Oh, the cat is for the children," said Countess coolly; "I don't want
one. But let the dog be the biggest thou canst get."

"I think I'd have the dog by himself," said David. "The children will
be quite as well pleased. And if you want a big one, he is pretty sure
to be good-tempered."

So David and Rudolph went to buy a dog, and returned with an amiable
shaggy monster quite as tall as the latter--white and tan, with a smile
upon his lips, and a fine feathery tail, which little Helwis fell at
once to stroking. This eligible member of the family received the name
of Olaf, and was clearly made to understand that he must tolerate
anything from the children, and nothing from a burglar.

Things were settling down, and custom already beginning to come into the
little shop, when one evening, as they sat round the fire, Countess
surprised David with a question--

"David, what did the priest to thee when thou wert baptised?"

David looked up in some astonishment.

"Why, he baptised me," said he simply.

"I want to know all he did," said Countess.

"Don't think I could tell you if I tried. He put some oil on me, and
some spittle,--and water, of course,--and said ever so many prayers."

"What did he say in his prayers?"

"Eh, how can I tell you? They were all in Latin."

"The Lord does not speak French or English, then?" demanded Countess
satirically.

"Well!" said David, scratching his head, "when you put it that way--"

"I don't see what other way to put it. But I thought they baptised with
water?"

"Oh, yes, the real baptism is with water."

"Then what is the good of the unreal baptism, with oil and other
rubbish?"

"I cry you mercy, but you must needs ask the priest. I'm only an
ignorant man."

"Dost thou think he knows?"

"The priest? Oh, of course."

"I should like to be as sure as thou art. Can any body baptise?--or
must it be done by a priest only?"

"Oh, only--well--" David corrected himself. "Of course the proper
person is a priest. But in case of necessity, it can be done by a
layman. A woman, even, may do it, if a child be in danger of death.
But then, there is no exorcism nor anointing; only just the baptising
with water."

"I should have thought that was all there need be, at any time."

With that remark Countess dropped the subject. But a few days later she
resumed the catechising, though this time she chose Christian as her
informant.

"What do Christians mean by baptism