authority on such matters--pardon me--who is one now, I am assured
that this old custom is wrong. In questions of right and wrong,
I suppose a minister should guide."

"No, Miss Marsden, that is not Protestantism. Your conscience,
instructed by the Bible, should guide."

"But I see no more harm in whist than in a sleigh-ride."

"Perhaps your conscience needs instruction."

"O, certainly, that is it! Please instruct it."

He turned quickly, but saw a face serious enough for an anxious
seat in an old-time revival.

"Yes," said Mr. Dimmerly, testily. "My conscience needs instruction
also. What harm is there in a quiet game of whist?"

"Well, I do not know that there is anything wrong in a 'quiet game
of cards,' per se" commenced Hemstead, didactically.

"'Per' who?" asked Lottie, innocently.

Just then the party at the other table seemed to explode, but they
made it appear as if the cause came from themselves.

"Yes, yes, nephew, speak English. You may find some reasons in
Latin, but none in English, the only language of sound sense."