would be a great pity for me to abandon the work
to which I feel myself drawn. I like life in London far better than in
the country."

"I quite agree with you," interposed Paul.

"And I think that my change of opinion about religious things will
help, rather than hinder me in my work," continued Sally, with a slight
effort.

"Let us hope it may," said Paul, in a tone that implied a doubt on the
subject. "Anyway, I wish you to follow your own plan of life. I think
women ought to be as free as men to choose what they will do.
But"--with a glance from the window--"Miss Kitty's carriage stops the
way. I must go and see what she wants."

"Why, Kitty," he began, almost before he had reached the gate, "I
thought you had forgotten all about me! It is days, almost weeks, I
think, since you've paid me a call."

"It's because it has rained nearly every day and I've not been out at
all; and there are such a lot of things I want to ask you about."

Paul was Kitty's referee on every subject. "What is the first, I
wonder?" he said, smiling down at her.

"Bend down, please, Mr. Paul. It's a secret."

And Paul brought his ear to a level with Kitty's mouth.

"Do boys like Noah's Arks?"

Paul straightened himself with a burst of laughter.

"I thought you would know. Nurse said you'd be sure to know," Kitty
said, much injured by his untimely mirth.

"It's just because I don't that I am laughing," said Paul, whose
remembrance of childhood was unconnected with any scriptural game.
That he should be solemnly consulted about one seemed extremely
ludicrous.

"Then you did not have one?"

"No, I did not."

"I suppose it won't do, after all," said Kitty, dejectedly. "And it's
a real beauty; it cost half a crown."

"Really! That's a big price. I should think it might do for any one.
After all, an ark might come in handy soon, if we are going to have a
flood. Who's the happy boy?"

"Oh, you are shouting!" cried Kitty, warningly. "And it's a secret."

"I beg your pardon," said Paul, penitently. "Shall I look in and give
an opinion?"

"Yes; you and Sally, too. Perhaps you would come to tea with me this
afternoon? Daddy is gone to a Congress, or he could have told me
everything."

"Yes, we will come--Sally and I."

"And then I can tell you all about it, for Nurse knows but has promised
not to tell."

"We will try to be as trustworthy as Nurse," Paul said with a
reassuring nod.

So, over tea and toast,