the world for a pale,
clear complexion, look horrid worn with great red cheeks. Cary, your
manners had rather gone back when you came, from what they used to be;
but you have improved again now. Mind you keep it up. Don't get warm
and enthusiastic over things,--that is your danger, my dear,--especially
things of no consequence, and which don't concern you. A young
gentlewoman should not be a politician; and to be warm over anything
which has to do with religion, as I have many times told you, is
exceeding bad taste. You should leave those matters to public men and
the clergy. It is their business--not yours. My dears," and out came
Grandmamma's snuff-box, "I wish you to understand, once for all, that if
one of you ever joins those insufferable creatures, the Methodists, I
will cut her off with a shilling! I shall wash my hands of her
completely. I would not even call her my grand-daughter again! But I
am sure, my dears, you have too much sense. I shall not insult you by
supposing such a thing. Make my compliments to your father, and tell
him I think you both much improved by your winter in Town. Good-bye, my
dears. Mrs Kezia, I wish you a safe and pleasant journey."

"I thank you, Madam, and wish you every blessing," said my Aunt Kezia,
with a warm clasp of Grandmamma's hand, which I am sure she would think
sadly countrified. "But might I ask you, Madam, to explain something
which puzzled me above a bit in what you have just said?"

"Certainly, Mrs Kezia," said Grandmamma, in her most gracious manner.

"Then, Madam, as I suppose the clergy are going to Heaven (and I am sure
you would be as sorry to think otherwise as I should), if the way to get
there is their business and not yours, where are you going, if you
please?"

Grandmamma looked at my Aunt Kezia as if she thought that she must have
taken leave of her wits.

"Madam! I--I do not understand--"

My Aunt Kezia did not flinch in the least. She stood quietly looking
into Grandmamma's face, with an air of perfect simplicity, and waited
for the answer.

"Of course, we--we are all going to Heaven," said Grandmamma, in a
hesitating way. "But it is the business of the clergy to see that we
do. Excuse me, Madam; I am not accustomed to--to talk about such
subjects."

And Grandmamma took two pinches, one after the other.

"Well, you see, I am," coolly said my Aunt Kezia. "Seems to me, Madam,
that going to Heaven is every bit as much my business