nlike him, Mary; but you must never be surprised at men,
they do not like to hear each other praised; and though I should
have thought, from what I know of my son, that he was above the
feeling of jealousy, I cannot but think that he showed some signs
of that feeling today."

"But it seems absurd, mother. I can understand John being jealous
of any one his own age who surpassed him in any exercises--though I
never saw him so for, when in rowing on the lake, or in shooting
with bows and arrows, or in other sports, some of our neighbors'
sons have surpassed him, he never seemed to mind at all; and it
seems almost absurd to think that he could be jealous of a great
leader, who has done brave deeds for our people."

"It does seem so, Mary, and I wonder myself; but it has been ever
one of our national faults to be jealous of our leaders. From the
time the people vexed Moses and Aaron, in the wilderness, it has
ever been the same. I grieve to see it in John, who has
distinguished himself greatly for his age, and of whom we are
proud; but no one is perfect, my child, and you must not trouble
because you find that your betrothed husband is not free from all
weaknesses."

"I don't expect him to be free from all weaknesses, mother; but
this is one of the last weaknesses I should have expected to find
in him, and it troubles me. When everything seemed so dark, it was
a pleasure to think that a hero, perhaps a deliverer, had arisen;
and now John seems to say that he has done nothing."

"My dear child," Martha said, "something may have occurred to vex
John on the way and, when men are put out, they will often show it
in the strangest manner. Probably John will, another time, speak
just as warmly in praise of our new leader as you would, yourself."

"Perhaps it may be so, mother," Mary assented. "I can hardly
believe that John is jealous--it does seem so unlike himself."

"I would not speak on the subject again, Mary, if I were you;
unless he, himself, brings it up. A wise woman keeps silence on
subjects which may lead to disagreement. You will learn, when you
have married, that this is the easiest and best way."

"I suppose so, mother," Mary said, in a tone of disappointment;
"but somehow it never seemed to me, before, that John and I could
have any subject on which there would be disagreement."

"My dear Mary," Martha said, smiling, "John and you are both
mortal; and although you may truly love each other--and will, I
tru