clambered to the big rambling barn, and the wide door swung closed after
them. But in a few seconds they were out once more, by the back barn
door, and over the fence, and on to the "field." There they closed
ranks, with their arms recklessly around whoever was nearest, and made a
thorough tour of the bit of pasture-land. For some moments they leaned
upon the dividing fence and gazed admiringly into the rich orchard and
vineyard of the Avery estate. But soon they were skipping back to the
parsonage again, and the kitchen door banged behind them.

Then the eldest Miss Avery closed the window overlooking the parsonage
and confronted her sisters.

"We must just make the best of it," she said quietly.

But next door, the gray old ugly parsonage was full to overflowing with
satisfaction and happiness and love.

The Starrs had never had an appointment like this before. They had just
come from the village of Exminster, of five hundred inhabitants. There
the Reverend Mr. Starr had filled the pulpits of three small Methodist
churches, scattered at random throughout the country,--consideration,
five hundred dollars. But here,--why, Mount Mark had a population of
fully three thousand, and a business academy, and the Presbyterian
College,--small, to be sure, but the name had a grand and inspiring
sound. And Mr. Starr had to fill only one pulpit! It was heavenly,
that's what it was. To be sure, many of his people lived out in the
country, necessitating the upkeep of a horse for the sake of his pastoral
work, but that was only an advantage. Also to be sure, the Methodists in
Mount Mark were in a minority, and an inferiority,--Mount Mark being a
Presbyterian stronghold due to the homing there of the trim and orderly