r. Harrison, I wish you would read the Bible, with the
determination to do what you find there you ought."

"I will," he said smiling. "And if I get into difficulty you must help
me."

The rest of the way was extremely pleasant, after that; only it seemed
to Faith that they met all the world! First there was Cecilia Deacon,
whose eyes took good note, she thought, of both the walkers from head
to foot. Then they met at intervals every one of Faith's Sunday school
scholars; for every one of whom she had a glad greeting and word which
she must stop for, somewhat to the doctor's amused edification. Miss
Bezac happened, of all people, to be going up street when they were
going down; and her eyes looked rather with some wistful gravity upon
the pair, for all her pleasant nods to both. Then Mrs. Somers.

"Well I think you are _Faith!_"--was her brisk remark,--"or
faith_less_--which is it? Julius, I heard a remarkable story about you
yesterday."

"Aunt Ellen--I like to hear remarkable stories. Especially about
anything remarkable."

"Well this isn't one of that sort," said Mrs. Somers.

"I am sure you said--However, let's have it, of any sort."

"I heard you had your pocket picked of a good opportunity," said Mrs.
Somers. "Does Mr. Linden expect to be out next week, Faith?"

"I believe Dr. Harrison will not let him, Mrs. Somers."

A little unverbalized sound answered that, and Mrs. Somers said good
evening and walked on. Faith thought that was the end, as they were
near her own door. But Dr. Harrison followed her in; and entering the
sitting-room, Faith found that her meetings were not over. There was no
less a person than Mrs. Stoutenburgh, and there also, regaling her eyes
and ears, were Mrs. Derrick and Mr. Linden.

Mrs. Stoutenburgh was a fair, pretty, curly-haired woman, a good deal
younger than the Squire, intensely devoted to her own family, and very
partial to Mr. Linden--whom she had taken under her wing (figuratively)
from his first coming to Pattaquasset. The first sound Faith heard as
she opened the door was Mrs. Stoutenburgh's merry laugh at some remark
of his--then the lady jumped up and came towards her.

"My dear Faith, how do you do?--Dr. Harrison--I half said I would never
speak to you again! Faith, how can you trust yourself with him for one
minute?"

"Mrs. Stoutenburgh," said the doctor,--"I half thought I would shoot
myself!"

"I guess that's as near as you'll come to it, on purpose," said M