such opinion;
so "forthwith the good work must begin," as he authoritatively said. He
should not be trifled with any longer, or have it said that, after all
the prayers "put up," and pains taken, "they should still be left
wallowing in the mire of Popery."

"It should not be! It could not be! The power of the Lord must be made
manifest. He could not any longer allow the light to remain under a
bushel. It should shine, and he should then and there convert those
obstinate young things to vital religion."

"Some turkey, Paul, my dear?" said Gulmore, after having first served
the ladies and senior members of the family.

"Not any, sir, thank you," said Paul.

"Not any!" repeated the parson, frowning. "Why so? That's not good
manners, my lad."

"If it be not, I am sorry, sir," said Paul. "I cannot be expected to be
very polite, or to know the usages of this country, as yet. So I beg to
be excused."

"You should not refuse the gifts of God when offered you," replied _his
reverence_.

"But I do not think it would be good for me to use these gifts of God in
the present instance."

"You must eat meat, Paul, and use the good things of our glorious
country, or you will fail and die."

"I know I will die," said Paul; "and I guess eating turkey won't make me
immortal."

A loud laugh followed this remark from all but the parson and a female
member of the family. This "raised his dander a _leetle_," as old uncle
Jacob afterwards used to say.

"That is more unmannerly still, Paul," said the parson.

"You think you are smart; but I tell you, child, you are ignorant, and
impudent to boot."

"I should be sorry to make a saucy or impudent answer to any body, much
more to a clergyman of any church; but I thought you were aware that it
is counted very insulting to Catholics to offer them meat on Fridays, as
if they were apostates who would sell their souls for a 'mess of
pottage;' and I thought you were aware that we are Catholics, and that
our religion forbids us to eat flesh on Friday."

"I know, sir, the Romish faith forbids her votaries the use of meat;
but, Paul, I thought you were now thoroughly weaned from such notions,
from what you have seen since you came to this free and Protestant
country."

"All I have seen since I was unfortunately compelled to come to these
parts, only confirms me in my attachment to the religion of our
ancestors," said Paul.

"My child, I love you," said the parson, seeing he had been