er book as a mark while she found the hymn in the accompanying
volume; the bright decorations looked as they looked years ago above the
organ and round the chancel; from far down the church, just before the
sermon, came the old accustomed sound of small boys shuffling their
hobnailed shoes upon the stone floor and the audible guttural whisper of
the churchwarden admonishing them to "mind the stick;" the stained-glass
windows admitted the same pleasant light as of yore--all was unchanged.
But Mrs. Goddard and Nellie occupied the cottage pew, and their presence
alone was sufficient to mark to John the fact that he was now a man.

The service was sympathetic to John Short. He liked the simplicity of it,
even the rough singing of the choir, as compared with the solemn and
magnificent musical services of Trinity College Chapel. But it seemed
very long before it was all over and he was waiting for Mrs. Goddard
outside the church door.

There were more greetings, more "Merry Christmas" and "Many happy
returns." Mrs. Goddard looked more charming than ever and was quite as
cordial as on the previous evening.

"How much better it all looked this morning by daylight," she said.

"I think it looked very pretty last night," answered John. "There is
nothing so delightful as Christmas decorations, is there?"

"Perhaps you will come down next year and help us again?" suggested Mrs.
Goddard.

"Yes--well, I might come at Easter, for that matter," answered the young
man, who after finding it impossible to visit Billingsfield during two
years and a half, now saw no difficulty whatever in the way of making two
visits in the course of six months. "Do you still decorate at Easter?" he
asked.

"Oh yes--do you think you can come?" she said pleasantly. "I thought you
were to be very busy just then."

"Yes, that is true," answered John. "But of course I could come, you
know, if it were necessary."

"Hardly exactly necessary--" Mrs. Goddard laughed.

"The doctor told me some relaxation was absolutely indispensable for my
health," said John rather sententiously.

"You don't really look very ill--are you?" She seemed incredulous.

"Oh no, of course not--only a little overworked sometimes."

"In that case I have no doubt it would do you good," said Mrs. Goddard.

"Do you really think so?" asked John, hopefully.

"Oh--that is a matter for your doctor to decide. I cannot possibly tell,"
she answered.

"I think you would make a very g