"Let it be soon, very soon, dearest Helen!" said May, pressing her hand.
"Perhaps," she answered, vaguely.
"Now, dear Helen, can you find your way back? I have to go a little way on business," said May, when they came within two squares of home.
"Oh, yes; but really, you seem to have a great many mysterious visits on hand!" observed Helen, rather sharply.
"You shall come with me soon, if you wish to;" replied May. Then they separated; Helen dissatisfied, and a little angry, and May rejoicing like a miser who goes to visit his treasure. Full of happy thoughts, she went on until she came to old Mabel's cottage, at the door of which stood a small, close carriage. The door was ajar, and she went in. There were two ladies in silks, velvets, and plumes, standing before Aunt Mabel, and both were speaking in an excited tone.
"A Roman Catholic!" they exclaimed.
"Yes, misses," was the meek reply.
"Why, don't you know you peril your eternal salvation, by becoming a papist?"
"No, misses, I don't know it, neither does you. I been living on and on, and never was a professor, and I'm gwine to do jest what is right at the 'leventh hour. It's a 'ligion that's older than all, and was know'd and practised afore any of yourn was ever thought on."
"Did you ever hear such preposterous ignorance!" exclaimed one; "why, old aunty, who has been tampering with you?"