ys been Liberal," said Minnie. "I think the poor
people have their rights just as we have. They ought to be educated, and
all that."

"Very well," said the other lady; "when you have educated them up to
thinking themselves as good--oh, what am I saying? far better--than
their betters, you'll see what will come of it. I for one am quite
prepared. I pity the people who deceive themselves. Herbert chooses to
laugh, but I can't laugh; it is much too serious for that."

"There will be peace in our days," said the rector, "and after all,
Fanny, we can't have a revolution coming because Lizzie Hampson----"

"Lizzie Hampson," said his wife solemnly, "is a sign of the times. She
may be nothing in herself,--none of them are anything in themselves,--but
I call her a sign of the times."

"What a grand name for a little girl!" he said, with a laugh. But he
added seriously, "I wish that house belonged to Theo, or some one we
could bring influence to bear upon; but what does a city man care? I
wish we could do as the Americans do, and put rollers under it, and cart
it away out of the parish."

"Can the Americans do that?"

"They say so. They can do every sort of wonderful thing, I believe."

"And that is what we are coming to!" said Mrs. Wilberforce, with an air
of indignant severity, as if this had been the most dreadful accusation
in the world.

"I suppose," said the rector, strolling with the young ladies to the
gate, "that Theo holds by the family politics? I wonder whether he has
given any attention to public questions. At his age a young fellow
either does--or he does not," he added, with a laugh. "Oxford often
makes a change."

"We don't approve of ladies taking any part in politics," said Minnie,
"and I am sure I have never mentioned the subject to Theo."

"But you know, Minnie, mamma said that Theo was--well, I don't remember
what she said he was, but certainly not the same as he was brought up."

"Then let us hope he has become a Conservative. Landholders should be
and clergy must," said the rector, with a sigh. Then he remembered that
this was not a style of conversation likely to commend itself to the two
girls. "I hope we shall see you back next Sunday at the Sunday school,"
he said. "Of course I would not hurry you, if you found it too much;
but a little work in moderation I have always thought was the very
best thing for a grief like yours. Dear Mrs. Warrender, too," he added
softly. He had not been in the