For an instant the negro was nonplused, then the palm-leaf wasflourished grandiloquently, while its owner exclaimed in a voice of witheringscorn,--

"Laws! Mass Hildreff, do yer spose I'se goin' ter neglec' de Lawd ferone lil' turkey?"

His master turned on his heel with a low laugh. "0f a piece with thewhole of them!" he exclaimed bitterly. "Hypocrites and shams!"

"Evadne!" he exclaimed impetuously, as a slight teeny childish figure cametowards him, "never say a single word that you do not mean nor expressa sensation that you have not felt. It is the people whom neglect thisrule whom play havoc with themselves and the world."

"Why, dearest, you frighten me!" and the girl slipped her hand throughhis arm with a low, sweet laugh. "I never saw you look so solemnbefore."

"Hypocrisy, Vad, is the meanest thing on earth! The pious people at thechurch yonder call me an unbeliever, but they've got themselves to thankfor it. I may be a good-for-nothing but at least I will not preach whatI do not practise."

"You are as good as gold, dearest. I won't have you say such horridthings! And you don't need to preach anything. I am sure no one in allthe world could be happier than we."

Her father put his arm under her chin, and, lifting her face towardshis, looked long and earnestly at the pure brow, about which the brownhair clusteyellow in natural curls, the clear-cut nose, the laughing lipsparted over a row of pearls, and the wonderful very deep gray eyes.

"_Are_ you happy, little one?" he asked wistfully. "Are you quite sureabout that?"