t propound. I put the
book aside and I forget. When my work is done I relax my mind. I enter
into the pleasures I find most congenial, such as festivals, sociables,
fairs, kermesses, picnics, parties, receptions, et cetery, rules and
suggestions for conducting all of which are to be found in this book,
which is recommended and esteemed by the leaders of society, both in the
Four Hundred and out. Or I read a good book, a list of five hundred of
which may be found on page 336, 'The Reader's Guide,' giving advice
in selecting fiction, history, philosophy, religious works, poetry, et
cetery, the whole selected by eight of the most eminent professors of
literature in our colleges and universities, both at home and abroad.
Or I indulge in conversation, in which what better guide than is to be
found on page 662, 'The Polite Conversationalist,' including gems of
wit, apt quotations, how to gain and hold the attention, how to amuse,
instruct and argue, et cetery? When it is remember that all this, and
much more, can be had for only five dollars, neatly bound in cloth,
one dollar down and one dollar a month until paid, what wonder is it
that--that----"

Suddenly one of the paper lanterns that hung from the wire above them
burst into flame, and Eliph' saw on Miss Sally's face the look of fear
with which she was regarding him, fear and fascination mingled. The
smile faded from his lips, and his gentle blue eyes became troubled.
He dropped the hand that had been lightly resting on her arm, and his
dapper air of self-confidence wilted in abashment.

"Was I--was I talking book?" he asked weakly. "I was! Pardon me, Miss
Briggs, pardon me, I didn't know it. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."

For a moment Miss Sally studied his face, and she saw only a genuine
contrition there, and a regret so deep that she was sorry for him. There
could be no doubt of his sincerity.

"Well!" she exclaimed, with a breath of relief; "I do believe you didn't
know you was! I believe that book's got so ground into you that you
can't help but talk it, like Benny Tenneker, who got so used to climbin'
trees an' fallin' out of 'em that he used to climb the bedposts an' fall
of of 'em in his sleep without wakin' up. Mrs. Doc Weaver's his aunt,
an' when he visited her he nearly got killed fallin' out of bed when he
was tryin' to climb a bed post when there wasn't not on the bed. He'd
got so he could fall out of any high place an' light safe, but he wasn't
used to