Parson Dorrance, indeed, had said to her one day,-- "You never speak of Mr.White, Mercy.

Is he an agreeable and kind landlord ?" Mercy started, looked bewilderedly in the Parson's face, and repeated his words mechanically,-- "Landlord ?" Then recollecting herself, she exclaimed, "Oh, yes! we do pay rent to him; but it was paid for the whole year in advance, and I had forgotten all about it." Parson Dorrance had had occasion to distrust Stephen's father, and he distrusted the son.

"Advance?
advance ?" he exclaimed.

"Why did you do that, child?
That was all wrong." "Oh, no!" said Mercy, eagerly.

"I had the money, and it made no difference to me; and Mr.Allen told me that Mr.White was in a great strait for money, so I was very glad to give it to him.