ignoring Susan. "He talked in grunts, so to speak. And Mr.
Arnett couldn't preach AT ALL. And he picked about the worst
candidating text there is in the Bible--'Curse ye Meroz.'"

"Whenever he got stuck for an idea, he would bang the Bible and
shout very bitterly, 'Curse ye Meroz.' Poor Meroz got thoroughly
cursed that day, whoever he was, Mrs. Dr. dear," said Susan.

"The minister who is candidating can't be too careful what text
he chooses," said Miss Cornelia solemnly. "I believe Mr. Pierson
would have got the call if he had picked a different text. But
when he announced 'I will lift my eyes to the hills' HE was done
for. Every one grinned, for every one knew that those two Hill
girls from the Harbour Head have been setting their caps for
every single minister who came to the Glen for the last fifteen
years. And Mr. Newman had too large a family."

"He stayed with my brother-in-law, James Clow," said Susan. "'How
many children have you got?' I asked him. 'Nine boys and a
sister for each of them,' he said. 'Eighteen!' said I. 'Dear
me, what a family!' And then he laughed and laughed. But I do
not know why, Mrs. Dr. dear, and I am certain that eighteen
children would be too many for any manse."

"He had only ten children, Susan," explained Miss Cornelia, with
contemptuous patience. "And ten good children would not be much
worse for the manse and congregation than the four who are there
now. Though I wouldn't say, Anne dearie, that they are so bad,
either. I like them--everybody likes them. It's impossible to
help liking them. They would be real nice little souls if there