Part 14 (1/2)

”A good name, my little man,” and the parson patted him on the head. ”May you be worthy of your namesake, that n.o.ble man of G.o.d--the first Bishop of this Diocese. Now next,” and he pointed to the second little Stickles.

”Benjamin Alexander Stickles, sir,”

”Ha, ha. Named after your two grandfathers. Fine men they were, too. Now my little maiden, we'll hear from you.”

”Martha Trumpit Stickles, sir,” came the shy response.

”That's a good name, my dear, after your mother--and with her eyes, too.

Just one more left. Come, my dear, what have you to say?”

”Ruth Wethmore Stickles, thir, if you pleath,” lisped the little la.s.s, with her eyes upon the floor.

At these words the parson paused, as if uncertain what to say. ”Ruth, the gleaner,” he at length slowly remarked. ”Ruth Westmore. Ah, Mrs. Stickles, I little thought that day my dear wife stood sponsor for your baby here, and gave her her own name, how soon she would be taken from us. Four years--four long years since she went home. But come, but come,” he hurriedly continued, noticing Mrs. Stickles about to place her ap.r.o.n to her eyes. ”I have a question to ask each little one here, and then something is coming. Look, John, answer me, quick. How many Commandments are there?”

”Ten, sir,” came the ready reply.

”What is the fifth one?”

”Honour thy father and mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy G.o.d giveth thee.”

”That's good, that's good. Don't forget that, my little man. The first commandment with promise. I taught your brother Tony that when he was a little lad, and I'm sure he hasn't forgotten it. Now, Bennie, what two things do we learn from these commandments?”

”My duty towards G.o.d, an' my duty towards my neighbour.”

”Right, right you are. Now, Martha, what were you made at your baptism?”

”A member of Christ, a child of G.o.d, and an inheritor of the Kingdom of Heaven.”

”Well done. I thought that would stick you, but I see you have learned your lesson well! It's Ruth's turn now. Can you tell me, my dear, what happened on Good Friday?”

”Jesus died, thir, on the Croth.”

”And what took place on Easter Day?”

”He roth from the grave, thir.”

”Good, good. Always remember that. Good Friday and Easter Day come very near together. 'Earth's saddest day and brightest day are just one day apart.'”

Mrs. Stickles' face beamed with pleasure as the parson praised the little cla.s.s, and gave a piece of candy to each. Then he drew from his pocket a small package wrapped in white tissue paper tied with a piece of pink ribbon, and held it up before the wondering eyes of the little Stickles.

”From Nellie,” he remarked. ”Candy she made herself for the one who can best say the verses on the Christian Year she gave you to learn some time ago. Now, who can say them all through without one mistake?”

Instantly four little hands shot up into the air, and four pairs of sparkling eyes were fixed eagerly upon the coveted treasure.

”Well, Bennie, we'll try you,” said the parson. ”Stand up straight, and don't be afraid to speak out.”

”Advent tells us Christ is here, Christmas tells us Christ is near--”

”Hold, hold!” cried Mr. Westmore. ”Try again.”

But the second attempt proving worse than the first, it was pa.s.sed on to Martha. Bravely the little maiden plunged into the intricacies of the two first verses, but became a total wreck upon the third. Try as she might the words would not come, and tears were in her eyes when at length she gave up the attempt and waited for John Medley to conquer where she had failed. But alas! though starting in bravely he mixed Epiphany and Advent so hopelessly that the parson was forced to stop his wild wanderings.