d to the summer house for refreshment.

During the course of the afternoon Mamma and the parson took a walk by
themselves. Mrs. Etheridge, with assumed unconsciousness, pointing out
the beauties of the flowers, or calling his attention to the occasional
glimpses of the sea, which they obtained through openings of the
landscape, till they neared a rustic seat, where she declared she was
so very fatigued she must rest awhile if the Doctor did not object.

Seating herself with a slight sigh of relief, she remarked, "How tiring
the game of croquet always seemed," adding, "do you not think it is
quite absurd for us old people to join with the young ones in such
games?"

"My dear Madame," replied the Doctor, "we are always children as long
as we live. We enjoy the games of youth with zest, even if we have not
the same powers, and it is the same with love, which so enthralls us
that I verily believe the older we get the more enthusiastic we become
in its pursuit. Now confess, my dear Mrs. Etheridge, is it not so with
you?"

"Fie, Doctor, pray don't take advantage of our secluded position to
press that hopeless, wicked suit of yours. Besides, sir," she added
with a laugh, "this is, you know, Saturday afternoon, and such thoughts
can only be prompted by the devil to drive out of your mind all your
ideas for to-morrow's sermon."

The parson now ventured to put his arm round that voluptuous waist, as
he drew closer still to his lovely companion, saying, "No fear of that,
my dear Madame. Can you guess what my text is to be to-morrow?"

"How could I, you silly man?" said Mrs. Etheridge with a very
encouraging smile. "Is it anything out of the common?"

"Well, hem--I think it so, Madame, and one that will bring your sins of
omission to your conscience," answered he.

"Don't keep me in suspense, but tell me at once, you foolish fellow,
you know I can't guess."

"Can't guess--can't guess even! How you do dissimulate, Mrs. Etheridge,
when I know you're always thinking of it, my dear lady. Well then,
it's--it's prick--no, I mean the first commandment--you know what that
is surely, look at this fine specimen of the Creator's work, and say if
you can despise his command, 'to be fruitful and multiply, and
replenish the earth,'" he said, placing in her hand his great big
standing priapus which he had let out of his trousers.

The touch was electric, a shiver of desire ran through her whole frame,
as her fingers seemed to grasp th