strange palates unlike their own. It is a beautiful lesson; it
teaches us who are the ministers of the Lord to likewise suck the
sweetness from the flowers of the living gospel, and impart it
gladly to the unbelievers who shall find it sweeter than the
sweetest honey!"

And he shook his head piously several times, while the pores of his
fat visage exuded holy oil. Duprez sniggered secretly. Macfarlane
looked preternaturally solemn.

"Come," repeated the reverend gentleman, with an inviting smile.
"Come and see my bees,--also my strawberries! I shall be delighted
to send a basket of the fruit to the yacht, if Sir Philip will
permit me?"

Errington expressed his thanks with due courtesy, and hastened to
seize the opportunity that presented itself for breaking away from
the party.

"If you will excuse us for twenty minutes or so, Mr. Dyceworthy," he
said, "Lorimer and I want to consult a fellow here in Bosekop about
some new fishing tackle. We shan't be gone long. Mac, you and Duprez
wait for us here. Don't commit too many depredations on Mr.
Dyceworthy's strawberries."

The reason for their departure was so simply and naturally given,
that it was accepted without any opposing remarks. Duprez was
delighted to have the chance of amusing himself by harassing the
Reverend Charles with open professions of utter atheism, and
Macfarlane, who loved an argument more than he loved whiskey, looked