rother spoke to the minister about it. The clergyman declared
that the book could only be stamped out of existence by a special
process. He went to what had been my aunt's house, and summoned my
brother and those who were there into the kitchen. Then one man
thrust a bundle of furze into the oven and set it alight. Another
one threw the book amongst the flames and firmly secured the door.

"'Down on your knees,' commanded the minister. Everyone obeyed. The
clergyman prayed aloud, when in a few moments, piercing shrieks were
heard issuing from the oven. The whole company were in a state of
horripilation. The clergyman ceased praying. He simply said with
quivering and pale lips: 'The book is burning.'

"The cries ceased. The door of the oven was opened. The book was
reduced to ashes."

The two children were awe-stricken.

They sat as still as two mice, breathing only as much as was
absolutely necessary. It was Tommy who first broke the silence.

He was more accustomed to hear these strange tales than his cousin,
and, consequently, got over his fright sooner.

"How did the book shriek," questioned the boy.

The entrance of Mr. Soher and his spouse disturbed the proceedings.
Adele was very glad of it, for she was anxious to be back home
before dusk.

Handing her a piece of paper, Adele's uncle bade her be sure to give
it to her father. He enjoined her not to lose it, but to hold it
tightly all the way home. "Don't put it in your pocket," he added as
the little girl was preparing to leave.

Adele did as she was bid; she could not put the missive in her
pocket, because--there was no pocket to the dress which she wore.

She hastened home. The story which Mrs. Soher had recited had shaken
her nerves.

As she neared her father's house, she was tempted to look at the
writing on the paper. There was a brief struggle within her. At last
her conscience prevailed over her curiosity.

She met her father who was waiting for her on the threshold and
handed him the paper. He ran his eyes over it and muttered audibly:
"Let him go to the dogs, then, if he wishes to do so."

As soon as Adele was out of the "Prenoms" the two garrulous women
began to talk about their little visitor. As was their wont, they
(especially the younger Mrs. Soher) cast upon Adele all the slander
and scandal which they were capable of. Their epigrams were as
devoid of wit as they were coarse.

Mr. Soher, who sat near, did not join in the conversati