new thought and desire.
Flossy was growing amazed at herself. It seemed to her that she must
have spent her seventeen years of life taking long naps, and this
Chautauqua was a stiff breeze from the ocean that was going to shake her
awake. The special thought that had dashed itself at her this morning
was that she, too, had no Bible. Not that she did not own one, elegantly
done in velvet and clasped in gold, so effectually clasped that it had
been sealed to her all her life. She positively had no recollection of
having ever sat down deliberately to read the Bible. She had "looked
over" occasionally in school, but even this service of her eyes had been
fitful and indifferent; and as for her head paying any sort of attention
to the reading, it might as well have been done in Greek instead of
French, which language she but dimly comprehended even when she tried.
But now she ought to have a Bible. She ought not to wait for that velvet
covered one. A whole week in which to find what some of her orders
were, and no way in which to find them. Of course she could buy one, but
how queer it would seem to be going to the museum to make a purchase of
a Bible! "They will wonder why I did not bring my own," she murmured,
with that life-long deference that she had educated herself to pay to
the "they" who composed her world. And in another instance the new-born
feeling of respect and independence asserted itself. "I can't help
that," she said, positively, shaking her curls with a determined air;
"and it really makes no difference what anybody thinks. Of course I must
have a Bible, and I only wish I had it for this morning, I shall
certainly get one the first opportunity." Then she turned and said
"good-morning" to the pretty little lady who occupied the tent next
door, and between whom and herself a pleasant acquaintance was springing
up.

"Are you going to the lecture?" Flossy, asked and the small lady shook
her head, with a wistful air.

"Dear me, no! My young tyrant wouldn't consent to that. I meant to take
him down with me and try him, but he has gone to sleep; and it is just
as well, for he would have been certain to want to do all the talking.
He has no idea that there is any one in the country who knows quite as
much as he does." It was said in a half complaining tone, but underneath
it was the foundation of tender pride, that showed her to be the vain
mother of the handsome tyrant. Still it seemed to be Flossy's duty to
cond