* * * * *

"Too long, I am afraid," said the curate, the moment he had finished his
paper, looking at his watch.

"We have not thought so, I am sure," said Adela, courteously. The ladies
rose to go.

"Who is to read next?" said the schoolmaster.

"Why, of course," said the curate, indignantly, "it ought to be my
brother, but there is no depending on him."

"If this frost lasts, I will positively read next time," said the doctor.
"But, you know, Ralph, it will be better for you to bring something else
with you, lest I should fail again."

"Cool!" said the curate. "I think it is time we dropped it."

"No, please don't," said Harry, with a little anxiety in his tone. "I
really want to read my story."

"It looks like it, doesn't it?"

"Now, Ralph, a clergyman should never be sarcastic. Be as indignant as you
please--but--sarcastic--never. It is very easy for you, who know just what
you have to do, and have besides whole volumes in that rickety old desk of
yours, to keep such an appointment as this. Mine is produced for the
occasion, _bona fide_; and I cannot tell what may be required of me from