riously of going into the church."

"Oh mamma," interrupted Nellie suddenly looking up, "fancy Mr. Short in a
black gown, preaching like Mr. Ambrose! How perfectly ridiculous he would
look!"

"Nellie--Nellie!" exclaimed Mrs. Goddard, "do not talk nonsense. It is
very rude to say Mr. Short would look ridiculous."

"I didn't mean to be rude, mamma," returned Nellie, blushing scarlet and
pouting her lips, "only it would be very funny, wouldn't it?"

"I daresay it would," said John, relieved by the interruption. "I wish
you would advise me what to do, Mrs. Goddard," he added in a confidential
tone.

"I?" she exclaimed, and then laughed. "How should I be able to advise
you?"

"I am sure you could," said John, insisting. "You have such wonderfully
good judgment--"

"Have I? I did not know it. But, tell me, if you come out very high are
you not sure of getting a fellowship?"

"It is likely," answered John indifferently. "But I should have to give
it up if I married--"

"Surely, Mr. Short," cried Mrs. Goddard, with a laugh that cut him to the
quick, "you do not think of marrying for many years to come?"

"Oh--I don't know," he said, blushing violently, "why should not I?"

"In the first place, a man should never marry until he is at least five
and twenty years old," said Mrs. Goddard, calmly.

"Well--I may be as old as that before I get the fellowship."

"Yes, I daresay. But even then, why should you want to resign a handsome
independence as soon as you have got it? Is there anything else so good
within your reach?"

"There is the church, of course," said John. "But Miss Nellie seems to
think that ridiculous--"

"Never mind Nellie," answered Mrs. Goddard. "Seriously, Mr. Short, do you
approve of entering the church merely as a profession, a means of earning
money?"

"Well--no--I did not put it in that way. But many people do."

"That does not prove that it is either wise or decent," said Mrs.
Goddard. "If you felt impelled to take orders from other motives, it
would be different. As I understand you, you are choosing a profession
for the sake of becoming independent."

"Certainly," said John.

"Well, then, there is nothing better for you to do than to get a
fellowship and hold it as long as you can, and during that time you can
make up your mind." She spoke with conviction, and the plan seemed good.
"But I cannot imagine," she continued, "why you should ask my advice."

"And not to marry?" inquired Joh