"But I can see from the expression of your eyes and mouth a very plain answer to the contrary. Mr. Hemstead, you could be a very stubborn man if you chose." "I hope I could be a very resolute one." "Yes, so we explain ourselves when we will have our own way. I think Aunt Marchmont's suggestion a very good one." "If we go to the donation we shall have to take something," said Bel. "O, yes," exclaimed Addie; "I am told all sorts of queer things are brought. Let us take the oddest and most outlandish we can think of. Uncle, there is your old blue dresscoat; we will take that for the minister. Wouldn't he look comical preaching in it? And, mother, there is your funny low-necked satin dress that you wore when a young lady. I will take that for his wife." "I understand everybody brings pies to a donation," said Harcourt. "I shall be more pious than any of them, and bring over fifty from town this afternoon. I will buy all the bake-shops out, in my zeal,--enough to give the parson and all his people the dyspepsia for a month." "If he lives on six hundred, nothing could give him the dyspepsia save his own sermons, I imagine," said De Forrest. "My young lady friends have half filled one of my bureau drawers with smoking-caps. I have one with me, and will give it to the minister." "You vain fellow," laughed Lottie. "I never gave you one." "Rest assured, no minister--even were he a minister to the Court of St. James--should get it, if you had." "What will you take, Mr. Hemstead?" asked Lottie, noting his grave face. "I shall not go." "Why not? You spoke as if you would, this morning." "I cannot go under the circumstances." "Why not?" asked Addie, rather sharply. "Could we take such gifts to a gentleman and lady, Cousin Addie?" "Well, I suppose not," she answered, reddening. "I see no proof that this clergyman and his wife are not in the fact that they are compelled to live on six hundred a year. Besides, I have too much respect for the calling." "Don't you see?" said De Forrest to Addie, in a loud whisper. "'Our craft is in danger.'" "Your explanation is more crafty than true, Mr. De Forrest," said Hemstead, looking him straight in the eyes. "Come," cried Lottie, "my party is not to be broken up. Mr. Hemstead, you need not look so serious or take the matter so much to heart. As you declared once before to-day, we were only 'talking in jest.' You cannot think we would willingly hurt the feelings of your brother clergyman. Surely, if you thought they were serious, it was good of you to stand up for him. We will all give money: that must be the thing the poor man needs most sorely." "I will give twenty-five dollars if you will, Mr. Hemstead," said De Forrest, with a malicious twinkle in his eye.