"It ain't good to flatter them," returned Mr. Emmit, rather shortly. "The child's about the same as the average young 'un. A lot too touchy at times, and cries too easy." "That shows a sweet disposition," returned Mrs. Catt, completely winning Betty's heart, as she drank in the soft phrases with thirsty delight. After the guest had pleaded fatigue and been shown to the "spare-room," and the children were all snug in their several beds, Mr. and Mrs. Emmit sat talking over the plans and the prospects of Mrs. Catt's campaign in Ephraim. "Now, of course, wife, I'll get the town-hall for her to lecture in, and 'cause you're so daffy over the woman, I'll do my best to help her to get through with her temperance talks, but--" here he stopped and puffed his pipe, with an intense scowl on his honest, rough countenance. "But what?" asked his wife, quickly. "Well, Eliza, if I must out with it, I don't like the woman!" "Ford Emmit, if that isn't the limit!" exclaimed his wife. "You do take the most unreasonable likes and dislikes. I think that she is the most wonderful, fascinating character." "There you have it, Eliza! fascinating--that's the word,--fascinating, but it ain't all gold that glitters. She's slick." "It isn't real Christian of you, Ford, to talk that way when you know she's come here to help in the Lord's work." "Mebbe,--we'll see," he answered, quietly. "Have you anything against her?" asked his wife a trifle anxiously. "Only feelin's, wife." "Then remember our good song, Ford,--'School thy feelings.'" Ford Emmit laughed good-naturedly. "All right, wife, so long as you don't ask me to give up my pipe, I'll help her through. You don't know the world much. There's not many women like you that come from the East. They're well trained--you never can tell what they're thinking on." "You mean that there are no good women in the East?" "Heck, no! But there's no way of sifting them and knowing them. The tares grow with the wheat, and get tangled mightily sometimes. Here, you wives, are mostly same grain, and fairly good at that," he said, taking his wife's hand in his big, brawny one, for an affectionate squeeze. "We all think that our own is the best, Ford!" his wife answered, with a pleased smile. "But it is not for us to set judgment on the next one." ***** That night, when all had retired, Betty made her way to her mother's bed-room. Mrs. Emmit was almost asleep, when she saw the little night-gowned figure with its loose hair and bare little feet, approach. "Why Betty, what brought you here? You should be asleep in bed." "But mamma, dear, I can't sleep, until you promise me one thing!" "And what's your brain taking on now, child?" She sat on the edge of the bed, and looked at her mother with wide, serious eyes. "When I get old enough, will you let me go on a mission, mamma?" "Well, of all things to keep you awake! If the Church calls you, of course you'll go, provided we don't go bankrupt before then."