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Partly to forget his e er, Haldane concluded to accept this first invitation to dine out in Hillaton, resolving that he would do his queer host sos even

"Come in," shouted Mr Growther a few e room, which presented an odd aspect of comfort and disorder

"There's a place to wash your hands, if you think it's hile I don't often, but I hope there's few like -pan froenerous slice of has on a platter

"I like your open fire-place," said Haldane, looking curiously around the here as he performed his ablutions

"That's a nuther of my weaknesses I know a stove would be more convenient and economical, but I hate all improvements"

"One would think, fro had a hard time of it; but two more sleek, fat, and lazy aniot clear consciences"

As the table began to fairly groan with good things, Haldane said: "Look here, Mr Growther, are you in the habit of giving disreputable people such a dinner as that?"

"If it's good enough for h for you," was the tart reply

"O, I' fault; I only wanted you to know that I would be grateful for much less"

"I'm not doin' it to please you, but to spite hing: "it's a little odd, though, that your spite against yourself should mean so much practical kindness to me"

"Hold on!" cried his host, as Haldane was about to attack the viands; "ain't you goin' to say grace?"

"Well," said the young man, somewhat eht as well eat your dinner for you"

"Mr Growther, you are an unusually honestto act out any lies before you Although your dinner is the best one I have seen forday, or am likely to see, yet, to tell you the truth, I could swear over it easier than I could pray over it"

"A-a-h! that's the right spirit; that's the way I ought to feel Now you see what a mean hypocrite I am I'm no Christian--far frorace over ood! If I'd jest swear over 'em, as you say, then I would be consistent"