Gabriel started feeling more and more at ease. Father Brennan seemed to be a positive person, willing to see the good in attempts, rather than problems and failures. The next statement convinced him even more that this priest would be easier to work with than father Kemble.

Before he could reply, however, Mrs. Higgins brought in some fresh tea and poured Malachi a cup. "There ye go, father. I'll have supper ready in a half hour. Yer things are in yer room. Father will show ye up, later. We were beginning to worry about ye. There's been some rough people about and bad things 'appening in town." Then she poured Gabriel a cup. Gabriel waited quietly to speak.