Part 5 (2/2)

”Children!” cried Mrs. Royden, ”if you can't get along without quarreling, I will burn every card I find in the house. Now, do you mark my word!”

To keep peace, Chester proposed to take Lizzie for his partner; a new hand was dealt, and the play went on.

”I wish,” said Mrs. Royden, as her husband entered the room, ”I wish you would make the children give up their whist for this evening.”

But Mr. Royden liked to have his family enjoy themselves; and, as long as cards kept them good-natured, he was glad to see them play. He sat down by the side-table, opened a fresh newspaper he had brought from the village, adjusted his gla.s.ses on his nose, and began to read.

IV.

THE OLD CLERGYMAN.

In a little while, Hepsy came in from the kitchen, having finished her work, and, timidly drawing a chair near the whist-table, sat down to watch the game.

”I don't want Hepsy looking over my shoulder!” exclaimed Lizzie, with an expression of disgust.

”If you would let her tell you a little about the game, you would get along full as well,” observed James, sarcastically.

”I don't want _her_ to tell me!”

”Hepsy,” spoke up Mrs. Royden, ”why don't you take your sewing? You won't do any good there.”

”Do let her look on, if it interests her,” said Mr. Royden, impatiently putting down his paper, and lifting his gla.s.ses. ”Don't keep her at work all the time.”

But Hepsy, the moment Lizzie spoke, had shrank away from the table, with an expression of intense pain on her unattractive face.

”Come here, Hepsy,” said Chester, drawing a chair for her to his side; ”you may look over my shoulder. Come!”

The girl hesitated, while the big tears gathered in her eyes; but he extended his hand, and, taking hers, made her sit down. After he had played his card, he laid his arm familiarly across the back of her chair. Her face burned, and seemed to dry up the tears which had glistened, but did not fall.

Mr. Royden took up his paper again with an air of satisfaction; his wife looked sternly reconciled, and plied her sewing vigorously. The play went on pleasantly; Lizzie feeling so thoroughly ashamed of her unkindness to Hepsy--which she would not have thought of but for Chester's rebuke--that she did not speak another disagreeable word during the evening.

”Put the cards under the table,--quick!” suddenly exclaimed James.

”What's the matter?” asked Sarah.

”The minister is coming!” he added, in a fearful whisper.

Footsteps were indeed heard approaching from the parlor. The young people were in a great flurry, and Sarah and Lizzie hastened to follow James' advice and example. But Chester would not give up his cards.

”Let him come,” said he. ”If he never saw a pack of cards, it is time he should see one. It is your play, Sarah.”

Thus admonished, the children brought out their cards again, and recommenced playing, in a very confused manner. Chester's example was hardly sufficient to give them courage in the eyes of the minister.

They heard the door open, and there was not a face at the table, except Chester's, but burned with consciousness of guilt.

<script>