Abstracted as he was, and conveniently deaf at times, he had heard such significant whispers about "taking advantage of the bishop's being in the neighborhood," and "twelve new jelly-glasses being absolutely wanted," as to assure him that some deadly festivity was in the wind.

And when the question of godmother and godfather was fairly put to hire, coupled with the remark that this was a fine opportunity to return the civilities of the neighborhood, he felt that a strong effort at escape was the only thing left.

Accordingly, having, seemingly without listening, heard the clay fixed and seen, as they thought, without observing, the chintz chairs in the best drawing-room uncovered (my dear mother was the tidiest woman in the world), my father suddenly discovered that there was to be a great book-sale, twenty miles off, which would last four days, and attend it he must.

My mother sighed; but she never contradicted my father, even when he was wrong, as he certainly was in this case.

She only dropped a timid intimation that she feared "it would look odd, and the world might misconstrue my father's absence,--had not she better put off the christening ?" "My dear," answered my father, "it will be my duty, by and by, to christen the boy,--a duty not done in a day.