Because of kicks or curses?”

“Nay,” I sobb’d,

“I kneel before his office, not to him.”

“Poor girl,” he said, “forgive me—stop—I beg—

What? can you think that I would make you weep?

Not, darling, not of you, I meant to speak,

But of the system.”

“System,” I replied;

“Why, Haydn, are you not a Christian, then?”

“And wherefore not?” he ask’d.