Tales from Many Sources | Page 7

have congratulated myself that I
was not misled by the graces of an age at which ill-breeding is less
apparent than later in life."
The little ladies both rose. "If you see no difference, sir," said Miss
Betty in her stateliest manner, "between a babe with an immortal soul
and the beasts that perish, it is quite useless to prolong the
conversation."
"Reason is apt to be useless when opposed to the generous impulses of
a sex so full of sentiment as yours, madam," said the lawyer, rising also.
"Permit me to take a long farewell, since it is improbable that our
friendship will resume its old position until your _protegé_ has--run
away."
The words "long farewell" and "old friendship" were quite sufficient to
soften wrath in the tender hearts of the little ladies. But the lawyer had
really lost his temper, and, before Miss Betty had decided how to offer
the olive branch without conceding her principles he was gone.
The weather was warm. The little ladies were heated by discussion and
the parson by vain scouring of the country on foot, when they asked his
advice upon their project, and related their conversation with the lawyer.
The two gentlemen had so little in common that the parson felt it his
duty not to let his advice be prejudiced by this fact. For some moments
he sat silent, then he began to walk about as if he were composing a

sermon; then he stopped before the little ladies (who were sitting as
stiffly on the sofa as if it were a pew) and spoke as if he were
delivering one.
"If you ask me, dear ladies, whether it is your duty to provide for this
child because you found him, I say that there is no such obligation. If
you ask if I think it wise in your own interests, and hopeful as to the
boy's career, I am obliged to agree with your legal adviser. Vagabond
ways are seldom cured in one generation, and I think it is quite
probable that, after much trouble and anxiety spent upon him, he may
go back to a wandering life. But, Miss Betty," continued the parson in
deepening tones, as he pounded his left palm with his right fist for want
of a pulpit, "If you ask me whether I believe any child of any race is
born incapable of improvement, and beyond benefit from the charities
we owe to each other, I should deny my faith if I could say yes. I shall
not, madam, confuse the end of your connection with him with the end
of your training in him, even if he runs away, or fancy that I see the one
because I see the other. I do not pretend to know how much evil he
inherits from his forefathers as accurately as our graphic friend; but I
do know that he has a Father whose image is also to be found in His
children--not quite effaced in any of them--and whose care of this one
will last when yours, madam, may seem to have been in vain."
As the little ladies rushed forward and each shook a hand of the parson,
he felt some compunction for his speech.
"I fear I am encouraging you in grave indiscretion," said he. "But,
indeed, my dear ladies, I am quite against your project, for you do not
realize the anxieties and disappointments that are before you, I am sure.
The child will give you infinite trouble. I think he will run away. And
yet I cannot in good conscience say that I believe love's labour must be
lost. He may return to the woods and wilds; but I hope he will carry
something with him."
"Did the reverend gentleman mean Miss Betty's teaspoons?" asked the
lawyer, stroking his long chin, when he was told what the parson had
said.

BABYHOOD.--PRETTY FLOWERS.--THE ROSE-COLOURED
TULIPS.
The matter of the baby's cap disturbed the little ladies. It seemed so like
the beginning of a fulfilment of the lawyer's croakings.
Miss Kitty had made it. She had never seen a baby without a cap before,
and the sight was unusual if not indecent. But Miss Kitty was a quick
needlewoman, and when the new cap was fairly tied over the thick crop
of silky black hair, the baby looked so much less like Puck, and so
much more like the rest of the baby world, that it was quite a relief.
Miss Kitty's feelings may therefore be imagined when, going to the
baby just after the parson's departure, she found him in open rebellion
against his cap. It had been tied on whilst he was asleep, and his eyes
were no sooner open than he commenced the attack. He pulled with one
little brown hand and