for gospel truth the lurid stories hack drivers tell to tourists so that
they may get their money's worth."

"Well, I don't know;--but that brings me to the point of my errand. I
sought you out especially today to ask you not to talk religion to my
daughter. I understand she and you had a discussion on 'Mormonism' last
evening, and she slept very little all night as a result."

"You are mistaken, sir; I said nothing to her about 'Mormonism.' She
told me a little about--"

"Well, whatever it was, she was and is still ill over it. Let me tell
you,--and I am sure you will believe me,--my little girl is all I have.
She has been ailing for years, heart trouble mostly, with complications.
A comfortable voyage with no over-excitement might help, the doctors
said; and that's the main reason for this trip. She has always been
interested in religious questions, which I naturally encouraged her in;
but when she got mixed up somewhat with the 'Mormons,' that was quite
another matter."

"Why, may I ask?"

"Well, it excited her. It brought her in contact with undesirable
people, people not of her class and standing--"

"Like me, for instance."

"I did not say that."

"You inferred it. But pardon me. I would not, for the world, do anything