A man who strives earnestly and perseveringly to convince others,
at least convinces us that he is convinced himself. Guesses at
Truth.

The rainy afternoon had given place to a fine and starlit night.
Erica, apparently in high spirits, walked between her father and
Charles Osmond.

"Mother won't be anxious about us," she said. "She has not heard
a word about Mr. Randolph's plans. I was so afraid some one would
speak about it at tea time, and then she would have been in a
fright all the evening, and would not have liked my going."

"Mr. Randolph is both energetic and unscrupulous," said Raeburn.
"But I doubt if even he would set his roughs upon you, little one,
unless he has become as blood thirsty as a certain old Scotch psalm
we used to sing."

"What was that?" questioned Erica.

"I forget the beginning, but the last verse always had a sort of
horrible fascination for us--

"'How happy should that trooper be
Who, riding on a naggie,
Should take thy little children up,
And dash them 'gin the craggie!'"

Charles Osmond and Erica laughed heartily.