rd like that, and I send
you from the table."

"But my dear boy," Mrs. Bartholomew went on, "you said Monday night
that you were as much of a Jew as ever."

"The poor fellow was afraid of falling between two stools," said Judy;
"so he clutched at 'em both, without thinking."

"And you are very young; and you do not know what your opinions may be
in a few years more. And in the mean while, I am very unwilling that
you should offend your uncles. _They_ would never get over it."

"I guess they wouldn't," said Judy. "What a time David will have with
'em!"

"Don't you see, my dear," pursued Mrs. Bartholomew, "it is unnecessary,
and may be premature, and so unwise?"

"Mother," said David, evidently struggling with his feelings, "Messiah
has said that he will not own those who do not own him."

"You'll get nothing out of him, mamma," said Judy. "He is one of
Matilda's crazy kind. He is going to get rid of his money as fast as he
can; and then he will turn chaplain of some jail, I should think; or
else he will get a place as a Methodist parson and go poking into all
the poor places of the earth; and then we shall see his name up in
bills--'Preaching at the cross corners to-night--Rev. David Bartholomew
will speak to the people from a candle box.'"

David changed colour once or twice, but he said nothing.

"Matilda Laval," said Judy sharply, "eat your breakfast! He won't want
_you_ to help him preach."

Matilda wondered privately that the elders were so patient of Judy's
tongue and so very silent themselves. They seemed to have thoughts not
ready for utterance. At any rate the breakfast party broke up with Judy
having the last word, and scattered their several ways; and Matilda
heard no more on David's subject for some time. How the Saturday's work
issued she did not know; nothing was said about it in her hearing; and
David looked as happy and as calm as he had done before Saturday. She
watched him, and she was sure of that.

One afternoon, it was a Sunday, and the ladies of the family were shut
up in their rooms, resting or dressing, Matilda and David were alone in
the little reception room. It was the hour before dinner; Matilda had
come in from Sunday school and was sitting there with a new book, when
David joined her. He sat down beside her, Matilda knew immediately, for
a talk; and she shut up her book.

"Matilda, I have been reading about the men with the talents; the five
talents, and the ten talents, you k