too; they're bound to tell EVERYTHING in confession.
That's what gives the Catholic Church such a tremendous hold. You've
spoken of it often."

"It must have been by way of a figure of speech," remarked Theron,
not with entire directness. "Women are great hands to separate one's
observations from their context, and so give them meanings quite
unintended. They are also great hands," he added genially, "or at least
one of them is, at making the most delicious dumplings in the world. I
believe these are the best even you ever made."

Alice was not unmindful of the compliment, but her thoughts were on
other things. "I shouldn't like that woman's priest, for example," she
said, "to know that we had no piano."

"But if he comes and stands outside our house every night and
listens--as of course he will," said Theron, with mock gravity, "it is
only a question of time when he must reach that conclusion for himself.
Our only chance, however, is that there are some sixteen hundred other
houses for him to watch, so that he may not get around to us for quite a
spell. Why, seriously, Alice, what on earth do you suppose Father Forbes
knows or cares about our poor little affairs, or those of any other
Protestant household in this whole village? He has his work to do, just
as I have mine--only his is ten times as exacting in everything except
sermons--and you may be sure he is only too glad when it is over each
day, without bothering about things that are none of his business."

"All the same I'm afraid of them," said Alice, as if argument were
exhausted.

CHAPTER VI

On the following morning young Mr. Ware anticipated events by inscribing
in his diary for the day, immediately after breakfast, these remarks:
"Arranged about piano. Began work upon book."

The date indeed deserved to be distinguished from its fellows. Theron
was so conscious of its importance that he not only prophesied in the
little morocco-bound diary which Alice had given him for Christmas, but
returned after he had got out upon the front steps of the parsonage to
have his hat brushed afresh by her.

"Wonders will never cease," she said jocosely. "With you getting
particular about your clothes, there isn't anything in this wide world
that can't happen now!"

"One doesn't go out to bring home a piano every day," he made answer.
"Besides, I want to make such an impression upon the man that he will
deal gently with that first cash payment down. Do you kno