"Jan

seen, or at his present narration of it. nings is a good-hearted fellow at bottom, though a little rough in his way, and with a decidedly unpleasant knack of making his when he touches his wife in a tiff.

hand heavy

But one day

at the church, I observed him fling down his mallet and chisel, and coax a plump little toddling rascal over to him by the allurement of some sweets, which he got out of the depths of one of his pockets. A fellow who keeps sweets to give away to children, ought to make a better figure in life than Tam Jannings does, I thought. And so the reason of his wildness flashed on me. The man is disappointed because he has no children, I concluded; and that is why his wife's tongue is a little sharp. The 'stringing pretty words that make no sense' to some prattling baby, would sweeten it. Well, to make sure, next day I managed an opportunity to talk about our schools, and the children, and to ask, 'Tam, did you ever have a little one?'

'One,' said he, and it died,' and his eyes grew dim. But I must apologize; what a long story I'm making."

"Oh, do go on," replied Miss Clayton, rather beseechingly, "I am so interested. So you thought of giving Polly Gange in charge to Mrs. Jannings?"

"Yes, I got the women presently to cease talking, and to make up a soft bundle of the child's few poor things; and then I threw them in front of my saddle, and held Polly on them as gently as I could, and all her sobs were soon hushed in the wonder of a quiet canter over the downs to her new home. She is only two years old, so she will soon forget her mother, and will love Mrs. Jannings instead."

Miss Fanny would have admired Armstrong's kindness and tact still more, if she had known how he had overcome the objections of Mr. and Mrs. Jannings, and that he had arranged to give them a few shillings a week for the child's support. Nearly all Armstrong's small private income was expended in similar ways.

Mr. Clayton came down with Mr. Onslow, and heard, in brief, the account of Armstrong's morning adventure from his daughter, before he reentered the study with Mr. Magney.

14

CHAPTER II.

"You are always welcome, Mr. Magney; I wish your duties and mine allowed us more time for friendly talk. With all that you read and observe, you must have a great deal to communicate." Mr. Clayton was half intending to proceed at once to the difficult matter on which he had been talking with Mr. Onslow, and which he had long been wishing to speak upon with his favourite helper; but some uneasiness of spirit prevented him commencing yet, so he struck into matters more indifferent.

"Will you not put yourself up on the couch? You need a rest after your long ride. That's where I try to think out my sermons when I feel

tired and weak. We are not all gifted with the faculty of instantaneous sermon-making, as you are." There was no suspicion of depreciation in the smile with which the rector said this.

"Well, you know, my dear Sir, that is where all reading and experience go; all just as naturally flows into sermons as the juices of the plant go into flowers, whether dandelions or dahlias. It is simply nature; but it is very convenient to me, for if I had to study each sermon long, I could not get through half my work."

"But do take more care not to overwork yourself. We really cannot spare you time to be ill. Now, is it right of you to take that Saturdaynight meeting at the benefit club ?"

"Oh, that is only relaxation to me; and the fellows like it. There were more than fifty last Saturday, and half of them, I suppose, would otherwise have been in the public-house. It's very easy; not work at all. I read Shakespeare or Shelley, or Browning or Tennyson, or perhaps a piece from Maurice or Carlyle, and then we talk over it. It is astonishing what clever re

marks they make, too. It often helps my sermons. And you see how regularly many of them come to church now ?" There was a very pleasant, bright glance of the eyes as this was said.

"Yes, you are always right, Armstrong; but don't be too eccentric. We are watched very narrowly, and may easily bring reproach on our sacred vocation."

Armstrong's countenance showed some emotion as he listened to this. The rector observed it, and quickly went on,-"I quite know you are as sensitive of this as any one, and do all that you do to bring honour to our sacred cause; but in larger or in smaller matters, any of us may make mistakes. And sometimes small errors, insignificant breaches of petty conventionalism, may bring results far from insignificant. Is it wise of you, Mr. Magney, to go into that workman's shed, and use a labourer's chisel ?"

Mr. Clayton asked this with evident hesitation, but the other's countenance at once cleared, as he replied, ""Tis only early in the morning I do this, and quite rarely—and I need some muscular exertion, and it will so pleasure me to see pieces of