God, is endowed with more genius than he and all the Protestant parsons
living put together. I think this is fair _arguing_, Mr. Prying, don't
you?"

"Let's drop it, Murty," said Mr. Prying, not liking to hear any more of
such "arguing," particularly as the children were present, and seemed
much to enjoy the home-spun comparison between the Dominie Dilman and
"Old Harry." This was the first time they were observed to laugh since
the departure of poor Eugene.

Meanwhile, poor Eugene arrived in the city of the parsonage of his
reverend protector, where he was received with apparent affection by
that gentleman's wife. During the first three days after his arrival,
several of the "saints," male and female, of the doctor's church, came
to see the new acquisition, as well as to congratulate the parson on the
success of his plan. The little orphan was flattered, caressed, and
encouraged by the promise of nice clothes and other presents. And it
would be unnatural to expect that the innocent heart of a child of his
age, now between eight and nine years, could remain insensible to the
caresses and favors bestowed. The little lad felt quite content; nay, a
gradual sunshine began to spread over the calm melancholy of his angelic
face.

They first imposed on the child by telling him that his reverend
protector was the priest. He believed it for some time; but when, after
two weeks were elapsed, he was permitted to go to church, he was
perfectly surprised at "the quare way the priest said mass." He saw no
candles lighted on the altar. He heard no little bell rung at various
parts of the service. He saw no persons "bless themselves" there,
either. "I suppose," said he to himself, "they would not tell a lie; but