Good my liege, holding that its callow wit unfitteth it to cope with the riper wit

and evil schemings of them that are its elders. The devil may buy a child, if he

So choose, and the child agree thereto, but not an Englishman — in this latter

case the contract would be null and void.'

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'It seemeth a rude unchristian thing, and ill contrived, that English law

denieth privileges to Englishmen, to waste them on the devil!' cried Tom, with

Honest heat.

This novel view of the matter excited many smiles, and was stored away in

many heads to be repeated about the court as evidence of Tom's originality as

Well as progress toward mental health.

The elder culprit had ceased from sobbing, and was hanging upon Tom's

Words with an excited interest and a growing hope. Tom noticed this, and it

Strongly inclined his sympathies toward her in her perilous and unfriended

situation. Presently he asked:

'How wrought they, to bring the storm?'

' By pulling off their stockings, sire.'

This astonished Tom, and also fired his curiosity to fever heat. He said

eagerly:

'It is wonderful! Hath it always this dread effect?'

'Always, my liege — at least if the woman desire it, and utter the needful

words, either in her mind or with her tongue.'

Tom turned to the woman, and said with impetuous zeal:

'Exert thy power — I would see a storm.'