¡`But - where's your wife, dear Angel?' cried his mother. `How you surprise us!' ¡¡¡¡`She is at her mother's - temporarily. I have come home rather in a hurry because I've decided to go to Brazil.' ¡¡¡¡`Brazil! Why they are all Roman Catholics there surely!' ¡¡¡¡`Are they? I hadn't thought of that.' ¡¡¡¡But even the novelty and painfulness of his going to a Papistical land could not displace for long Mr and Mrs Clare's natural interest in their son's marriage. We had your brief note three weeks ago announcing that it had taken place,' said Mrs Clare, `and your father sent your god-mother's gift to her, as you know. Of course it was best that none of us should be present, especially as you preferred to marry her from the dairy, and not at her home, wherever that may be. It would