ent, as if he
suddenly saw trees walking about the streets or inanimate objects
beginning to show signs of intellect. He was thinking that Allison
Cloud certainly had changed, and was wondering what on earth had
brought it about. It couldn't be any line that his guardian had on
him, for he was a thousand miles away. Was it that little, quiet,
insipid mouse of an aunt that had done it? She must be rich or
something, the way the brother and sister seemed to be tied to her
apron-string. Where did Al Cloud get that line of talk he was handing
out, anyway? Why, he talked about God as if He were an intimate friend
of his, and spoke of prayer and Bible reading in the way common,
ordinary people talked of going to breakfast or eating candy, as if
they were necessary and pleasurable acts. Why, it was inconceivable!
What was he doing it for? There must be a reason.

For fully five minutes he sat quiet in puzzled thought, watching this
strange gathering, gradually taking it in that they were all taking
part in the proceedings and that they seemed interested and eager.
Why, even those two giggling girls who had "fallen" so readily for his
nonsense had sobered down and one read a verse from the Bible while
the other repeated a verse of poetry! He turned and blinked at them in
wonder. What had so influenced them that they all fell in line and
performed their part as if it were being rehearsed for his benefit?
What was the motive power? The query interested him to the point of
good behavior all through the remainder of the meeting, and while he
was standing waiting for Allison and Leslie at the close. It seemed
that somehow there was a real interest, for they lingered as if there
were vital matters to discuss, and Leslie was the centre of a group of
quite common-looking girls. It must be some sort of social settlement
work or other connected with the church and someone had induced these
two who were to his thinking of a higher order of being by right of
wealth and social position, to take an interest and "run" this society
or whatever it was. He could not make it out at all. He was much
disgusted that the young people insisted on staying to church and had
a bad hour living through it, although he was surprised to find it as
interesting as it was. The minister seemed quite human and they had a
great deal of singing. Still it was all a bore, of course. He found a
great many things in life to bore him.

As soon as he and Allison were o