"My daughter, my daughter!" exclaimed the impatient and perplexed woman.
"Such things as churches don't interest Mr. Gusher. Mr. Gusher moves in
distinguished society, and goes to a fashionable church."

"Oh, yes, madam, I go to ze very fazionable church. I go to zee ze
ladies, and to enjoy ze sentiment of ze music. Zen I shall enjoy myself
wiz your daughter more as well in your house. I shall do zat. Your
daughter, she shall zing to me, and she shall play to me, and she shall
read to me some poetry. I am so much love ze poetry."

"Truly, Mr. Gusher, I should make but very poor work in entertaining you
by singing or playing," replied Mattie; "and as for poetry, I never had
any taste for it. Father made me read Pilgrim's Progress until it has
got to be a favorite book with me. Did you ever read it, Mr. Gusher? It
is very interesting."

"Nevare, nevare!" returned Mr. Gusher, shaking his head and extending
his hands. "I nevare read ze book of ze Progress Pilgrim. I read ze book
what describe to me ze paradise of ze heart--love." How very
aggravating, thought Mr. Gusher. Instead of a girl with a whole volume
of poetry in her soft blue eyes, here was one whose very nature seemed
devoid of sentiment. Still there was something in this cold and reserve
manner, this indifference to Mr. Gusher's attractions, that tended to
excite his ambition, for he was excessively vain.

"Your dear mother say I go to ze fazionable church. Yes, I go to ze
fazionable church. I zee so many nice ladies, so many beautiful ladies,
all my friends; and za make me so many compliments. Oh, yes, Miss
Chapman, I have so many beautiful young ladies for my friend in ze