"No," sez I. "I'm talkin' Bible--I'm talkin' about Joseph; jest plain
Joseph."

"Ah! I see. I am not fully familiar with that work. Being so engrossed in
politics, and political literature, I don't git any time to devote to less
important publications."

Sez I candidly, "I knew you hadn't read it the minute you mentioned the
book of Liliputians. But as I wuz sayin', Joseph wuz a likely man. He had
the strength to lead the way, overcome obstacles, keep dangers from Mary,
protect her tenderer form with the mantilly of his generous devotion.

"_But she carried the Child on her bosom_; ponderin' high things in
her heart that Joseph never dreamed of. That is what is wanted now, and
in the future. The man and the woman walkin' side by side. He a little
ahead, mebby, to keep off dangers by his greater strength and courage. She
a-carryin' the infant Christ of Love, bearin' the baby Peace in her bosom,
carryin' it into safety from them that seek to destroy it.

"And as I said before, if God called woman into this work, He will enable
her to carry it through. He will protect her from her own weaknesses, and
the misapprehensions and hard judgments and injustices of a gain-sayin'
world.

"Yes, the star of hope is risin' in the sky brighter and brighter, and
wise men are even now comin' to the mother of the new Redeemer, led by the
star."

He sot demute. Silence rained for some time; and finally I spoke out