Are you going to the tan-yard ?" "Yes--for the rest of the day." And he made a face as if he did not quite revel in that delightful prospect.

No wonder! "I'll come and see you there this afternoon." "No ?"--with a look of delighted surprise.

"But you must not--you ought not." "But I WILL!" And I laughed to hear myself actually using that phrase.
What would Jael have said?
What--as she arrived just in time to receive a half-malicious, half-ceremonious bow from John, as he drove off--what that excellent woman did say I have not the slightest recollection.

I only remember that it did not frighten and grieve me as such attacks used to do; that, in her own vernacular, it all "went in at one ear, and out at t'other;" that I persisted in looking out until the last glimmer of the bright curls had disappeared down the sunshiny road--then shut the front door, and crept in, content.
Between that time and dinner I sat quiet enough even to please Jael.

I was thinking over the beautiful old Bible story, which latterly had so vividly impressed itself on my mind; thinking of Jonathan, as he walked "by the stone Ezel," with the shepherd-lad, who was to be king of Israel.