never of the exciting kind. I just heard him say that it was his intention to give a course of six sermons, of which this was to be the first; and after that I listened only now and then; and presently I noticed that Mr. Rayner, who always looked more devout than anybody else in church, was really asleep all the time. It was a heavily-built little Norman church, very old and dark, and he was sitting in a corner in such an attentive attitude that I thought at first I must be mistaken; but I looked at him twice, and then I was quite sure.

When service was over, he stayed behind to talk to Boggett, while I went on alone. He overtook me in a few minutes; but, when he said the sermon was good of its kind, I had to turn away my head that he might not see me smiling. But I was not quick enough for Mr. Rayner.

“I didn’t say of what kind, Miss Christie. I may have meant it was good as a lullaby. One must be on one’s guard with you demure people. I have never yet been to afternoon service without going to sleep, and I have never before been discovered. Now the spell is broken, and I shall feel that the eyes of the whole congregation are upon me. Are you shocked Miss Christie?”

“Oh, no, Mr. Rayner!”

“You wouldn’t take such a liberty as to be shocked at anything I might do; would you, Miss Christie?”

His tone of grave mischief woke an answering spirit in me.

“Certainly not, Mr. Rayner.”

“Where did you pick up a sense of humor, most rare gift of your sex, and why do you hide it away so carefully, Miss Christie?”

“Indeed I don’t know; and I don’t mean to hide anything,” I answered rather foolishly.

“And how did you like the sermon?”

“I--I wasn’t listening much, Mr. Rayner.”

“Not listening! A religious little girl like you not listening! I’m surprised--I really am.”

His manner grew suddenly so grave, and he really seemed so much surprised, that I felt called upon to make a sort of profession.

“I’m not really religious,” I said hurriedly. “I haven’t meant ever to pretend to be. But I do respect religion and religious people very much, and I hope some day I shall be able to enter into their feelings 

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