"You should not refuse the gifts of God when offered you," replied his reverence.
"But I do not think it would be good for me to use these gifts of God in the present instance."
"You must eat meat, Paul, and use the good things of our glorious country, or you will fail and die."
"I know I will die," said Paul; "and I guess eating turkey won't make me immortal."
A loud laugh followed this remark from all but the parson and a female member of the family. This "raised his dander a leetle," as old uncle Jacob afterwards used to say.
"That is more unmannerly still, Paul," said the parson.
"You think you are smart; but I tell you, child, you are ignorant, and impudent to boot."
"I should be sorry to make a saucy or impudent answer to any body, much more to a clergyman of any church; but I thought you were aware that it is counted very insulting to Catholics to offer them meat on Fridays, as if they were apostates who would sell their souls for a 'mess of pottage;' and I thought you were aware that we are Catholics, and that our religion forbids us to eat flesh on Friday."
"I know, sir, the Romish faith forbids her votaries the use of meat; but, Paul, I thought you were now thoroughly weaned from such notions, from what you have seen since you came to this free and Protestant country."
"All I have seen since I was unfortunately compelled to come to these parts, only confirms me in my attachment to the religion of our ancestors," said Paul.