as a son, "that was the child that deserved to be called one;
that knowed what he owed to God, and man too."

"He was as cunning as a fox, and as full of the spirit of Popery as an
egg is of meat," said Mr. Grinoble bitterly.

"I know him to be as innocent as a dove," said uncle Jacob, warmly, "and
believe him to be as full of the Spirit of God as Samuel was in the
temple. There, now."

"Then, uncle Jacob, I see you are beginning to believe in the Bible,"
sarcastically added the parson. "I am glad to find your mind inclined in
that way. I hope you will soon get religion and the change of heart."

"I hope and pray to the Lord," said the old man, in a voice little
removed from that of one in tears, "to change my heart, and give me
religion, as I now believe there is such a thing on earth. But, Mr.
Grinoble, your hard and cruel religion, I trust, shall never be mine.
God forbid! _It_ will never change my heart."

"Uncle, don't you talk that way," said Amanda. "This is very unpleasant.
Take no notice of him, sir," said she, addressing the parson, who
appeared to be disconcerted at this pointed attack of uncle Jacob.

"Amanda, I will talk so, I must talk so," said poor uncle, rising. "How
can ye reconcile it to religion, to justice, or to charity, the snares
and plots laid by you, miss, in company with those _men of God_, to rob
that poor child Paul, and his little sister and brothers, of their
ancient, noble, and holy religion? Fie, fie, fie! Is it such conduct you
call religion? It is the very reverse. It resembled more the conduct of
the serpent in paradise, than that of the meek disciples of Jesus
Christ. It was more like the religious profession of Herod, to get the
Child at Bethlehem into his clutches, than anything else we read of,
your conduct was. There is more Bible for you, Mr. Grinoble," said he,
slamming the door after him, and retiring to his room.

"'Tis not much use attempting to convert such an old hardened sinner,"
said Grinoble, smothering his mortification at the rebuff of uncle
Jacob.

"That Paul has ruined him," said Amanda. "I would not be a bit
surprised if he died a Papist yet."

"Sure you would not let the Popish priest visit him, on any account?"
said the tolerant parson.

"I fear pa would, for you know uncle Jacob left him this farm, and more
than half what he possesses in money and stock. Come, tea is ready."

Poor uncle Prying, as we have said already, was the senior brother of
Ephr