HOW EDOM WAS FAVOURED OF GOD AND MAMMON In the years gone, the village of Edom had matured, even as little boys wax to manhood.

Time was when all but two trains daily sped by it so fast that from their windows its name over the station door was naught but a blur.

Now all was changed.

Many trains stopped, and people of the city mien descended from or entered smart traps, yellow depot-wagons or immaculate victorias, drawn by short-tailed, sophisticated steeds managed by liveried persons whose scraped faces were at once impassive and alert.
In its outlying parts, moreover, stately villas now stood in the midst of grounds hedged, levelled, sprayed, shaven, trimmed and garnished--grounds cherished sacredly with a reverence like unto that once accorded the Front Room in this same village.

Edom, indeed, had outgrown its villagehood as a country boy in the city will often outgrow his home ways.