s wide open, and his arms dropped by his
side, spoke to the elder man, who turned round on his knees to attend.
'John, didst see that Daisy had her warm mash to-night; for we must not
neglect the means, John--two quarts of gruel, a spoonful of ginger, and
a gill of beer--the poor beast needs it, and I fear it slipped Out of
my mind to tell thee; and here was I asking a blessing and neglecting
the means, which is a mockery,' said he, dropping his voice. Before we
went to bed he told me he should see little or nothing more of me
during my visit, which was to end on Sunday evening, as he always gave
up both Saturday and Sabbath to his work in the ministry. I remembered
that the landlord at the inn had told me this on the day when I first
inquired about these new relations of mine; and I did not dislike the
opportunity which I saw would be afforded me of becoming more
acquainted with cousin Holman and Phillis, though I earnestly hoped
that the latter would not attack me on the subject of the dead
languages.

I went to bed, and dreamed that I was as tall as cousin Phillis, and
had a sudden and miraculous growth of whisker, and a still more
miraculous acquaintance with Latin and Greek. Alas! I wakened up still
a short, beardless lad, with 'tempus fugit' for my sole remembrance of
the little Latin I had once learnt. While I was dressing, a bright
thought came over me: I could question cousin Phillis, instead of her
questioning me, and so manage to keep the choice of the subjects of
conversation in my own power.

Early as it was, every one had breakfasted, and my basin of bread and
milk was put on the oven-top to await my coming down. Every one was
gone about their work. The first to come into the house-place was
Phillis with a basket of eggs. Faithful to my resolution, I asked,--

'What are those?'

She looked at me for a moment, and then said gravely,--

'Potatoes!'

'No! they are not,' said I. 'They are eggs. What do you mean by saying
they are potatoes?'

'What do you mean by asking me what they were, when they were plain to
be seen?' retorted she.

We were both getting a little angry with each other.

'I don't know. I wanted to begin to talk to you; and I was afraid you
would talk to me about books as you did yesterday. I have not read
much; and you and the minister have read so much.'

'I have not,' said she. 'But you are our guest; and mother says I must
make it pleasant to you. We won't talk of books. What