selves in his mind,
and that he would have to consider her argument before making a definite
reply.

"My--ah--words--you see--they are very slow," he observed.
"I--frequently have to--ah--note down what I--intend to--express--on
particular times--or occasions."

"Words are the husk, and thoughts are the corn, of our conversation,"
said Father Brighthopes, with an encouraging smile. "Too many persons
bring only the husks, which they heap upon us in rather uncomfortable
abundance."

"Yes, sir;--very--ah--true," returned Mr. Kerchey, gratefully. "I think
I have--ah----"

Here he broke down, appearing utterly incapable of finding the words he
wanted.

"You have considerably more of the corn than the husk," rejoined the old
man; "an excellent and quite excusable fault."

"I think, if there is anything disagreeable, it is an everlasting
talker," remarked Sarah, her bright eyes sparkling with fun.

Chester asked her if it was because she wished to usurp the conversation
herself; upon which Mr. Kerchey managed to observe, in his very hardest
way, that there were some persons of whose talk he could never tire.

He looked intently at Sarah,--just as if he meant her, Lizzie suggested,
in a low tone, to James.

At this moment Willie diverted the conversation by crying out,

"Sam's pinching me!"

"Oh, I didn't!" said Sam.

"Why do you tell such a story?" demanded Mrs. Royden, with a slight
degree of impatience. "I saw you pinch his arm."

"I was only brushing a fly off," replied Sam.

"He asked me how thick my sleeve was, and he took right hold of skin and
all!" whined Willie, rubbing his arm.

Sam was reprimanded and Willie was consoled with rind from his father's
plate.

XXVI.

THE RAINY DAY.

Monday was showery. Tuesday was fair, and on Wednesday there was a
settled rain. It was anything but fine haying weather. The mowers got
down a good deal of grass, but it was mostly left lying in the swath.

The Roydens took advantage of the dull time to visit at Deacon Dustan's,
on Wednesday, with the old clergyman. There was quite a large company
present, consisting of old and young people, among the choicest families
in Mr. Corlis' society.

After dinner the rain "held up," and towards evening the elderly
gentlemen of the party went out to walk. Deacon Dustan took great
pleasure and no less pride in showing his guests the fairest portions of
his goodly estate. Meanwhile he was too shrewd to neglect intr