“Mellowing, salting, sprouting,” laughed Judith.

“Roger, a new charge!” exclaimed Marion, startled.

“A new charge, my dear sister. I am too small for Bensalem, they need a bigger man here.”

“But, Roger,” remonstrated Judith, with big, distressed eyes; “will you not give dear, little Bensalem your best?”

“My very best,” he answered, solemnly.

XXVIII. A NEW ANXIETY.

“Our eyes see all around, in gloom or glow,

Hues of their own fresh borrowed from the heart.”

—Keble.