of himself. "It's a little conundrum I
made to amuse my good woman, in one of her bad turns. Why are Barnes'
Notes like the waters of a deep stream? _Answer_,--because one would
find them easier to get _over_, if they were a-_bridged_."

The company laughed again; and the clergyman thought it best that they
should take leave at the moment when Job was elated with his brilliant
success.

"It was in the year 'seventeen," spoke up the grandmother, rousing from
her dreams, as they were going away; "I remember it as well as if 'twas
yesterday."

"Poor woman!" muttered Job, with feeling, "I've no doubt but she
remembers it a great deal better, whatever it is."

"Come again, and I'll tell ye all about it," proceeded the old lady,
with a shrill laugh. "I actually gi'n that creatur' three pecks of
inions and a pan of dried apples; and she never said so much as
_thank'e_, to this day! I might have expected it, though; for she was a
Dudley on her mother's side, and everybody knowed how mean that race of
Dudleys always was, partic'larly the women folks. Airly in March, in the
year 'seventeen."

She relapsed again into her dreams; Mrs. Bowen bid the visitors a hoarse
and melancholy _good-evening_; and Job stumped to the door on his wooden
leg to see them off.

XXVII.

"OLD FOLKS" AND "YOUNG FOLKS."

"Now, then, about the new meeting-house," remarked Father Brighthopes,
in a spirited tone, carrying his hat in his hand.

The sun was down, the fiery glow was fading from the clouds, and, as the
dying light fell upon his large pale forehead and thin white locks of
hair, tinging them faintly with gold, Mr. Corlis thought he had never
seen so striking a picture of beautiful and venerable age.

"We hear you," said Deacon Dustan.

"Well," proceeded the old man, "my notion is simply this: if your
society can afford to build a new meeting-house, build it, by all
means."

"There's wisdom for you!" cried the deacon, triumphantly. "My own ideas
simplified and expressed in three words, _If we can afford to build_;
and who will say we cannot afford so much?"

"What is it, to afford?" asked Mr. Royden, perplexed by the old
clergyman's decision.

"Have you the means to spare for the purpose?" suggested Mr. Corlis.

"Ay, that is the question," said Father Brighthopes. "I don't know but
you have. I hope you have. But you must consider that to do this thing
for your own glory, and not in the service of our Saviour, will be ot