"You can't!" said Miss Essie. "Now you are at my mercy. You have got to tell me something else and give your reason. What do you think is the best profession a man can follow?" "Any one is good that is used right," said Faith, looking down and speaking with difficulty,--"but I suppose the _best_ is a minister's." "Why?" said Miss Essie, disappointed. "Because the business of that profession is to lead men to heaven;--that of others is only to fit them for earth." "My dear, you're a fine girl!" said the Squire--willing Faith should say anything that cut out Dr. Harrison. "Miss Essie, what do you mean by asking her such a string of questions?--how can she tell who's the handsomest man? She wouldn't like to hurt Mr. Linden's feelings by saying me, nor to make us both mad by saying anybody else--if there was anybody else to speak of." "You hush, Mr. Stoutenburgh!" said Miss Essie. "Don't you know how to ask questions? Now Faith Derrick--run off with yourself." Faith obeyed with a trifle less than her usual spirit; but the game presently called it back again. Darting about, like some gentle-hearted hawk, among those flying pigeons, she had seized one boy and another with her usual bad success in the matter of identifying, when the boys suddenly cleared away a little--anxious perhaps that Mr. Linden should be caught again; for of all the players he gave _them_ the most fun. And so effectually did they clear the way--so ineffectually did he protect himself! that the next grasp of Faith's hand was upon his arm. And her voice gravely announced that she knew it. "Now Faith!" said Mrs. Stoutenburgh, "do puzzle him if you can--give him a hard question." "She does not want to ask me any questions," said Mr. Linden as he untied the ribband. "You forget, Mrs Stoutenburgh, how many she can ask every day. Now with Miss Essie the case is quite different." Very quiet and pleasant was the look bent on Faith,--very cool and undisturbed the manner. "Miss Faith, are you tired?--I must be philosophical enough to inform you that there is a shadow of puss-in-the-corner!" And a very plain expression of gratitude was in her eyes and smile as she answered, "No, I'm not tired, Mr. Linden--but I would as lieve look on as play." That seemed to be the general grown-up mind; but before the looking on had lasted long, everybody was called into another room to supper. There the boys were left somewhat to themselves at one end of the table, and the half dozen others stood or sat in the warm fireplace corner at the other. Mr. Linden indeed, and Squire Stoutenburgh, were both "boys" very often; but their returns to the ladies were frequent and prolonged. Faith was enthroned in a great chair, and there petted by Mrs. Stoutenburgh, while everybody brought her things by turns--a privilege highly prized by some of the boys. Neither could Miss Essie complain of want of attention, while Mrs. Stoutenburgh and Mr. Linden took laughing care of each other between whiles.