"Yes," replied the young man, "it's probably an inherited preference, since it is common to all parrots. Sailors have told me that even the females--who do not talk, you know, save in the exceptional case that makes the rule--even they are capable of saying 'hell!' with apparent appreciation, though they never learn another word." "Dear me, how interesting!" smiled Mrs. Van Camp, who then sweetly asked: "Are you, by any chance, concerned in the establishment of Sunday-schools in your river town?" Amid general laughter Leslie returned to Sybil, who gurgled: "Oh, dear boy; never again try to poke fun at my god-mother! But now that Poll has gone, what is the matter?" "Just this: day after to-morrow is Dorothy's birthday, and----" "Oh!" murmured Sybil, and drew nearer with brightening eyes. "You want to get a present for her. Well?" "I've already got it," said Galt, anxiously, "and now I'm wondering what she will think of it. May I show it to you, and will you tell me honestly whether I should offer it or get something else?" She nodded her head, and first he drew from his coat-pocket a cabinet photograph of Mrs. Lawton, which he returned, thanking her for its, to her, mysterious loan. Then he took from its tissue wrapping a locket. "Oh, how pretty!" cried Sybil. "A 'D' in pearls on one side, and on the other"--she gave him a roguish glance of understanding--"a violet in enamel!" But his face kept its unsmiling, anxious look. "Open it," he said. "Is there a picture, Leslie? Oh, I am glad! An empty locket always seems such an absurdity. Oh!" For two pictures were within. She gave a startled glance, and continued, "Mamma! Such a good likeness, too, and--" a pause, and, in a lower tone, she added, "and _your_ mother!" For, looking at that fair-haired, gentle-faced woman, one saw at a glance from whom Galt had obtained his steady gray eyes. "You don't think Dorothy will misunderstand, do you?" he asked. "Yet it has just occurred to me that some people shrink from reminders of, of-- Sybil, there is just that one cloud upon my perfect joy that my beloved mother cannot know and love my promised wife!" Raising big, tear-brimmed eyes to his face she said, gently: "Very likely Dorrie will tell you that she can, for _her_ faith is absolutely boundless." "God bless her!" whispered Galt. "Amen! to that," answered her sister. "Leslie," she went on, "your gift is an inspiration! I did not know a man was capable of such delightful sentiment. And Dorothy will be touched to the heart by your pathetic little effort to share your happiness with the dear mother who is absent."