"And you don't consider my troubles important enough to listen to, eh?"
Mrs. Marden interrupted. "Well, I declare. I never heard the like of
that, and you my clergyman, too."

"Let me explain, please," the parson continued. "As I said, I seldom
listen to gossip, because so much of it is of such a frivolous nature.
Therefore, when anything of real importance is talked about, as a rule
I do not hear that, either. In that way I have missed your story, Mrs.
Marden. But when you come yourself to tell me, that makes all the
difference, and I am ever ready to listen."

While Parson Dan was thus enduring with considerable patience his
wearisome visitor, Rodney was creeping about the kitchen floor in a
most lively manner. The dining-room door was ajar, and at last when
Mrs. Royal's back was turned, he reached forth a small chubby hand,
opened the door and entered. The parson saw him, but paid no attention
to his movements. Mrs. Marden, however, who was sitting with her back
to the door, was so occupied with her load of troubles that she neither
saw nor heard the baby's entrance. On all-fours Rodney glided behind
the widow's chair. Here against the wall stood a tall, slender
cabinet, the lower shelves of which were filled with books, while above
were various knick-knacks, all neatly arranged. It took Rodney but a
second to scramble to his feet, and balance himself by clutching firmly
at the cabinet which was not fastened to the wall. Then the inevitable
happened. The cabinet at first trembled, and then began to fall.
Parson Dan saw it coming, and with a cry he leaped to his feet, and
caught it as it was about to crash upon Mrs. Marden's head. He could
not, however, stop the knick-knacks, and so tea-cups, saucers,
work-basket, a china dog, and numerous other articles were showered
upon the widow, thus adding to her woes.

With a startled cry Mrs. Marden sprang to her feet, certain that the
ceiling had fallen upon her. Hearing the confusion, Mrs. Royal rushed
into the room, rescued Rodney unhurt from the ruins, and carried him
back into the kitchen. The clergyman at once turned his attention to
his visitor.

"I trust that you are not hurt," he remarked. "I am so sorry that this
accident happened."

"I'm not hurt," was the feeble response, "but I feel very faint," and
the widow sank into a chair, and closed her eyes. "There, I feel
better now," she continued, breathing heavily. "Oh, what a shock that
gave