he young? how could such a lie as that a chariot
and four horses came down out of the clouds enter seriously into the life
of any one, without distorting his mental vision, if not ruining it?

And yet, the more he reflected, the more he also saw that he could do no
good by saying who he was. Matters had gone so far that though he spoke
with the tongues of men and angels he would not be listened to; and even
if he were, it might easily prove that he had added harm to that which he
had done already. No. As soon as he had heard Hanky's sermon, he would
begin to work his way back, and if the Professors had not yet removed
their purchase, he would recover it; but he would pin a bag containing
about five pounds worth of nuggets on to the tree in which they had
hidden it, and, if possible, he would find some way of sending the rest
to George.

He let Mr. Balmy continue talking, glad that this gentleman required
little more than monosyllabic answers, and still more glad, in spite of
some agitation, to see that they were now nearing Sunch'ston, towards
which a great concourse of people was hurrying from Clearwater, and more
distant towns on the main road. Many whole families were coming,--the
fathers and mothers carrying the smaller children, and also their own
shoes and stockings, which they would put on when nearing the town. Most
of the pilgrims brought provisions with them. All wore European
costumes, but only a few of them wore it reversed, and these were almost
invariably of higher social status than the great body of the people, who
were mainly peasants.

When they reached the town, my father was relieved at finding that Mr.
Balmy had friends on whom he wished to call before going to the temple.
He asked my father to come with him, but my father said that he too had
friends, and would leave him for the present, while hoping to meet him
again later in the day. The two, therefore, shook hands with great
effusion, and went their several ways. My father's way took him first
into a confectioner's shop, where he bought a couple of Sunchild buns,
which he put into his pocket, and refreshed himself with a bottle of
Sunchild cordial and water. All shops except those dealing in
refreshments were closed, and the town was gaily decorated with flags and
flowers, often festooned into words or emblems proper for the occasion.

My father, it being now a quarter to eleven, made his way towards the
temple, and his heart was clo