ame God she would have to be a tyrant from the
beginning--one who would calmly behold the unspeakable misery of
creatures whom he had compelled to exist, whom he would not permit to
cease, and for whom he would do a good deal, but not all that he could.
Such people, I think, are nearly as unfair to themselves as they are to
God."

"You're right, Joseph," said Mary. "If we won't take the testimony of
such against God, neither must we take it against themselves. Only, why
is it they are always so certain they are in the right?"

"For the perfecting of the saints," suggested Joseph, with a curious
smile.

"Perhaps," answered Mary. "Anyhow, we may get that good out of them,
whether they be here for the purpose or not. I remember Mr. Turnbull
once accusing my father of irreverence, because he spoke about God in
the shop. Said my father, 'Our Lord called the old temple his father's
house and a den of thieves in the same breath.' Mr. Turnbull saw
nothing but nonsense in the answer. Said my father then, 'You will
allow that God is everywhere?' 'Of course,' replied Mr. Turnbull.
'Except in this shop, I suppose you mean?' said my father. 'No, I
don't. That's just why I wouldn't have you do it.' 'Then you wouldn't
have me think about him either?' 'Well! there's a time for everything.'
Then said my father, very solemnly, 'I came from God, and I'm going
back to God, and I won't have any gaps of death in the middle of my
life.' And that was nothing to Mr. Turnbull either."

To one in ten of my readers it may be something.

Just ere they came in sight of the smithy, they saw a lady and
gentleman on horseback flying across the common.

"There go Mrs. Redmain and Mr. Wardour!" said Joseph. "They're to be
married next month, they say. Well, it's a handsome couple they'll
make! And the two properties together'll make a fine estate!"

"I hope she'll learn to like the books he does," said Mary. "I never
could get her to listen to anything for more than three minutes."

Though Joseph generally dropped work long before Mary shut the shop,
she yet not unfrequently contrived to meet him on his way home; and
Joseph always kept looking out for her as he walked.

That very evening they were gradually nearing each other--the one from
the smithy, the other from the shop--with another pair between them,
however, going toward Testbridge--Godfrey Wardour and Hesper Redmain.

"How strange," said Hesper, "that after all its chances and breakin