"I was going to tell you, Miles, that we'd better take off our hats while we say them; every one does when they go to church; which, of course, you don't know, as you're too young to go there."
Miles received the information with great respect, and began to disentangle his elastic from his hair.
"Not yet!" exclaimed Humphrey; "wait till we kneel down; I'll tell you when."
Miles kept his eyes fixed upon Humphrey, with his hand on the brim of his hat, ready to take it off at the expected signal.
"Now!" said Humphrey. Down knelt the two little brothers on the grass, baring their curly heads as they did so.
Little Miles was accustomed to repeat his prayer after Virginie, and did not know it by heart; and he was in great perplexity till Humphrey had finished, not knowing whether it would be best to remain kneeling or not.
In about five minutes Humphrey jumped up and put on his hat. Miles rose too, and confided his troubles. Humphrey instantly gave the subject his earnest attention.
"It would never do for you to say my prayer after me," he said, reflectively; "you're too young."
"Too young," repeated Miles, meekly.