"Better not," he grumbled. "Take my word for it, he is a good-for-nothing fellow. I know him well."
"You must be prejudiced, Mr. Lambert. His heart is just as warm as yours; indeed, in many things he must be like you: he delights to relieve suffering and he delights to—to—what shall I call it?"
"Call it abuse; that's the right name. He's a hard-shelled old sinner. He tries to salve his conscience by giving away what he don't want. Keep clear of him, as you would of the plague. Now I must be going, or I sha'n't see that judge."
[CHAPTER VI.]
THE SIMPLE PRAYER.
THE very next day he called again.
"It's all right," he said. "The girl is free to go where she chooses. Now I want to ask you a question. Where do you go to church?"
"I attend -Church. Dr. M- is my pastor."
"But you're not a member."
"Oh, yes! I have been for a great many years."