would matter to him much when Sunday was over. Then, turning to the
Ranger, he said, "I gather, then, that your mother does not think so
badly of the Sunchild after all?"

"She laughs at him sometimes, but if any of us boys and girls say a word
against him we get snapped up directly. My mother turns every one round
her finger. Her word is law in Sunch'ston; every one obeys her; she has
faced more than one mob, and quelled them when my father could not do
so."

"I can believe all you say of her. What other children has she besides
yourself?"

"We are four sons, of whom the youngest is now fourteen, and three
daughters."

"May all health and happiness attend her and you, and all of you,
henceforth and for ever," and my father involuntarily bared his head as
he spoke.

"Sir," said the youth, impressed by the fervency of my father's manner,
"I thank you, but you do not talk as Bridgeford Professors generally do,
so far as I have seen or heard them. Why do you wish us all well so very
heartily? Is it because you think I am like your son, or is there some
other reason?"

"It is not my son alone that you resemble," said my father tremulously,
for he knew he was going too far. He carried it off by adding, "You
resemble all who love truth and hate lies, as I do."