topics. She enjoyed hearing him talk, and
delighted him now and then with an apt reply. So much did her voice
charm him that he soon preferred it even to his own, and he found
himself concluding that this was not a wild forest rose at all, but a
beautiful domestic flower, worthy of care in the plucking. They had
several little tilts in the best of humor that confirmed Williams in the
growing opinion that the girl's beauty and strength were not all
physical. He talked much about Boston and its culture, and spoke
patronizingly of that unfortunate portion of the world's people who did
not enjoy the advantage of living within the sacred walls. Although Rita
knew that his boast was not all vain, and that his city deserved its
reputation, she laughed softly and said in apparent seriousness:--

"It is almost an education even to meet a person from Boston."

Williams looked up in surprise. He had not suspected that sarcasm could
lurk behind those wonderful eyes, but he was undeceived by her remark,
and answered laughingly:--

"That is true, Miss Bays."

"Boston has much to be proud of," continued the girl, surprised and
somewhat frightened at the rate she was bowling along. She had never
before talked so freely to any one but Billy Little and Dic. "Yes, all
good comes out of Boston. I've been told that if you hear her church
bells toll, your soul is saved. There is a saving grace in their very
tones. It came over in the _Mayflower_, as you might transport yeast. If
you walk through Harvard, you will be wise; if you stand on Bunker Hill,
treason flees your soul forever; and if you once gaze upon the Common,
you are safe from the heresy of the Quaker and the sin of witchcraft."

"I fear you are making a jest of Boston, Miss Bays," replied Williams,
who shared the sensitiveness peculiar to his people.

"No," she replied, "I jest only at your boasting. Your city is all you
claim for it; but great virtue needs no herald."

Williams remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Have you ever
been in Boston?"

"I? Indeed, no," she answered laughingly. "I've never been any place but
to church and once to a Fourth of July picnic. I was once at a church
social, but it brought me into great trouble and I shall never go to
another." Williams was amused and again remained, for a time, in silent
meditation. She did not interrupt him, and at length he spoke
stammeringly:--

"Pardon me--where did you learn--how comes it--I am speakin