When she had been put to bed at early candle-light, he went to see if she remembered her lesson.
"What is the name of God in pure language ?" And she answered, with zest, "Ahman." "What is the name of the Son of God ?" "Son Ahman,--the greatest of all the parts of God excepting Ahman." "What is the name of man ?" "Sons Ahman." "That is good--my little girl shall be chosen of the Lord." He waited by her until sleep should come, but her mind had been stirred, and long after he thought she slept she startled him by asking, in a voice of entire wakefulness: "If I am a good little girl, and learn all the _right_ things--_then_ can I be a generation of vipers ?" She lingered with relish on the phrase, giving each syllable with distinctness and gusto.

When he was sure that she slept, he leaned over very carefully and kissed the pillow beside her head.
In the days that followed he wooed her patiently, seeking constantly to find some favour with her, and grateful beyond words when he succeeded ever so little.

At first, he could win but slight notice of any sort from her, and that only at rare and uncertain intervals.

But gradually his unobtrusive efforts told, and, little by little, she began to take him into her confidence.

The first day she invited him to play with her in one of her games was a day of rejoicing for him.