But he likes to go to other places, and to talk with other
people, who are as different from mamma as darkness is from daylight.
He is so careless and good-tempered that anything pleases him for the
moment. He has no stability. One cannot help liking him, but one
cannot respect him."

Everybody looked surprised. Jem whistled.

"Why don't you tell him so? It might do him good."

"It wouldn't change his nature," said Violet, loftily. And then she
bade them all good-night, and she and Jem went away, and Miss Bethia
improved the occasion.

"I expect that his nature has got to be changed before he amounts to
much that is good. I hope, David, you will not let this frivolous young
man lead you away from the right path."

Mrs Inglis had gone out of the room, and David prepared himself for
what he knew would come sooner or later, Miss Bethia's never-failing
good advice.

"You are none too wise to be drawn away by a pleasant-spoken, careless
youth like that. His company might easily become a snare to you, and to
Jem too."

"Oh! he has very little to say to me, Miss Bethia. He is older than Jem
or I. He likes to talk to mamma, and you mustn't think ill of him from
what was said to-night."

"I suppose the trouble is in his bringing up," said Miss Bethia. "From
all I hear, I should fear that his father hasn't a realising sense of
the importance of religion for himself or his family, and what can be
expected of his son?"

David did not like the turn the conversation had taken, and he did not
like the next better.

"There is a great responsibility resting on you, David, with regard to
the people among whom your lot is cast. It is to be hoped they'll be
led to think more, and not less, of the Master you serve from your walk
and conversation."

David made no answer.

"David," said Miss Bethia, "have you been living a Christian life since
you came here? Such a life as would have given comfort to your father,
if he had been here to see it? Have you been keeping your armour
bright, David?"

"I have been trying, Miss Bethia," said David.

"Well, it is something to have been trying. It is something not to be
led away. But have you been content with that? You have a battle to
fight--a work to do in just the spot you stand in, and if you are
faithful, you may help that unstable youth to stand on firmer ground
than his feet have found yet."

David shook his head.

"You don't know me, Miss Bethia, nor him