nothing he liked so little as a morning spent with his curate. When he
had started, Harry told his mother also of his final decision. "I shall
go to Stratton to-morrow and settle it all."

"And what does papa say?" asked the mother.

"Just what he has said before. It is not so much that he wishes me to be
a clergyman, as that he does not wish me to have lost all my time up to
this."

"It is more than that, I think, Harry," said his elder sister, a tall
girl, less pretty than her sister, apparently less careful of her
prettiness, very quiet, or, as some said, demure, but known to be good
as gold by all who knew her well.

"I doubt it," said Harry, stoutly. "But, however that may be, a man must
choose for himself."

"We all thought you had chosen," said Mary.

"If it is settled," said the mother, "I suppose we shall do no good by
opposing it."

"Would you wish to oppose it, mamma?" said Harry.

"No, my dear. I think you should judge for yourself."

"You see I could have no scope in the church for that sort of ambition
which would satisfy me. Look at such men as Locke, and Stephenson, and
Brassey. They are the men who seem to me to do most in the world. They