housekeeper. "He'll never be
one o' those Christians that stand on one leg at a time; that's what I
mean. Whoever wants to walk alongside of him, 'll have to step up to
the mark."

Norton looked at her, in somewhat disdainful want of comprehension, and
then turned to Matilda again.

"Pink, I don't believe a word of it!"

"Why, Norton, I heard him myself, all that he said."

"Mind, he may have found out that his famous old uncles of rabbis don't
know anything; _that's_ very likely; but I don't believe David
Bartholomew has given up being a Jew."

"Why he can't do that, Norton; he's born so; but he is a Christian too."

"A man can't be a Christian and a Jew too," said Norton.

"Miss Redwood, can't he?"

"I reckon it's difficult," said the good housekeeper; "and you may
depend he's found that out; but he's found it's possible too. Why what
'ud become of all the Jewish nation if it warn't possible?"

"What should become of them?" Norton asked scornfully.

"Well, there's wonderful things about the Jews in the Bible," said the
housekeeper rising; "if the minister was here he'd tell you. And there
was an old promise to Abraham, that if I was you I wouldn't run
against."

"Run against a promise to Abraham!" said Norton.

"Well, yes," said the housekeeper, setting her chair back at the wall
in its place. "I wouldn't like to run against none o' the Lord's words,
and this is one of 'em. 'I will bless them that bless thee, and curse
him that curseth thee.'"

The housekeeper went off and left Matilda and Norton looking at each
other. Norton wore a vexed face.

"This is all trumpery," he said. "It will blow away like smoke."

"No it won't, Norton," said Matilda. "I hope not."

"And how long have you and David been holding secret meetings together
to talk about this?"

"I don't know, Norton. But we had better go to bed, I suppose; for Miss
Redwood will call us very early to have breakfast before the omnibus
comes for us."

"Nonsense to have breakfast!" said Norton. "We shall be home time
enough."

"But then you and Davy will have to rush right off to school. Good
night."

"Good night"--said Norton, in an uncomfortable tone. And they went up
to their rooms, leaving David and Mr. Richmond still shut up in the
study.

It was early, dawn just breaking, when the summons came for them to get
up; the dawn of a fair spring morning. What a visit it had been!
Matilda thought to herself, as she dressed and put up her