"There's always danger, said the parson, gravely. "The Victory might have been blown in pieces last night, and we all been killed, Adaly."
"Oh, terrible!" says Addle. "And did such a thing ever really happen?"
"Yes, my child."
"Tell me all about it, New Papa, please"; and she put her little hand in his.
"Not now, Adaly,—not now. I want to know if you have been taught about God, in your old home."
"Oh, the good God! To be sure I have, over and over and over"; and she made a little piquant gesture, as if the teaching had been sometimes wearisome.
This gayety of speech on such a theme was painful to the Doctor.
"And you have been taught to pray, Adaly?"
"Oh, yes! Listen now. Shall I tell you one of my prayers, New Papa? Voyons, how is it"—
"Never mind,—never mind, Adaly; not here, not here. We are taught to enter into our closets when we pray."