He answered quickly that he would
be pleased to do so. In the simplicity
of his saintly egotism it occurred to
him that the religious pleasure of
entertaining him might be a means of grace
to her. When she left him in the dusk
of the chilly room to go and see to
the supper, he fell into silent prayer
for the soul that did not desire his care.

Henry Roberts, summoned by his
daughter to entertain the guest until
supper was ready, found him sitting in
the darkness of the parlor; the old man
was full of hospitable apologies for his
Philippa's forgetfulness; "she did not
remember the lamp!" he lamented; and
making his way through the twilight of
the room, he took off the prism-hung
shade of the tall astral lamp on the
center-table, and fumbled for a match to
light the charred and sticky wick; there
were very few occasions in this plain
household when it was worth while to
light the best lamp! This was one of
them, for in those days the office
dignified the man to a degree that is hardly
understood now. But Henry Roberts's
concern was not entirely a matter of