watched him eating his dinner with his book set up before him. These were points upon which the mother and son could not understand each other. But the sight disturbed his thoughts and touched his temper; he got up from the sofa and threw down his unread book. "You women are incomprehensible," said the young man, with an irritation he could not subdue--"what does it matter about the lamp? but if the world were going to pieces you must still be intent upon such trifles--leave that to the people of the house." "But, my dear, the people of the house don't understand it," said Mrs. Vincent. "Oh Arthur, it is often the trifles that are the most important. I have had Mrs. Tozer calling upon me to-day, and Mrs. Tufton. I don't wonder, dear, if you find them a little tiresome; but that is what every pastor has to expect. I daresay you have been worried to-day paying so many visits. Hush, there is some one coming up-stairs. It is Mr. Tozer, Arthur. I can hear his voice." Upon which the minister, conscious of not being prepared for Tozer's questions, gave vent to an impatient ejaculation. "Never a moment's respite! And now I shall have to give an account of myself," said the unfortunate Nonconformist. Mrs. Vincent, who had just then finished her operations with the lamp, looked up reproachfully over the light at her son. "Oh Arthur, consider how kind he has been! Your dear father would never have used such an expression--but you have my quick temper," said the widow, with a little sigh. She shook hands very cordially with the good butterman when he made his appearance. "I was just going to make tea for my son," said Mrs. Vincent. "I have scarcely been able to sit with him at all since Susan took ill. Arthur, ring the bell--it is so kind of you to come; you will take a cup of tea with us while my son and you talk matters over--that is, if you don't object to my presence?" said the minister's mother with a smile. "Your dear papa always liked me to be with him, Arthur; and until he has a wife, Mr. Tozer, I daresay his mother will not be much in the way when it is so kind a friend as you he has to talk over his business with. Bring tea directly, please. I fear you have forgotten what I said to you about the lamp, which burns quite nicely when you take a little pains. Arthur, will you open the window to clear the atmosphere of that smoke? and perhaps Mr. Tozer will take a seat nearer the fire."