"There's no need o' my gittin' up. You all know how I stand" (an admonitory nudge from Grandma)--"What's the matter now, ma?" I could hear the old man swear, mentally, but he went on with the amendment--"or try to. I'm afeered that even the best on us, at some time or nuther, have been up to some devil"--(sly, but awfully emphatic nudge from Grandma) "ahem! we're all born under a cuss!" persisted Grandpa, with irate satisfaction. "I've steered through a good many oceans," he continued, more softly, "but thar' ain't none so--misty--as this--a--" (portentous nudge from Grandma,) "as this pesky ocean of Life! We've got to keep a sharp look-out" (another nudge from Grandma), "ahem, steer clear of the rocks," (persistent nudges from Grandma), "ahem! ahem! trust in God Almighty!" admitted Grandpa with telling force, and sat down. As for Grandma, she was herself always prompt and faithful in the discharge of duty, however trying the circumstances. She was no hypocrite, this dear old soul! She could not have feigned sentiments which she did not feel, yet it was invariably the case that, as she rose in meeting, her usually cheerful face became in the highest degree tearful and lugubrious. The thought of so many precious souls drifting toward destruction filled her tender heart with woe. She besought them in the gentlest and most persuasive terms to "turn to Jesus." She dwelt long upon His love, standing always with hands reverently clasped before her, and eyes downcast with awe. I used to long to hear her speak. The sound of that low, tender monotone was in itself inexpressibly soothing. But Grandma's tongue had its mild edge, as well. Once, when she was speaking, a number of the young people--it was a common occurrence--rose to go out. Grandma went on talking without raising either her voice or her eyes; but when they had reached the door, "What--" said she, in that tone which, though so mild, somehow unaccountably arrested their progress; "what--poor, wanderin' creeturs--if your understandin's should give out!" meaning, what if you should suddenly be deprived of the use of your legs! "Have you never heered," she continued; "the story of Antynias and Sapf_i_ry?" But she did not recount the tale. If possible, she would rather use words of love than of malediction. I shall never forget the faithful manner in which she narrated Abraham's intercession with the Lord for Sodom and Gomorrah.