flock. Sympathy is one of the first demands he ought to be able to
meet--I know what a headache is."

The former expression, or rather non-expression, returned; this time
unaccompanied by a bow.

"I trust, Mr. Walton, I TRUST I am above any morbid necessity for
sympathy. But, as you say, amongst the poor of your flock,--it IS
very desirable that a clergyman should be able to sympathise."

"It's quite true what grannie says, Mr. Walton, though you mightn't
think it. When she has a headache, she shuts herself up in her own
room, and doesn't even let me come near her--nobody but Sarah; and
how she can prefer her to me, I'm sure I don't know."

And here the girl pretended to pout, but with a sparkle in her
bright gray eye.

"The subject is not interesting to me, Pet. Pray, Mr. Walton, is it
a point of conscience with you to wear the surplice when you
preach?"

"Not in the least," I answered. "I think I like it rather better on
the whole. But that's not why I wear it."

"Never mind grannie, Mr. Walton. _I_ think the surplice is lovely.
I'm sure it's much liker the way we shall be dressed in heaven,
though I don't think I shall ever get there, if I must read the good
books grannie reads."