in his heart of being descended from
some old Sir Thurstan, who figured away in the French wars."

"The difference between theory and practice, thinking and being," put
in Mr Benson, who was in a mood for allowing himself a little social
enjoyment. He leant back in his chair, with his eyes looking at,
but not seeing the ceiling. Miss Benson was clicking away with her
eternal knitting-needles, looking at her brother, and seeing him,
too. Ruth was arranging her child's clothes against the morrow. It
was but their usual way of spending an evening; the variety was given
by the different tone which the conversation assumed on the different
nights. Yet, somehow, the peacefulness of the time, the window open
into the little garden, the scents that came stealing in, and the
clear summer heaven above, made the time be remembered as a happy
festival by Ruth. Even Sally seemed more placid than usual when she
came in to prayers; and she and Miss Benson followed Ruth to her
bedroom, to look at the beautiful sleeping Leonard.

"God bless him!" said Miss Benson, stooping down to kiss his little
dimpled hand, which lay outside the coverlet, tossed abroad in the
heat of the evening.

"Now, don't get up too early, Ruth! Injuring your health will be
short-sighted wisdom and poor economy. Good night!"

"Good night, dear Miss Benson. Good night, Sally." When Ruth had shut
her door, she went again to the bed, and looked at her boy till her
eyes filled with tears.

"God bless thee, darling! I only ask to be one of His instruments,
and not thrown aside as useless--or worse than useless."

So ended the day of Leonard's christening.

Mr Benson had sometimes taught the children of different people as
an especial favour, when requested by them. But then his pupils were
only children, and by their progress he was little prepared for
Ruth's. She had had early teaching, of that kind which need never be
unlearnt, from her mother; enough to unfold many of her powers; they
had remained inactive now for several years, but had grown strong
in the dark and quiet time. Her tutor was surprised at the bounds
by which she surmounted obstacles, the quick perception and ready
adaptation of truths and first principles, and her immediate sense of
the fitness of things. Her delight in what was strong and beautiful
called out her master's sympathy; but, most of all, he admired the
complete unconsciousness of uncommon power, or unusual progress. It
was less