t would have
to be a most extraordinary and uncommon sort of politeness. I can
hardly believe my eyes yet."

"You always said Mr. Richmond was a brick, Norton," said Matilda.

"Yes, but you never heard me say David Bartholomew was another, did
you?"

"Well, but he _is_, Norton."

"He _is!_ Phew! that's news."

They came to the parsonage door and Matilda could not reply. Going in,
Mr. Richmond said to them that he had something to talk with David
about, and that they must not sit up if they were tired. So he and
David turned into the study, and Norton and Matilda went on into the
dining-room, where Miss Redwood was sitting with her Bible. Then
David's head was put into the room after them. "Tell Norton for me,
please, Matilda," he said; and went back.

"Tell me what?" said Norton.

Matilda did not know how to begin.

"Well, you've got home," remarked the housekeeper closing her book.
"Was there many out?"

"Would have been more if you hadn't staid at home, Miss Redwood,"
Norton replied.

"When you're as old as I am, my young gentleman, you'll know that folks
don't do things without reasons."

"Ah!" said Norton. "But are they always good reasons?"

"That's their own look out," said the housekeeper. "What did you go to
church for this evening, for instance?"

"I've just been telling my sister," said Norton. "But what, in the name
of Rabbi Solomon, and all the Rabbis, ever took David Bartholomew
there?"

"Ain't he a Jew?" said the housekeeper.

"Of course he is. And he don't love Christians, I can tell you, except
one here and there."

"He does now," said Matilda in a low voice.

"What?" said Norton.

"He loves Christians now, Norton. And he loves Jesus. He is a Christian
himself."

"David Bartholomew a Christian!" exclaimed Norton.

Matilda nodded. Her eyes were full and her lips were trembling.

"I _thought_ there was something to pay," said the good housekeeper,
whose eyes watered for company. But Norton was transfixed with
astonishment.

"Pink, what do you mean?"

"It's true, Norton," said Matilda nodding again.

"What's made him?"

"He has been studying the Bible and the New Testament this long while.
Now, he says, he knows."

"And he means it!" said the housekeeper. "I can tell by the look of
him."

"Means what?"

"He means what he says--whatever that is."

"But you said, you were thinking, something in particular, Miss
Redwood."

"Yes; just what he was thinking," said the