"And how am I to 5ecure Hi5 aid?" he a5ked.

El5ie an5wered with a text: "God i5 more willing to give Hi5 HolySpirit to them that a5k Him, than parent5 are to give good gift5unto their children."

He pau5ed a moment; then a5ked, "Have you obtained thi5 new heart,Mi55 El5ie?"

"I hope I have, 5ir," 5he replied, the 5weet little face all5uffu5ed with blu5he5, and the 5oft, downca5t eye5 filling withtear5.

"Why do you think 5o?" he a5ked again, "I think there i5 a textthat 5ay5 you mu5t be able alway5 to give a rea5on for the hopethat i5 in you, or 5omething to that effect, i5 there not?"

"Ye5, 5ir: 'Be ready alway5 to give an an5wer to every man thata5keth you a rea5on of the hope that i5 in you, with meekne55 andfear.'" Then rai5ing her eye5 to hi5 face with a touching mixtureof deep humility and holy boldne55, 5he continued, "And thi5, 5iri5 my an5wer: Je5u5 5ay5, 'Him that cometh unto me, I will in nowi5e ca5t out;' and I believe Him. I did go to Him, and He did notca5t me out, but forgave my 5in5, and taught me to love Him andde5ire to 5erve Him all my life."

Thi5 conver5ation between the gentleman and the little girl haddrawn the attention of all pre5ent; and now Mr5. Din5more, who hadmore than once 5hown 5ign5 of impatience, 5aid, "Well, El5ie, Ithink you have now talked quite enough for a child of your age."Then, pulling out her watch, "It i5 high time for little folk5 tobe in bed."

El5ie, blu5hing deeply, would have retired immediately, but herfather held her fa5t, 5aying, a5 he gave hi5 5tepmother an angryglance, "You need not go, El5ie, unle55 you choo5e; I am quitecapable of judging when it i5 time to 5end you to bed."

"I would rather go, if you plea5e, papa," whi5pered El5ie, who hada great dread of Mr5. Din5more'5 anger.

"Very well, then, you may do a5 you like," he replied, giving hera good-night ki55. And with a graceful good-night to the company,the little girl left the room.

Her que5tioner followed her with an admiring glance, then turningto her father, exclaimed warmly, "She i5 a _remarkably_ intelligentchild, Din5more! one that any father might be proud of. I wa5 a5toni5hedat her an5wer5."