It was a few evenings after, that Henry Grove and his sister called in to see uncle Absalom and aunt Abigail, who were of the old school, and rather ultra-puritanical in their habits and notions.  Mary could not but feel, as she came into their presence, that it would be rowing against wind and tide to maintain her point with them—­confirmed as they were in their own views of things, and with the respect due to age to give weight to their opinions.  Nevertheless, she determined resolutely to maintain her own side of the question, and to use all the weapons, offensive and defensive, that came to her hand.  She was a light-hearted girl, with a high flow of spirits, and a quick and discriminating mind.  All these were in her favor.  The contest was not long delayed, for Henry, feeling that he had powerful auxiliaries on his side, was eager to see his own positions triumph, as he was sure that they must.  The welcome words that greeted their entrance had not long been said, before he asked, turning to his aunt,—­

“What do you think I found on Mary’s table, the other day, Aunt Abigail?”

“I don’t know, Henry.  What was it?”

“You will be surprised to hear,—­a fashion plate!  And that is not all.  By her own confession, she was studying it in order to conform to the prevailing style of dress.  Hadn’t you a better opinion of her?”

“I certainly had,” was aunt Abigail’s half smiling, half grave reply.

“Why, what harm is there in following the fashions, aunt?” Mary asked.

“A great deal, my dear.  It is following after the vanities of this life.  The apostle tells us not to be conformed to this world.”

“I know he does; but what has that to do with the fashions?  He doesn’t say that you shall not wear fashionable garments; at least I never saw the passage.”

“But that is clearly what he means, Mary.”

“I doubt it.  Let us hear what he further says; perhaps that will guide us to a truer meaning?”

“He says:  ‘But be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds.’  That elucidates and gives force to what goes before.”

“So I think, clearly upsetting your position.  The apostle evidently has reference to a deeper work than mere external non-conformity in regard to the cut of the coat, or the fashion of the dress.  Be ye not conformed to this world in its selfish, principles and maxims—­be ye not as the world, lovers of self more than lovers of God—­but be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds.  That is the way I understand him.”

“Then you understand him wrong, Mary,” uncle Absalom spoke up.  “If he had meant that, he would have said it in plain terms.”

“And so he has, it seems to me.  But I am not disposed to excuse my adherence to fashion upon any passage that allows of two interpretations.  I argue for it upon rational grounds.”

“Fashion and rationality!  The idea is absurd, Mary!” said uncle Absalom, with warmth.  “They are antipodes.”