d
mother and what-not to her. Now supposing she'd had a crape mantle with
handsome bugle fringe for Sundays; that's what I should have called
paying proper respect to the departed; instead of a short jacket with
ordinary braid on it, that you might wear for a great-uncle as hadn't
left you a penny."

"Well, Mrs. Hankey, folks may do what they like with their own, and it's
not for such as us to sit in judgment on our betters; but I don't think
as Miss Farringdon's will gave her any claim to a crape mantle with a
bugle fringe; I don't indeed."

"Well, to be sure, but you do speak strong on the subject!"

"And I feel strong, too," replied Mrs. Bateson, waxing more indignant.
"There's dear Miss Elisabeth has been like an own daughter to Miss
Farringdon ever since she was a baby, and yet Miss Farringdon leaves her
fortune over Miss Elisabeth's head to some good-for-nothing young man
that nobody knows for certain ever was born. I've no patience with such
ways!"

"It does seem a bit hard on Miss Elisabeth, I must admit, her being Miss
Farringdon's adopted child. But, as I've said before, there's nothing
like a will for making a thorough to-do."

"It's having been engaged to Mr. George all them years ago that set her
up to it. It's wonderful how folks often turn to their old lovers when
it comes to will time."

Mrs. Hankey looked incredulous. "Well, that beats me, I'm fain to
confess. I know if the Lord had seen fit to stop me from keeping company
with Hankey, not a brass farthing would he ever have had from me. I'd
sooner have left my savings to charity."

"Don't say that, Mrs. Hankey; it always seems so lonely to leave money
to charity, as if you was nothing better than a foundling. But how did
you enjoy the sermon this morning?"

"I thought that part about the punishment of the wicked was something
beautiful. But, to tell you the truth, I've lost all pleasure in Mr.
Sneyd's discourses since I heard as he wished to introduce the reading
of the Commandments into East Lane Chapel. What's the good of fine
preaching, if a minister's private life isn't up to his sermon, I should
like to know?"

Mrs. Bateson, however, had broad views on some matters. "I don't see
much harm in reading the Commandments," she said.

Mrs. Hankey looked shocked at her friend's laxity. "It is the thin end
of the wedge, Mrs. Bateson, and you ought to know it. Mark my words,
it's forms and ceremonies such as this that tempts our young folks aw