in
the desire to displease nobody, the votes should settle down on some
nonentity, was the best which was likely to happen. Thus, grumbling, he
set off, and his daughters watched anxiously for his return. They saw
him come through the garden with a quick, light step, that made them
augur well, and he entered the room with the corners of his mouth
turning up. "I see," said Ethel, "it is all right."

"They were going to have made a very absurd choice."

"But you prevented it? Who was it?"

"Ah! I told you Master Ritchie was turning out a popular preacher."

"You don't mean that they chose Richard!" cried Margaret breathlessly.

"As sure as my name is Dick May, they did, every man of them, except
Tomkins, and even he held his tongue; I did not think it of them," said
the doctor, almost overcome; "but there is much more goodness of heart
in the world than one gives it credit for."

And good Dr. May was not one to give the least credit for all that was
like himself.

"But it was Richard's own doing," he continued. "Those sermons made a
great impression, and they love the boy, because he has grown up among
them. The old mayor waddled up to me, as I came in, telling me that they
had been talking it over, and they were unanimously agreed that they
could not have a parson they should like better than Mr. Richard."

"Good old Mr. Doddesley! I can see him!" cried Ethel.

"I expected it so little, that I thought he meant some Richards; but no,
he said Mr. Richard May, if he had nothing better in view--they liked
him, and knew he was a very steady, good young gentleman, and if he took
after his fathers that went before him--and they thought we might like
to have him settled near!"

"How very kind!" said Margaret, as the tears came. "We shall love our
own townsfolk better than ever!"

"I always told you so, if you would but believe it. They have warm,
sound hearts, every one of them! I declare, I did not know which way to
look, I was so sorry to disappoint them."

"Disappoint them!" cried Margaret, in consternation.

"I was thinking," said Ethel. "I do not believe Richard would think
himself equal to this place in such a state as it is. He is so
diffident."

"Yes," said Dr. May, "if he were ten or twelve years older, it would be
another thing; but here, where everything is to be done, he would not
bring weight or force enough. He would only work himself to death, for
individuals, without going to the root. Margaret,