"Ah, that's too bad. The missionary said night before last that we
must pray if we expect to receive, didn't he?"

"Yes, captain, he did."

"And he told us more'n that, parson. He said that we couldn't expect
to receive unless we gave."

"Yes, he said that also."

"And by jingo, he was right, too," and the captain brought his stick
down upon the road with a bang. "I've tried it, and it has turned out
just as the missionary said it would."

"You have!" and the clergyman looked his astonishment. "I am so glad,
captain, to know that you have come to view things in a different
light. I was pleased to see you at the missionary meeting, and I am so
thankful that you were benefited by what you heard. Won't you tell me
how you proved Mr. Dicer's words to be true?"

"Would ye like to know, parson?" and a sly twinkle shone in the
captain's eyes as he asked the question.

"Certainly. Go ahead."

"And ye won't feel hurt?"

"Feel hurt! Why should I?"