patent to be concealed, that here in good Mrs. Yocomb's house, and on
a Sunday afternoon, you are reading a secular newspaper?"

"You. have explained my conduct yourself," she said, assuming a fine
surprise.

"I?"

"You, and most satisfactorily. You said you believed in a Providence.
I have merely been reading what he has done, or what he has permitted,
within the last twenty-four hours."

I looked around for a chair, and sat down "struck all of a heap," as
the rural vernacular has it.

"Is that your definition of news?" I ventured at last.

"I'm not a dictionary. That's the definition of what I've been reading
this afternoon."

"Miss Warren, you may score one against me."

The mischievous light was in her eyes, but she said suavely:

"Oh, no, you shall have another chance. I shall begin by showing
mercy, for I may need it, and I see that you can be severe."

"Well, please, let me take breath and rally my shattered wits before I
make another advance. I understand you, then, that you regard
newspapers as good Sunday reading?"