,transcriber's note3 ,unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed4 ,illustration3 ,a ,,child ,,of ,,poverty4 ,,following ,,heavenward ,,or ,the ,story of ,alfred ,reid ,,by ,pansy ,isabella ,alden ,,author ,,of ,a ,,new ,,graft ,,on ,,the ,,family ,,tree1 ,,esther ,,reid1 ,,workers ,,together1 ,a ,,hedge ,,fence1 c4 c4 ,illustration ,,thomas ,,nelson ,,and ,,sons ,london1 ,edinburgh1 and ,new ,york ------------------------ #aijb ,contents4 ,illustration ,chapter4 ,i4 ,,it ,,may ,,be ,,that ,,she ,,is ,,working ,,still ,,ii4 ,,what ,,did ,,it ,,all ,,amount ,,to1 ,,anyhow8 ,,iii4 ,,anything ,,uncommon ,,about ,,me8 ,,iv4 ,i ,,don',t ,,blame ,,them ,v4 ,a ,,christian ,,home ,,vi4 ,,satan1 ,,he ,,has ',,em ,,all ,,the ,,week ,,vii4 ,,what ,a ,,little ,,schemer ,,it ,,is6 ,,viii4 ,,what ,,would ,,you ,,do1 ,,dear8 ,,ix4 ,,tremendous ,,facts6 ,x4 ,,and ,,she ,,always ,,tried ,,xi4 ,i ,,have ,,but ,,to ,,try ,,again ,,xii4 ,i ,,want ,,them ,,to ,,get ,,used ,,to ,,parlours ,,xiii4 ,,let ,,us ,,be ,,fashionable ,,xiv4 ,,something',s ,,happened ,,xv4 ,,what ,,made ,,her ,,different8 ,,xvi4 ,,here ,,was ,,his ,,opportunity ,,xvii4 ,i ,,wonder ,,what ,,they',,re ,,all ,,after ,,xviii4 ,,your',n',s ,,the ,,way6 ,,xix4 ,,we ,,have ,,begun ,,backwards ,,xx4 ,,oh1 ,,what ,a ,,nice ,,thought6 ,,xxi4 ,,had ,,his ,,experiment ,,been ,,too ,,severe8 ,,xxii4 ,,some ,,people ,,are ,,hard ,,to ,,warn ,,xxiii4 ,,part ,,of ,,the ,,great ,,well-,,to-,,do ,,world ,,xxiv4 ,,for ,,you ,,don',t ,,know ,,what ,,may ,,come ,,xxv4 ,,what ,,do ,,you ,,hope ,,to ,,accomplish8 ,,xxvi4 ,o ,,lord1 ,,take ,,dirk ,,too6 ,,xxvii4 ,,an ,,awful ,,problem6 ,,xxviii4 ,,may ,,she ,,go ,,with ,,me8 ,,xxix4 ,,what ,,if ,i ,,belonged8 ,,xxx4 ,,it ,,is ,,no ,,made-,,up ,,affair ,,xxxi4 ,,their ,,works ,,do ,,follow ,,them ,,following ,,heavenward4 ,illustration ,,chapter ,i4 ,,it ,,may ,,be ,,that ,,she ,,is ,,working ,,still4 ,,it was raining drearily1 and but few people were abroad--that is1 few comparatively speaking1 though the streets seemed full of hurrying1 dripping mortals4 ,in the large dry-goods store business was by no means so brisk as on sunny days1 and one of the younger clerks1 whose station was near a window looking out upon the thoroughfare1 had time to stand gazing at the passers-by4 ,they did not seem to interest him particularly1 or else they puzzled him4 ,his young1 handsome face wore a thoughtful look1 almost a troubled expression about the eyes1 which seemed to be gazing beyond the passers-by4 ,just across the aisle from him1 a lady1 seated in one of the easy-chairs set for the accommodation of shoppers1 waited and watched him2 a young and pretty woman1 tastefully1 even elegantly-dressed1 yet her costume was quite in keeping with the stormy day4 ,the young man's face seemed to have special interest for her1 though he was apparently unaware of her existence4 ,a close observer would have discovered that she was watching him with deeply interested eyes4 ,whatever served to hold the thoughts of the young man apparently grew in perplexity1 for the troubled look continually deepened4 ,at last1 forgetting the possible listener1 he addressed the dripping clouds perhaps--at least1 he was looking at them3-- ,i don't know how to do it1 but something ought to be done4 ,it is worse than folly to expect good from the way that things are now managed4 ,esther would have known just what1 and how2 and how interested she would have been6 ,i try to do her work1 and to 'redeem the time2' but the simple truth is1 ,i don't know how1 and nobody else seems to4 ,these sentences were not given all at once1 but murmured from time to time at his unsympathetic audience outside4 ,patter1 patter1 patter6 ,drip1 drip1 drip6 ,steady1 uncompromising business4 ,it was all the answer the clouds vouchsafed him4 ,with the listener inside it was different4 ,the interested look changed to an eager one4 ,she left her seat and moved toward the absorbed young man1 breaking in on his reverie with the clearest of voices3-- ,i beg your pardon1--but are you thinking of your sister8 ,you are ,mr4 ,reid1 ,i believe8 ,i have heard of your sister's life1 and of her beautiful death1 through a dear friend of my husband1 who loved ,esther4 ,i have always wanted to know more about her4 ,i wanted to get acquainted with you1 so ,i might ask you things about her4 ,i am waiting now for my husband to come and introduce us4 ,but perhaps it isn't necessary4 ,do you know who ,i am8 ,it is ,mrs4 ,roberts1 ,i believe8 the young man said1 struggling with his astonishment and embarrassment4 ,yes2 and you are ,mr4 ,alfred ,reid4 ,well1 now we know each other without any further ceremony4 ,will you tell me a little about your sister1 ,mr4 ,reid'8 ,you were thinking of her just now4 ,i was missing her just now1 said he1 trying to smile1 as ,i very often am4 ,i was a little fellow when she died2 but the older ,i grow1 the more difficult ,i find it to see how the world can spare her4 ,she was so full of plans for work1 and there are so few like her4 ,it may be that she is working still1 in the person of her brother4 ,he shook his head energetically1 though his face flushed4 ,no1 ,i can only blunder vaguely over work that ,i know she1 with her energetic ways and quick wits1 could have done1 and done well4 ,it happens that she was especially interested in a class of people of whom ,i know something4 ,they need help1 and ,i don't know how to help them4 ,it seems to me that she could have done it4 ,will you tell me who the people are8 ,it is a set of boys for whom nobody cares1 he said1 speaking sadly2 it hardly seems possible that there could ever have been a time when anybody cared for them1 though ,i suppose their mothers did when they were little fellows4 ,thus spoke the ignorant young man--ignorant of the depths to which sin will sink human nature1 but rich in the memory of mother-love4 ,i think of my sister ,esther in connection with them1 he said1 speaking apologetically1 because she was peculiarly interested in wild young fellows like them2 she thought they might be reached1 that there might be ways invented for reaching them1 such as had not been yet4 ,she had plans1 and they were good ones4 ,i thought so then1 little fellow that ,i was1 and ,i think so now1 only nobody is at work carrying them out2 and ,i wonder sometimes if ,esther could have been needed in heaven half as much as she is needed on earth4 ,she used to talk to me a great deal about what might be done4 ,i think now that she wanted to put me in the way of taking up some of the work that she would have done2 but she mistook her material4 ,i can't do it4 ,are you sure8 ,you are young yet2 and besides1 you may be doing more than you think4 ,couldn't ,i help8 ,what is there that needs doing for these particular young men8 ,everything6 he said excitedly4 ,if you should see them1 you would get a faint idea of it4 ,they come occasionally down to the ,sabbath school at the ,south ,end2 in fact1 they come quite frequently1 though ,i'm sure ,i can't see why4 ,it certainly isn't for any good that they get4 ,their actions1 ,mrs4 ,roberts1 surpass anything that ,i ever imagined4 ,who is their teacher8 ,that would be a difficult question to answer4 ,they have a different teacher every ,sabbath4 ,no one is willing to undertake the class twice4 ,they have tried all the teachers who attend regularly1 and several who have volunteered for once1 and never would attempt it a second time4 ,just now there is no one who will make a venture4 ,have 'you' tried8 ,he shook his head emphatically4 ,i know at least so much4 ,why1 ,mrs4 ,roberts1 some of them are as old as ,i1 and1 indeed1 ,i think one or two are older4 ,no2 we have secured the best teachers that we could for them1 but each one has been a failure4 ,i suppose they must go4 ,go where8 ,he shrugged his shoulders4 ,what an awful question6 ,where 'will' they go1 ,mrs4 ,roberts1 if we let them slip now8 ,he was tremendously in earnest4 ,one could not help feeling that he had studied the possibilities1 and felt the danger4 ,suppose ,i try to help6 ,shall ,i come and take that class next ,sabbath8 ,this simple1 directly-put question brought the young man suddenly from the heights of his excitement into visible embarrassment4 ,he looked down on the small1 fair lady1 reaching hardly to his shoulder1 attired in that unmistakable way which bespeaks the lady of wealth and culture1 and could imagine nothing more incongruous than to have her seated before that class of swearing1 spitting1 fighting boys4 ,not that her wealth or her culture was an objection1 but she looked so utterly unlike what he had imagined their teacher must be--she was so small1 so frail1 so fair and sweet1 and ignorant of the ways of the great wicked world1 and especially of those great wicked boys4 ,what could he say to her8 ,he was so manifestly embarrassed that the small lady laughed4 ,you think ,i cannot do it1 she said almost gaily4 ,he hastened to answer her4 ,indeed1 you have no idea of the sort of class it is4 ,i have given you no conception of it2 ,i cannot4 ,you would think yourself before a set of uncaged animals4 ,yes2 and in case of failure ,i should only be where the others are who have tried and failed4 ,if you will introduce me1 and your superintendent will let me1 ,i mean to try2 and that will relieve you of the dilemma of being entirely without a teacher for them4 ,young ,reid had nothing to say4 ,he thought the attempt a piece of folly1 a worse than useless experiment2 but how was he to say so to the wife of his employer8 ,that gentleman appeared just then1 making haste4 ,i was unavoidably detained1 he explained2 ,i feared you would grow weary of waiting4--,ah1 ,reid1 my wife has introduced herself1 ,i see4--,is he the young man you were speaking of1 ,mrs4 ,roberts8 ,the very young man--,esther ,reid's brother4 ,he doesn't know how glad ,i am to have met him4--,some day1 when we are better acquainted1 and you trust me more fully1 ,i am going to tell you how ,i became so deeply interested in your dear sister4 ,meantime this little matter should be definitely settled4--,mr4 ,roberts1 ,i have invited myself to take a class to-morrow down at the ,south ,end ,mission4 ,have you indeed8 ,mr4 ,roberts spoke heartily1 and seemed by no means dismayed1 only a trifle perplexed as to details4 ,how can we manage it1 ,flossy8 ,my prison class takes me in an opposite direction at the same hour1 you know4 ,yes2 ,i thought of that4 ,i propose to ask ,mr4 ,reid to call for me1 and show me the way1 and vouch for my good intentions after ,i reach there4 ,do you suppose he will do it8 ,she looked smilingly from her husband to young ,reid1 and both waited for his answer4 ,i obey directions1 he said1 bowing respectfully to ,mr4 ,roberts4 ,am ,i to have the honour of being detailed for that service to-morrow8 ,so ,mrs4 ,roberts says1 was the good-humoured reply4 ,and then the merchant took his wife away to their waiting carriage that had drawn up before the door1 leaving ,alfred ,reid1 if the truth must be told1 in a fume4 ,much she knows what she is talking about6 he said1 jerking certain boxes out of their places on the shelves1 and then banging them back again1 seeming to suppose that he was by this process putting his department in order for closing4 ,little bit of a dressed up doll6 ,they will tear her into ribbons1 metaphorically1 if not literally1 before this time to-morrow4 ,she thinks1 because she is the wife of ,evan ,roberts1 the great merchant1 she can go anywhere and do anything1 and that people will respect her4 ,she has never had anything to do with a set of fellows who care less than nothing about money and position1 except to be ten times more insolent and outrageous in their conduct than they would if she had less of it4 ,i shall feel like a born idiot in presenting this pretty little doll to teach that class4 ,mr4 ,durant will think ,i have lost what few wits ,i had4 ,what can possess the woman to want to try8 ,it is just because she has no conception of what she is about4 ,but ,mr4 ,roberts must know4 ,i wonder what he means by permitting it8 ,in very much the same state of mind did our young man pilot his new and unsought-for recruit into the crowded mission rooms of the ,south ,end on the following ,sabbath afternoon4 ,she looked not one whit less able to compete with the terrors which awaited the teacher of the formidable class4 ,her dress was simplicity itself1 according to ,mrs4 ,roberts ideas of simplicity2 yet1 from the row of ostrich tips that bobbed and nodded at each other1 all around the front of her velvet hat1 to the buttons of her neat-fitting boots1 she seemed to bring a new atmosphere into the room4 ,yesterday's rain was over1 and the pleasant south windows were aglow with sunshine4 ,as ,mrs4 ,roberts sat down1 the sunbeams came and played about her face1 and she seemed in keeping with them and with nothing else around her4 ,the superintendent bestowed curious glances on her during the opening exercises4 ,he had seen the shadow on young ,reid's face when he seated her1 and had found time to question3-- ,whom have we here8 ,mrs4 ,evan ,roberts4 ,she wants to try the vacant class4 ',i' did not ask her1 ,mr4 ,durant2 she invited herself4 ,mr4 ,durant looked over at her1 and tried to keep his eyes from smiling4 ,she looks very diminutive in every way for such an undertaking4 ,they will frighten her out before she commences1 will they not8 ,i presume so2 but ,i didn't know what to do4 ,she wanted to come1 and ,i could not tell her she must not4 ,no1 of course2 the occasion is too rare to lose4 ,very few people ask the privilege of trying that class4 ,there is no teacher for them to-day2 and your ,mrs4 ,roberts must learn by experience that some things are more difficult than others4 ,i will let her try it4 ,meantime the boys of the dreaded class were studying the new face4 ,she was the only person not already seated before a class1 and they naturally judged that she was to be their next victim4 ,they looked at her1 and then at one another1 and winked1 and coughed1 and sneezed1 and nudged elbows1 and giggled outright1 every one of them1 meantime chewing tobacco with all their might1 and expectorating freely wherever they judged it would be most offensive4 ,alfred ,reid watched them1 inwardly groaning4 ,being used to their faces1 he could plainly read that they anticipated a richer time than usual1 and rejoiced greatly over the youth and beauty of their victim4 ,but young ,reid was not the only one who watched4 ,mrs4 ,roberts1 without seeming to be aware of their presence1 lost not a wriggle or a nudge4 ,she was studying her material1 and it must be confessed that they startled her not a little4 ,they represented a different type of humanity from her ,chautauqua boys1 or her boys in the old church at home--rather1 an advanced stage of both those types4 ,when ,mr4 ,durant came toward her1 the look on his face was not reassuring2 it so plainly said that he expected failure1 and was sorry for her as well as for himself4 ,however1 with as good grace as he could assume1 he led her to the seat prepared for the teacher1 and gave her a formal introduction4 ,boys1 this is ,mrs4 ,roberts1 who is willing to try to teach you to-day4 ,i wish you would show her that you know how to behave yourselves4 ,mrs4 ,roberts wished that he had left her to introduce herself1 or that he had said almost anything rather than what he did2 the mischievous gleam in several pairs of eyes said that they meant to show her something that they considered far more interesting than that4 ,many were the sympathetic glances that were bestowed on the young and pretty lady as she went to her task4 ,as for ,alfred ,reid1 there was more than sympathy in his face4 ,he was vexed with the young volunteer and vexed with himself4 ,he told himself savagely that this was what came of his silly habit of thinking aloud4 ,if only he had kept his anxieties about that class to himself1 ,mrs4 ,roberts would never have heard of it1 and been tempted to put herself in such a ridiculous position2 and if this episode did not break him of the habit1 he did not know what would4 ,he was presently1 however1 given a class of small boys1 with enough of original and acquired depravity about them to keep him intensely employed1 and the entire school settled to work4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,what ,,did ,,it ,,all ,,amount ,,to1 ,,anyhow8 ,,settled1 that is1 so far as the class of boys in the corner would permit the use of that term4 ,they had not settled in the least4 ,two of them indulged in a louder burst of laughter than before1 just as ,mrs4 ,roberts took her seat4 ,yet her face was in nowise ruffled4 ,good-afternoon1 she said1 with as much courtesy as she would have used in addressing gentlemen4 ,i wonder if you know that ,i am a stranger in this great city8 ,you are almost the first acquaintances that ,i am making among the young people1 and ,i have a fancy that ,i would like to have you all for my friends4 ,suppose we enter into a compact to be excellent and faithful friends to one another8 ,what do you say8 ,what were they to say8 ,they were slightly taken aback1 surprised into listening quietly to the close of the strange sentence1 and then giving no answer beyond violent nudges and aside looks4 ,what did she mean8 ,was she chaffing them8 ,this was unlike the opening of any lesson4 ,it certainly could not be the first question on the lesson-paper2 nor did it sound like certain well-meant admonitions to try to improve the opportunity and learn all that they could4 ,with each of these commencements they were entirely familiar2 but this was something new4 ,do you agree to the compact8 she asked1 while they waited1 her face bright with smiles4 ,dunno about that1 said one whom she very soon discovered occupied the position of a ringleader2 as a general thing1 we like to be kind of careful about our friendships4 ,we might strike something that wasn't quite the thing with people in our position4 ,you can't be too careful in a big city1 you know4 ,it is impossible to give you an idea of the impishness with which this impudent answer was jerked out1 to the great amusement of the others1 who laughed immoderately4 ,it suited ,mrs4 ,roberts to treat the reply with perfect seriousness and composure4 ,that is very true1 she said courteously2 but at the same time ,i venture to hope that since you know nothing ill of me as yet1 you will receive me into a sort of conditional friendship1 with the understanding that ,i remain your friend until ,i am guilty of some conduct that ought to justify you in deserting me4 ,i am sure you cannot object to that2 and now1 if we are to be friends1 we should know each other's names4 ,i am ,mrs4 ,evan ,roberts1 and ,i live at ,no4 #gf ,east ,fifty-fifth ,street4 ,i shall be glad to see you at my house whenever you would like to call on me4 ,now1 will one of you be kind enough to introduce himself and the class8 ,perhaps you will introduce me to your friends8 ,she looked directly at the ringleader4 ,certainly1 certainly1 mum6 he replied briskly4 ,this is ,mr4 ,carrot ,pumpkins1 at your service1 mum--this fellow on my left1 ,i mean2 rather a queer name ,i daresay you think4 ,it all came of his being fond of sitting astride a pumpkin when he was a little shaver1 and of his hair being exactly the colour of carrots1 as you can see for yourself4 ,and this fellow on my right is ,mr4 ,champion ,chawer2 so-called because he can make the biggest run on tobacco of any of the set1 taking him day in and day out4 ,that fellow at your elbow is ',slippery ,jim4' ,we don't call him ',mister1' because he doesn't stay long enough in one place to have it tacked on to him4 ,he is such a slippery scamp that an eel is nowhere1 compared to him4 ,during this rapid flow of words the listeners1 who evidently admired their leader became so convulsed with laughter as to lose all vestige of respectability1 and ,mr4 ,durant's disturbed face appeared in view4 ,boys1 this is perfectly disgraceful6 he said1 speaking in sharp and highly-excited tones--,perfectly disgraceful6 ,i don't know why you wish to come here to disturb us in this way ,sabbath after ,sabbath6 ,but we have really endured enough4 ,there is a policeman at the foot of the stairs1 and he can easily call others to his help2 so now1 if you wish to remain here1 you must behave yourselves4 ,during the deliverance of this sentence1 some of the boys gave mimic groans1 one of them whistled1 and others kept up a running comment4 ,a policeman6 ,oh good6 ,that's little ,duffer1 ,i know6 ,we've seen him before6 ,wouldn't mind giving him a chase to-day1 just for exercise1 you know1 mum4 ,i say1 boys1 let's cut and run1 the whole band of us4 ,we can jump these seats at one bound1 and take the little woman along on our shoulders for a ride6 ,shall we do it8 ,this from the leader1 who in time came to be known as ,nimble ,dick4 ,bah6 ,no6 replied a third4 ,let's stick it out and see what she's got to say2 she's a new party4 ,besides1 we can't give her the slip in that way2 we're friends of hers1 you know4 ,mrs4 ,roberts1 said the distressed ,mr4 ,durant1 in a not very good undertone1 ,i think you will have to give it up4 ,they are worse than usual this morning4 ,we have endured much from them1 and ,i must say that my patience is exhausted4 ,will you not take the seat at the other end of the room8 ,not unless they wish me to4 ,the people who had known ,flossy ,shipley well would have detected a curious little quiver in her voice1 which meant that she was making a strong effort at self-control2 but a stranger would hardly have observed it4 ,do you wish me to go away1 young gentlemen8 ,the scamps thus appealed to looked at one another again1 as if in doubt what to say4 ,this again was new ground to them4 ,policemen they were accustomed to4 ,at last ,nimble ,dick made answer3-- ,no1 ,i'm bound if we do2 it comes the nearest to looking like a lark of anything that we have had in a long time4--,i say1 parson1 go off about your business and let us alone4 ,we was having a good time getting acquainted till you come and spoiled it4 ,we'll be as sober as deacons at a prayer-meetin'4 ,and look out how you insult this young woman2 she's a friend of ours1 and we're bound to protect her4 ,no asking of her to change her seat2 she's going to sit right here to the end of the chapter4 ,mr4 ,durant looked his willingness to summon the police at once2 but ,mrs4 ,roberts's voice1 evenly poised now1 took up the story3-- ,thank you2 then ,i will stay4 ,and since it is getting late1 suppose we lose no more time4 ,there was something about which ,i wanted to tell you4 ,but a few evenings ago ,i attended a gathering where ,i saw some very singular things4 ,a gentleman in the party was tied with a strong rope1 hands and feet1 as firmly as two men could tie him--people who knew how to tie knots1 and they did their best2 yet while we stood looking at him1 he shook his hand free and held it out to them4 ,how do you think it was done8 ,sham knots1 said one4 ,no1 for my husband was one of the gentlemen who tied him1 and he assured me that he tied the rope as firmly as he could4 ,besides1 more wonderful things than that were done4 ,i tied my own handkerchief into at least a dozen very hard knots1 and gave it to him1 and ,i saw him put it in a glass of water1 then seize it and shake it out1 and the knots were gone4 ,i saw him take two clean glasses1 and pour water from a pitcher into one1 and it seemed to turn instantly to wine4 ,then he poured that glass of wine into the other empty glass1 and immediately it turned back to water1 or seemed to4 ,dozens of other strange things he did4 ,i should really like to tell you about them all4 ,i will1 at some other time2 but just now ,i think you would like to know how he did them8 ,how he did them6 ,as if you could tell6 ,can you tell8 ,pitch in1 mum2 ,i'd like to hear that part myself6 ,these were some of the eager answers4 ,had the little teacher1 under the embarrassments of the occasion1 taken leave of her senses8 ,actually she was bending forward1 opened ,bible turned face downward on her knee1 engaged in describing1 in somewhat minute detail1 the explanations of certain sleight-of-hand performances which she had recently seen6 ,what idea of the office of teacher1 and the solemnity of the truths to be taught1 had she8 ,the boys were listening1 their heads bent forward all around her4 ,what of that8 ,they would have listened equally well to a graphically-told story of a ,fourth ,avenue riot1 and been equally benefited1 you think8 ,they did not know just when the speaker slipped from the events of last week to the events of more than three thousand years ago4 ,indeed1 so ignorant were they of all past history1 that they were not even aware that she went back into the past2 for aught they knew1 she might have gone on ,wednesday of last week to see the man who could untie knots by magic1 and on ,thursday to see the men who could drop canes on the ground that would appear to turn into wriggling serpents4 ,but there was one statement that proved too much for their credulity4 ,you could not imagine what occurred next1 said the bright-faced teacher4 ,the cane or rod that the first man had dropped actually opened its mouth and swallowed the other rods that seemed to be serpents1 and was left there alone in its triumph6 ,oh1 bosh6 said ,nimble ,dick1 contempt expressed in the very curve of his nose4 ,that's too steep2 ,i don't believe a word of it6 ,these fellows can do lots of queer things--,i've seen 'em perform myself2 but they never made a live thing yet2 ,i've heard folks that know say so4 ,precisely what ,i wanted to reach1 said ,mrs4 ,roberts with animation4 ,you are right2 they never did2 and you have discovered just the difference between them and the one man of whom ,i have been telling you4 ,he worked by the power of ,god2 he distinctly stated that he did1 and that ,god really turned his rod into a serpent1 and allowed it to swallow the imitations of life1 and then turned it back again into a rod1 to show that nothing was beyond his power4 ,did you see the thing done8 questioned a young sceptic1 running his tongue into his cheek in a skilful way1 and distorting his whole face with a disagreeable leer4 ,he began to suspect that he was being cheated into listening to a ,bible story4 ,mrs4 ,roberts was prompt with her answer3-- ,oh no1 ,i did not2 neither did ,i see the great fire that you had in this city about a year ago4 ,at that time ,i was a thousand miles away2 and it so happens that ,i have never talked with any person who did see it2 yet ,i know there was a great fire1 and many buildings were burned and lives lost4 ,it has been proved to me4 ,oh1 well1 said sceptic number two1 while number one retired into silence to speculate over this answer1 fires are common enough things2 anybody can know that they happen2 but it ain't such a common affair to see a stick turn into a serpent and swallow up other serpents4 ,i've seen them fellows make things that looked like snakes myself4 ,i could most swear to it that ,i'd seen them wriggle2 but they never did no swallowing4 ,that is1 they did not give unmistakable signs that they were alive4 ,but do you think it too strange a thing for ,god to do8 ,surely he can make life4 ,how is it that you are here1 breathing1 talking1 thinking1 if there is no power anywhere to make life8 ,oh1 ,i came from a tadpole1 said the boastful young scientist1 putting his thumbs under his arms1 and affecting an air of great wisdom4 ,i know all about that2 ,i was there1 and see the things wriggle4 ,evolution staring her in the face in a corner class in a mission school--a class that had been gathered from the slums6 ,mrs4 ,roberts did not know that these are the very places in which to find it in all its coarseness4 ,yet she made haste to meet the boy on his own ground4 ,very well1 if you choose to take that view of it4 ,was not the tadpole alive8 ,where did the life come from8 ,you insist that the story ,i have been telling you is untrue because you know that none of these sleight-of-hand performers have ever or can ever make actual life--that it is an impossible thing for human beings to do4 ,yet when ,i tell you that ,god did it1 you refuse the statement4 ,how are you going to account for life8 ,if in its very lowest forms it cannot be made by men who have given all their time to the study of the marvellous1 how is it that it is everywhere about us1 unless ,i am correct1 and there is a ,power that can produce life8 ,not a boy among them had heard the term evolution1 knew anything about the survival of the fittest4 ,they were entirely ignorant of protoplasm or bioplasm2 yet not one of them but had caught the meaning of some of these terms1 as they had been translated for them into the vernacular of the city slums2 not one in the class but perceived that their champion arguer had been met on his own ground and vanquished4 ,not with an outburst of horror2 he had not even been informed that he was irreverent4 ,nimble ,dick delighted in making each teacher tell him this4 ,he had merely been replied to in the calmest of argumentative tones1 and called upon to account for the facts in his own statements1 and had been unable to do so4 ,the crowd broke into a derisive laugh1 and were noisy1 it is true1 and brought troubled frowns to the face of their superintendent1 and made the flush on ,alfred ,reid's face deepen2 yet if both these anxious watchers had known it1 it was worthy of note that the laugh had been at the expense of one of their number1 and not at their teacher4 ,well1 go on1 interposed the youngest and quietest of the group4 ,tell us some more about your old fellow with his serpents4 ,did they stay swallowed1 and what did it all amount to1 anyhow8 ,thus challenged1 ,mrs4 ,roberts gave her whole heart to the business of giving1 in as dramatic a manner as she could1 the closing scenes in the act performed in ,egypt so long ago1 carefully avoiding any reference to time1 and mentioning no names1 using only modern terms1 and an exceedingly simple conversational form of language4 ,she was1 however1 presently interrupted with a question3-- ,when did all this happen1 and why don't somebody do something like it nowdays8 ,ignoring the first question1 ,mrs4 ,roberts adroitly gave herself to the second4 ,why don't you find your pleasure in tumbling around on the floor1 playing with a bright-coloured marble or two1 as you did when a child8 ,the world was in its childhood when ,god taught the people in this way4 ,he has given them just as wonderful lessons since1 but lessons more suited to men and women who have learned to think and reason4 ,we don't like to be always treated as children4 ,whether they really dimly understood the meaning or not is possibly doubtful1 yet it appealed to their sense of dignity in so indirect a way1 that they did not themselves realize what inclined them to quiet for a moment1 while she finished her sentence earnestly4 ,in the midst of the quiet1 the closing-bell rang1 and the seven young scamps seemed at once to take into their hearts seven other spirits worse than themselves1 and behaved abominably during the closing exercises1 and tumbled out of the door over each other in the wildest fashion the moment the signal was given1 halting only to say1 in the person of their leader1-- ,you be on hand next ,sunday2 we like your yarns first-rate4 ,mrs4 ,roberts1 with glowing cheeks and eyes behind which there were unshed tears1 made her way to the desk where ,mr4 ,durant was standing1 and spoke quickly3-- ,there is a difference between others who have tried it and myself1 ,mr4 ,durant4 ,the sentence in ,mr4 ,reid's account that gave me courage was1 ',every one has failed1 so far2 people are unwilling to take the class a second time4' ,i have failed1 but ,i want to try again4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,anything ,,uncommon ,,about ,,me8 ,,though they rushed out with even more noise than usual1 every boy of them knew that the noise was to cover a certain sense of shame-facedness1 because they had actually been beguiled into listening quietly for a few minutes to earnest words4 ,directly they had reached the privacy of the street they became quieter4 ,i say1 boys1 said ,nimble ,dick1 is that an awful green one1 or a new kind8 ,new1 ,i should say1 replied one of the younger boys2 she ain't like anything that's been in that room since we got acquainted with it4 ,i don't know her style myself4 ,what do you take it she meant by that stuff about being friends1 and telling us where she lived1 and all that8 ,dunno what she meant2 but she ain't 'green1' you may bet your head on that4 ,i'll tell you what ,i think1 boys3 ,i b'lieve she knows what she is about1 every time4 ,what this sage conclusion amounted to1 one not acquainted with the dialect of the street might have been at a loss to understand2 but the rest of the party received it in grave silence and nods of the head1 as though it were a thought that needed careful investigation4 ,in common parlance1 ,jerry ,tompkins had expressed the opinion that ,mrs4 ,roberts had some point to gain in being so uncommonly polite and attentive to them1 and they were curious to know what the motive could possibly be4 ,they considered the important question in silence until they reached the next corner2 then ,nimble ,dick1 tossing back his head as one who had thrown off an abstruse problem1 and would have none of it1 said3-- ,well1 what next8 ,we've got through with that fun for to-day4 ,what are you going to do1 boys8 ,say we go around to ,poke's1 and see what is going on there8 ,to this proposition there was eager agreement from all the party save one2 he maintained a somewhat moody silence4 ,what say1 ,dirk8 the leader asked1 addressing him4 ,are you ready for ,poke's8 ,no2 ,i don't think ,i'll go around just now4 ,what then8 ,if you've got something better on hand1 why don't you let a fellow know8 ,we're not dying for ,poke's place4 ,i haven't got a thing on hand2 only ,i don't care about going there4 ,where1 then8 ,nowhere4 ,nowhere6 ,mean place4 ,too cold weather to stop in the streets4 ,there 'll be a good fire at ,poke's4 ,you come along2 don't go to getting the sulks2 it ain't becoming1 just after you've been to ,sunday school4 ,but the young fellow persisted in gloomily refusing to join them1 and presently they began to tease1 in what they meant to be a good-natured way4 ,dirk's struck1 said one4 ,that yellow-haired party has got him by the throat2 ,i saw her looking at him most uncommon sharp1 when she was telling that biggest story of hers about the serpent that swallowed4 ,dirk he thinks he's been swallowed by one of 'em2 he feels it choking in his throat4 ,no1 said another1 that ain't it2 ,dirk's a-going to get pious4 ,that's his last dodge2 ,i've seen the spell coming on for some time4 ,didn't you see him pick up that there ,bible and lay it on the seat the other ,sunday1 after ,jerry's elbow knocked it off by mistake8 ,i've been scared about ,dirk ever since2 and now he won't go to ,poke's6 ,it's a bad sign4 ,i say1 ,dirk1 maybe there's going to be a prayer-meeting down your way1 and you wouldn't mind letting us come8 ,they expected him to laugh1 but his face grow blacker than before1 and at last he said1 in very significant tones3-- ,you better hold up there1 ,scrawley1 if you don't want to try the depth of that gutter4 ,leave him be1 said ,nimble ,dick quickly2 he's going into one of his tantrums4 ,when he begins like that1 there's no end to the fighting that's in him2 and ,i don't want a row now1--it's too early in the day2 besides1 ,i know something that's better fun4 ,you fellows come along with me1 and let him go4 ,all this was said in a sort of undertone as ,dirk strode on ahead2 and when1 at another corner1 he dashed down it1 leaving them all1 there was no call after him4 ,he was free to go where he would1 and for reasons that he himself could not have explained1 he chose that it should be home--that is1 the place which he called home4 ,it might not meet your ideas of what a spot so named should be4 ,the road to it led through one of the meanest portions of the city4 ,each foot of the way the houses seemed to grow more squalid-looking and the streets filthier4 ,the particular alley down which he dived at last was narrower and blacker than any yet passed1 and the cellar door which he pushed open let him into the meanest-looking house in the row--a long1 low1 dark room4 ,in one corner there was the remnant of a stove1 braced up by bricks and stones2 but no fire was burning therein1 though the day was cold4 ,furniture there was none1 unless the usual rickety table and two broken chairs could be called by that name4 ,a door was ajar that led into an inner cellar1 and a glimpse of piles of offensive-looking rags1 that were called bed-clothes by the family1 might have given you an idea of what their home life was1 as hardly any other phase of it can4 ,the rags were not all in the farther cellar1 however2 a gay1 patch-work quilt1 or at least one that had once been gay1 but from which bits of black cotton now oozed in every direction1 seemed to have curled itself in a heap against the one window4 ,however1 it moved soon after ,dirk opened the door1 and showed itself to be more than a quilt4 ,inside was a young girl1 the quilt wrapped around her closely1 drawn up about her face and head1 as if she would hide all but her eyes within1 and try to get rid of shivering4 ,you home8 she said1 her tones expressing surprise1 but at the same time indifference4 ,what is it for8 ,because ,i wanted to come4 ,hasn't a fellow a right to come home if he wants to8 ,of course2 and it's such a lovely home1 and you are so fond of it1 no one need wonder at your coming in the middle of the day4 ,the sentence was sarcastic enough1 but the tones were hardly so2 they expressed too much indifference even for sarcasm4 ,dirk surveyed her thoughtfully2 he seemed to have no answer ready4 ,in fact1 his face wore almost a startled air1 and really the thought which presented itself for consideration was startling4 ,something about the face of the girl1 done up so grotesquely in her ragged quilt1 suggested the lady who had been his teacher at the mission6 ,could one find a sharper contrast than existed between these two8 ,yet ,dirk1 as he looked1 could not get away from it4 ,what are you staring at8 the girl asked presently1 growing uneasy over the fixedness of his gaze4 ,do you see anything uncommon about me8 ,where's mother8 he asked1 dropping his eyes and turning from her4 ,in there1 asleep4 ,you needn't talk quite so loud2 it won't hurt her to get a bit of rest4 ,she sat up till morning1 poking at your old coat4 ,dirk looked down at it thoughtfully4 ,there had been an attempt to make it decent1 although the setting of the patches showed an unpractised hand1 and they were of a strikingly different colour from the coat itself4 ,you might have done it for her1 then1 in the daytime1 he said briefly2 and added1 ,where's father8 ,the girl shrugged her shoulders4 ,how should ,i know8 ,where he is most of the time4 ,you know more about it than ,i do1 or ought to2 you live on the street4 ,he gave her an answer which seemed to surprise her3-- ,i say1 ,mart1 what is the use in being so horrid cross all the time8 ,you are so good-natured1 she said1 and everything is so nice and pleasant around me1 it is a wonder that ,i should ever be cross6 ,that's all lost1 ,mart1 for ,i never said ,i was good-natured1 nor thought ,i was2 and if ,i don't know just how hateful things are1 ,i should like to know who does6 ,but1 after all1 what good does it do to snarl8 ,why couldn't you and me say a good-natured word once in a while1 just for a change8 ,try it1 she said2 ,i wish you would6 ,i'm so tired of things as they now are that most any change would be fine4 ,but ,i'll risk your doing much in that line2 it isn't in you4 ,what was there in this cross girl to remind any one in his senses of ,mrs4 ,evan ,roberts8 ,yet1 even as she spoke that last ungracious sentence1 she turned a little1 so that a slant beam of sunshine1 one of the few that ever found their way into this dreary room1 laid a streak of light just across her hair1 yellowing it until it was almost the shade that he had noted in the lady at the mission2 and he thought of her again1 and wondered curiously whether1 if ,mart were dressed in the shining black dress1 and fur wraps1 and feather-decked bonnet that the lady had worn1 she would really resemble her4 ,how would ,mart look dressed up1 he wondered--even decently dressed1 as the girls were whom he met on the streets8 ,he had never seen her in anything much more becoming than the ragged quilt4 ,he was studying her in a way that ,mart did not in the least understand4 ,she broke the spell suddenly again3-- ,have you had any dinner8 ,dinner8 ,why1 no6 ,of course not4 ,where would ,i find that sort of thing8 ,i looked all up and down the streets1 and smelled plenty of it1 but not a bite did ,i get4 ,where have you been8 ,oh1 around in several places2 not much of anywhere4 ,i know where you've been1-- a severe light coming into her eyes2 you've been down to the ,south ,end1 and if ,i was you1 ,i'd be ashamed of myself6 ,i know how you fellows go on down there4 ,sallie ,calkins goes1 and she told me all about it4 ,she said that she was ashamed to live in the same street with any of you1 and that none of the folks in the mission knew what to do with you1 and the next thing you knew you would all be marched off to the lock-up4 ,let them try it1 muttered ,dirk1 his face growing darker2 we'd make that street too hot to hold them in short order if they played at any such game as that1 and ,i guess they know it4 ,well1 anyhow1 ,i wouldn't be meaner and lower down than ,i had to be1 ,dirk ,colson6 ,it is bad enough as it is--a drunkard for a father1 and we nothing more than beggars6 ,but ,i'd behave myself half-way decent when ,i went among folks that wanted to be good to me1 or else ,i'd stay away4 ,look here6 ,you keep your preaching for them that wants to hear it2 ,i don't4 ,a fellow can't come home without having a row2 if it isn't of one kind1 it's another4 ,i wonder ,i ever come home at all4 ,dirk was angry now1 and his dark1 thin face looked fierce with passion4 ,his sister kept the curiously composed tone and manner with which she had said all her exasperating things4 ,i wonder you do1 she said4 ,i suppose you get starved1 and can't help it1 now and then4 ,there's some dinner ,i saved for you4 ,if you want it1 eat it1 and then take yourself to some place that suits you better4 ,as she spoke1 she jerked open the door of a little cupboard near which she stood1 and brought therefrom a much-cracked plate1 on which lay a baked potato1 with one end broken or bitten off1 then carefully replaced1 as if the owner might have had a second thought as to its disposal2 a bit of corn-bread1 somewhat burned1 and half of a roasted apple4 ,meagre as the fare was for a hungry boy1 there was more variety than he had expected1 and something in the simple preparation touched him and quieted his anger4 ,where did this come from8 he asked1 taking in the unaccustomed morsel of apple with two eager bites4 ,i tell you that is good6 ,sallie ,calkins gave it to me last night4 ,she got one give to her somewhere4 ,just as the last bite was gone1 it occurred to ,dirk first to wonder1 and then to be almost certain1 that his sister1 having shared the apple1 had saved her entire share for him4 ,it was not the first time he had known of such an effort on her part to supply him with food4 ,had he thought of it sooner1 he would certainly have left a bit of the dainty for her2 but no thought of telling her so1 for an instant crossed his mind4 ,neither had she1 on her part1 the slightest idea of describing to him with what care and patience she and ,sallie had roasted the choice morsel before ,sallie's fire1 only last night--,sallie's father being fortunately late in coming1 and so giving them a chance2 then she had borne hers home in a bit of paper1 and carefully guarded it all day1 just for this hour4 ,also1 she might have told him that she bit the end from the potato before she remembered that there would be none left for him1 and then fitted it on again as best she could1 and went without4 ,she would not have told him for worlds4 ,why8 ,she could not have explained why4 ,something within her shrank from letting him know1 not that she sacrificed for him1 but that she cared enough for him to want to do it6 ,potato and corn-bread were gone1 to the last crumb2 it seemed to ,dirk that there had been only enough of them to show him how hungry he was4 ,i suppose there isn't anything more8 he said wistfully1 with the rising inflection1 indeed1 but not as one who had any idea of receiving an affirmative answer4 ,i should think there wasn't6--defiance in the tone4 ,there's a piece of bread that ,i kept for mother's supper1 and ,i mean she shall have it4 ,well1 don't bite me6 ,i'm perfectly willing that she shall4 ,isn't there anything for a fire8 ,only some chips that ,i'm saving till mother has her nap out4 ,you better go to bed yourself1 then2 it's awful cold here4 ,i ain't going to stir from this corner so long as this streak of light lasts4 ,it isn't so very often ,i see it that ,i can afford to lose it4 ,her brother turned and looked at her4 ,she had gathered the folds of the ragged quilt about her again1 and was crouching at the low window1 and the very last gleam that the sunshine would vouchsafe them came and glimmered in her hair4 ,there it was again--that mysterious1 haunting resemblance6 ,what would ,mart think if he told her of it8 ,probably that he was trying to poke fun at her4 ,at least1 he should not experiment4 ,yet he could not help wondering again how ,mart would look if she were dressed like other people4 ,i say1 ,mart1 he began suddenly1 breaking the stillness1 let's you and ,i get out of this1 where it is warmer4 ,come and take a walk down on the avenue2 the sun will shine yet for half an hour and it is real warm and bright4 ,in this quilt8 she asked significantly1 looking down at it4 ,the boy's face darkened4 ,hasn't your shawl got out of pawn yet8 ,how should it8 ,he flung himself angrily out of the broken chair1 picked up his ragged cap1 and strode angrily and noisily across the room1 out at the door1 stumbling up the steps1 like one half-blind with disgust or rage1 and went on swift feet down the street out of sight4 ,and ,mart1 poor ,mart1 left thus to solitude1 let the last beam of the sun go without watching and buried her face in the ragged quilt and cried4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,i ,,don',t ,,blame ,,them4 ,,it was not a pet name4 ,poor ,mart ,colson would not have known what to do with a pet name4 ,her life had not taught her how to use such phrases4 ,how she came to be named ,martha1 she did not know2 but a hollow-eyed1 sad-voiced woman could have told her of a country home1 long ago1 where there were daffodils blowing in the early spring1 almost under the snow2 where1 later1 the earth was turned into sky1 or the stars came down and gleamed all over her father's fields1 so plentiful were the dandelions2 and the breath of the clover came in at all the open windows2 and the cows--her father's cows--coming home from pasture1 and the tinkle of their bells1 were sights and sounds familiar to her ear4 ,she sat there one summer evening1 in the back door1 watching the glory and the peace1 and studying1 between times1 her ,sabbath lessons4 ,often and often the words came back to her in future years4 ,now ,jesus loved ,martha1 and her sister1 and ,lazarus4 ,that was one of the verses4 ,was it a dim memory of the words1 and a sort of blind reaching out after their fulfilment1 that led her to name her poor little two-days-old baby ,martha8 ,the old home had vanished2 the sweet-scented meadows1 the tinkling bells1 the peace and the plenty1 were as utterly things of the past as though they had not been4 ,mother and father and one brother were gone1 lying in grass-grown1 neglected graves2 and she--why the two-days-old baby's father was drunk1 and had been for three weeks6 ,a hard1 hateful-sounding word--coarse1 almost4 ,why don't ,i say intoxicated8 ,oh1 because ,i can't6 ,i've no desire to find smooth-sounding words with which to cover the sin of that baby's father4 ,but the mother named her ,martha4 ,she never told her why1 if1 indeed1 she herself fully knew2 it was not a family name4 ,gradually1 after the fashion of the times1 she sought to shorten the name2 and because they had not sweet1 short words as ,pet1 and ,dear1 and ,sweet1--all such belong to happy homes--they grew to calling her ,mart4 ,and now1 even she herself hardly realized that she had ever owned to any other call4 ,poor ,mart6 ,i find myself wanting to use the adjective over and over again when ,i speak of her4 ,such a desolate1 loveless life6 ,always a drunken father--she had never known any other2 always a sharp-toned1 weary-eyed1 disheartened mother1 who shut her tenderness for the child within herself1 as one who could not afford to show it4 ,then ,dirk1 the one brother1 going astray almost as soon as he was born4 ,what wonder1 from such a home8 ,yet ,mart wondered and felt bitter over it4 ,why could not ,dirk be like some others of whom she knew--like ,sallie ,calkins's brother1 for instance1 who worked day and night1 and brought home often and often an apple1 or a herring1 or sometimes even a picture paper for ,sallie8 ,mart was sharp-tongued2 all her life had taught her to be so4 ,she spoke sharp words out of the bitterness of her heart at ,dirk2 and of late rarely anything but sharp words2 yet--and this was ,mart's secret1 hidden away as if it were something of which to be ashamed--she loved ,dirk1 loved him fiercely1 with all the pent-up wealth of her young heart2 and often1 because she loved him1 she was harsh and bitter towards him1 though she did not herself understand why this should be4 ,as for ,dirk1 he walked rapidly but for a few blocks2 his dinner had been too insufficient to give him strength1 after the first aimless anger had subsided4 ,then came the question what to do with himself4 ,why hadn't he gone with the fellows8 ,more than likely some of them had contrived a way to get a dinner4 ,why had he persisted in sullenly leaving them all and going home8 ,he had not the least idea why he had been impelled to go home4 ,now that he was fairly away from home again1 he had no idea what to do with himself4 ,a place where he could warm his feet and his hands1 where he could get a bite to eat1 possibly1--this last would be an immense attraction1 but was not a necessity1 and he did not expect it1--but warmth1 at least1 he felt that he must have4 ,where would he find it8 ,what place had been provided for such as he8 ,he ought by this time to have been earning his own living--to have had a corner which he could call home1 earned by himself1 where some of the decencies of life were gathered4 ,of course he ought2 but the painful fact to meet just now was that he had not done his duty4 ,he had gone astray1 not so far but that there were plenty of chances to go further1 greater deeps to which he might yet reach1 but far enough to all but break any watchful mother's heart--only that his mother's heart was broken before he was born4 ,the simple question waiting to be solved was this3 ,having done as poorly for himself as under the circumstances he well could1 what was ,dirk ,colson to do next8 ,he had no idea2 neither1 apparently1 had multitudes of ,christian people engaged in praying that the ,father's will might be done on earth even as it was in heaven4 ,the young man walked six blocks down the respectable avenue1 lined with pleasant homes1 where the people went to church1 and read their ,bibles1 and had family prayers1 and kept holy the ,sabbath day4 ,not a door among them all opened and held out a winning signal to arrest his heedless feet4 ,not so ,satan4 ,is he ever caught idling at his post8 ,just around the corner from the respectable avenue 7and around the corner ,dirk presently turned1 still uncertain what to do1 where to find the warmth he craved71 then the winning invitations for such as he began to present themselves4 ,saloons1 and saloons1 and saloons6 ,how many of them were there1 far outnumbering the churches6 ,pleasant they looked1 too--opening doors1 ever and anon1 revealing brightness and warmth within4 ,they would like to see him inside4 ,of this ,dirk was sure4 ,not that he had money1 but he had something that in such places often served him well--a decided and dangerous talent for imitating any and every peculiarity of voice or manner that had chanced to come under his notice4 ,he could make the fellows in these saloons roar with laughter4 ,if he did particularly well1 they were willing to order for him a glass of beer1 or a fairly good cigar2 in any case1 he had a chance to get warm4 ,this was actually ,dirk's only present source of income6 ,yet he shrank from it2 he could not have told you why1 but on this particular ,sabbath1 he was averse to earning his coveted warmth in this way4 ,he walked resolutely by two or three places where he had reason to think he might be welcomed1 wondering vaguely whether there wasn't something else a fellow could do to keep himself from freezing4 ,oddly enough there seemed to be something about the glimmer of sunshine as he saw it in ,mart's hair that kept him from halting before any of the places open to him4 ,what if she had come out with him to take a walk8 ,he could not have taken her into one of them6 ,then1 poor fellow1 he set himself to wondering where the place was1 open and warmed1 to which he could take ,mart4 ,there were places1 several of them1 in the large city2 but ,dirk knew nothing about them1 and he was acquainted with the saloons4 ,he thought of another thing3 he had been invited to call at a house in ,east ,fifty-fifth ,street4 ,suppose he should walk up there this very afternoon and ring the bell1 and say that he had come to call6 ,what would happen then8 ,whereupon he laughed aloud1 the fancy seemed to him so utterly preposterous4 ,the idea of his making a call6 ,the utter improbability of his ever seeing the inside of one of the ,east ,fifty-fifth ,street mansions6 ,still remained that hopeless question1 ,what should he do with himself8 ,the sun was quite gone now1 and a cold wind was blowing up freshly from the north4 ,it blew directly through ,dick's threadbare garments4 ,he turned suddenly and slipped inside one of the worst of the many saloons which literally line this end of the street4 ,he had refused to go with the boys to ,poke's1 an hour or two before1 and this was several grades below ,poke's in decency4 ,but it was growing dark1 and he was cold4 ,there was one young man who saw him dart down those cellar stairs1 who stood still and looked at him1 his face darkening the while with discouragement4 ,this1 then1 was all the afternoon's ,sabbath school had accomplished for him4 ,to be sure he was not disappointed at the result--it was no more than he had expected2 but it was so discouraging to be an eye-witness to the degradation to which these young wretches had fallen4 ,of course the young man was ,alfred ,reid2 and he went home1 and was dreary over all sorts of failures in ,christian work1 mission ,sabbath schools especially1 and their own more especially than any other4 ,among the early shoppers on ,monday morning came ,mrs4 ,evan ,roberts4 ,shopping1 however1 seemed to be a small part of her business4 ,she came directly to young ,reid's counter1 and addressed him very much as though she had ceased talking with him but a moment before3-- ,mr4 ,reid1 what can you and ,i do for those boys during the week8 ,but ,alfred was at his gloomiest4 ,i don't see that we can do anything for them at any time1 he said dismally4 ,what is an hour on ,sunday1 set against all the rest of the time8 ,they go from the schoolroom to the rum saloons1 and dawdle away the rest of the day4 ,yesterday ,i met that young ,colson going into one of the worst saloons in ,dey ,street4 ,they are not to blame1 either4 ,this last in a fiercer tone1 after a slight pause4 ,i don't blame them3 they have nowhere else to go and nothing to do2 and it is cold on the streets1 and warm in the saloons4 ,if he expected the small lady1 who was regarding him so steadily1 to take the other side of this question1 he was disappointed4 ,she spoke quietly enough1 but with the earnestness of conviction4 ,those are startling facts4 ,i do not see how any one could be surprised that the results are as they are2 and the practical question forces itself upon us1--,what are we to do under the circumstances8 ,mr4 ,reid1 you have had your eyes open in regard to this subject for some time2 what have you thought out8 ,now was ,mr4 ,alfred ,reid embarrassed4 ,it was true that his eyes had been long open to the subject2 it was true that he had given it a great deal of what he had called thought4 ,but with those alert eyes fixed on his face1 her whole manner indicating intense earnestness1 he suddenly realized that all his thought had been to no purpose1 had accomplished nothing1 unless it had served to give him a feeling almost of irritation against the boys1 and their teachers who made failures1 and the people who folded their hands and let things go to ruin4 ,here confronted him one whose hands were not folded1 though they rested quietly enough on the counter before him4 ,he began to feel that there might be latent power in them4 ,i have nothing to say1 and he said it at last with flushed face and embarrassed voice2 ,i have thought out nothing4 ,the whole thing seems hopeless to me with my utter lack of resources4 ,my sister had schemes1 many of them1 and they seemed to me good ones1 even then2 they seem better now1 only ,i cannot carry them out4 ,she caught at the name4 ,your sister8 ,esther ,reid8 ,good6 ,let us carry them out1 you and ,i1 and as many more as we can get to help us4 ,she is at work yet1 don't you see8 ,what is that prophecy about her--that voice which the prophet heard1 you know8 ',and ,i heard a voice saying unto me1 ,write1 ,blessed are the dead which die in the ,lord from henceforth3 ,yea1 saith the ,spirit1 that they may rest from their labours2 and their works do follow them4' ,how strangely the words sounded1 repeated in her low1 clear voice1 amid the hum of business on every side6 ,alfred ,reid felt singularly moved4 ,he had been a highly strung1 imaginative child4 ,he had been his sister ,esther's almost constant companion during those last months in which she was slowly fading out of sight4 ,while ,julia held steadily to her mother's side1 and learned to do many helpful things1 he had been stationed chief nurse in ,esther's room1 to see that she lacked for no tender care during the hours when others must be away from her4 ,and those hours she had tenderly improved4 ,he remembered to this day just how she looked1 with a pink flush all over her cheeks1 and a bright light in her eyes1 as she talked to him of the things that she and ,dr4 ,douglas had meant to do for boys--neglected1 homeless1 friendless boys4 ,oh1 the plans they had carefully thought out1 to reach after these forsaken ones6 ,he remembered that his own cheeks had grown hot while he listened1 and the blood had seemed to race like fire through his veins when she said3 ,god wants 'me' for something else1 ,alfred3 but you will do my work when you get to be a man2 you will find helpers1 and carry it on as ,i wanted to do4 ,he had made no audible answer1 but he had told himself sturdily again and again that he certainly would4 ,yet here he was1 barely of age1 and almost soured by disappointments4 ,certain well-meant attempts having proved failures1 and having not found the helpers whom he had eagerly expected1 the magnitude of the work impressed itself upon him more remorselessly each hour4 ,yet now he seemed to feel again the thrill in his veins1 and he felt almost under the power of his sister's eye1 while those words were in his ears3 ',they may rest from their labours2 and their works do follow them4' ,might it possibly be that this was one of the helpers of whom ,esther used to talk--sent by ,god himself to take up her planned work1 and follow it out8 ,yet she was so utterly unlike his memory of ,esther6 ,she had seemed to him a self-reliant1 strong toned woman--,mrs4 ,roberts was so small and frail-looking1 and so fashionably dressed2 and how those boys had acted with her only yesterday6 ,what could she possibly do8 ,customers came just then1 to change the current of his thoughts4 ,they wanted round collars1 and deep collars1 and fichus1 and edges1 and a hundred little irritating things4 ,young ,reid1 usually so gracious and patient1 had much ado to keep from showing his annoyance over the smallness of all their wishes4 ,meantime ,mrs4 ,roberts1 who had taken a seat1 entered apparently with absorption into the relative merits of round or pointed collars with a young lady acquaintance4 ,she patiently measured to discover whether the turned-down corner of one was a quarter of an inch deeper than the other or not2 she gave1 with due deliberation1 her opinion as to whether the points were more becoming to the young lady's style of beauty than the rolling fronts2 and even went to the trouble of unfastening her furs to show still another style that she liked better than either1 sending the disgusted ,alfred to an entirely different box in search of a like pattern4 ,as he went1 his lip curled visibly4 ,what a fool he had been to allow himself to get momentarily excited over this doll6 ,how preposterous in him to mention his dead sister's name to her6 ,she had already forgotten the entire matter1 and was deep in the merits of collars6 ,his first estimate of her had been the correct one4 ,her mind was just about as deep1 he believed1 as the tiny collar she was measuring4 ,what a farce it was to talk to her about helping those poor fellers6 ,she probably thought a few soup-tickets1 and a chance for a good ,christmas dinner at some of the public charity halls1 was the way to reach and reform them4 ,he shouldn't help her2 she mustn't expect it4 ,doubtless she did not4 ,probably she had by this time forgotten that she had suggested it4 ,why need she trouble herself about a few collars for a young lady in her own circle to wear with her morning dresses8 ,that was just it1 he told himself4 ,it was because she was in her circle1 and because the collars were to be honoured by being worn by such as she1 that they became important1 and the boys and their desperate needs sunk into insignificance4 ,well1 he wished they would both go and leave him to himself--give him a chance to rally from his momentary excitement1 of which he was now ashamed4 ,at last the collars were bought1 but not until the counter was strown with different sorts2 and the lady1 with many bright little nothings for last words1 moved off to another part of the store1 and ,mrs4 ,roberts whirled on her seat until her eyes were in full view again1 and said3-- ,what were some of her plans1 ,mr4 ,reid8 ,,chapter ,v4 ,a ,,christian ,,home4 ,i ,,don',t suppose you can go into details just now1 she added1 noting young ,reid's hesitation and embarrassment2 but ,i was wondering if you could give me some general idea of what she wanted to do1 or thought could be done4 ,there were a great many things that she wanted to do1 and ,i believe she thought they could be done2 but ,i don't think she knew the world very well1 said this aged cynic4 ,she judged everybody from the standpoint of her own unselfishness4 ,i remember she was not in sympathy with soup-houses and dinner-tickets1 and great public charities of that sort4 ,or1 ,i don't know that ,i should say she was not in sympathy with them4 ,i mean1 rather1 that those would not have been her ways of working4 ,she was thinking of young people1 and to give them a dinner now and then she would not have considered a very great step toward elevating them morally and spiritually4 ,mrs4 ,roberts1 it was just that which she wanted to do--lift them up4 ,she thought there could be invented ways of reaching them1 so that they would want helping1 want teaching--'crave' it1 ,i mean2 and she thought that ,christian homes of wealth and culture could be opened to them1 and they gradually drawn in--made to feel on a level with others in the social scale4 ,in short1 she believed that instead of people going down to them in a condescending spirit1 they could be drawn up to the level of others1 so that they would realize their manhood1 and be led to make earnest efforts to take their rightful places in the world4 ,i know ,i am bungling dreadfully2 ,i don't know how to tell you her plans1 only that they were splendid4 ,but ,i am afraid the world will have to be made over before they can be carried out4 ,perhaps so4 ,christ is at work making the world over1 you know4 ,the lady before him1 whose eyes never for an instant moved from his face1 spoke with exceeding sweetness and gravity4 ,neither by word nor glance did she give him to understand that she thought his schemes wild4 ,but ,i find that1 after all1 ,i want details4 ,i catch a glimpse of the grandness of your sister's meaning4 ,what were some of the steps--the little steps1 such as you and ,i could take1 toward accomplishing it8 ,yet even while ,i ask the question1 ,i see something of what the answer must be4-- ',christian homes opening to receive them6' ,that is a new thought to me1 and in the plural number ,i do not see how just now it could be done2 but 'one' ,christian home--,i ought to be able to manage that4 ,mr4 ,reid1 that is the way to begin it1 you may depend4 ,indeed1 ,i suppose you have tried it4 ,the city is full of boys1 and many of them are away down4 ,since we cannot reach all of them this week1 we must try to reach seven2 and1 failing in that1 suppose we say one4 ,for which one have you been working8 ,just who1 at this moment1 specially interests you8 ,i hope it is one of my boys1 because1 you see1 they appeal to me just now as no others can4 ,which is it1 ,mr4 ,reid8 ,and what have you tried to do for him8 ,and to what extent have you succeeded8 ,there were never any hotter cheeks than young ,reid's just at that moment4 ,this was the most extraordinary person with whom he had ever talked4 ,it was impossible to generalize with her4 ,not that he wanted to generalize2 on the contrary1 he at once saw the possibilities growing out of individual effort1 and caught at the idea of undertaking something4 ,but the question was1 ,why had he not thought of it before8 ,one person to reach after and try for6 ,surely he might have attempted that1 instead of trying to carry the hundreds that he stumbled against1 and so accomplish nothing for any of them4 ,it was humiliating the confession that he had to make3-- ,indeed1 ,mrs4 ,roberts1 ,i have not one in mind4 ,if you asked me what one hundred ,i was most anxious about1 ,i might possibly be able to answer2 but ,i see that there has been no individuality about it--unless1 perhaps1 the half-dozen or more boys who compose that class are taking a little stronger hold on me than any of the others4 ,but even for them ,i have tried to do nothing--unless two or three attempts to secure a permanent teacher for them1 which have ended in failure1 may count for effort4 ,i don't blame myself as much as ,i might1 because1 now that you suggest personal work to me1 ,i realize that there is nothing for one situated as ,i am to do4 ,i have no ,christian home at my command4 ,ah1 but we are to come down to very small numbers1 you know--to fractions1 if need be4 ,you have a piece of ,christian home at command1 ,i trust8 ,but he looked at her inquiringly1 and she explained3-- ,why1 you have the privacy of your own room1 which is1 of course1 your corner of home just now1 and it is a ,christian corner4 ,is there not room in it sometimes for two8 ,he smiled faintly over that4 ,mrs4 ,roberts1 there is one thing with which you evidently are not familiar1 and that is1 the corner which a poor clerk in the city has to call home4 ,mine is the fourth story back of a fourth-rate boarding-house1 where the thermometer drops often below the freezing-point2 and this place ,i share with as uncongenial a fellow as ever breathed4 ,what would you think of labelling such accommodations 'home'8 ,and what can ,i do in it for others8 ,not much1 perhaps1 smiling1 unless for the uncongenial fellow4 ,i should think there might be a chance in this direction4 ,ah1 but1 he said eagerly1 he is a ,christian4 ,my sympathies do not need to be drawn out in that direction4 ,the smile was a peculiar one now1 but the tone was very quiet in which the little lady said that some time1 when they had leisure to talk1 she should like to ask him whether his experience with ,christians had been so exceptionally bright that he thought there was no work to do in that direction4 ,but just now1 she added earnestly1 ,i want to know1 since you are shut away from home effort1 for which of these boys you are praying especially1 and which of them do you carry about on your heart1 with the hope of a chance meeting1 an unexpected opportunity to speak a word1 or do a kindness1 or look a kindness1 that shall give you possible future influence8 ,don't you have to work in those ways8 ,two people never equally interest me at the same moment4 ,i find ,i must be intensely individual1 not to the exclusion of others1 but in praying4 ,for instance1 yesterday ,i prayed and this morning ,i prayed for my entire class2 but there was one all the time who was uppermost4 ,i find myself questioning1 ,what can ,i do for them all1 but especially for him8 ,do you know1 ,i fancy that most ,christians feel the same2 individual effort is so necessary that ,i have thought perhaps the ,holy ,spirit turns our thoughts most directly toward one person at a time1 so that we may concentrate our efforts4 ,do you think this is so8 ,young ,reid did not answer so promptly2 he had no answer ready that suited him4 ,his strongest feeling just then was one of self-reproach1 mingled with humiliation4 ,how had he looked down on this fair and beautiful little woman--her very beauty being1 he had fancied1 an element against her when it came to actual effort6 ,how had he allowed himself to sneer over her attempt at teaching that class of boys6 ,how actually irritable he had been over it6 ,how almost angrily he had questioned why it was that a teacher was not found for them fitted to their needs1 when he had prayed about it so much1 determined not to believe that the prayer had been answered and the teacher found6 ,yet here she was1 the one whose efforts he had despised1 talking already about individual prayer for them2 while he1 who had done a great amount of fretting for them1 had not once presented them as individuals to ,christ1 and asked a definite blessing for each6 ,his answer1 when it came1 was low and full of feeling3-- ,i have concentrated my desires in praying for the coming of such a teacher as might get hold of them1 and ,i begin to think that ,i have an answer to my prayers4 ,but she was absolutely proof against compliments4 ,she wasted not a moment's thought on that1 but said1-- ,mr4 ,reid1 who are they8 ,i tried to get their names yesterday1 but soon saw that they were not in the mood to help me4 ,i don't think ,i have one correct name4 ,can you give me a list8 ,no1 he could not--which admission did not lessen the glow on his cheeks4 ,possibly he could mention the names of two1 and guess at a third1 but of the others he knew nothing4 ,to whom1 then1 can ,i go8 ,mr4 ,durant would know1 of course4 ,where shall ,i find him8 ,so much ,alfred knew4 ,mr4 ,durant was to be found at the ,fourth ,national ,bank2 but as for giving information in regard to that class1 he was sure it was beyond him4 ,he 7,alfred7 had asked only last ,sabbath who the boy was who behaved so wretchedly1 and also who was the fellow next him1 but ,mr4 ,durant had not known4 ,well1 then1 ,mrs4 ,roberts said1 nothing daunted1 not even a shadow appearing on her quiet face1 she must just study it out with his help4 ,there is immediate work for you1 she said1 for of course ,i want to know their names4 ,who are the two8 ,this ,dirk ,colson whom you mentioned1 which was he8 ,alfred described him as well as his bewilderment would allow1 and was interrupted1-- ,oh1 the small dark one4 ,i know2 he interested me4 ,where does he live8 ,but to this question no clear answer could be given4 ,down in one of the alleys towards the ,south ,end2 but just which alley1 or how far down it1 ,alfred did not know4 ,he knew it was a disreputable alley1 and that there wasn't a decent home anywhere about it1 and that was all4 ,what does ,dirk do for a living8 ,this question was quite as difficult to answer as the other4 ,nothing1 young ,reid believed--at least nothing regular4 ,odd jobs he doubtless picked up occasionally1 but as for regular employment1 ,alfred was sure he had none4 ,is that his fault--,i mean1 doesn't he desire work1 and make an effort to secure it8 ,but this young ,reid could not even pretend to answer4 ,work1 for such as he1 was scarce2 boys with better habits1 brought up to be industrious1 were at this present time out of work4 ,possibly the fellow was not to blame for being an idler4 ,many other questions were asked1 and many attempts were made at answers4 ,but when the shoppers began to press in to such a degree that their conversation was broken1 and the energetic seeker after information felt herself obliged to retire1 one thing had been accomplished--,alfred ,reid had been made to realize that he knew much less than he had supposed he did about the seven boys who had seemed to be filling his thoughts for several weeks4 ,and also1 in his eager1 passionate desire that everything should be done for all of them1 he had overlooked the chances for doing here and there some little thing for one of them4 ,good-morning1 ,mrs4 ,roberts had said1 turning cordially to a fashionably dressed lady4 ,collars8 ,oh yes1 this is the counter for them to be found in endless variety4 ,they have a new pattern that ,i have been admiring4--,mr4 ,reid1 please show ,mrs4 ,emory the curtain collars with embroidered points4 ,which thing ,mr4 ,reid proceeded to do with alacrity and respect1 no trace of the earlier contemptuous feeling shadowing his face4 ,here was a woman who knew stylish collars when she saw them1 and who also knew several other things1 and had taught him a lesson this very morning that he would not be likely to forget4 ,but ,mrs4 ,roberts1 as she made her way out from the fast-filling store1 felt that she had not made great progress toward getting acquainted with her class4 ,still1 it must be admitted that if young ,reid had gotten some new ideas1 so also had she4 ,a ,christian home6 ,she found herself repeating the phrase1 lingering over it1 wondering if her new home1 in every sense of the word1 merited that title4 ,it cannot simply mean a home where ,christ is honoured1 she said to herself4 ,i surely have that4 ,it rather means a home where everything pertaining to it serves his cause4 ,the very furniture and the light and the brightness are made to do duty for him1 else they have no place there2 and ,i1 labelled ,christian1 have no right to them4 ,can ,i bear the test1 ,i wonder8 ,what is there that ,i can do with all the beauties of my parlours8 ,there are things that ,i have not done4 ,i can see some to do2 but how can my ,christian home serve these boys8 ,when ,i get them into it1 of course it will be work for me2 but how to get them in6 ,who are they8 ,i wonder what spring ,i can touch to give me even this meagre bit of information4 ,as if in answer to her mental query1 she came just then full upon ,policeman ,duffer4 ,she recognized him instantly2 a man who1 though by no means small1 was so far from having the majestic presence of most policemen that1 in the estimation of the boys1 he merited the name ,little ,duffer4 ,mrs4 ,roberts carried to her new work one talent not always to be found among even efficient workers--the ability to remember both names and faces4 ,especially did a name seem1 without any effort on her part1 to fasten itself upon her memory2 and not only that1 but it brought with it a train of memories enabling her to locate when and where1 and under what circumstances1 she heard the name1 and therefore generally whom the name fitted4 ,recognizing the features of the policeman whom she had seen at the door of the ,south ,end ,mission1 she connected him at once with the term ,little ,duffer heard in her class1 and addressed him4 ,mr4 ,duffer1 ,i believe4 ,it is safe to say that ,policeman ,duffer1 entirely accustomed as he was to hearing himself addressed officially a hundred or a thousand times in a day1 was yet utterly unaccustomed to the prefix of ,mr41 and started in surprise4 ,are you not the gentleman whom ,i saw at the ,south ,end last ,sabbath8 ,the policeman admitted that he probably was4 ,he was detailed for duty there4 ,then she plunged at once into business4 ,did he know the boys who attended that school8 ,some of them he did1 better than he wanted to2 and a precious set they were1 in ,policeman ,duffer's opinion4 ,might as well go out to the ,zoo1 he declared1 and get a set of animals and try to tame 'em4 ,mrs4 ,roberts was not in the mood to argue2 she was bent on information4 ,did he know1 she wondered1 the boys who composed her class8 ,she had just taken the class1 and was so unfortunate as not to be acquainted with their names4 ,one was ,dirk ,colson2 and another1 she had heard1 was ,haskell--,timothy ,haskell1 perhaps1 though of that she was not certain4 ,did that give ,mr4 ,duffer any clue8 ,plenty of clue1 he said1 shaking his head4 ,so you've taken that class1 ma'am1 a curious mixture of amazement and credulity in his voice4 ,what possessed you1 if ,i may be so bold8 ,they're a hard lot1 ma'am4 ,i know them1 as ,i said1 altogether too well4 ,i've had enough to do with some of them1 and ,i expect more work from them4 ,they gain in wickedness in a most surprising way4 ,their names8 ,yes2 there's ,scrawley1 and ,sneaking ,billy1 and ,black ,dirk--him you know4 ,mrs4 ,roberts interrupted him4 ,she begged his pardon1 but could those really be the boys' names8 ,were they not rather some unfortunate street names that had been fastened upon them8 ,thus brought back to his senses1 ,policeman ,duffer laughed1 and admitted that he supposed ,sneaking ,billy was properly named ,sneyder4 ,but he was once caught in a mean trick1 from which he tried in so many ways to squirm out1 that the boys had themselves named him ,sneaking ,billy1 and the name had stuck4 ,as for ,scrawley1 his real name was ,stephen ,crowley4 ,how it became contracted into ,scrawley1 the boys could tell better than anybody else4 ,they always called him that1 and so did other people2 and ,policeman ,duffer was inclined to doubt whether the fellow remembered that he had any other name4 ,you can see yourself1 ma'am1 he added1 how ,black ,dirk came by his name4 ,he is the blackest white fellow as ever ,i saw1 and ,i've seen crowds of 'em4 ,the streets were full1 and ,policeman ,duffer was being interviewed by a great many people in regard to all the questions that policemen are expected to answer4 ,but by dint of patient waiting1 one foot poised on a curbstone to keep it out of the mud1 making hurried little memoranda while ,policeman ,duffer was engaged1 and earnestly plying her questions when he was at leisure1 ,mrs4 ,roberts learned the names of her seven boys1 and where several of them lived4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,satan1 ,,he ,,has ',,em ,,all ,,the ,,week4 ,,that ,black ,dirk is a case1 said ,policeman ,duffer1 turning hastily away from an unusually stupid man who could not be made to understand where a certain street was4 ,he is the worst of the lot1 ,i believe4 ,jerry ,tompkins is slyer1 and ,dick ,bolton is quicker than lightning at mischief--,nimble ,dick they call him--he's a sort of ringleader--what he does the rest are apt to do2 but to my thinking ,dirk is ahead of them all for evil4 ,the rest are kind of jolly2 fun seems to be about half that they are after3 but ,dirk1 he's sullen2 you never know how to take him1 nor when he may burst out on you4 ,he's dangerous4 ,i am always looking out for something awful that he will do4 ,poor ,dirk6 ,yet he was the boy to whom ,mrs4 ,roberts's desires had gone out the most anxiously4 ,it was over his image that she had lingered that morning in her closet4 ,policeman ,duller would have been greatly astonished had he known there was that in his words which gave her courage4 ,perhaps1 she said to herself with quickening breath1 oh1 perhaps the poor boy is the most in danger of them all1 and the ,saviour1 knowing it1 sees ways in which ,i may reach him1 and so presses his poor1 sullen face on my memory4 ,what does he do for a living8 she hastened to ask4 ,well1 to the best of my knowledge1 he loafs for a living4 ,that's all ,i've ever known him guilty of doing4 ,he's got a drunken father--one of the meanest kind of drunkards4 ,if he would go and stay drunk all the time1 and leave them alone1 they might manage2 but he has spells of getting half over it1 and coming home and tearing around like all possessed4 ,then they have times6 ,i've been in there when it took all my strength to manage him4 ,if he would get killed in one of his rows1 ,i'd have some hope of the rest of 'em2 but he won't4 ,that kind of folks never do get killed2 it's the decent ones4 ,a fellow was carried by here just now with a broken leg--a nice1 decent boy1 works hard to help his sister4 ,he's the sort now that gets his leg broken1 and gets laid up for the rest of the winter4 ,how do you account for that8 ,he lives pretty near ,black ,dirk's4 ,of course1 he's got a drunken father--they all have in that row2 but if ,i was going in for benevolence1 ,i'd twice as soon do something for young ,calkins as for any of your set2 they're a bad lot4 ,they aren't worth lifting a finger for4 ,now1 that's a fact4 ,and yet1 said ,mrs4 ,roberts1 her voice tremulous with a feeling that just then surged over her1 how can ,i help remembering that if the ,lord ,jesus had said that of us1 and stayed up there in his glory1 we should have been utterly without help or hope to-day8 ,very much astonished was ,policeman ,duffer4 ,ladies on all sorts of errands had consulted him2 he had been presented with many tracts in his day2 but rarely had a clear-voiced1 earnest-eyed woman quietly confronted him with that name1 as if it contained an unanswerable argument4 ,however1 he was not embarrassed2 it took a great deal to embarrass him4 ,i don't take much stock in him1 he said1 with a lofty toss of his head1 and a careless tone1 as though the question were one easy to dispose of4 ,i don't believe in him myself4 ,do you know him8 ,earnest eyes were raised to his face1 fixed steadily on his face1 while the questioner waited quietly for an answer4 ,policeman ,duffer was embarrassed now2 he was not used to being confronted with such matter of fact questions4 ,do ,i know him8 with a confused little laugh4 ,why1 ,i reckon not1 ma'am2 according to the popular notion1 he is too faraway for folks to be well acquainted4 ,then popular notion is mistaken2 for ,i know him very well indeed1 and he is by no means faraway4 ,but what ,i meant was1 ,have you studied his life and character1 and do you fully understand the arguments for believing in him8 ,i study the folks who profess to belong to him1 ma'am1 and ,i find that about as much as ,i can stand4 ,this was said with a saucy little laugh1 and with the air of a man who believed he had produced an unanswerable argument4 ,the steady eyes did not move from his face1 and the voice which answered him had lost none of its quietness4 ,but do you think it is wise to spend your time in studying the imperfect copies1 without looking at the perfect pattern8 ,you would not take the child's careless imitation as a proof that his teacher could not write4 ,i thank you for helping me to-day4 ,i wish you would help my boys when you can2 and ,i wish you would study my ,master instead of me4 ,good-morning4 ,that's a queer party6 did ,policeman ,duffer exclaim1 as he watched her far down the street4 ,i would like to know who she is2 she ain't like the rest somehow4 ',her' boys6 ,much she knows about 'em4 ,her bears1 she might as well call 'em4 ,what does she think she can do with that set in her little hour--,sunday afternoon8 ,satan1 he has 'em all the week1 and looks after 'em sharp2 and then these ,christians come in of a ,sunday1 and mince a little1 and think they can upset his doings by it4 ,shows their sense6 ,but she's a curious little party--sharp1 without knowing it4 ,i'll keep an eye on her1 and save her from scrapes if ,i can4 ,meantime1 all unconscious of his good intentions1 ,mrs4 ,roberts pursued her way down the thronged avenue1 and presently turned from it entirely1 and moved down one of the side streets with resolute steps4 ,a daring thought had come into her mind2 she would try to find the alley where one at least of her boys lived4 ,it couldn't be worse than some of the alleys at home which she had penetrated4 ,she felt certain that by following the policeman's directions she could find the place1 and possibly be able to minister to the boy with a broken limb4 ,at all events1 it was necessary for her to know how her boys lived1 and where they lived1 if she were to reach them4 ,but there are alleys and alleys1 as the venturesome lady found to her cost4 ,this one into which she was plunging excelled anything in that line which she had ever imagined--swarming with life in its most repulsive forms1 and growing every moment more terrifying to a well-dressed woman braving its horrors alone4 ,she stopped in dismay at last1 admitting1 reluctantly1 that the wisest thing she could do was to turn round and go home4 ,possibly the wisest1 but not1 it appeared1 practicable4 ,where was home8 ,down which of the cross-streets had she come8 ,did this one where she stood lead to it8 ,or did it lead1 as it appeared to her1 in an entirely opposite direction8 ,she looked up and down and across for some familiar landmark1 and looked in vain1 growing momentarily more frightened at the attention she was attracting by standing irresolutely there4 ,flossy ,shipley1 in her girlhood days1 had been almost a hopeless coward2 and ,flossy ,roberts felt1 by the throbbing of her heart1 that she had not yet outgrown her girlish character4 ,suddenly she gave a little exclamation of delight1 and with a spring forward1 laid her hand on the arm of one whom she recognized--none other than ,nimble ,dick himself4 ,i am so glad1 she said to the amazed young scamp1 a little quiver of satisfaction in her voice1 so glad to have met you4 ,do you know you are a friend in need8 ,i have lost my way4 ,i cannot decide which way to turn to reach ,fifth ,avenue again4 ,will you help me please8 ,when had ,nimble ,dick lost an opportunity for fun at the expense of another8 ,here was a chance for a jolly lark6 ,a woman scared to death because she was in ,green ,alley4 ,what would she think of ,burk ,street8 ,suppose he should send her there--only three blocks away1 through a lovelier part of the city than she had seen yet8 ,he would venture4 ,if the crowds here showed her too much attention1 it would be worth something to see how she got through ,burk ,street4 ,oh yes1 he said briskly4 ,i can show you the way in a twinkling4 ,you just go down this alley till you come to the big house at the corner that has the windows all knocked out of it2 then you turn and go down that street till you get to the third crossing2 then turn again to the right1 and you'll be on ,fifth ,avenue before you know it4 ,had ,mrs4 ,roberts been looking at his face1 she would have seen the wicked light dancing in his eyes1 over the thought that he had thus mapped out for her a walk through the very worst portion of the city--every step1 of course1 lending her further and further away from ,fifth ,avenue4 ,the sights that she might see1 and the mishaps which might occur to her--a handsomely-dressed woman1 alone--before she made her way through the horrors of these streets1 were too much even for ,nimble ,dick's imagination1 who knew the locality well4 ,he did not try to calculate them1 but gave himself up to the enjoyment of imagining how long it would be before she would reach home if she followed his directions4 ,she won't see no swallowing serpents that ,i knows of1 he reflected gleefully2 but ,i'll miss my reckoning if she don't see what will scare her worse than they would4 ,but ,mrs4 ,roberts was already scared4 ,she felt her heart beating hard1 and knew that her cheeks were aglow with excitement and vague terror4 ,she was not used to walking such streets alone4 ,she looked ahead at the way pointed out1 and could see that the swarming life grew more turbid as far as her eye could reach4 ,she felt that she could not brave its terrors unprotected4 ,suddenly1 she turned from looking down the alley1 and her hand--a small1 delicately-gloved hand--was again laid on ,nimble ,dick's arm4 ,he could feel it trembling4 ,i suppose ,i shall seem very foolish to you1 she said gently1 but ,i am afraid to walk down there alone4 ,would you mind going along with me to protect me8 ,i am only a woman1 you know1 and we are apt to be cowards4 ,a very curious sensation came over ,nimble ,dick4 ,he looked up the alley1 and down the alley1 and was glad that not one of the fellows was in sight4 ,what was to become of his lark8 ,but there was that hand still resting on his arm1 with a persuasive touch in it2 and he had never been appealed to for protection before--never in his life6 ,was it possible that with him she would not be afraid8 ,he turned and looked at her searchingly1 a scowl on his face3 no1 she was not shamming2 her eyes were full of anxious fear1 and also of petition4 ,nimble ,dick was amazed at himself1 and ashamed of himself4 ,he did not know how to account for his sudden change of intention1 but he suddenly turned in an opposite direction from the one which he had pointed out1 and said1 ,come on1 then2 ,i'll show you a shorter way1 and strode forward4 ,oh1 thank you6 she said1 relief and gratitude in her voice4 ,i shall be so much obliged to you for coming with me2 ,i am quite bewildered--cannot decide which way ,i came1 or any about it4 ,i was trying to find the house of a young man who has been hurt4 ,a policeman told me that he lived in this street1 and that his name is ,calkins4 ,i was think about him1 and walked on without noticing1 until ,i did not know where ,i was4 ,do you know anything of the man8 ,you are too far down for him1 said ,nimble ,dick4 ,he's quality1 and lives at the upper end of the alley4 ,that's his house away up there4 ,he's hurt bad1 they say2 but ,i s'pose he'll get well4 ,he's got a quality doctor1 a regular swell1 who never come into these alleys before4 ,he was going along when they brought ,mark home1 and he followed them in1 and he come there again last night and this morning4 ,i dunno what for1 ,i'm sure4 ,mark ,calkins can't pay no doctor's bills1 if he does work regular1 and pay more rent than the rest of folks4 ,there was a curious mixture of complaint and satisfaction in ,dick's tone4 ,mrs4 ,roberts gathered from it that the young man1 ,mark ,calkins1 in whom the policeman had tried to interest her1 was superior to the rest of the miserable people in the alley1 and that they resented it as an insult to themselves2 but that1 at the same time1 the reflected honour of having a swell doctor come into their midst1 attendant upon one who really belonged to their class1 was very great4 ,could she possibly get a little influence over them by following up the injured young man1 and giving what help was needful8 ,she had hardly meant to call1 though trying to find the house4 ,her method of reasoning had been something like this3 ,the policeman said he lived about two blocks from my poor ,dirk's home4 ,since there has so recently been an accident1 there may be something to mark the house--a doctor passing in1 possibly1 or something that shall give me a landmark1 and ,i can have a glimpse of the outside of one of the homes4 ,in her ignorance of life at that end of the social scale1 she did not know that a doctor passing in and out1 even after an accident1 was a sufficiently rare occurrence to make much more of a mark than she was looking for4 ,so absorbed had she been over the boys belonging to her class1 that she had rather ignored the policeman's manliest hint to add this one to her list4 ,yet1 was it possibly an answer to her prayer1 an entering wedge of some sort1 that might open the way to influence8 ,who is the doctor8 she asked her guide1 as the possibility of making an entrance through him occurred to her4 ,do you know his name8 ,oh yes1 ,dick knew his name1 and where he lived1 and even the names of some of his swell patients2--trust him for gaining information about anything that came into the alley4 ,it's ,dr4 ,everett1 he said promptly1 that curious touch of pride appearing again in his voice4 ,he lives away up among the ,twenty-thirders1 and he goes to ,cady's house to doctor1 and lots of them places where the big ones lives4 ,i dunno how he happens to come here4 ,mrs4 ,roberts had never heard the name1 but she reflected that she was a new-comer1 and wisely desisted from taking from the glory of ,dr4 ,everett by admitting that he was not known to all the world4 ,he might be a good doctor and a philanthropic one2 his visits to this region looked like it4 ,do you know where any of the boys in our class live8 ,this was her next carefully-worded question4 ,she did not know whether to hint that she had heard of one who lived in that alley1 or whether this would be considered an insult4 ,well1 said ,nimble ,dick1 the sly twinkle coming back to his eyes that the strangeness of the situation had driven away for a moment1 ,i calculate that ,i know where ,i live myself2 sometimes ,i do1 anyhow4 ,to be sure6 she said1 laughing at his humour4 ,i should have said where any of the others live4 ,of course you will give me your address1 after being so kind as to see me to--some point with which ,i am acquainted4 ,she had nearly said a place of safety1 but checked herself in time4 ,i am not sure1 though1 that ,dick would have noticed it2 he was lost in astonishment over the idea of giving anybody his address4 ,this is ,dirk ,colson's house1 he said suddenly2 and he is one of our fellows4 ,mrs4 ,roberts uttered an exclamation4 ,the house was one of the most forlorn in the row1 seeming1 if the miserable state of the buildings would admit of comparison1 to be more out of repair than the others4 ,it came home to her just then1 with a sudden1 desolating force1 that human beings1 such as she was trying to reach1 and such as she hoped would live in heaven for ever1 called such earthly habitations as these homes4 ,what possible idea could they ever get of heaven by calling it home8 ,do they have the whole of that house8 ,she asked the question timidly1 for the building looked very large1 but she was utterly unused to city tenement life4 ,the 'whole' of that house8 ,dick fairly shouted the sentence1 and bent himself double with laughter4 ,well1 ,i should say not1 mum6 ,as near as ,i can calculate1 about thirty-five different families have that pleasure4 ,the whole of the house6 ,oh1 my6 ,what a greeny6 ,and he laughed again4 ,mrs4 ,roberts exerted herself to laugh with him1 albeit she was horror-stricken4 ,thirty-five families in one house6 ,how could they be other than awful in their ways of living8 ,i know almost nothing about great cities1 she said2 my home was in a much smaller one4 ,this was the truth1 but not the whole truth4 ,instinct kept this veritable lady1 in the truest sense of the word1 from explaining that she knew nothing about the abject poor when she was speaking to one of their number4 ,just at this moment occurred a diversion3 they had been making swift progress through the alley1 ,dick's long strides requiring effort on his companion's part to keep by his side2 but just ahead the way was obstructed4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,what ,a ,,little ,,schemer ,,it ,,is6 ,a ,,riot6 ,not among men1 which is sufficiently terrifying1 nor yet among women1 which is worse1 but that most awful of all sights and sounds of sin--a riot among the children4 ,swearing1 spitting at one another1 tearing one another's hair1 scratching like tigers1 growling like wild beasts1 throwing garbage at one another6 ,this was the sort of crowd upon which ,mrs4 ,roberts1 in her black silk walking-dress1 with her velvet hat and seal furs1 presently came4 ,she grasped at ,dick's arm in horror1 but a feeling that was more than terror was taking her strength away4 ,oh6 she said1 and the agony in her voice really suggested more than terror to the young fellow beside her4 ,and they are little children6 ,they cannot be more than seven or eight6 ,oh1 what can ,i do8 ,you needn't be scared1 mum6 ,there was a little hint of something like pity in ,dick's voice4 ,she clung to him so that he could not help feeling himself her protector4 ,it ain't an uncommon row at all4 ,they mostly act like this3 most likely one of 'em's found a bone and t'other one wants it1 and then they're gone in for a row1 and all the young ones crowd around and fight1 on one side or t'other4 ,did this fearful explanation make the situation less terrible8 ,there was a lull1 however1 in the quarrel4 ,the elegantly-dressed lady was seen approaching--an unusual sight in that alley--and both parties paused to get a view1--paused in their attentions to each other1 that is2 but at ,mrs4 ,roberts they hooted and jeered1 and one threw a handful of mud4 ,then did ,nimble ,dick rise to his position as protector4 ,shut up1 there6--,stand aside1 ,pluck1 and let us pass6--,look out there1 you ,smirchy6--,don't you throw that over here unless you want your head broke for you when ,i get back6 ,this threat was thrown at a wretched little girl1 who had dived her hand deeply into a box or cask of garbage1 and brought it forth reeking with rotten apples1 pork fat1 and any liquid horror which the name suggests to you4 ,she had her hand uplifted ready to throw1 and was evidently intending to give the strange lady the benefit of what she had prepared for one of the rioters4 ,the assured tone in which ,nimble ,dick spoke had its effect2 the combatants were all small1 and he was large1 and was evidently recognized as a power4 ,there were some defiant glances thrown at him1 but the motley crowd gave way1 and allowed him to pass uninjured4 ,still he kept an alert watch of them until quite out of reach1 and was not sparing of his admonitions3-- ,hold on there1 ,bill2 ,i see that6--,look out1 ,sally6 ,you'll be sorry if you throw anything1 mind you that6 ,and at last they were through the crowd--not out of danger1 it seemed2 for there1 directly in their narrow path1 was a drunken man1 swaying from side to side in the way which is so terrible to one unused to such sights4 ,dick felt the hold on his arm tighten1 and was astonished at the sound of his own voice as he said soothingly1-- ,you needn't be scared at him1 mum2 that's only old ,jock4 ,he's as ugly as ,old ,nick himself1 but he knows better than to be very ugly to me4 ,i can throw him in the gutter as easy as ,i could them young ones and he knows it4 ,that's ,dirk's father1 that is6 ,ain't he a beauty8 ,and again ,mrs4 ,roberts uttered an exclamation of dismay1 and part of her terror went out in sorry over the wrongs of a boy who had such a home and such a father4 ,what ought to be expected of him8 ,that interminable alley was conquered at last1 and they emerged into respectability on the broad avenue4 ,mrs4 ,roberts released her hold of her protector's arm1 and his new character vanished on the instant4 ,you're here1 mum1 he said1 with a saucy twinkle in his eye and a saucy leer on his face4 ,can you get yourself home from this spot8 ,or shall ,i borrow a wheel-barrow and take you there8 ,much shaken with various emotions though she was1 ,mrs4 ,roberts forced herself to laugh4 ,she would not frown on his fun when it was not positively sinful4 ,he might not be aware that it was disrespectful2 he might never have heard the word4 ,i know the way now1 thank you2 at least ,i think ,i do4 ,can you tell me whether ,i take a green car or a yellow one to get to ,east ,fifty-fifth ,street8 ,you take a green one1 he said quietly1 his character of protector having returned to him with the question1 which still showed her dependence on him4 ,thank you1 she said again1 with great heartiness4 ,i shall never forget your care of me4 ,her hand was in her pocket1 and a bright coin was between her fingers4 ,she longed to give it to ,nimble ,dick3 he had saved her from so much this morning2 and he was so miserably clad1 surely he needed help4 ,a moment's reflection1 and she resolutely withdrew her hand4 ,he should be paid by a simple1 hearty ,thank you6 this morning for kindness rendered4 ,he might not consider it a current coin1 but possibly it would be his first lesson in the courtesies of life4 ,later in the day1 when ,mrs4 ,roberts was somewhat rested from her morning's campaign1 young ,reid received a little note3-- ,,dear ,,mr4 ,,reid1--,i know the names of all the boys1 and enclose you a list4 ,it is possible that you may fall in with some one during the day who can impart knowledge concerning them4 ,anyway1 ,i thought you would like to know their names4 ,keep me posted1 please1 as to your success in making their acquaintance4 ,we are allies1 remember4--,yours for the ,master1-- ,,mrs4 ,e4 ,l4 ,,roberts4 ,alfred ,reid twisted the delicate note-paper thoughtfully in his hand1 a look of perplexity on his face4 ,he felt committed for labour2 glad was he1 very1 yet perplexed4 ,he did not in the least know where to commence4 ,well1 neither had this little lady2 yet she had accomplished more in her one day's acquaintance than he after a lapse of weeks4 ,either she had found opportunities1 or had made them4 ,there must be chances2 he would be sure to keep his eyes open after this4 ,in the handsome house on ,east ,fifty-fifth ,street where ,mr4 ,roberts had settled his bride1 after a somewhat extended business tour1 involving months of absence1 matters were in train for a cosy evening in the library4 ,that was the name of the beautiful room where the husband and wife sat down together2 but it was quite unlike the conventional library4 ,books there were in lavish abundance2 but there were also pictures and flowers1 and a singing bird or two1 and an utter absence of that severe attention to business details which characterizes most rooms so named4 ,little prettinesses1 which ,mr4 ,roberts smilingly admitted did not belong to a library1 were yet established there1 with an air of having come to stay4 ,we will call it the library for convenience1 the master of the house said1 and then we will put into it whatever we please4 ,it shall be a conservatory1 and a sewing-room1 and a lounging-room1 and anything else that you and ,i choose to make it4 ,and ,mrs4 ,roberts gleefully assented1 and gave free rein to her pretty tastes4 ,flossy ,shipley had been wont to be much trammelled with the ways in which they did everything2 but ,mrs4 ,evan ,roberts was learning that1 in unimportant matters at least1 they had a right to be a law unto themselves4 ,perhaps it helped her1 to be aware that a large class of people were all ready to quote ,mrs4 ,even ,roberts as an authority on almost any point of taste4 ,on the evening in question1 ,mr4 ,roberts1 in dressing and slippers1 had drawn his lounging-chair to the drop-light1 preparatory to a half-hour of reading aloud4 ,but it transpired that there was something preparatory to that1 or at least that must take the precedence4 ,certain business telegrams followed him home1 which required the writing of two or three business letters4 ,it will not take me long1 he explained to his wife2 and they are not complicated affairs1 so ,i give you leave to talk right on while ,i despatch them4 ,she laughed at this hint about her fondness for talk1 but presently made use of the privilege4 ,evan1 what sort of a young man do you consider ,mr4 ,reid8 ,reid8 ,who8 ,oh1 my clerk6 ,the very best sort2 a most estimable fellow--one of a thousand4 ,by the way1 did you tell him how you became interested in that sister of his8 ,not yet4 ,i want to get better acquainted2 but1 ,evan1 do you know where he boards8 ,hardly2 on ,third ,avenue somewhere1 ,i believe1 or possibly ,second4 ,the store register would show4 ,do you want his address8 ,oh1 ,i know where it is2 but ,i mean1 what sort of a place is it8 ,mr4 ,roberts slightly elevated his shapely shoulders4 ,it is a boarding-house where many clerks board3 that tells a doleful story to the initiated1 ,i suspect4 ,poor fare and dismal surroundings2 still1 it is eminently respectable4 ,where does he spend his ,sabbaths8 ,the rapidly-moving pen executed nearly two lines of handsome writing before ,mr4 ,roberts was ready to respond to this question4 ,why1 at church1 principally1 ,i fancy4 ,he is very regular in his attendance at morning service1 and the ,south ,end ,mission absorbs his afternoons4 ,i suppose he goes to church in the evening2 but since we have been giving our attention to that evening mission ,i have not seen him4 ,ah1 but1 ,evan1 ,i mean the rest of the time--those little bits of ,sabbath time that are sacred to home4 ,the twilight1 for instance1 or for an hour in the morning4 ,do you know what sort of a place he has for those times8 ,nearly three more lines were added to the paper1 then ,mr4 ,roberts raised his head4 ,no1 my dear1 ,i don't4 ,now that you bring me face to face with the question1 it seems a surprising thing to say that ,i should not know where a young man who has been for more than a year in our employment spends his choice bits of time1 but ,i don't4 ,then ,i want to tell you something about it4 ,he has a dingy1 fourth story back room--small1 ,i fancy1 from the way in which he spoke of it1 and not a speck of fire ever6 ,in such weather as this1 how can a young man read his ,bible1 or even pray1 under such circumstances8 ,mr4 ,roberts laid down his pen and sat erect1 regarding his wife with a thoughtful1 faraway air4 ,flossy1 he said at last1 it is an immense question6 ,you open a perfect mine of anxiety and doubt4 ,i have hovered around the edges for some time1 but have generally contrived to shut my eyes and refuse to look into it1 because ,i was afraid of what ,i might see1 and because ,i did not know what to do with my knowledge4 ,i have not been the working member of the firm very long1 you know1 and my special field1 until lately1 has been the other side of the ocean4 ,but ,i have been at home long enough to know that there are several hundred young men in our employment who are away from their homes1 and knowing1 as ,i do1 the price of board in respectable houses1 and knowing the salaries which the younger ones receive1 it does not require a great deal of penetration to discover that they must have rather dreary homes here1 to put it mildly4 ,the fact is1 ,flossy1 ,i haven't wanted to look into this thing very closely1 because ,i do not see the remedy4 ,look at our house1 for instance1 with its three hundred clerks1 we'll say1 who are away from their friends4 ,suppose one-half1 or even one-third of them are miserably situated1 what can ,i do8 ,are they not sufficiently well paid to have the ordinary comforts of life8 ,doubtful4 ,the truth is1 what you and ,i call the ordinary comforts of life takes a good deal of money4 ,and in the city1 rents are high1 and the boarding-house keepers have hard struggles to make their expenditure meet their income1 and they carry economy to the very verge of meanness--some of them fairly over the verge1 ,i presume4 ,and the result is cheap food badly cooked--because well-cooked food means high-priced help--and cold rooms and dreariness and discomfort everywhere4 ,now what can be done about it8 ,then our house is only one of hundreds1 and in many of these hundreds they employ more help and give less wages than we2 in fact1 ,i know that some of our clerks are looked upon with envy by a great many young men4 ,we never have any trouble in supplying vacancies4 ,people swarm around us1 because we have the reputation of being liberal4 ,we are not liberal1 however2 sometimes ,i am inclined to think we are hardly fair2 yet there is nothing ,i can do4 ,i am a junior partner1 with a great deal of the responsibility1 and a third of the voting power1 and ,i can't get salaries raised4 ,i've been working at that problem at intervals for a year1 and have accomplished very little4 ,do you wonder that ,i keep my eyes as closely shut as ,i can8 ,his wife's face wore a thoughtful1 not to say perplexed look4 ,she seemed to have no answer ready2 and1 after waiting a moment for it1 ,mr4 ,roberts bent himself again to the task of getting his business letters answered4 ,before he had written one more line1 her face had cleared4 ,she interrupted him3-- ,evan1 when you talk about three hundred clerks1 and multiply that by hundreds of houses and more hundreds of clerks1 ,i cannot follow you at all4 ,it is not that ,i am not impressed with the number--,i am--it appalls me2 but ,i don't want to be appalled1 ,i want to be helpful4 ,perhaps just now there is nothing that ,i can do for the hundreds1 so ,i want to narrow my thoughts down to what1 possibly1 ,i can do4 ,what1 for instance1 can be done towards getting a good young man like ,alfred ,reid into a place that will be just a little bit like a home1 that will give him a spot where he can study his ,bible in comfort1 and invite a friend with whom he wants to pray1 or whom he wants to reach and help in any way8 ,that isn't a large problem4 ,can't it be solved8 ,her husband smiled4 ,he is only one of thousands1 he said4 ,yes1 ,i know2 but he is one of thousands4 ,since we cannot reach thousands1 shall we fail to reach one8 ,evan1 ,i am only one of thousands1 but how would you argue about me8 ,mr4 ,roberts laughed again4 ,you are one out of thousands and thousands6 he said emphatically4 ,a line more1 and he signed the firm's name with an unusually fine flourish4 ,there6 ,i've accomplished one letter4 ,what do you want to do1 ,flossy8 ,i want ,mr4 ,reid to have a room where he can invite one of my boys occasionally1 and make him comfortable1 and do for him what we cannot with our rooms--do for him what only a young man can do for a young man4 ,i don't clearly know what ,i want further than that1 but ,i see that one thing as a stepping-stone4 ,remember1 ,i want all your thousands to have just as pleasant rooms1 and ,i would like to help to bring it about1 but ,i don't just now see the way4 ,do you see the way to this8 ,no2 but doesn't it seem as though we ought to be able to accomplish so much8 ,it does1 certainly4 ,what is your desire1 ,flossy8 ,do you want him to have a room in our house8 ,she shook her head4 ,no1 that would not further my plan for those boys4 ,i would like to have him here1 and it would be a good thing for him--at least ,i think it would2 but ,i can see things which he could accomplish for those young men1 set by himself in a different part of the city4 ,besides1 ,evan1 ,i have other plans for our rooms1 entirely different ones1 some of them ,i am afraid you will think are very strange4 ,he answered the doubt with a smile that said he had no fears of her or her plans4 ,what a little schemer it is6 he said1 looking down on her with fond1 proud eyes4 ,who would have imagined that she could plot1 and plot so mysteriously8 ,i used to think she was a very open-hearted woman4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,what ,,would ,,you ,,do1 ,,dear8 ,,she joined in his laugh1 albeit there was a tender look in her eyes4 ,after a moment1 she said gently3-- ,it is not scheming1 ,evan2 ,i am only trying to set about the work for which ,i have been chosen4 ,i'll tell you how it all came to me4 ,i was reading--my morning reading1 you know--after you had gone1 taking little dips here and there1 in the fashion that you think is so unsystematic2 and ,i came upon this verse3 ',he is a chosen vessel unto me'-- ,you know1 about ,paul8 ,well1 it came to me with a sudden sense of awe and beauty--the being chosen of ,god to do a great work4 ,i stopped reading1 to think it out4 ,what a grand moment it must have been to ,paul when he realized it6 ,and ,i began to feel almost sorry that we lived in such different times1 with no such opportunities4 ,i stopped right in the midst of my folly to remember that ,i was as certainly chosen of ,god as ever ,paul was2 for assuredly ,i did not come to him of myself1 nor begin to love him of myself1 and therefore he must indeed have chosen me4 ,and ,i wondered whether probably each ,christian had not a work to do as definite as ,paul's2 a work that would be given to no other--unless1 indeed1 the chosen one failed4 ,i did not want to fail1 and ,i asked ,god not to let me4 ,then1 of course1 ,i set to wondering what my work1 or my part of some other person's work1 could be4 ,it was the morning after you had told me that about ,esther ,reid4 ,you cannot think how that impressed me4 ,i could not get away from the wonderment as to how her work was prospering1 and whether there were chosen ones enough1 or if there might possibly be a little place for me4 ,i couldn't settle anything1 and finally ,i decided to look at ,paul's work a little while4 ,of course1 it was not reasonable to suppose that the duties of the great apostle had anything in common with my bits of effort2 still1 ,i said1 the directions given him may help me a little4 ,and1 ,evan1 what do you think was the first thing ,i found6 ,why1 this3 ',the ,god of our fathers hath chosen thee1 that thou shouldst know his will4' ,surely1 so far1 the things for which both he and ,i were chosen were parallel4 ,i looked further3 ',and see that ,just ,one4' ,that was the very next4 ,was not ,i1 too1 chosen for that8 ',thine eyes shall see the ,king in his beauty4' ,i said over the beautiful promise1 to assure myself that it was true1 and went on3 ',and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth4' ,was it not strange1 ,evan8 ,certainly ,i shall hear my ,king speak1 often and often1 when ,i get home4 ,only think of it6 ,so far1 ,paul was not ahead of me4 ,i hurried to find another reference to ,paul' work1 and ,i found this2 let me read it to you4 ,her bit of dainty sewing was suddenly pushed to one side1 and up from the depths of the rose-lined work-basket came a small1 plainly-bound ,bible1 much marked4 ,a rapid turning of the leaves1 and the eager disciple read3 ',i have appeared unto thee for this purpose1 to make thee a minister and a witness1 both of these things which thou hast seen1 and of those things in the which ,i will appear unto thee4' ,now1 ,evan1 you know the veriest child can be a witness if he knows anything about the facts2 and ,i do certainly know some wonderful things about ,jesus to which ,i could witness4 ,and1 besides1 isn't it reasonable to suppose that he will appear to me every day with things for me to witness to8 ,and then ,i read this--,paul sent to the ,gentiles1 you know2 but for what8 ',to open their eyes1 and to turn them from darkness to light1 and from the power of ,satan unto ,god1 that they may receive forgiveness of sins1 and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me4' ,evan1 was there ever a more wonderful work to do in the world than that8 ,and yet ,i cannot tell you how it made feel to discover1 or at least to realize1 that a great deal of it was my work4 ,of course ,i naturally began to ask myself1 ,what ,gentile was there for me to reach8 ,whose eyes must ,i try to open8 ,do you know1 that very afternoon ,i met ,mr4 ,reid1 and heard of those boys4 ,they interested me from the first1 and what he told me about his sister increased the interest4 ,then when ,i saw them6--,evan1 if ever boys were in the power of ,satan1 they are2 and to think that they may have an inheritance among them which are sanctified6 ,this morning1 when ,i saw where some of them lived1 and imagined how they lived1 ,i felt stunned for a moment4 ,it seemed to me impossible4 ,what means could possibly be found of sufficient power to fit them for such an inheritance8 ,and then directly came the closing words of the commission3 ,through 'faith that is in me4' ,evan1 ,god will save them1 and ,i think he will let me help4 ,amen6 said ,mr4 ,roberts1 and his voice was husky4 ,when his wife was in one of her exalted moods1 he always admired her with a sort of reverence4 ,he had been for years an earnest worker4 ,he carried business plans and business principles into the work2 he studied cause and effect1 and calculated and expected certain results to follow certain causes1 like a mathematical problem4 ,not that he by any means forgot the power of faith1 or in any sense attempted to do his work alone4 ,he was a ,christian who spent much time on his knees4 ,but little ,flossy brought so much of the childlike1 unquestioning spirit into her work1 that sometimes he stood in awe1 not knowing whether he could follow her4 ,it was not so much a mathematical problem to be worked out1 as it was the faith that can remove mountains4 ,as a little child relies ,on a strength beyond his own2 ,knows he's neither strong nor wise1 ,fears to stir a step alone4 ,mr4 ,roberts often found himself quoting these lines when his wife gave him glimpses of her heart2 and at such times he had no hesitancy in deciding that the steps she took were not alone1 but the ,lord was with her4 ,the postman's ring broke in on their quiet4 ,i hope there are letters from home to-night1 ,mrs4 ,roberts said--real long ones4 ,it is a week since we have heard4 ,and ,i ought to hope that they would require a first reading in private1 her husband answered1 as he seized his neglected pen4 ,it is the only way in which these business letters will get answered4 ,i find the temptation to talk to you irresistible4 ,one letter6 ,but that was of comfortable dimensions and weight4 ,it is from ,marion1 ,mrs4 ,roberts said1 delight in her voice1 after the first glance at the familiar writing4 ,she was presently lost in its many pages1 and the business of letter-writing went on uninterruptedly for some time4 ,mrs4 ,marion ,dennis had not forgotten her fondness for her pretty little ,flossy1 nor forgotten that--softly innocent little creature though she was--she possessed a wisdom far above those who are credited with having keen insight2 even a wisdom so subtle1 and withal so tender1 that its source could only be ,infinite ,wisdom4 ,so she1 in company with many others1 was learning to turn to the friend so much younger than herself1 as one in whom she could safely confide4 ,,dear ,,little ,,flossy-- so the letter ran-- ,i suppose1 though you should live to be a white-haired old lady1 sitting with placid face and fluted cap and spectacles1 in your high-backed arm-chair1 in the most treasured corner1 mayhap1 of some grand-daughter's choicest room1 ,i1 writing to you1 would still commence ',dear little ,flossy4' ,that ,i have to cover it from prying eyes by the dignified and respectable ',mrs4 ,evan ,roberts1' is almost a matter of amusement to me4 ,i fancy ,i can see you making a journey through some of the ,chautauqua avenues1 picking your way daintily towards ,palestine1 bending lovingly over the small white stones that mark the village of ,bethany--a pink on your cheek1 born1 as ,i thought1 of the excitement of being among those tiny photographs of the wonderful past1 but born in part1 ,i now believe1 of the fact that ,mr4 ,evan ,roberts joined us in our walk4 ,oh1 little mousie1 how quiet you were6 ,well1 many things have since transpired4 ,we are old married women1 you and ,ruth1 and ,eurie and ,i4 ,i suppose the contrast in our lives--the outward portion of them1 ,i mean--is still as strongly marked1 perhaps more so1 than it was when we were in ,chautauqua together4 ,we were girls then2 we are matrons now1 and with the taking on of that title1 ,ruth and ,i took special and great responsibilities4 ,to-night it rains4 ,dr4 ,dennis has been called to the upper part of the city--away out to ,springdale1 in fact--to see a sick and dying man1 and ,i am alone and almost lonely4 ,if ,i could summon any one of the three to my aid and comfort1 ,i would4 ,i am almost as lonely as ,i was on some of those evenings in the old boarding-house4 ,still there are differences3 the smoky old stove is not--a summer warmth floats through the house1 born of steam2 no ill-smelling kerosene lamp offends your aesthetic friend to-night1 but the softest of shaded drop-lights sheds a halo around me4 ,isn't that almost poetic8 ,moreover1 oh1 blessed thought6 ,i have no examination-papers to prepare1 no reports to make up2 nothing to do but visit with you4 ,also1 ,i will admit just to you that this is another and most blessed difference between this and my lonely past--at almost any moment now ,i may hope for ,dr4 ,dennis's ring2 and when he comes1 all sense of loneliness will instantly depart4 ,ah6 ,flossy1 dear ,flossy1 this is such a difference as even you cannot appreciate6 ,you had your mother and father1 and all your dear home friends1 and ,i had no one2 and1 besides--here ,i hesitate1 lest you may be too obtuse to understand the reasoning--you have only added ,mr4 ,roberts to your circle of treasures4 ,he is grand and good1 ,i know1 and ,i like him1 without even a mental reservation2 but1 my dear1 ,i have added ,dr4 ,dennis6 ,can human language say more8 ,nonsense aside1 sweet little woman1 ,god has been very good to you and me4 ,yet1 ,flossy1 do you remember how1 during those last months in which we were together1 ,i fell into the habit of telling you a great deal about the thorns1 and admitted to you once that they pricked less when they had felt your soothing touch8 ,i want to tell you something4 ,our ,gracie--,i am so sorry for her1 yet ,i don't know what to do4 ,she is living a most unhappy life1 and of course she shadows our lives also4 ,i told you1 dear1 about ,professor ,ellis4 ,he is still trying to convince poor ,gracie that ,i1 being her stepmother1 must be her natural enemy2 reminding her that before ,i came into the family1 her father was entirely willing to receive his calls1 and allowed her to accept his attentions4 ,don't you see1 it isn't strange at all that the poor little girl should believe him and turn from me4 ,she has many injudicious helpers in her father's congregation4 ,there are those who sigh over her almost in my hearing4 ',poor ,gracie6' they say4 ',how changed she is6 ,she used to be so bright and happy4 ,there is something unnatural in these second-mother relations4 ,all high-spirited children rebel4' ,imagine such talk helping ,gracie6 ,meantime1 what do you suppose can be ,professor ,ellis's motive8 ,i cannot think that he cares for her2 ,i almost do not believe that there is enough purity left in him even to admire a pure-hearted young girl--certainly not one with such high ideals and earnest ambitions as ,gracie had4 ',why does she admire him8' ,i fancy ,i hear you asking4 ,my dear1 she doesn't3 she thinks she does1 and at seventeen such thoughts sometimes work irreparable mischief2 but left alone1 one of these days she would make the discovery that she was flattered by his attentions1 because he is nearly fifteen years older than she1 and is brilliant in conversation1 and quoted as the finest musician in the city4 ,i wish ,i knew more things about him4 ,what ,i do know shows me plainly enough the sort of man he is2 but with these guileless young things it seems as though one had to unmask wickedness very thoroughly before they will believe that it is anything but gossip or misrepresentation4 ,he has gone away for a six weeks' vacation2 ,i don't know where1 nor does ,dr4 ,dennis4 ,gracie knows1 but does not enlighten me4 ,flossy1 dear1 could you give me a little wholesome advice1 do you think8 ,i wonder1 sometimes1 whether ,i was not too complacent over my proposed duties4 ,such schemes as ,i had6 ,i was going to be the blessedest stepmother that girl ever had4 ,that would not be saying much1 possibly4 ,don't we all incline to think that the second mothers must be wrong1 and the sons and daughters poor abused darlings8 ,but ,i loved ,gracie1 you know1 and she seemed to love me1 and to be so happy over the thought of our near relationship4 ,there is very little happiness from any such source during these days4 ,gracie has retired into dignity4 ,she can be the most dignified young woman on occasion that ,i ever beheld4 ,she is not rude to me2 on the contrary1 she is ceremoniously polite--calls me ,mrs4 ,dennis1 and all that sort of thing1 when necessity compels her to call me anything4 ,but she speaks as little as possible2 sits at table with us three times a day1 when she cannot secure an excuse for absence that her father will accept2 says1 ',yes1 sir1' and1 ',no1 sir1' obediently to him1 and1 ',no1 ma'am1 thank you1' to me2 and that is the extent of our conversation4 ,generally her face is pale and her eyes red1 and at the first possible moment she begs to be excused1 and retires to the privacy of her own room and locks her door4 ,her father has stopped her music lessons2 at least she preferred to have them stopped rather than take lessons of any other person1 so she practises no more4 ,she continues her ,german and ,french1 and secures good reports from the professors2 but there is an air of weariness and dreariness about everything she does1 that makes one alternate between a feeling of deep pity for her and a desire to box her ears or shut her up in a corner until she can behave herself4 ,as a rule1 however1 ,i am sorry for her4 ,i was young once myself2 ,i was undisciplined2 ,i had no mother1 and ,i had a thousand wild fancies1 any one of which might have ruined me4 ,what do you think you would do1 dear1 if ,mr4 ,roberts had a daughter and you were her mother8 ,you are all in a flush now1 and have laid down this sheet and said aloud1 ',what an idea6 ,marion does say the most absurd things6' ,well1 then1 if you were ,marion ,dennis1 and stood before ,god in the place of mother to ,grace ,dennis1 what do you imagine you would do8 ,i'll tell you my policy4 ,i am uniformly cheerful in her presence--gay1 if ,i can make gaiety out of anything--not toward her father1 you understand1 because ,i can fancy that might irritate her4 ,i really try to be gay toward ,gracie herself2 but can you imagine an attempt to be cheery with a tombstone8 ,i study as much as ,i can her tastes1 in the ordering of dinner and desserts1 and arrange the flowers that ,i know she likes best2 and1 in short1 try to do all those little bits of nice things that ,i feel certain you would do in my place4 ,and just here ,i may as well own that ,i learned these small prettinesses studying you--never should have thought them out for myself4 ,flossy1 ,dr4 ,dennis is one of the most patient and long-suffering of men1 but it is very hard for him to be patient with poor ,gracie1 harder than it is for me3 first1 because ,i know by personal experience just what a turbulent young creature a miss of seventeen or eighteen can be2 and secondly1 because it is upon me her displeasure falls most heavily1 and that naturally he resents4 ,why am ,i writing all this to you8 ,i don't know1 childie1 really1 save that ,i remember what a curious way you have of telling ,jesus all about your friends and their trials1 and ,i remember with great comfort that you are my friend4 ,don't imagine me as miserable2 ,i can never be that so long as ,christ is the present helper that he is to me now2 and you do not need to be told that ,i daily thank him for giving me my husband4 ,but ,i think you will understand better than many would how earnestly ,i desire to fill the place of mother to my bright young motherless ,gracie1 with her dangerous beauty and her dangerous talents1 and her capacity for being miserable4 ,oh1 ,i want to do more than my duty6 ,i want to love her with all my heart1 and to have her love me4 ,if it were not for that man1 who always hated me1 and who1 ,i believe in my heart1 has sought her out and is pressing his attentions upon her because he sees a possibility of stinging me through her1 ,i might hope to fill the place in her heart that ,i thought ,i could4 ,the letter closed abruptly at this point1 and was finished a few days afterwards in a different strain1 giving plenty of home news1 and being full of the brightness which always sparkled in ,marion's letters2 but it was the first two or three pages to which ,mrs4 ,roberts turned back1 and which she thoughtfully re-read4 ,then she interrupted the busy pen3-- ,evan1 are not the business letters nearly done8 ,i want to read this to you1 and then ,i want to talk with you4 ,delightful prospects both of them1 he said with energy1 as he added the last hurried line1 signed1 and delivered to his wife to enclose in its envelope1 then pushed aside writing materials1 and sat back to enjoy4 ,it isn't all delightful1 his wife said1 shaking her head4 ,i did hope that poor ,marion was going to have a few years of rest2 her life has been such a hard one4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,tremendous ,,facts6 ,,it is well that ,mrs4 ,marion ,dennis felt entirely safe in her friend ,flossy's hands1 for her affairs were very thoroughly talked over that evening1 and sundry conclusions arrived at4 ,one question ,mrs4 ,roberts asked her husband1 at the close of the conference1 which apparently had nothing to do with ,marion ,dennis's affairs4 ,evan1 do you know ,dr4 ,everett8 ,everett8 ,let me think--yes1 ,i know of him2 a young physician1 comparatively1 who has not been here long1 and has made his mark4 ,in what direction8 ,several1 perhaps2 but ,i have heard of him chiefly in the line of his profession4 ,he was accidentally called to attend a young lady belonging to a very wealthy family out in ,brookline4 ,i say accidentally--that is a common way we have of speaking1 you know2 of course ,i mean providentially4 ,the nursery governess in the family was sick1 and this ,dr4 ,everett1 who had fallen in with her somewhere1 volunteered to cure her4 ,he was calling on her one morning when the sick daughter1 who1 by the way1 had been given up by her physician1 was taken suddenly and alarmingly worse4 ,in the emergency ,dr4 ,everett was summoned1 and while they waited for the regular physician1 he succeeded in doing such good service that he inspired the mother with confidence4 ,she became anxious to put the case entirely into his hands1 which was done1 and the young lady recovered1 and ,dr4 ,everett's position1 professionally1 was assured4 ,isn't that an interesting little item for you8 ,he is said to have marked success2 and1 of course1 since the ,brookline occurrence his practice is largely among the wealthy4 ,how has your attention been called to him8 ,my protector this morning said he was a 'swell' doctor1 who was attending that ,calkins boy4 ,i wondered if he did it because he loved ,christ4 ,he might be a helper4 ,i wait to call on that sick boy to-morrow if ,i can arrange it4 ,i think ,i must take some one with me4 ,you may take me with you1 her husband said emphatically4 ,however much trips through alleys with ,nimble ,dick might be conducive to that young man's moral development1 ,mr4 ,roberts felt that his wife had experimented sufficiently4 ,thus it transpired that1 dressed in the plainest1 quietest garb which her wardrobe could furnish1 ,mrs4 ,roberts went to the alley the next morning accompanied by her husband4 ,in one sense it was a mistake that the first call in the alley should have been made on the ,calkins family4 ,it was calculated to give ,mrs4 ,roberts mistaken ideas as to the manner in which poor people lived4 ,a bare enough room1 certainly1 not even a bit of carpet laid before the bed1 but it was a clean room4 ,floor and window and cupboard door were as clean as water could make them2 and the bed1 while it looked hopelessly hard and dreadful to ,mrs4 ,roberts1 was really a pattern of neatness and purity to every dweller in that attic4 ,there was a straw tick1 covered with a dark calico spread which did duty as a sheet1 and the boy who lay on it was covered by a patched quilt that had been mended1 and was clean4 ,wonderful things these to say of such a locality6 ,mr4 ,roberts suspected it1 and ,dr4 ,everett knew it4 ,that gentleman was bending over his patient when the two guests arrived1 and vouchsafed them not even a glance while the dark-haired1 dark-eyed1 homely1 decently dressed girl gave ,mrs4 ,roberts a seat on the one chair which the room contained1 and set a stool for her husband that had been made of four old chair legs and a square board4 ,sallie ,calkins was somewhat flurried by this unexpected call4 ,she had no idea who the people were1 nor for what they had come4 ,a vague fear that they might be in some way connected with her brother's place at the printing-office1 which he was in such fear of losing that his night had been a restless one1 made her hasten to say1 in a tremulous voice1-- ,the doctor thinks he will be well in a little while4 ,it isn't a bad break1 he says1 and ,mark wants to keep his place4 ,he thinks1 maybe1 some of the alley boys would keep it for him1 if you would be so kind4 ,she was evidently addressing ,mr4 ,roberts1 but she looked at ,flossy4 ,the fair1 sweet face1 that gave her such sympathetic glances1 seemed the one to appeal to4 ,mr4 ,roberts1 however1 discerned that he was mistaken for the employer1 and immediately dispelled the idea by asking where the boy worked1 and how the accident had happened4 ,it was the elevator1 sir1 she said eagerly4 ,the chain broke1 and it went down with a bang1 and ,mark was on it1 and he rolled off somehow1 he doesn't know how2 and he has been that bad that he couldn't tell me if he had4 ,he was kind of wild1 sir1 all night1 and talking about his place4 ,was there no one but you to be with him during the night8 ,mrs4 ,roberts asked4 ,where is the mother8 ,we've got no mother1 ma'am2 there is only ,mark and me--and father1 she added1 after a doubtful pause4 ,but father was not at home last night4 ,oh1 ,i didn't need no one to take care of ,mark4 ,i wouldn't have left him4 ,and he likes to have you take care of him1 ,i am sure4 ,what do you give him to eat8 ,he will need nourishing food1 ,i think--beef teas and broths1 and nice little tempting dishes made with milk1 perhaps4 ,are you his cook1 too8 ,i wonder if you wouldn't like to have me show you how to make good things for him8 ,i've learned how to make some nice dishes that sick people like4 ,before the bewildered girl could answer1 the doctor turned abruptly from his long examination of his patient1 and gave the guests the first attention he had vouchsafed them4 ,the truth was1 this man had had some unfortunate experiences with district visitors1 and had perhaps an unreasonable prejudice against them as a class4 ,i can't help it1 ma'am1 he said to ,mrs4 ,saunders1 when she was taking him to task one day4 ,there are exceptions1 of course1 at least we will hope there are2 but if you had seen some of my specimens1 you would be the first to wish an infusion of common sense could be introduced among them4 ,as a rule1 they offer a tract where they should give a loaf of bread or a bowl of broth1 and wedge their advice and reproofs in with every helpful movement4 ,it is like so many doses of medicine to the patient--to be endured because he is at their mercy1 and can't help himself4 ,they mean well1 the most of them2 but the trouble is1 we have a way of making district visitors out of people who have nothing to do1 and who have never learned that 'all the nations of the earth were made of one blood4' ,something in ,mrs4 ,roberts's tones or words seemed to interest him1 and he turned toward her4 ,does this alley belong to you8 he asked abruptly1 his mind still full of the district visitor4 ,she regarded him with a puzzled air for a moment1 then answered navely1-- ,i don't think it does2 if it did1 ,i would have some things ever so different4 ,dr4 ,everett laughed2 and ,mr4 ,roberts came forward and introduced himself4 ,my wife has hardly answered you fully1 he said4 ,i am under the impression that she desires to adopt a certain portion of this alley--at least ,i have heard of little else since last ,sabbath afternoon4 ,she is in search of some stray sheep who have been put under her care4 ,ah1 the doctor said1 turning quickly to her1 a ,sabbath school teacher8 ,is this young man one of your scholars8 ,no1 she explained2 but she had heard of him while inquiring where one of her boys lived1 and she had called to see if she could help in any way4 ,dirk ,colson was the boy1 who1 they told her lived near this place4 ,the eyes of the trim sister brightened4 ,he lives in the next square1 she said4 ,o1 ma'am1 are you his teacher1 and do you care for him8 ,i'm so glad4 ,he is a favourite of yours1 is he8 the doctor asked1 looking from one speaking face to another1 and seeming immensely interested in the matter4 ,no1 indeed6 the girl said quickly4 ,he's horrid6 ,but ,i'm sorry for his sister2 and she wants ,dirk to get on1 and he never does get on4 ,but ,i thought maybe such a kind of a teacher could help him4 ,there was such intense and genuine admiration in the girl's voice for the vision of loveliness before her1 that ,dr4 ,everett could not help smiling4 ,it doesn't seem unlikely1 said he with significance2 and added1 ,who is this ,dirk ,colson who seems to be an object of interest8 ,he is one of the worst boys in the alley1 sir2 sometimes ,i think he is the very worst1 because he is cross as well as hateful4 ,but ,mark is always kind of sorry for him1 and says he has such a bad father1 he can't help it4 ,and ,mart--that's his sister--she is a friend of mine1 and she feels bad about ,dirk1 but she can't do nothing2 he ain't a bit like ,mark there4 ,the last words were spoken tenderly1 and the sisterly eyes turned toward the boy on the bed1 and obeying a sign from his eyes she went over to him4 ,the doctor plied his questions1-- ,rave you recently taken a class1 madam8 ,and is their general reputation as encouraging as this special scamp of whom we are hearing8 ,his words almost jarred on ,mrs4 ,roberts4 ,she had already prayed enough for her boys to have a sort of tender feeling for them--a half desire to cover their faults from the gaze of the indifferent world4 ,did ,dr4 ,everett represent the indifferent world1 or did he love her ,master8 ,she wished she knew4 ,there is nothing encouraging about them1 she said with grave earnestness1 save the facts that they are made in the image of ,god1 and that he wants them to 'turn from the power of ,satan unto ,god1 that they may receive forgiveness of sins1 and an inheritance among them which are sanctified4' ,a rare flash of intelligence and appreciation greeted her now from those fine eyes bent so scrutinizingly on her4 ,tremendous facts6 he said4 ,glorious possibilities6 ',himself hath said it4' ,i claim kinship with you2 ,i am an heir of the same inheritance4 ,he held a hand to each1 and they were cordially grasped4 ,then ,dr4 ,everett proceeded to business4 ,there is enough to do1 he said2 everything is lacking here2 there is severe poverty1 united to the most scrupulous tenderness and the most tender love on the part of this brother and sister4 ,i stumbled on the case1 and will do1 professionally1 all that is needed4 ,and ,i have a friend who would undoubtedly come to the rescue1 but she is crowded just now4 ,i shall be rejoiced to report to her a helper4 ,do you know ,joy ,saunders8 ,well1 ,i wish you did2 she is one whom you could appreciate4 ,she is young1 though1 and without a husband to guard her1 and there are some places to which she cannot come4 ,has she learned that important fact8 asked ,mr4 ,roberts with a significant smile4 ,then some explanation seemed necessary4 ,this lady1 he said1 tried the alley alone yesterday1 and lost her way1 and went lower down--quite near to ,burk ,street1 ,i imagine4 ,and what happened8 ,the quick question and the doctor's tone suggested possibilities not pleasant4 ,oh1 she met one of her new recruits--as hard a boy1 so one of the policemen on this beat tells me1 as there is in the row--and pressed him into service to escort her back to civilization2 and1 strange to say1 the fellow did it without playing any tricks4 ,the doctor turned on the small lady a curious glance4 ,i think you may be able to do something1 even for ,dirk ,colson1 he said4 ,do you know him8 ,he laughed over the eagerness of the question4 ,never heard of him before4 ,i was only thinking of our friend's description of his awfulness4--,ah1 whom have we here8 ,for the door had opened abruptly1 and a pair of great blue eyes1 set in a frame of tawny hair all in a frizzle1 had peered in on them4 ,the vision was clothed in garments so torn1 the wonder was that they stayed on at all1 and there was a general look of abject poverty about her to which ,sallie ,calkins1 with all the bareness of her lot1 was a stranger4 ,she stood for just a moment1 as if transfixed by astonishment at the unwonted sight in the room1 then turned and sped way as swiftly and silently as she had come4 ,that is ,dirk's sister1 ,sallie ,calkins said1 coming forward1 her homely face aglow with shame4 ,she isn't a bad girl1 ma'am1 she doesn't mean to be1 but she has a dreadful time4 ,her mother is sickly1 and has to go out washing1 times when she isn't able to sit up2 and there 'll be days when she can't hold up her head4 ,and the father is bad1 ma'am1 and drinks1 and swears1 and sells things for drink till there ain't nothing left to sell2 and ,mart hasn't anything to mend her clothes with1 and she doesn't know how1 anyway2 and she hasn't even got a comb to comb her hair with1 her father he took it to sell4 ,and everything there is horrid1 and ,dirk1 he's awful4 ,it was strange--she could not herself account for it--but with every added word of misery that set poor ,dirk ,colson lower and lower in the scale of humanity1 there seemed to come into this woman's heart1 and shine in her face1 an assurance that he was to be a chosen vessel unto ,god4 ,the doctor was watching her again1 curious1 apparently1 to see how this pitiful appeal for forbearance in judging of poor ,mart affected her1 and something in his face made her say1 speaking low1 an inheritance among them which are sanctified4 ,amen6 he said4 ,and there came to ,mrs4 ,roberts a feeling that this earnest prayer1 for the second time repeated by two men who prayed1 was a sort a seal from the ,master4 ,she turned away from both gentlemen then2 the tears were very near the surface4 ,she must do something to tone down the beating of her heart4 ,sallie was at hand1 and she went with her to another corner of the room1 and a low-toned conversation was carried on1 scraps of which floated back to the gentlemen in the form of sheets1 grape jelly1 mutton broth1 a soft pillow1 and the like4 ,i feel my patient growing better1 the doctor said with satisfaction4 ,is there no father here8 ,mr4 ,roberts asked4 ,the doctor shook his head1 but answered1-- ,there is the most pitiful apology for a father that ,i ever saw--a mere wreck of a man6 ,spends his time in a sort of weak drinking1 if ,i may coin a phrase to describe him2 he actually uses no energy even in that business4 ,just staggers around and bemoans his lot--a most unfortunate man1 in his own estimation1 with whom the world1 through no fault of his1 has gone wrong4 ,he is never downright intoxicated1 and never free from the effects of liquor4 ,he is much like a wilted leaf in the hands of this boy and girl4 ,they could pitch him out of the window without much difficulty1 and if the fall did not kill him1 he would shed tears and say it was a hard world4 ,but now1 what do we see when the name of father is so dishonoured--made a wreck1 as it were8 ,why1 the order of nature is reversed1 and these children take on the protective4 ,they are father and mother1 and he is the weak1 sinning child4 ,the way that that boy and girl have worked to keep their miserable father from starving or freezing is something to astonish the very angels4 ,they shield him1 too2 nobody who wants to reach their hearts must blame him4 ,they are a study6--,as different from the other inhabitants of the alley as the sky is different from that mud-hole down there4 ,it isn't a good simile1 either4 ,there is no religion in their efforts4 ,they are the veriest heathen4 ,how do you account for the development8 ,the doctor shook his head4 ,i don't account for it2 it is abnormal4 ,there must have been a mother who left her impress4 ,i can't learn anything about the mother--she died when the girl was an infant2 but ,i would like to know her history4 ,i venture to assert that she belonged to ,christ1 and that a gleam of the divine pity that she saw in him1 and loved1 left its impress on her children4 ,that is somewhat mystical1 he added1 smiling4 ,i rarely talk in this way2 it must have been your wife who set me off4 ,but she is the most practical and energetic of beings6 ,ay1 so are the angels1 ,i fancy2 and make us think of heaven directly we hear the rustle of their wings4 ,has your wife been a ,christian long8 ,barely two years since she began to think of these things4 ,i thought as much4 ,she impresses me as one who is being led2 who does not choose to go alone2 has not learned how1 indeed4 ,a very few ,christians never learn how1 and with them the ,lord does his special work4 ,well1 sir1 ,i must go4 ,i'm glad to have met you1 and glad to leave you here4 ,good-morning6 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,and ,,she ,,always ,,tried4 ,,other business was transacted that morning which brought results4 ,a curious habit of ,mrs4 ,roberts's--one which1 perhaps1 most strongly marked the difference between her ways of working and those of other people--was that of appealing to the person at hand for information on any subject which chanced to be the one prominent in her mind at the time4 ,where other and more systematic persons would have said1 ,he is not the one to ask about this matter2 there is no reason for supposing that he has any knowledge in this direction1 ,mrs4 ,roberts would say1 ,i cannot be sure that he may not be able to give just the information which ,i need4 ,in any case1 what harm will it do to try8 ,and she always tried4 ,it was on this principle that she arrested ,dr4 ,everett's speedy departure with a question1-- ,dr4 ,everett1 are you familiar with boarding-houses for young men8 ,something like a vision swept instantly before the doctor1 in which he saw the long line of young men and the long line of boarding-houses in the world2 and he laughed with eyes and lips1 the question seemed so queerly put4 ,with how many of them1 madam8 ,there was amusement in his voice1 but there was also curiosity2 he wanted to know what this original little lady was in search of4 ,one would do1 if it were of just the right stamp4 ,i'll tell you what ,i want1--a nice1 quiet1 comfortable 'home' sort of place1 with a small room1 capable of being warmed1 a single bedstead1 with a passably good bed1 and a moderate rate of board4 ,are not those modest enough requirements8 ,not at all6 ,they are preposterous6 ,a boarding-house to which one could conveniently apply the word 'home'6 ',fire' in a young man's room6 ,he is expected to enjoy freezing in a city2 and if he come from the country1 he should be grateful for the privilege6 ,but the idea of calling for a good bed6 ,that is the wildest suggestion of all6--,has she ever boarded1 ,mr4 ,roberts8 ,not at a boarding-house1 at least1 said that gentleman1 enjoying the fun4 ,but ,mrs4 ,roberts looked grave4 ,are you serious8 she asked gently4 ,is there no chance in this great city for a ,christian young man to have the ordinary comforts of common life--just a little quiet room where he can pray1 and where he can invite some tempted soul1 and try to help him8 ,doesn't it seem all wrong8 ,the laugh was gone from the doctor's face4 ,there was a look of keen interest and genuine respect4 ,how many young men are you thinking about8 ,there are many ,christians1 ,i believe1 among that class--poor young men away from home--and ,i have reason to fear that their chances for comfortable retirement are very scarce4 ,i have thought about the problem somewhat how to help them4 ,in the concrete1 ,i don't see the way4 ,of how many are you thinking8 ,i am willing to think about them all1 ,mrs4 ,roberts said--and now it was her turn to laugh--but ,i am planning for just one4 ,i cannot work in great ways1 but ,i thought ,i might help one4 ,exactly6--,mr4 ,roberts1 if every ,christian in our city would undertake to help one1 the problem would be solved4 ,well1 there is one boarding-house to which the word 'home' may properly be applied2 and there is one small room on the third floor vacated yesterday4 ,i wonder if the ,master wants it for your young man4 ,it seems to me if there is any one thing more than another that we need in that house just now it is a ,christian young man4 ,of what type is your friend8 ,will he help or hinder a gay young scamp much sought after by ,satan8 ,he will try hard to help1 said both ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,roberts4 ,and before they parted the doctor had taken ,mr4 ,reid's address1 and promised to call on him and negotiate the matter4 ,that plan will work in two ways1 said ,mrs4 ,roberts gleefully4 ,mr4 ,reid will be in the same home with1 and somewhat under the influence of1 that grand doctor4 ,isn't it splendid that we asked just him8 ,and her husband smilingly assented1 and added that he should not have thought of such a thing as asking him4 ,on her way down town1 ,mrs4 ,roberts had dropped a letter in the mail1 which also brought results4 ,it read thus3-- ,,dear ,,marion1--,i have time for but a line1 for ,i want to catch the morning mail4 ,i have such a nice plan4 ,suppose you let your ,gracie come and stay with me for a few weeks4 ,you know she always liked me a little1 and ,evan and ,i think we can make it pleasant for her4 ,i will try to get her so much interested in seven boys whom ,i know that she will forget all about ,professor ,ellis4 ,mr4 ,barnwell1 a confidential clerk in the store 7old and gray-headed71 will go to-morrow to transact some business with papa4 ,evan will give him a letter of introduction to ,dr4 ,dennis4 ,he expects to return on ,saturday1 and if you will trust ,gracie to us1 and she is willing to come1 she might travel in ,mr4 ,barnwell's care1 and we would meet her at the station4 ,dear ,marion1 we should like it ever so much2 and ,i have prayed about it all the morning1 and cannot help thinking that ,jesus likes it too4 ,thus it came to pass that when ,mrs4 ,roberts took her seat on the next ,sabbath afternoon before her seven boys at the ,south ,end ,mission1 a vision of loveliness1 such as the mission had not often seen1 came in with her1 and looked with wide-open eyes on all the new and strange sights and sounds about her4 ,a very pretty creature was ,gracie ,dennis4 ,her eyes had lost none of their brightness1 although they had shed some tears during her recent experiences4 ,they were fairly sparkling to-day1 for the great city into which she had come for the first time was like fairyland to her2 albeit1 she had passed through scenes that afternoon which bore no resemblance to her idea of fairyland4 ,what the boys thought of her could only be determined from their stares4 ,let us hope that her presence had nothing to do with their conduct1 for never1 in all the annals of the ,south ,end ,mission1 had seven boys comported themselves as did those before whom ,mrs4 ,roberts sat that winter afternoon4 ,nimble ,dick1 as if to be revenged for his unintentional courtesy of the ,monday before1 placed his ill-kept feet on the seat in front of him1 in alarming proximity to ,mrs4 ,roberts's shoulders1 and chewed his tobacco1 and defiled the floor with its juice1 and talked aloud1 and was in every sense disgusting4 ,neither was ,dirk ,colson one whit behind him4 ,the spirit of entertainment was upon him4 ,he mimicked ,mr4 ,durant's somewhat hoarse tones1 exaggerating the imitation1 of course1 until it was ludicrous4 ,he imitated the somewhat shrill tenor and the nasal tones of ,deacon ,carter1 who was doing good work with a class of meek-looking women4 ,he even imitated ,mrs4 ,roberts's soft1 low voice1 as she essayed to interest them in ,moses and some of the wonders which he performed4 ,vain hope6 ,struggle as she might to be intensely dramatic in her narrative1 she did not for a moment gain the ascendency4 ,moses8 interrupted ,nimble ,dick in the very midst of one of her most earnest sentences4 ,let's see6 ,that was the old fellow who swallowed the serpents1 wasn't it8 ,i should have thought he would have been used up4 ,you don't know nothin'1 interrupted ,stephen ,crowley1 with a nudge at ,dirk that the latter pretended tipped him entirely off his seat1 and left him a limp heap at ,mrs4 ,roberts's feet4 ,he don't know nothin'6 repeated ,stephen1 addressing ,mrs4 ,roberts in a confidential tone4 ',twas the serpents swallowed ,moses1 wasn't it8 ,question is1 ,how did he get around again8 ,quit that6 came at this point from ,dirk ,colson1 in his fiercest tone4 ,look here1 you ,bill ,snyder1 if you try pinching on me again1 ,i'll pitch you over the head of old ,durant in less than a second6 ,what was the poor1 pale little woman to do8 ,with one boy crawling about the floor and two others in a hand-to-hand fight1 with the rest in a giggle1 of what use to try to talk to them about ,moses8 ,you should have seen ,gracie ,dennis's eyes by that time6 ,horror and disgust were about equally expressed1 and rising above them both1 a look of actual fear4 ,mr4 ,durant came over to attempt a rescue1 his face distressed beyond measure4 ,mrs4 ,roberts1 this is too much4 ,i am sure that patience has ceased to be a virtue4 ,they have never gone so far before4 ,i suspected mischief to-day4 ,i have heard from several of them during the week1 and never anything but evil4 ,i am prepared for it3 there is a full police force on guard in the next room2 what ,i propose is to have every one of these fellows taken to the lock-up4 ,it will be a lesson that they richly deserve1 and may do them good4 ,whispering was not one of ,mr4 ,durant's strong points4 ,he meant to convey secret intelligence of carefully-laid plans to ,mrs4 ,roberts alone4 ,in reality1 not a boy in the class but heard every word4 ,they were startled into silence4 ,a full police force6 ,they were not fonder of the lock-up than are most boys who deserve that punishment4 ,they were skilful in escaping the hands of policemen4 ,they had not believed that the ,south ,end ,mission would resort to any such means4 ,they recognized in the mission an attempt to do them good2 and1 without any effort at reasoning it out1 they had by tacit consent decided that policemen and lock-ups and ,christian effort did not match4 ,they had chuckled much over the stationing of little ,duffer at the door on guard4 ,any two of the strong young fellows were a match for him2 and in the event of a riot1 which they would like no better fun than to help to get up1 how many choice spirits all about the room would join them if given the word1 and in the delightful confusion which would result how easy to escape from sight and hearing while ,policeman ,duffer was summoning aid6 ,they had felt comparatively safe2 but a full police force detailed for duty was quite another thing4 ,they felt caught in a trap4 ,nimble ,dick got up in haste from the floor and took his seat1 and the boys looked from one to another with ominous frowns4 ,there were reasons why none of them cared to come before the police court just now4 ,what was to be done8 ,while they waited and considered1 ,mrs4 ,roberts did it4 ,her hand was on ,mr4 ,durant's arm1 and directly the loud whispering ceased1 she spoke in low but distinctly emphatic tones1-- ,i beg of you1 ,mr4 ,durant1 do no such thing4 ,i would dismiss every policeman at once1 with thanks1 if ,i were you4 ,we shall not need their help4 ,i give you my word of honour that the boys will be quiet during the rest of the session1 not because they are afraid of policemen1 but because they respect me1 and do not want to see me frightened or annoyed4 ,please don't let a policeman come near us4 ,i am not sure which was the more astonished1 the superintendent or the boys4 ,he returned to his desk with the bewildered air of one whose deep-laid schemes had come to naught in an unexpected manner without giving him time to rally2 and the boys looked at one another in perplexity1 and were silent4 ,mrs4 ,roberts turned to them with quiet voice4 ,boys1 she said1 you have spoiled the story that ,i was going to tell you4 ,i have lost my place1 and there isn't time to go back and find it4 ,i am sorry1 for ,i think you would have liked the story4 ,i spent a good deal of time this week trying to make it interesting4 ,but never mind now1 there is something else ,i want to say4 ,will you spend the hours from eight to ten with me to-morrow evening at my house8 ,i brought cards with me for each of you containing my address1 that you might have no trouble in finding the place4 ,whereupon she produced the delicate bits of pasteboard with her name and address handsomely engraved thereon4 ,nimble ,dick took his between his soiled thumb and finger1 turned it over in a pretence of great interest1 and finally endeavoured to sight it with his eye as a workman does his board4 ,what 'll you do with us if we come8 ,stephen ,crowley asked1 fixing what was intended as a wise look upon her1 the leer in his eye hinting that he was smart enough to see another trap1 and meant not to fall into it4 ,mrs4 ,roberts laughed pleasantly4 ,it is an unusual question when one invites company1 she said2 but ,i don't mind answering it4 ,for one thing1 ,i thought we would have an oyster stew and some good coffee together4 ,then1 if any of you like music1 ,i have a friend with me who is a good singer2 and ,i have a few pictures ,i should like you to see1 if you cared to2 and--,i don't know whether you are fond of flowers1 but some of you may have a mother or sister at home who is1 and the greenhouse is all aglow just now4 ,oh1 how can ,i tell what ,i should do to entertain guests8 ,just what seemed to me to be pleasant at the time4 ,that is the way ,i generally do4 ,may ,i expect you8 ,the boys stared4 ,this was a new departure indeed6 ,how much of it did she mean8 ,what was she trying to do8 ,was it a trap8 ,still1 she had rescued them from the police force1 and they had not expected that1 for every boy of them knew that he had treated her shamefully4 ,timothy ,haskell was generally the quietest one of the group1 and perhaps the most straightforward4 ,he went directly to the point of the question that he saw in the eyes of the others4 ,what do you do it for8 ,yes1 that's the talk1 said ,nimble ,dick4 ,what do you want of us8 ,why1 ,i want you to spend the evening with me4 ,didn't ,i tell you8 ,if you really mean to be friends with me1 of course ,i must invite you to my home4 ,what could ,i want except to have a nice time8 ,i'm trying to make you like me4 ,of course ,i want you to like me4 ,how can we have pleasant times together unless you do8 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,i ,,have ,,but ,,to ,,try ,,again4 ,,pleasant times like we've been having to-day8 said ,nimble ,dick with a wicked leer4 ,if he meant to disconcert her1 he missed his point4 ,no1 she said promptly2 we haven't had a bit nice times to-day2 and as for liking you1 ,i haven't done so to-day at all4 ,if ,i had the least idea that you meant often to treat me as you have this afternoon1 ,i should know it was of no use4 ,but ,i cannot think that you will continue to treat a lady in such a manner1 particularly when ,i am really trying to make a pleasant time for you4 ,there is no object1 you see1 in spoiling it4 ,this plain bit of truth1 for the time being1 so commended itself to the judgment of the boys1 that they regarded the speaker gravely1 without attempting a reply4 ,she was not moralizing--at least it was unlike any moralizing that they had ever heard4 ,it seemed to be simply a bit of practical common sense4 ,not a boy would have owned it1 but each felt1 just at that moment1 a faint hope that she would not decide it was of no use1 and give them up4 ,straightforward ,tim ,haskell had one more question to ask3-- ,why didn't you let them bring in their police and settle us8 ,their teacher hesitated just a moment4 ,would the whole truth do to speak in this case8 ,could she hope to make them understand that she saw in it a step lower down1 and that thus degraded before her eyes1 she feared her possible hold on them would be gone for ever8 ,no1 it wouldn't do4 ,a little1 a very little piece of the truth was all that she could treat them to4 ,a faint sparkle in her bright eyes1 which every one of them saw1 and she said3-- ,i was afraid you might not be excused in time to keep your engagement with me to-morrow evening4 ,they all laughed1 not boisterously--actually an appreciative laugh4 ,they were bright2 there is hardly a street boy living by his wits who isn't4 ,they recognized the humour hidden in the answer1 and enjoyed it4 ,then the superintendent's bell rang4 ,that bell always did seem to have an evil influence on those boys4 ,indeed1 ,mrs4 ,roberts was known to remark1 a few ,sundays afterwards1 that if there were no opening and closing exercises in the ,sabbath school1 her work would be easier2 that street boys did not seem to have one element of devotion in them1 and needed to be kept at high pressure1 in order to be able to control themselves4 ,the thought is worthy of study perhaps4 ,it is just possible that our opening and closing exercises are too long drawn out even for those who are not street boys4 ,be that as it may1 the little spell which ,mrs4 ,roberts had been able for a few minutes to weave around her boys on this particular ,sabbath1 was broken by the sound of the bell4 ,the boys returned to their memories of insult1 as they regarded the police force4 ,they muttered sullenly among themselves about traps and sells1 and guessed they wouldn't get caught here again2 and ,mrs4 ,roberts1 seeming not to hear1 heard with a heavy heart4 ,how angry they looked6 ,even ,nimble ,dick's usually merry face was clouded over4 ,what a curious thing it was that even they had their ideas of propriety1 and felt themselves insulted4 ,was it an instinct1 she wondered--a reminder that there was in them material for manhood8 ,would they ever1 any of them1 be men--,christian gentlemen8 ,it seemed almost too great a stretch for even her imagination4 ,as she moved in her seat1 her delicately-embroidered1 perfumed handkerchief fell to the floor4 ,mrs4 ,roberts was used to young men--mere boys1 even--whose instinctive movement would be to instantly restore it to her4 ,not a boy before her thought of such a thing4 ,she had not expected it1 of course4 ,yet she wondered if the instinct were not dormant1 needing but the suggestion4 ,it was a queer little notion1 worthy of ,flossy ,shipley herself1 who1 from being continually busy about little things1 had come to the conclusion that nothing anywhere was little--that the so-called trifles1 which make up many lives1 had much to do with the happiness of other lives4 ,was it worth her while to try to teach these street ,arabs to pick up fallen handkerchiefs8 ,she differed from many ,christian workers in that1 in her simplicity1 she really thought it was4 ,there was a lull just at that moment4 ,a hymn had been announced1 but the organist's tune-book had been mislaid1 and was being sought after4 ,it could disturb no one if ,mrs4 ,roberts tried her little experiment4 ,she looked longingly at ,dirk ,colson1 but his brows were black and his eyes fierce2 this was no time to reach him4 ,nimble ,dick looked much more approachable4 ,she determined to venture him3-- ,mr4 ,bolton1 spoken in her sweetest voice1 ,i have dropped my handkerchief4 ,anybody with half an eye could see that1 mum1 and a mighty dirty spot you picked out for such a nice little rag to lie in4 ,this was her only response4 ,then the discomfited experimenter told herself that she was a blunderer4 ,how could this poor fellow be expected to know what she meant8 ,why had she not asked the service from him8 ,she would try again4 ,would he be kind enough to pick it up for her8 ,it was long afterwards before ,mrs4 ,roberts could think of his answer without a sinking heart4 ,fixing bold1 saucy eyes on her1 he spoke in deliberate tones1 loud enough to be heard half-way across the room3-- ,why1 pick it up yourself1 mum6 ,it is as near to you as it is to me1 and you don't look weakly4 ,she picked it up1 her poor cheeks burning1 but she did not forget it4 ,the after-school conferences told their different stories4 ,well1 ,mr4 ,durant said1 stopping in the act of mopping his hot forehead to shake hands with her1 ,mrs4 ,roberts1 ,i honour your courage4 ,those boys were simply fearful to-day2 ,i really feared some outbreak that would be hard to quell4 ,i'm afraid we shall have to give them up4 ,yes1 ,i know how you feel2 but you haven't been here to see what we have borne from them4 ,all sorts of teachers have been tried4 ,we have given them the best material we had1 both men and women1 and every one has failed4 ,then you actually want to try it for another ,sabbath6 ,well1 ,i'm glad of it4 ,oh1 ,i don't want to give them up1 it makes my heart ache to think of it2 but if we can't keep them in sufficient order to get any benefit1 nor find a teacher who is willing to hold on to them1 what else is there for us to do8 ,but that last complaint ,i needn't make so long as you 'hold on1' need ,i8 ,this last with a genial smile4 ,well1 ,god bless you2 ,i couldn't begin to tell you how much ,i hope you will succeed4 ,but his face said1 ,however1 ,i know you won't4 ,he turned from her and said as much to young ,reid3-- ,she is in earnest1 ,reid1 and she has resources2 but she won't catch them1 simply because they don't mean to be caught2 they come here to make trouble1 and for nothing else4 ,just look at the way they have performed to-day--worse than ever2 and they never had a better teacher4 ,i've watched her1 and ,i believe she knows how4 ,i'll tell you what it is1 ,reid2 we must hold on to her1 and when she gives up those boys we must secure her for that class of girls down by the door4 ,i really think we have a prize4 ,now1 if he had but known it1 ,mrs4 ,evan ,roberts meant to teach no other class at the ,south ,end ,mission save those boys4 ,flossy ,shipley6 7,this was ,gracie ,dennis's exclamation when she was very much excited2 she went back to the old name7 ,what are you trying to do with those horrid boys8 ,and how can you endure their impudence8 ,i never saw anything like their actions in my life1 and ,i thought ,i had seen bad boys4 ,you look completely worn-out1 and no wonder4 ,i shouldn't think ,mr4 ,roberts would let you do this4 ,what good can you do such creatures1 ,flossy8 ,my dear ,gracie1 don't you think that ,jesus ,christ died to save them8 ,well1 said ,gracie hesitatingly4 ,it was a favourite phrase with her1 as it is with many people when they don't know what to say next4 ,and don't you think he wants them saved8 ,and will he not be pleased with even my little bits of effort if he knows that my sincere desire is to save these souls for his glory8 ,but what ,i mean is1 what good can you do them so long as they act as they do now8 ,they didn't listen to a word you said1 so as to get any good out of it4 ,i don't know that dear1 nor do you4 ,don't you think the ,holy ,spirit sometimes presses words on people that they do not seem to be heeding8 ,in any event1 that is a part with which ,i have nothing to do4 ,i tried1 and if ,i failed utterly1 ,i have but to try again4 ,it isn't as though there were some good teacher ready to take them4 ,nobody will make a second effort4 ,now there is one thing ,i can certainly do--,i can keep on making efforts3 who knows but some of them may bear fruit8 ,by the way1 ,gracie1 ,i want ever so much of your help4 ,mine6 said ,gracie1 with wide-open eyes4 ,i don't know how to help people2 ,i'm not good4 ,and her face darkened in a frown1 some unpleasant memories that went far just then proving the truth of that statement coming to mind just then4 ,after a moment she spoke in a somewhat more gentle tone3 ,don't count on me1 ,flossy1 for help about those boys4 ,they frighten me2 ,i never saw such fellows4 ,i couldn't help wondering what--papa would have said to them4 ,between the wondering and the noun there had been an observable pause4 ,mrs4 ,roberts suspected that the thought in ,gracie's mind was rather what ,mrs4 ,dennis1 who was supposed to have much knowledge of boys1 would have thought of them4 ,but since her arrival ,gracie had studiously avoided any reference to her stepmother1 and ,mrs4 ,roberts had humoured her folly4 ,never mind--you can help them2 and when you begin to realize that1 you will forget your fears4 ,do you expect to see one of the creatures to-morrow evening8 ,what in the world would you do with them if they did come8 ,i'm not sure ,i expect them1 ,i only hope for them4 ,as to what to do with them1 ,i trust to you to help to answer that question4 ,i want to give them an idea of what a nice time is4 ,i cannot help1 said ,gracie again2 but she was interested1 and referred again and again to the subject1 cross-questioning ,mrs4 ,roberts as to her plans and hopes1 until that lady gave a satisfied smile at the thought that her seven boys had begun their work4 ,the first part of this conversation was held while they waited in one of the class-rooms for ,mr4 ,reid to give in his report before joining them4 ,the waiting suggested to ,gracie another question1-- ,who is this ,mr4 ,reid1 who seems to have us in charge8 ,he is one of the clerks from the store1 which accounts1 in part1 for his attendance on us4 ,but ,i am interested in him for other reasons4 ,he had a wonderful sister--that is1 she was a wonderful ,christian2 she died when quite young1 but one might be ready to go to heaven early if one had accomplished as much as she did4 ,by one of those strange arrangements which ,i should think would go far toward making observing people believe in a special ,providence1 her life1 or ,i might almost say her death1 was the means of changing the current of my husband's life4 ,he says he was a gay young fellow1 a member of the church1 but giving just as little attention to religion as many do whom you and ,i know4 ,an accident to one of his family held him for several weeks in the town where this ,esther ,reid lived1 and her physician1 with whom he became acquainted1 introduced him to her4 ,it seems she was very much interested in young men--in their ,christian development4 ,he went to see her several times1 and1 to use his own expression1 she first made him realize that there was such a thing as zeal1 and then she set it on fire4 ,what she had begun in life she finished in her death4 ,evan attended her funeral services1 and the walls were hung with ,bible texts of her selection4 ,the most wonderful texts6 ,all about ,christian work1 and about being in earnest1 because the time was short4 ,evan says he began to understand then that the service of ,christ was first1 best1 and always4 ,wasn't it a singular ,providence that led him under the influence of that young girl during the closing weeks of her life8 ,only think1 he has been doing her work ever since--doing it1 possibly1 in ways that she could not compass4 ,that is one reason why ,i am so much interested in those boys4 ,it seems to me as though they were her boys4 ,did ,i tell you that her heart went out especially after the neglected8 ,i learned about the boys through ,mr4 ,reid4 ,he was but a child when his sister died1 and yet she succeeded in so enthusing him with her ideas that he is all the time trying to carry out her plans4 ,she had some wonderful ones4 ,this idea of inviting the boys socially ,i had from her4 ,do you see how plainly she is working yet1 though she has been in heaven so long8 ,do you think1 asked ,gracie ,dennis1 a timid1 gentle sound to her voice1 that all ,christians ought to put religion 'first1 best1 and always1' as your husband said8 ,i fancied that some were set apart to do a special work4 ,we are all set apart1 dear1 don't you think8 ,given to ,him to use as ,he will4 ,the trouble is that so many of us take back the gifts1 and use our time and our tongues as though they were our own4 ,our 'tongues6' repeated ,gracie1 amazement in her voice4 ,why1 yes2 didn't you give ,him your tongue when you gave ,him yourself8 ,and yet you are fortunate if you have not dishonoured ,him with it many a time4 ,said ,gracie1 ,what a queer way you have of putting things4 ,then came ,alfred ,reid in haste1 and apologizing for the long delay4 ,gracie ,dennis watched him curiously1 listened critically to his words4 ,was it to be supposed that this young man put religion first1 best1 and always1 and considered his tongue as given to the ,lord8 ,alfred bore the scrutiny well4 ,he took very little notice of ,miss ,gracie1 being entirely absorbed with another matter4 ,he had settled opinions about ,mrs4 ,roberts now1 from which he would not be likely to waver4 ,he had seen much of her during the week1 and he knew she had not been idle4 ,she had given him much valuable information concerning the boys in whom he had been interested all winter1 and with whom she had known for a week4 ,also he was aware that ,sallie and ,mark ,calkins had seen much of her to their great benefit4 ,she had made him her messenger on one occasion1 and he had seen ,sallie ,calkins take from the basket the clean1 sweet-smelling sheets that were to freshen her brother's bed1 and bestow on them rapturous kisses1 while she murmured1 ,i'd walk on my knees in broad daylight through the gutter to serve her--that ,i would6 ,sheets aren't much1 ,i suppose1 moralized the young man1 as he walked thoughtfully homeward4 ,people with much less money than she has might have furnished them4 ,it is thinking about things that makes the difference between her and others4 ,but he had not quite found the secret4 ,the main difference between her and many other people lay in the fact that she set steadily about doing the things she thought of that would be nice to do4 ,on the whole1 young ,reid was fully prepared to sympathize with ,mr4 ,durant's opinion1 that the ,south ,end ,mission had secured a prize4 ,not that he was very hopeful over those boys4 ,he felt that their conduct1 under the circumstances1 showed a depth of depravity which was beyond the reach of mission schools2 but it was a comfort to think that good things were arranged for them if they had but chosen to receive4 ,he began at once to talk about them4 ,mrs4 ,roberts1 they are worse than ,i had supposed4 ,i am afraid that your patience is exhausted4 ,her answer was peculiar3-- ,mr4 ,reid1 ,i want you to spend to-morrow evening with me4 ,i have invited my boys1 and ,i depend on you and ,gracie here to help to entertain them4 ,are you equal to such formidable work as that8 asked ,gracie with a mischievous smile4 ,he did not respond to the smile2 he was looking at ,mrs4 ,roberts1 studying her face as one bewildered with the rapidity of her moves4 ,i want to be1 he said with feeling2 ,i want to know how to work1 and ,i'm learning4--,mrs4 ,roberts1 ,i moved to my new boarding-house last evening1 and my room is a perfect little gem4 ,there is an illuminated text in it1 and all around it is twined an ivy1 growing1 don't you think--hidden1 you know1 behind the frame in a bottle2 and the text is one of my sister's treasures4 ,isn't that a singular coincidence8 ,it is very nice1 said ,mrs4 ,roberts1 with satisfied eyes4 ,she still made much use of that little word4 ,and1 ,mrs4 ,roberts1 ,i asked one of your boys to come in this evening and see my room4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,i ,,want ,,them ,,to ,,get ,,used ,,to ,,parlours4 ,,those two people can think and talk of nothing but those dreadful boys1 said ,gracie to herself1 half annoyed and wholly interested4 ,she found herself that very evening turning over the music1 with the wonderment in her mind as to what she could sing that they would be likely to care for--provided one of them appeared1 which thing she did not expect4 ,but ,i have not told you of all the discussions had that day4 ,the boys went their various ways1 their minds also busy with the events of the afternoon4 ,dirk ,colson and ,stephen ,crowley went off together2 not that they were special friends1 but their homes lay near together4 ,for the distance of half a block they walked in silence2 then ,stephen ,crowley spoke his mind3-- ,nimble ,dick wasn't near as smart to-day as he thinks he was1 accordin' to my way of thinkin'4 ,he was meaner than dirt6 burst forth ,dirk fiercely4 ,to go back on her like that1 after she had saved us from a row with the police1 ain't what ,i believe in4 ,why couldn't he have picked up the rag1 seeing she wanted him to8 ,that's what ,i say4 ,i'd 'a done it myself if she had give me the chance4 ,that there ,dick ,bolton can be too mean for anything when he sets out1 said ,stephen1 with a grave air of superiority4 ,i don't go in for anything of that kind myself4 ,we wasn't none of us much to boast of2 but ,dick1 he went too fur4 ,i say1 ,dirk1 what do you s'pose all that yarn means about to-morrow night8 ,and what be we goin' to do about it8 ,dick1 he said it was all a game to get hold of us somehow1 and he wasn't goin' to have nothin' to do with it4 ,had ,stephen ,crowley desired exceedingly to secure ,dirk's vote in favour of the proposed entertainment1 he could not1 at that moment1 have chosen a better way4 ,dirk tossed his thick mat of black hair in a defiant fashion1 and answered3-- ,he needn't have a thing to do with it1 so far as ,i care4 ,i don't know who'll miss him2 but if he thinks he's got all the fellows under his thumb1 and they're goin' to do as he says1 ,i'll show him a thing or two4 ,i'm a-goin' to-morrow night4 ,i don't care what it is1 nor what it is for4 ,she was nice and friendly to us to-day1 and ,i'm willin' to trust her to-morrow4 ,i shall go up there and see what she does want4 ,it can't kill a fellow to do that much4 ,then ,i'm a-goin'1 too1 declared ,stephen with decision4 ,dick1 he thinks there won't none of us go if he don't2 and ,i'd just like to show him that he must get up early in the mornin' if he wants to keep track of us4 ,if ,dirk ,colson needed anything to strengthen his resolution1 there was material in that last sentence which supplied it4 ,he had long chafed under the control of ,dick ,bolton2 here was a chance to assert superiority4 ,he even1 just at that moment1 conceived the brilliant idea of supplanting ,dick--running an opposition party1 as it were4 ,what if he should get every fellow in the class to promise to go1 and ,dick1 the acknowledged leader1 should find himself left out alone in the cold8 ,the thought actually made his grim face break into a smile4 ,thus it came to pass that the most efficient worker for the success of the ,monday evening entertainment1 so far at least as securing the presence of the guests1 was ,dirk ,colson4 ,in ,mr4 ,roberts's mansion preparations for receiving and entertaining the hoped-for guests went briskly forward--preparations which astonished the young guest already arrived4 ,are you really going to let them come in here8 she asked1 as she followed ,mrs4 ,roberts through the elegant parlours1 and watched her putting delicate touches here and there4 ,certainly2 why not8 ,don't you open your parlours when you receive your friends8 ,i don't think we have such peculiar friends on our list1 ,gracie said with a little laugh2 and then1 ,flossy1 they will spoil your furniture4 ,if one evening in the ,master's service will spoil anything1 it surely ought to be spoiled1 ,mrs4 ,roberts answered serenely4 ,but1 ,flossy1-- with a touch of impatience in her voice1--what is the use8 ,wouldn't the dining-room answer every purpose--be to them the most elegant room they ever beheld1 and be less likely to suffer from their contact8 ,the busy little mistress of all the beauty around her turned to her guest with a peculiar smile on her face1 half mischievous and wholly sweet1 as she said3-- ,i want them to get used to parlours1 my dear2 they may have much to do with them1 as well as with dining-rooms4 ,they are more likely to have to do with penitentiaries and prisons1 ,gracie said4 ,but she abandoned discussion1 and gave herself to the pleasure of arranging lovely flowers in their lovely vases4 ,there was a divided house as to the probability of the guests appearing1--,mr4 ,roberts inclining to the belief that some of them would come1 while ,gracie was entirely sceptical4 ,mrs4 ,roberts kept her own counsel1 neither expressing wish nor fear1 but steadily pushing her preparations4 ,as a matter of fact1 the entire seven appeared together promptly as the clock struck eight4 ,at the last moment ,dick ,bolton1 the usual leader1 finding himself in a minority of one1 not to be outwitted1 protested that he had not the least notion of staying away2 of course he was going1 and good-naturedly joined the group4 ,i wonder if you have the least conception of how those boys looked8 ,the ideas of some people cannot get below nicely-patched clothes1 carefully brushed boots1 clean collars1 and neatly arranged hair4 ,clean collars6 ,not a boy of them owned a collar4 ,no thought of brushing their worn-out1 unmended boots ever entered their minds4 ,their clothes were much patched1 but in many places needed it still4 ,stephen ,crowley had made a somewhat unsuccessful attempt to put his mass of hair in order4 ,most of the others had not thought even of that4 ,why should they8 ,poor ,dirk1 you will remember1 if he had thought of it1 had no comb with which to experiment4 ,it is doubtful if many of the others were any better off in this respect4 ,imagine the seven standing1 a confused1 grinning heap1 in the centre of ,mrs4 ,roberts's large and brilliantly-lighted hall6 ,she came forward to welcome them1 shaking hands1 though they made no attempt to offer a hand in greeting4 ,she had to grasp after each4 ,she essayed to introduce ,gracie2 not one of them attempted a bow4 ,come this way1 ,mrs4 ,roberts said1 and take seats4 ,then she led the way into the long1 bright1 elegantly-furnished1 flower-decked room4 ,they followed her in a row4 ,midway in the room they made a halt4 ,they caught a view of themselves--full length at that--revealed by the great mirrors4 ,they had never seen themselves set in contrast before4 ,they could not sit in a row1 for the easy-chairs and sofas1 though plentiful1 had the air of having been just vacated by people who had left them carelessly where they had chanced to sit4 ,it required diplomacy to seat those boys4 ,when at last ,stephen ,crowley dropped into one of the great pillowy chairs1 he ,instantly sprang up again1 and looked at it doubtfully4 ,was the thing a trap8 ,how far down would it sink with him8 ,this was too much for ,nimble ,dick1 even under the present overpowering circumstances--he laughed4 ,his hostess blessed him for that laugh4 ,the horrible stiffness was somewhat broken1 and all were seated4 ,just at that moment came ,alfred ,reid1 hurriedly1 like one who had intended promptness and missed it4 ,all here ahead of me6 he exclaimed4 ,mrs4 ,roberts1 ,i beg your pardon4 ,at the last moment ,i went in search of ,dr4 ,everett2 there was serious illness in a house next door1 and ,i happened to know just where he was4 ,during this address he was shaking hands with his hostess1 his manner easy and graceful1 as one used to it all4 ,then he crossed the room1 that wonderful room1 treading down those flowers on the carpet as though he had no fears of breaking their stems4 ,good-evening1 ,miss ,dennis1 he said1 and he was bowing in a manner that ,dirk ,colson was confident he could imitate4 ,then he turned to the boys1 shaking hands3-- ,how are you1 ,haskell8--,by the way1 ,crowley1 ,i called on you to-day at the office2 sorry not to find you in4 ,mrs4 ,roberts1 allow me6 ,and he wheeled one of the easy-chairs to the spot where that lady was standing4 ,how well he enters into the thing1 said ,gracie ,dennis to herself1 looking on in admiration at this young man1 who1 still so young1 was adapting himself to circumstances that might well have embarrassed older heads than his4 ,he plunged into talk with the boys1 making them answer questions4 ,he had come but a few moments before from ,mark ,calkins's1 stopped there with a message from ,dr4 ,everett2 and these boys knew ,mark and ,sallie and the worthless father1 and all the more or less worthless neighbours who ran in and out1 and young ,reid had a dozen questions to ask4 ,his quick-wittedness1 and the ease with which he made talk to these young men who lived in such an utterly different world from himself1 surprised his hostess very much4 ,even she did not know to what an exalted pitch his enthusiasm and excitement reached1 though he had flashed a pair of most appreciative eyes on her when she gave him her invitation for the evening4 ,here was actually his sister ,esther's darling scheme being worked out before his eyes6 ,not only that1 but he was being called upon to help4 ,esther had wanted him to grow up to undertake just such efforts as these2 and only last week they had seemed to him so altogether good and noble and so impossible to try4 ,yet here he was helping to try them6 ,no wonder ,alfred ,reid could talk4 ,it had been determined in family council that ,mr4 ,roberts must absent himself4 ,he was in the house1 indeed--no further away than the library1 ready for call in event of an emergency2 but it was judged that another stranger1 and such a formidable one as the head of the house1 must be avoided for this one evening4 ,as for ,mr4 ,reid1 would they remember that he was not much older than some of them1 and that he was not a rich young man living on his income1 but was earning his living by daily work8 ,and would they note the contrast between themselves and him8 ,this was what their hostess wondered4 ,a few moments and then came a summons to the dining-room4 ,seated at last1 though one of the poor fellows stumbled over a chair1 and barely saved himself from falling4 ,if you could have seen that dining-table1 the picture of it would have lingered long in your memory4 ,the whitest and finest of damask table linen2 napkins so large that they almost justified ,dick ,bolton's whisper1 ,what be you goin' to do with your sheet8 ,china so delicate that ,gracie ,dennis could not restrain an inward shiver when any of the clumsy fingers touched a bit of it2 and such a glitter of silver as even ,gracie had never seen before4 ,one thing was different from the conventional tea-party--every servant was banished2 none but tender eyes1 interested in her experiment1 and ready to help it on1 should witness the blunders of the boys4 ,so the hostess had decreed1 and so instructed ,alfred and ,gracie4 ,the consequence was that ,alfred himself served the steaming oysters with liberal hand1 and ,gracie presided over jellies and sauces1 while ,mrs4 ,roberts sugared and creamed and poured cups of such coffee as those fellows had never even smelled before4 ,if you think they were embarrassed to the degree that they could not eat1 you are mistaken4 ,they were street boys2 their lives had been spent in a hardening atmosphere4 ,directly the first sense of novelty passed away1 and their poorly-fed stomachs craved the unusual fare served up for them1 the fellows grinned at one another1 seized their silver spoons1 and dived into the stews in a fashion that would have horrified every servant in the house4 ,how they ate6 ,oysters and coffee and pickles and cakes and jellies6 ,there seemed no limit to their capacities2 neither did they make the slightest attempt to correct their table manners4 ,none of them paid any outward attention to their sheets1 although ,alfred and ,gracie spread theirs with elaborate care2 they leaned their elbows on the table2 they made loud1 swooping sounds with their lips2 and1 in short1 transgressed every law known to civilized life4 ,why not8 ,what did they know about civilized life8 ,nevertheless1 not one movement of young ,reid's escaped the notice of some of them4 ,he tried still to carry on a conversation1 though the business of eating was being too closely attended to on all sides to let him be very successful4 ,gracie studied him1 and was not only interested in his efforts1 but roused to make some attempts herself4 ,what could she talk about with such people8 ,school8 ,the literary club8 ,the last concert8 ,the course of lectures8 ,the last new book that everybody was reading8 ,no1 not everybody2 assuredly not these seven4 ,on what ground was she to meet them8 ,yet talk she must and would4 ,mr4 ,reid should see that she at least wanted to help4 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,,let ,,us ,,be ,,fashionable4 ,,one feature of the hour was not only entirely new to the boys1 but gave them a curious feeling1 the name of which they did not understand4 ,when the last one sat back in his chair1 thereby admitting himself vanquished1 ,mrs4 ,roberts1 looking at the young man who sat at the foot of the table1 said3-- ,will you return thanks8 ,what did that mean8 ,to be sure they had heard of thanking people1 but even they were aware that it was an unusual thing for persons to demand thanks for themselves4 ,they watched4 ,behold1 the young man bowed his head1 and these were the words he spoke3-- ,dear ,saviour1 we thank thee for the joys of this evening4 ,we pray thee to teach us so to live that we may all meet some day in our ,father's house4 ,amen4 ,the boys looked at one another1 then looked down at their plates4 ,their sole experience of prayer was connected with the ,south ,end ,mission4 ,to meet it at a supper-table was a revelation4 ,did the people who lived in grand houses1 and had such wonderful things to eat1 always pray at their supper-tables8 ,this was the problem which they were turning over in their minds4 ,returning to the parlour1 ,gracie went at once to the piano4 ,she had spent a good deal of ,monday in settling the question of what to play1 and had chosen the most sparkling music she could find4 ,i am anxious to have it recorded that1 all uncultured as they were1 these boys neither talked nor laughed during the music1 but appeared at least to listen4 ,it was ,dirk ,colson who sat nearest to the piano1 and who listened in that indescribable way which always flatters a musician4 ,do you like it8 ,gracie asked1 running off the final notes in a tinkle of melody4 ,his dark face flushed a deep red4 ,i dunno1 he said with an awkward laugh2 it's queer-sounding4 ,i don't see how you make so many tinkles4 ,do you make all your fingers go at once on them black and white things8 ,not quite2 but sometimes they have to dance about in a very lively fashion4 ,i have to keep my wits at work1 ,i assure you4 ,is it hard to do8 ,not very1 nowadays4 ,when ,i first commenced1 the practising was horrid2 ,i hated it4 ,what made you do it1 then8 ,oh1 the same reason which makes people do a great many things that they don't like1 she said lightly2 ,i wanted the results4 ,i knew if ,i worked at it steadily1 the time would come when ,i should not only enjoy it myself1 but be able to give pleasure to other people4 ,why1 don't you ever do things that you don't particularly like8 ,he shrugged his shoulders1 and bestowed on her a very wise look4 ,often enough1 he said fiercely1 and he thought of his drunken father4 ,but then ,i wouldn't if ,i could help it4 ,that would depend on whether you thought the thing would pay in the end1 would it not8 ,then1 without waiting for an answer1 she asked1 ,what is your business8 ,my business8 with a curiously puzzled air4 ,yes2 how do you spend your time8 ,hunting up something to eat1 he said1 with a grim smile1 visions of his aimless loafing appearing before him all the only occupation he could be said to have4 ,it had not occurred to him to try to mislead her1 but she evidently did not understand4 ,oh1 yes1 she said seriously1 so ,i suppose4 ,isn't it queer how busy men and women have to be1 day after day1 and year after year1 just getting themselves and others something to eat8 ,do you have other people to help to get it for--mother1 for instance1 and little brothers and sisters8 ,i've got a mother1 he said1 and a sister4 ,and that makes work easier1 does it not8 ,i always thought it would be stupid to work all the time just for one's self4 ,but ,i meant1 ,what do you work at in order to get the something to eat--there are so many different ways8 ,how do you know ,i work at all8 ,dirk's voice was growing sullen2 a consciousness that he would appear at a disadvantage in admitting himself an idler in the busy world was dawning upon him as an entirely new idea4 ,at his question1 ,gracie turned on her music-stool and regarded him with surprise4 ,why1 of course you work1 she said2 people all do4 ,she was not acting a part4 ,her experience among poor people was limited to that outwardly respectable class who1 however disreputable their conduct might be on ,sabbath1 had1 nevertheless1 a ,monday occupation with which they pretended to earn a living4 ,dirk shrugged his shoulders again4 ,do they8 he said4 ,her evident ignorance of the world made him good-natured4 ,she was not trying to preach to him1 he decided--a thing which ,dirk hated in common with all persons of his class4 ,but the lull in the music had started conversation in other parts of the room4 ,dirk heard young ,reid's question3-- ,mrs4 ,roberts1 do you know of any young man looking for work8 ,i heard of a good situation this afternoon4 ,oh1 there are plenty of applicants but the gentleman is an old friend of my brother-in-law1 and ,i could speak a helpful word for somebody4 ,i have no one in mind1 ,mrs4 ,roberts said1 and she glanced eagerly at the boys1 lounging in various attitudes in her easy-chairs4 ,only three of them1 she knew1 made any pretence of earning their living4 ,did ,alfred mean one of them8 ,here is a chance for you1 young gentlemen1 she said lightly2 who bids for a situation8 ,what is the place8 ,it was ,dirk ,colson who asked the question4 ,ever since he could remember1 he was supposed to have been hunting for work1 but ,i am not sure that he ever felt quite such a desire to find it as at that moment4 ,it is at ,gray's1 in ,ninth ,street1 a good chance2 but the one who secures it must have a fair knowledge of figures4 ,oh dear6 said ,dirk1 sinking lower in his easy-chair4 ,no use in me asking about it4 ,are figures your weak point8 ,mrs4 ,roberts asked1 smiling on him4 ,i can sympathize with you2 ,i had to work harder over arithmetic than at any other study2 but ,i learned to like it4 ,do you know ,i think it would be a favourite study with you8 ,it is so nice to conquer an obstinate-looking row of figures1 and fairly oblige the right result to appear4 ,what did you find hardest about the study1 ,mr4 ,colson8 ,the others chuckled1 but ,dirk glowered at them fiercely4 ,there's nothin' to laugh about1 as ,i see1 he said4 ,i didn't find nothin' hard1 because ,i never had no chance to try4 ,i never went to no school1 nor had books1 nor nothin'2 now that's the truth1 and ,i'm blamed if ,i ain't going own it4 ,what a good thing it is that you are young4 ,this was her animated answer4 ,there is a chance to make up lost time4--,mr4 ,reid1 ,i have such a nice idea4 ,i heard you and ,dr4 ,everett speaking of the literary club the other night4 ,why cannot we have a literary club of our own--a reading circle1 or something of that sort8 ,suppose we should meet once a week and read aloud something interesting1 and have talks about it afterwards8--,do you ever read aloud8 ,if ,mrs4 ,roberts in all sincerity had not been one of the most simple-hearted and1 in some respects1 ignorant little creatures on the face of the globe1 she could never1 with serious face1 have addressed such a question to ,nimble ,dick4 ,young ,reid could not have done it1 for he realized the folly of supposing that ,nimble ,dick ever read anything4 ,by just so much was ,mrs4 ,roberts ahead of him4 ,she supposed that these boys had their literature1 and read it1 and perhaps met somewhere on occasion and read together4 ,this made it possible for her to ask surprising questions with honest face4 ,bless me6 said ,nimble ,dick1 startled into an upright posture4 ,oh1 no1 mum1 never4 ,and even ,dirk ,colson laughed at the expression on his face4 ,still ,i think you would enjoy it1 after a little practice1 and ,i can't help fancying you would make a good reader4 ,the boys were all laughing now1 ,nimble ,dick with the rest4 ,you're in for an awful blunder there1 he said1 good-naturedly4 ,i'm like ,black ,dirk1 never had no chances1 and didn't do nothin' worth speakin' of with them that ,i had4 ,why1 mum6 ,i can't even read to myself4 ,i make the awfullest work you ever heard of spellin' out the show-bills4 ,i have to get ,black ,dirk to help me2 and him and me is a team4 ,by this time ,dirk's face had lost its smile1 and his fierce eyes were flashing2 but the hostess was serene4 ,that doesn't prove anything against my statement4 ,i was speaking of what could be1 not necessarily of what was4 ,let us have a club4 ,the more ,i think of the plan the more it pleases me4 ,i'll tell you6 ,the word 'club' doesn't quite suit me4 ,let us be fashionable4 ,gracie1 don't you know how fashionable it is becoming to have 'evenings' set apart for special occasions8--,mr4 ,reid1 you know ,mrs4 ,judson's ',tuesday evenings1' and ,mrs4 ,symond's ',friday evenings'8 ,very well1 let us have our ',monday evenings1' in which we will do all sorts of nice things2 sometimes literary1 sometimes musical1 and sometimes--well1 anything that we please4 ,what do you say1 gentlemen2 shall we organize8 ,mr4 ,reid1 will you give ,monday evenings to us8--,gracie1 you are my guest1 and cannot1 of course refuse4 ,it was a novel idea certainly4 ,even ,alfred1 while trying to heartily second her1 was in doubt as to what she could hope to accomplish by it4 ,as for the boys1 not one of them promised to attend2 but neither did they refuse4 ,mrs4 ,roberts presently left the subject1 seeming to consider her point carried1 and proposed a visit to the conservatory4 ,i think it very doubtful whether the boy lives who does not like flowers4 ,there are those who seem to consider it a mark of manliness to affect indifference to them2 but these1 as they grow older--become real men--generally lay this bit of folly aside4 ,then there are those1 plenty of them1 who really do not know that they care for flowers4 ,the boys1 ushered for the first time in their lives into the full bloom of a conservatory1 were1 most of them1 of this latter stamp4 ,what a scene of beauty it was6 ,great white callas1 bending their graceful cups2 great red and yellow roses1 making the air rich with their breath2 vines1 and mosses1 and ferns1 and small flowers1 in almost endless variety4 ,alfred and ,gracie moved among the glories1 the latter exhausting all her superlatives in honest delight1 although she had visited the spot a dozen times that day2 and ,alfred1 who had been less favoured1 was hardly less eager and responsive than she4 ,but ,mrs4 ,roberts watched the boys4 ,it was all very well for those two to enjoy her flowers2 of course they would4 ,but what language would the silent1 lovely things speak to her untutored boys8 ,they said not a word2 not one of them4 ,they made no exclamations1 they had no superlatives at command4 ,but ,stephen ,crowley stooped before a lovely carnation1 and smelled1 and smelled1 drawing in long breaths1 as though he meant to take its fragrance all away with him2 and ,nimble ,dick picked up the straying end of an ivy1 and restored it to its support again1 in a way that was not to be lost sight of by one who was looking for hearts2 and ,dirk ,colson brushed back his matted hair and stood long before a great1 pure lily1 and looked down into its heart with an expression on his face that his teacher never forgot4 ,she came over to him presently1 standing beside him1 saying nothing4 ,then at last she reached forth her hand and broke the lily from its stalk4 ,he started1 almost as if something had struck him4 ,what did you do that for8 ,and his voice was fierce4 ,i want you to take this for me to your sister--the girl with beautiful golden hair2 ,i saw her one day1 and ,i shall remember her hair and eyes4 ,she will like this flower1 and she will like you to bring it to her4 ,gracie-- raising her voice--gather some flowers1 will you1 and make them into bouquets8 ,these young gentlemen will like to carry them to some one4 ,there must be mothers at home who will enjoy bouquets brought by their sons4 ,over this gently-spoken sentence ,nimble ,dick laughed a hard1 derisive laugh4 ,it made the blood flow into ,black ,dirk's indignant face4 ,even ,alfred ,reid lost self-control for a moment1 and flashed a glance at him out of angry eyes4 ,how could there be any hope of a boy who sneered at his mother8 ,yet you need not judge him too harshly4 ,he thought of his mother1 indeed1 when he laughed2 but alas1 he thought of her as drunk4 ,and he knew her scarcely at all1 save as that word described her4 ,how could mother mean to him what it meant to ,alfred ,reid--what it meant even to ,dirk ,colson1 whose mother1 weak indeed in body and spirit1 full of complaining words1 oftentimes weakly bitter words to him1 yet patched his clothes so long as she could get patches and thread1 and would have washed them if she could have got soap1 and been able to bring the water1 and if her only tub hadn't been in pawn8 ,oh1 yes1 there are degrees in mothers4 ,mrs4 ,roberts1 meantime1 broke off blossoms with lavish hand1 and made bouquets for ,nimble ,dick and for ,dirk4 ,he took the bright-hued ones with a smile1 but the lily he held by itself1 and still looked at it4 ,they went away at last noisily1 growing almost if not quite rough towards one another1 at least2 and directly they were out of the door1 ,nimble ,dick gave a whoop that would have chilled the blood of nervous women4 ,but matron and maiden looked at each other and laughed4 ,we have kept them pent-up all the evening1 and that is the escape-valve being raised to avoid a general explosion4 ,this was ,mrs4 ,roberts's explanation4 ,they were quite alone4 ,alfred1 on being invited in low tones to tarry and talk things over1 had shaken his head and replied significantly3-- ,thank you1 no2 ,i am one of them1 and must stand on the same level4 ,you are right1 ,mrs4 ,roberts said smilingly2 you must have been an apt pupil1 my friend4 ,that dear sister taught you a great deal4 ,he held up the bouquet which she had made for him4 ,i am going to put it before ,esther's picture1 he said2 her work is going on4 ,well1 said ,gracie1 it is over1 and we lived through it4 ,and they did all come4 ,i am amazed over that4 ,and how they did eat6 ,i suppose the next thing is to open all the windows and air out4 ,flossy ,roberts1 ,i'm afraid you are going insane4 ,the idea of your inviting that horde here every ,monday4 ,what a parlour you would have6 ,and they would breed a pestilence4 ,they won't come1 to be sure2 but just imagine it if they should6 ,i really think ,mr4 ,roberts ought to send you home for ,dr4 ,mitchell to look after4 ,well1 ,flossy1 what next8 ,next1 dear1 you must pray4 ,pray as you never have done before for the souls of these boys1 and for the success of my ',monday evenings4' ,gracie1 we are at work for immortal souls4 ,think of it6 ,they must live for ever4 ,shall they1 through all eternity1 keep dropping lower and lower1 or shall they wear crowns8 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,,something',s ,,happened4 ,,sallie ,,calkins sat in a common little rocking-chair and rocked2 and while she rocked she sewed1 setting neat stitches in a brown coat which was already patched and darned1 and was threadbare in many places4 ,there was a look of deep content on ,sallie's face4 ,there were many reasons for it4 ,dr4 ,everett had that morning pronounced ,mark's broken limb to be healing rapidly4 ,he had also reported that ,mark's place was to be held open for him by his employers4 ,at this present moment ,mark1 arrayed in a clean shirt1 was resting on a very white sheet1 his head reposing on a real feather pillow dressed in white and frilled4 ,over him was carefully spread another of those wonderful sheets1 and1 to make the crowning glory1 a white quilt1 warm and soft1 tucked him in on every side4 ,how could ,sallie but rejoice8 ,all about the room there had been changes4 ,a neat little table stood at the bed-side4 ,it was covered with a white cloth1 and a china bowl set thereon1 with a silver spoon beside it2 a delicate goblet and china pitcher also1 both carefully covered with a napkin4 ,did ,mrs4 ,roberts know how homely ,sallie gloried in the thinness of that china and the fineness of that napkin8 ,how does it happen that some of the very poor seem born with such sthetic tastes8 ,mrs4 ,roberts had intuitions1 and was given to certain acts1 concerning which she could not give to others satisfactory explanations2 therefore1 she sometimes left china where others would have judged the plainest stoneware more prudent and sensible4 ,a bit of bright carpet was spread at the side of the bed2 a fire glowed in the neatly-brushed stove2 a white muslin curtain hung at the window2 and the chair in which ,sallie rocked and sewed was new and gaily painted4 ,there were other traces of ,mrs4 ,roberts4 ,you might not have noticed them1 but it seemed to ,sallie that her fingers had touched everywhere4 ,yet the lady herself thought that she had done very little4 ,she had held her inclinations in check with severe judgment4 ,the door opened softly1 and a mass of golden hair1 from out of which peered great eyes1 peeped cautiously in4 ,alone8 it said1 nodding first toward the figure on the bed1 and intimating that she was aware of ,mark's presence1 and did not mean him4 ,yes1 said ,sallie2 come in4 ,mark's asleep1 but you won't disturb him4 ,he don't disturb easy2 he sleeps just like a baby since the doctor stopped that pain in his knee4 ,there's my new chair2 just try it1 and see how nice it is4 ,saying which1 she got herself out of the little rocker in haste1 and pushed it toward her guest1 meantime taking a plain wooden chair1 also new1 and adding1 ,did you hear of anybody like her before8 ,something's happened1 said ,mart ,colson1 ignoring the reference to the mysterious pronoun--her voice so full of a new and strange meaning1 that had ,sallie been acquainted with the word she might have said it was filled with awe4 ,as it was1 she only exclaimed1 ,what8 in an intensely interested tone4 ,why1 look here6 ,i brought it along to show you4 ,whereupon she produced from under her piece of torn shawl a large broken-nosed pitcher1 a piece of brown paper carefully tied over the top4 ,she untied the bit of calico string with fingers that shook from excitement4 ,look in there6 she exclaimed at last1 triumph in her tone1 reaching forward the pitcher4 ,sallie looked1 and drew in her breath with a long1 expressive ,o--h6 ,there1 reposing in stately beauty1 lay the great white lily with its golden bell4 ,yes1 ,i should think so1 ,mart said1 satisfied with the expression4 ,did you ever see anything like that before8 ,it ain't made of wax1 nor anything else that folks ever made4 ,it's alive4 ,i felt of it4 ,it looks like velvet and satin and all them lovely store things2 but it doesn't feel so3 it feels alive1 and it grew4 ,but1 ,sallie ,calkins1 if you should live a hundred years1 and guess all the time1 you never could guess where ,i got it4 ,sallie ,calkins1 if you'll believe it1 ,dirk gave it to me6 ,dirk8 ,yes1 he did6 ,who would have supposed ,mart ,colson's voice capable of such a triumphant ring6 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,lily4 ,you see the way of it was3 last night he didn't come for his supper at all1 and that always scares me dreadful4 ,i'm expecting something to happen1 you know4 ,father1 he didn't come either2 for the matter of that1 he hasn't come yet4 ,and mother1 she was awful tired1 and hadn't had no dinner to speak of1 and she just broke down and took on awful4 ,mother don't often cry2 and it's good she don't1 for she just goes into it with all her might when the time comes4 ,it wasn't about father--she's used to him1 you know1 and don't expect nothing else2 but ,dirk drives her wild with what may happen to him4 ,i was worried about him too1 but ,i was mad at him2 it seemed too awful mean in him to stay away and scare mother4 ,at last ,i got her to go to bed1 and she was all tuckered out and went to sleep4 ,then ,i wrapped myself in the quilt and sat down to wait2 but ,i got asleep1 and ,i dreamed ,i saw 'her4' ,she had wings to each side of her1 and she flew over the tops of all these houses1 and made them turn white like the snow looks when it is coming down before it drops into the gutters4 ,wasn't that queer8 ,well1 some noise woke me up4 ,i was sitting flat on the floor by mother1 and ,i sat up straight all of a tremble4 ,and there was the old stool1 and the brown pitcher on it half-full of water2 and this wonderful thing stood in it looking at me4 ,and ,dirk1 he stood off the other side looking at it4 ',it's for you1 and she sent it4' ,that's what he said to me2 and ,i wasn't real wide awake1 you know4 ,i suppose that's what made his voice sound so queer4 ,and what do you think ,i said8 ,i was thinking of my dream1 and says ,i1--',did she have her wings on8' ,then ,dirk made a queer noise2 it was a laugh1 but it sounded most like a cry4 ',i guess so1' says he4 ,and then he turned and went off to bed4 ,and ,i can't get any more out of him2 he is as snarly when ,i ask any questions as though he was mad about it all4 ,if it hadn't been for this great white thing1 ,i might have thought this morning that it all belonged to the dream4 ,but ,dirk brought this home from somewhere1 and put it in the pitcher1 and gave it to me his own self2 that's sure4 ,the story closed in triumph4 ,it is beautiful6 said ,sallie1 the brown jacket slipping to the floor1 while she bent over the lily4 ,it is beautiful all of it1 and it looks just like her1 and sounds like her1 wings and all4 ,of course she sent it4 ,and ,dirk brought it6 ,that part of the story ,mart ,colson did not forget4 ,sometimes it seems to me a pity that hearts are not laid bare to the gaze of others4 ,what1 for instance1 might not this little incident have done for ,dirk ,colson had he known how the starved heart of his sister fed on the thought that he brought her the flower8 ,still1 on the other hand1 ,i don't know what the effect would have been on ,mart had she known what a tremendous amount of courage it had taken to present the flower to her4 ,a dozen times on the way home had ,dirk been on the point of consigning it to the gutter4 ,he carry home a flower6 ,if it had been a loaf of bread1 he thought it would have been more consistent4 ,some way he recognized a fine sarcasm in the thought that he1 who had never in his life contributed towards the necessities of the family should carry to that dreary home a flower6 ,yet the fair lily did its work well during that long walk from ,east ,fifty-fifth ,street to the shadow of the alley4 ,it made ,dirk ,colson tell it fiercely that he hated himself2 that he was a brute and a loafer--a blot on the earth1 and ought not to live4 ,why didn't he go to work8 ,why didn't he have things to bring home to ,mart every little while1 as ,mark ,calkins did to ,sallie8 ,hadn't he seen ,mark1 only a few evenings before he was hurt1 with a pair of girl's shoes strung over his shoulder1 and heard him whistle as he ran1 two steps at a time1 up the rickety stairs8 ,what would ,mart think if he should bring her home a pair of shoes8 ,what would she think of his bringing her a flower8 ,she would sneer1 of course2 and1 in the mood which then possessed him1 ,dirk said angrily that she had a right to sneer1 and would be a fool not to2 and yet he hated the thought of it4 ,there was nothing in life that ,dirk hated more than sneers2 and he had been fed on them ever since he could remember4 ,he was altogether unprepared for the reception which the lily received4 ,that suggestion about wings1 which seemed so apt1 had brought the queer sound to his voice that ,mart had noticed4 ,if only she had understood and not spoiled1 next morning1 the effect of her words6 ,in the prosaic daylight1 the illusion of wings being banished1 she was bent on knowing how ,dirk came into possession of the lily4 ,who sent it1 ,dirk8 ,i don't believe anybody told you to give it to me4 ,who would care about my having a flower8 ,where did you get it8 ,where do you s'pose8 ,dirk's voice was ominously gruff4 ,it is a painful truth that by daylight he was ashamed of his part of the transaction4 ,i told you she sent it4 ,it's noways likely that ,i'd take the trouble to make up a lie about that weed4 ,how do ,i know what she wanted you to have it for8 ,maybe she thought it matched your looks4 ,there was a bitter sneer in ,dirk's voice2 yet all the time he heard the sweet1 low voice saying1 ,that girl with the beautiful golden hair4 ,suppose he should tell ,mart that8 ,why not8 ,let me tell you that ,dirk ,colson would not have repeated that sentence for the world6 ,and yet he did not know why4 ,mart's face burned red under his sneer4 ,how am ,i to know who 'she' is8 she said in bitter scorn4 ,some of your bar-room beauties1 for whom you dance and whistle1 ,i suppose4 ,you can tell her ,i would rather have my shawl out of pawn1 or some shoes for my feet1 enough sight4 ,what do ,i care for a great flower mocking at me4 ,pitch it into the fire1 then2 and it will be many a long day before ,i bring you anything else1 said ,dirk1 pushing himself angrily back from the table1 where he had been eating bread dipped in choice pork fat4 ,there isn't a bit of danger of my doing that1 she called after him mockingly4 ,there isn't a spunk of fire1 nor likely to be to-day1 unless some of your admirers send me a shovel of coal4 ,mercy knows1 ,i wish they would4 ,he mercifully lost part of this sentence1 for the reason that before it was concluded1 he was moving with long1 angry strides up the alley4 ,and then ,mart took the broken-nosed pitcher away into the farthermost corner1 although she was alone in the room1 and laid her face against the cool1 pure lily1 and wept into it great burning tears4 ,poor1 ignorant soul6 ,she wanted--oh how she wanted6--,dirk to be brave and good like ,mark ,calkins1 her one type of manhood4 ,yet she did not know that she was crushing out the germ which might have grown in his heart4 ,true1 she knew herself to be very different from ,sallie2 but she thought1 poor soul that that was because ,mark was so different from ,dirk4 ,isn't it a pity that the sweet-faced lily could not have told its tender story to both these ignorant ones8 ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,,what ,,made ,,her ,,different8 ,i ,,have heard a good deal about your sister that has interested me4 ,do you like to talk of her8 ,this was the question which ,gracie ,dennis asked of young ,reid as he stood beside her at the piano4 ,she had been playing1 and he had come to the music alcove for the purpose of turning her music2 but now she was touching sweet chords here and there aimlessly1 and waiting for his answer4 ,at the farther end of the parlour ,mrs4 ,roberts was entertaining a caller2 but the distance between them was so great that in effect the young people were alone4 ,i like nothing better than to talk of her1 ,mr4 ,reid said with animation2 but ,i don't know so much about her as ,i wish ,i did4 ,she went away when ,i was quite young4 ,i used to say 'she died1' but since ,i have awakened to see her cherished plans being carried on all around me1 ,i cannot think of her as dead4 ,that is what ,i want to talk about--her work1 or her plans for work4 ,what made her so different from other people1 ,mr4 ,reid8 ,wasn't she different8 ,the young man regarded the question thoughtfully before answering4 ,not from all the people1 he said at last1 but certainly very different from some4 ,i used to think that all ,christians were like her1 of course2 then1 when ,i saw my mistake1 ,i went to the other extreme1 and thought there were none like her on earth4 ,i have discovered that the medium position is the correct one4 ,but what ,i want to know is1 what made her different8 ,it wasn't her age4 ,mrs4 ,roberts thinks she was young4 ,she was hardly nineteen when she died4 ,oh no1 it wasn't age2 she told me that she used to be very different4 ,she was a ,christian from childhood1 but she said that she was ashamed to claim the name4 ,there was nothing ,christ-like about her2 still she was a member of the ,church4 ,as ,i remember her1 and as ,i look at other people1 my judgment is1 that in her early ,christian life she was much like most of the ,christians with whom you and ,i are familiar4 ,and what made her different8 ,was it--that is--do you think it was because she was to die so soon that she had a special experience8 ,not at all1 he said promptly2 it was before she realized anything about her condition that the great change took place in her4 ,my brother-in-law says that she supposed herself to be in perfect health at the time when she was most marked in her ,christian life4 ,ah6 ,but you don't understand2 ,i mean more than that4 ,it is difficult to tell what ,i mean2 ,i mean--but you know1 of course1 ,god knew that she was soon to go to heaven4 ,i thought1 perhaps1 he gave her a special experience on that account4 ,no1 oh no1 he said1 speaking with great earnestness4 ,esther was particularly anxious that no one should suppose her experience exceptional4 ,little fellow though ,i was1 it seemed to be her desire that ,i should fully understand this4 ',don't let anybody make you think that because you are a little boy1 you must be a sort of half-way ,christian1' she used to say1 and her eyes would glow with feeling4 ',i tried that way for years1' she said1 'and ,i want you to understand that it is not only sinful1 but there is not a particle of happiness to be gotten out of it--not a particle2 and ,i would give almost nothing for what such a ,christian can accomplish4 ,the harm one does1 more than overbalances all effort for ,christ4' ,i think1 perhaps1 she felt more deeply on that than on almost any subject2 and it was because she thought had wasted so many years4 ,then do you think that there is1 or rather that there should be1 no difference in ,christians8 ,have all the same work to do8 ,not that1 quite1 of course2 or1 ,i don't know either4 ,isn't it all different forms of the ,master's work4 ,the children of the home may have each a different task1 but each is needed to make the home what it should be1 and each worker needs the same spirit of love and unselfishness to enable him to do his part4 ,it isn't a perfect illustration1 ,miss ,dennis4 ,i'm not skilful in that direction1 but ,i know what ,i mean1 and that is a comfort4 ,and ,i know what you mean1 ,gracie said1 not joining in his laugh2 but ,i am not sure that ,i believe it4 ,why1 ,mr4 ,reid1 that would make a very solemn thing of living4 ,well1 did you suppose it was other than solemn8 ,i'm sure it makes a triumphant thing of it1 too2 and without it we are only a lot of wax figures1 dancing to pass the time away4 ,but don't you really think that people have a right to have any nice times8 ,miss ,dennis1 did you ever see any person who had nicer times than your friend1 ,mrs4 ,roberts8 ,well1 ,flossy is peculiar2 her tastes all seem to lie in this direction1 though once they did not1 ,i admit4 ,papa used to think that she had no talent for anything but dancing4 ,something changed ,flossy's entire character4 ,no one who knew her two years ago could possibly deny that4 ,she will serve as an illustration then to explain my meaning4 ,i believe1 ,miss ,dennis1 that religion should have sufficient power over us to change all our tastes and plans in life1 fitting them to the ,saviour's use4 ,but what would such a rule as that do with most of the ,christians of your acquaintance8 ,ah6 ,i am old and experienced enough to warn you not to make shipwreck of your happiness on that shoal4 ,i hovered around it1 and vexed my soul over the whole bewildering question1 until ,i suddenly discovered that ,i was held absolutely responsible only for my own soul1 and that the ,lord would look after his own4 ,for a time there was no answer to this4 ,gracie let her fingers wander with apparent aimlessness over the keys1 drawing out soft sweet strains4 ,suddenly she said3-- ,what do you expect ,flossy will accomplish with that last scheme of hers8 ,i ought to beg her pardon for the familiar name1 but ,i have known her ever since ,i was a child4 ,don't you think her attempts for those boys rather hopeless8 ,instantly the young man's eyes filled with tears1 and when he spoke his voice indicated deep emotion4 ,i can hardly tell you how ,i feel about those boys4 ,i have been anxious for them so long1 and felt so hopeless4 ,do you remember how ,elijah sat under a juniper tree1 discouraged1 and said that he was the only one who had not bowed the knee to ,baal2 and the ,lord told him he was mistaken--that there were five thousand others8 ,it sounds ridiculously egotistical1 but ,i have felt at times something like that1 as though ,i was the only one who cared whether the poor fellows went to destruction or not4 ,but since ,i have met ,mrs4 ,roberts1 and seen how intense she is and single-hearted1 and since through her ,i have met ,dr4 ,everett1 and seen how they are trying to work at the same problem2 and since ,i have come to know how ,mr4 ,roberts is at work all the time for young men2 and above all1 since that wonderful evening here last ,monday1 when ,i saw how two gifted ladies understood the art of turning their accomplishments to account1 in order to take those poor fellows captive for ,christ1 ,i discovered that there were ways of solving this problem about which ,i had known nothing1 and people to carry it through4 ,it was simply glorious in you to give those fellows such music as you did1 and to accomplish by it what you did4 ,my life has been narrow1 ,miss ,dennis2 ,i never saw the piano used for ,christ before4 ,gracie looked down at the keys1 her face aglow4 ,it was a new experience1 this being classed among the ,christian workers of the world--making her music for other purposes than to amuse the gay friends who chanced to gather around her4 ,she made the keys speak loudly for a few minutes1 then softening them1 said1-- ,you must not class me with ,flossy1 ,mr4 ,reid4 ,i only did what she wanted done4 ,i am not in the least like her1 unselfish and gentle1 and all that4 ,but his reply1 spoken low1 was pleasant to her ears3-- ',by their fruits ye shall know them4' ,he evidently looked upon her as a worker4 ,she could not help feeling that it was pleasant to be so classed4 ,what an intense young man he was6 ,not in the least like those with whom she had hitherto been most familiar4 ,there was another voice in the front parlour1 a strong1 vigorous voice1 that carried a sense of power with it4 ,ah6 said ,reid1 his eyes bright1 his face eager4 ,that is ,dr4 ,everett4 ,just study him if you want another type of the sort of ,christian about whom we have been talking--the grandest man6 ,gracie1 shielded by the distance1 turned on her stool and studied him4 ,certainly he did not look much as though he were appointed for early death4 ,what a splendid physique it was6 ,and how thoroughly wide awake and interested he was in the subject under discussion4 ,bits of the talk floated back to the two at the piano4 ,oh1 he is young1 ,dr4 ,everett was saying2 ,i hope for returned vigour in time1 but there must be long weeks of patience1 before he will be ready for his old employment4 ,do you know of whom he is speaking8 ,gracie asked4 ,i fancy it is that ,calkins boy1 the one with the broken limb4 ,he is deeply interested in the poor fellow1 and is trying to plan employment of some less wearing sort for him1 ,i believe4 ,dr4 ,everett is always intensely interested in somebody4 ,is it always the very poor8 ,alfred laughed4 ,not always4 ,i know several quite well-to-do fellows on whom he keeps a careful oversight2 but he is grandly interested in the poor4 ,he is taking rank as one of the most successful physicians in the city1 and of course he is pressed for time2 yet he is so continually at the call of the poor1 that people begin to speak of him as the poor man's doctor4 ,he told me he was proud of that title4 ,at this point the musicians were appealed to1 to come to the front parlour1 and ,gracie had opportunity for a nearer study of the man whom she could not help but admire4 ,he was not likely to suffer from a nearer view--at least1 not while ,gracie was in the mood that then possessed her4 ,he greeted her cordially1 and at once brought her into the conversation by appealing to her for a decision1 seeming to take it for granted that she was of the same spirit with himself4 ,this young lady was taking lessons of life that were designed to be helpful to her if she would but let them4 ,a thoroughly well-educated and cultured gentleman1 well fitted to take high rank in society1 not in the ministry1 and yet thoroughly absorbed in what she had hitherto almost unconsciously set down as minister's work1 was a mystery to her4 ,moreover1 for the second time that evening1 she felt a curious sense of satisfaction in being classed among the energetic workers of the world4 ,the pretty school-girl1 who had lived all her young life in a neighbourhood where she was ,gracie ,dennis1 looked up to1 indeed1 by her set1 and having a decided influence of her own1 yet felt it to be a novel experience to hear herself addressed in a clear1 firm voice1 after this manner3-- ,miss ,dennis1 what means would you advise for interesting a company of young girls in reading regularly books which would be of use to them8 ,of course1 ,i speak of a class of girls who have done no reading of any account heretofore3 and who have no knowledge in the matter4 ,it is something about which ,i have not thought at all1 said ,gracie1 her pretty face all in a flush4 ,but ,i should suppose the way would be to take one girl at a time1 and study her1 to find what would be likely to interest and help her1 and also to get such an influence over her that she would read what ,i wanted her to4 ,first catch your hare1 eh8 ,good6 said the doctor1 with an approving glance towards ,mrs4 ,roberts4 ,the longer ,i live1 the more convinced am ,i that individual effort is what accomplishes the great things in this world4 ,there was more talk about this and kindred matters2 and ,gracie found herself drawn out1 and her interest excited on themes about which she had supposed she knew nothing4 ,then occurred an interruption--a ringing of the doorbell4 ,for ,miss ,dennis1 said the messenger2 but she handed the card to ,mrs4 ,roberts4 ,there was just a moment of hesitation1 while that lady apparently studied the name2 then she said composedly1-- ,this is ,professor ,ellis1 ,gracie4 ,do you wish to receive him this evening8 ,since ,i have known ,mrs4 ,roberts well1 ,i have studied her innocently sincere manner1 with not a little curiosity as to the probable effect on the world1 suppose it were possible for others to adopt her method4 ,the actual practical effect with her is that she succeeds often in wisely deceiving1 while intending to be perfectly sincere4 ,for instance1 her question to ,gracie1 after a moment of hesitation1 during which she asked herself1 ,what ought ,i to do8 and immediately answered herself1 ,there is nothing for me to do but to be perfectly straightforward4 ,her question was intended to say to ,gracie3 ,i trust you4 ,what your father has directed you to do1 ,i feel sure you will obey4 ,but it said different things from that to ,gracie4 ,ever since she had been told that she might make her old acquaintance1 ,flossy1 a visit1 this highly strung young lady had been suspicious that this was a device of her stepmother to get pleasantly rid of her for a few weeks4 ,she surmised that a very carefully elaborate account of her sins had been written out by this same stepmother for the benefit of her young hostess1 and that special directions had been given for guarding her from the wolf1 ,professor ,ellis4 ,she would have spoiled the entire scheme by haughtily refusing to leave home1 had not the innocent delight of a young girl over the thought of visiting a beautiful strange city gotten the better of her pride4 ,the gently-put question of her hostess disarmed a whole nest of suspicions4 ,it was hardly possible that it had been hinted to ,flossy that her guest might attempt to elope with this man1 else she would not with serene face be asking whether it was her wish to receive him4 ,if you please1 she made haste to answer1 her cheeks glowing the while and ,mrs4 ,roberts gave instant direction that the gentleman be shown into the parlour4 ,there were several new lessons set for ,miss ,gracie ,dennis to learn that evening4 ,one was that ,professor ,ellis1 with his faultless dress and excessive politeness1 his finished bows and smiles that would have done credit to any ball-room in the land1 his accurate knowledge of all the printed rules of etiquette1 yet in ,mrs4 ,roberts's parlour1 contrasted with ,dr4 ,everett1 and even with young ,reid1 the dry-goods clerk1 appeared at a disadvantage4 ,she was slow in learning the lesson2 on that first evening she simply stared at it in bewilderment4 ,what did it mean8 ,there was an attempt to draw the professor into the circle1 to continue the conversation that had been so animated and interesting before his entrance4 ,the effect was much like that produced in striking a discordant note in a hitherto faultless piece of music4 ,young men out of business needing help1 needing an encouraging word1 an outstretched hand6 ,professor ,ellis had words1 and hands1 but he might have been without either for all the help they gave him in responding to efforts like these4 ,books to help to uplift the young1 to give them high ideas of life1 to enthuse them with desires to live for a purpose--truly he could only stare blankly at the suggestion4 ,what did he know of books written for such purposes8 ,yet ,gracie had supposed him to be literary in his tastes and pursuits4 ,certainly1 he read ,french4 ,yes1 ,french novels6 ,he was quite familiar with some of such a character that1 had ,gracie been ,french scholar and ever likely to come in contact with a copy of them1 he would not have dared to mention their names in her presence4 ,more than once of late had the stepmother wished that her young daughter understood the language well enough to be aware that the man whom she admired used frequently smooth-sounding ,french oaths4 ,but alas for ,gracie1 when he had so poisoned her mother's influence over this dangerously pretty girl1 that she would have believed his word at any time rather than that mother's6 ,well1 he read other than ,french novels2 ,charles ,reade1 for instance1 and some of the more recent authors fashionable in certain circles4 ,it is true that ,gracie was not acquainted with them1 that her father would not allow a copy of their books to come freely into his home1 and ,gracie was much too honourable to read them in private4 ,but it is also true that while professing to admire this trait in her1 as charming in a young daughter1 the professor had also1 pityingly and gently1 told this young daughter that these things were her father's concessions to the narrow age and trammelled profession to which he belonged2 that the fact was1 free thought was discouraged1 because there was that in every ,church which would not bear its light2 that her wise father was one of a hundred in recognizing this1 and trying to shield her while she was young4 ,you are also to remember that she was young1 and therefore forgive her that she did not detect the contradictory sophistry in the professor's words4 ,he really understood how to sugar-coat poison as well as any man of his stamp could4 ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,,here ,,was ,,his ,,opportunity4 ,,but the question which would keep forcing itself an ,gracie ,dennis was this3 ,if he really knows of nice books1 full of 'the beautiful' and 'the ennobling1' that would enlighten the race1 as he has often told me1 why doesn't he mention some of them now8 ,there is no minister here 'trammelled by long years of narrowing education4' ,how does he know but that these people are as advanced in their ideas as he is himself8 ,i do not mean that she was conscious of thinking these thoughts1 but that they hovered on the edge1 as it were1 of her mind1 making her feel ill at ease4 ,dr4 ,everett1 on his part1 seemed courteously bent on securing an expression of the professor's opinion about matters of which he either could not or would not talk4 ,when at last the disturbed gentleman resolved to violate what ,gracie was a law of good breeding1 and address her in ,french1 what with her embarrassment lest others should understand1 and her own marked ignorance of the language1 she found great difficulty in making a free translation4 ,upon my word1 ,i wish you understood ,french or some other tongue1 so that we could escape from this boredom4 ,does the poor little prisoner have much of this to endure8 ,cannot we escape to the music-room and talk things over8 ,gracie cast a frightened glance about her to see if there were others who understood better than herself this sentence1 which1 for aught she knew1 might contain something startling4 ,but ,alfred was busily engaged in looking up the name of a book which he had vainly tried to recall1 and ,dr4 ,everett was apparently serenely oblivious to any language but his mother-tongue4 ,very soon after this ,gracie managed to escape with her caller to the music alcove3 thus much of the ,french she had understood2 and1 at least1 ,professor ,ellis could play1 which fact she resolved that the people in the front parlour should speedily understand4 ,ah1 but he could play1 and herein lay one of his strong fascinations for the music-loving girl4 ,for a time the most ravishing strains rolled through the parlour1 hushing into rapt attention the group gathered there1 who had just been reinforced by the coming of ,mr4 ,roberts4 ,by degrees the strains grew fainter and fainter1 and at last ceased altogether1 as the professor1 still on the music-stool1 bent over ,gracie seated in a low chair1 and apparently found fluent speech at last4 ,mrs4 ,roberts1 meantime1 was ill at ease4 ,what would ,dr4 ,dennis and ,marion say1 could they have a peep at this moment into her back parlour8 ,was she being faithful to her trust8 ,yet what was there she could do8 ,she tried to sustain her part in the conversation2 but her troubled gaze1 constantly wandering elsewhere1 betrayed her4 ,dr4 ,everett's keen eyes were upon her4 ,are you particularly interested in that man8 he asked abruptly4 ,mrs4 ,roberts smiled faintly4 ,i am particularly interested in that girl1 she said4 ,how do you like her present companionship8 ,not at all1 she answered quickly4 ,whereupon ,mr4 ,roberts began to question4 ,may ,i know1 doctor1 whether you have any other reason than that of intuition for asking the question8 ,possibly not1 said the doctor guardedly4 ,it may be a case of mistaken identity4--,mrs4 ,roberts1 would you like to have me investigate something that may be to his disadvantage8 ,mrs4 ,roberts had a prompt answer ready4 ,there are reasons why it is specially important that such an investigation should be made and reported to me4 ,may ,i commission you8 ,the doctor bowed2 and the subject of ,professor ,ellis was immediately dropped4 ,during the following week certain innovations took place in ,mrs4 ,roberts's well-ordered household4 ,at the end of the conservatory was a long1 bright1 and hitherto unfurnished room4 ,it had been designed as a sort of second conservatory1 whenever the beauties of that department should outgrow their present bounds2 but meantime other plants had taken root and blossomed in the mistress's heart4 ,early in the week the unused room had been opened and cleaned2 then began to arrive packages of various shapes and sizes2 a roll of carpeting1 and two young men from the carpet store2 and there followed soon after the sound of hammering4 ,furniture-waggons halted before the door1 leaving their burdens4 ,men and women flitted to and fro1 busy and important4 ,it was ,saturday night before ,mr4 ,roberts and his young clerk were invited in to admire and criticise the new room4 ,mr4 ,roberts1 at least1 was prepared to appreciate its transformation4 ,the floor was covered with a heavy carpet in lovely shades of mossy green1 and easy-chairs and couches in tints either matched or made delightful contrasts with the carpet abounded4 ,the walls were hung with pictures and charts and maps4 ,a study-table occupied the centre of the room--one of those charming tables1 full of mysterious drawers and unexpected corners2 paper and pens and inks in various colours were disposed about this table in delightful profusion4 ,other tables1 plenty of them1 small and neat1 each of a different shape or design1 were stationed at intervals1 in convenient proximity to comfortable chairs4 ,nothing could be further removed from one's idea of a schoolroom than was that long1 beautiful parlour4 ,yet when you thought of it1 and took a second1 deliberate survey1 nothing that could have contributed to the enjoyment of pupils was missing4 ,a small cabinet organ occupied an alcove1 and music-books of various grades were strown over it4 ,toward this spot ,mrs4 ,roberts smiled significantly as her eye caught ,alfred ,reid's1 and she said1-- ,i have visions of sacred ,sabbath evening half-hours connected with this corner1 one of these days2 meantime1 is this a pleasant room for our ,monday evenings8 ,but ,alfred could not answer her4 ,his head was turned away1 and there was a suspicious lump in his throat that made him know better than to attempt speech4 ,he was standing at that moment under one of the wall-texts that the gaslight illumined until it glowed1 and the words stood out with startling clearness3-- ,let us not sleep1 as do others2 but let us watch and be sober4 ,his sister's text2 one that1 perhaps more than any other1 was on her lips when she talked with him2 one that hung at her coffin's head when he1 a little boy1 stood beside the coffin and looked down at her face1 and looked up at that text1 and took a mental photograph of both to live in his heart for ever4 ,this is your special chair1 ,mrs4 ,roberts said1 smiling up at him4 ,and he understood her1--here was his opportunity to live out that text for his sister4 ,wouldn't he try6 ,well1 said ,gracie1 drawing a long breath1 as a study it is certainly a success4 ,one can easily see1 ,flossy1 why you were born with the ability to tell at a glance what colours harmonized1 and just where things fitted in4 ,i can't imagine anything prettier than this1 and ,i cannot imagine what you are going to do with it4 ,whereupon they sat down to talk that important question over--what they were going to try to do4 ,sometimes ,i have wondered whether ,esther1 from her beautiful home1 could look down on it all1 and whether she smiled over the fact that her work was doing so much more than she had planned8 ,she had roused in her little brother an ambition that had grown with his years1 and that had helped to hold him away from many temptations3 so much1 doubtless1 she had foreseen2 but what a blessed thing it was that she had touched1 in those long-ago years1 influences which had drawn her brother1 in his young and perilous manhood1 into intimate relations with such people as ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,roberts1 so that they sat down familiarly to talk over mutual interests6 ,but for ,esther's words1 spoken long ago1 but for her strong desires transmitted to him1 he might have sat with a very different circle1 and talked over widely different schemes4 ,on the edge of this circle ,gracie ,dennis hovered4 ,she could not but be interested in their talk1 for she was a ,christian1 and her father was a ,christian1 and she had all her life breathed in the atmosphere of a ,christian home4 ,at the same time1 she could but imagine some of their ideas wild ones1 for she had never been associated with people who widely overstepped the conventional ways of doing things4 ,and she had1 of late1 been much with ,professor ,ellis1 who had a sort of gentlemanly sneer for every phase of ,christian work1 and1 so far as could be discovered1 believed in nothing4 ,he had not been outspoken1 it is true1 and herein lay one of the dangers4 ,he was too skilful to be outspoken2 but the subtle poison had been working1 and although ,gracie could not help being interested in those queer boys1 she could not help thinking ,flossy's whole scheme exceedingly visionary1 and expected it to come to grief4 ,the puzzling question was1 why did ,mr4 ,roberts1 being a keen-sighted man1 permit it all8 ,or was he so much in love with ,flossy that he could not bear to thwart even her wildest flights8 ,it was strange1 too1 to see a young man like ,alfred ,reid so absorbed2 his sister must have had wonderful power over him1 ,gracie thought4 ,she went back to his sister's influence1 always1 in trying to explain the matter1 and never gave a thought to ,christ's influence4 ,meantime she listened to the various plans proposed for the first ,monday evening1 and was sufficiently interested to gather her pretty face in a frown when the distant peal from the doorbell sounded through the house4 ,what a pity to be interrupted by a caller6 she exclaimed4 ,this room is so much nicer than the parlour4 ,flossy1 don't you hope it is some one to see ,mr4 ,roberts on business8 ,no1 said ,mrs4 ,roberts1 shaking her head1 with a smile2 ,i feel in special need of ,mr4 ,roberts just now4--,evan1 ,i really think we must be excused to callers for this one evening1 there are so many things to arrange4 ,let us wait and see1 answered ,mr4 ,roberts2 perhaps the ,lord has sent the caller here to help us1 or to be helped4 ,at that moment came the card4 ,oh1 it is ,dr4 ,everett6 was ,mrs4 ,roberts's exclamation4 ,let us have him come directly here4 ,evan1 please go and escort him4 ,you were right2 the ,lord has sent him to help us4 ,i don't know how1 ,i'm sure2 but he is just the man to help everywhere4 ,and the circle instantly widened itself to receive ,dr4 ,everett4 ,it took almost no time to speak the commonplaces of the occasion1 and get back at once to the business of the hour4 ,it was evident that ,dr4 ,everett needed no lengthy explanations1 and there was apparently nothing bewildering to his mind in the plan4 ,true1 it was new to him2 but he seemed to spring at once to the centre of their thought4 ,his eyes glowed for a moment1 and he said with peculiar emphasis1-- ,reid1 when the ,son of man cometh1 he will surely find 'some' faith on the earth6 ,then he gave himself to intensest listening and questioning1 and presently followed his questions with suggestions which showed that unconventional ways of working were not altogether new to him4 ,as for ,gracie1 she had as much as she could do to listen intelligently4 ,she almost caught her breath over the rapidity with which the talkers moved from one scheme to another4 ,all the time there was a curious process of comparison between this man and ,professor ,ells going on in her mind4 ,not that she wished to compare the two4 ,she told herself that it was absurd to do so2 none the less she did it4 ,for instance1 she reminded herself that she had mentally assented promptly to the suggestion of inviting the doctor to this room to talk this strange scheme over2 she had recognized the fitness of the act4 ,but suppose ,professor ,ellis should call1 would it not be simply absurd to think of explaining to him the uses of this unique room8 ,who would for a moment think of suggesting his name as a helper8 ,i do not know how to describe to you the appearance of that room on ,monday evening when the boys were in it4 ,i do not know whether the sight to you would have been pitiful or ludicrous4 ,how can ,i tell1 not knowing you8 ,there was a dreadful incongruity between the soiled1 ragged clothes and matted hair and unwashed hands and the exquisite purity which prevailed around them4 ,of course you could have seen that2 but the all-important question1 the answer to which would have stamped your place in the world's work-shop1 would have been1 ,do you see any further than that8 ,and seeing further1 which way8 ,do you see the possibilities1 or the certainties of failure8 ,oh1 no1 ,i am wrong2 it would take more than that to tell where you belong4 ,dr4 ,everett saw the possibilities1 and gloried in them4 ,gracie ,dennis thought she saw the certainty of failure1 and was sorry for it4 ,but ,professor ,ellis would have seen the certainty of failure1 and would have met it with a sneer1 if he had not been too indifferent even for that4 ,as for ,mrs4 ,roberts1 did she or did she not represent a different and higher type than any of the others8 ,she thought not much about either success or failure1 but pushed steadily forward the plan that she believed she had gotten on her knees1 born of the ,spirit4 ,if it really were of ,god1 nothing could make it fail2 but if she mistook1 and the plan was only hers1 mere failure in that direction would signify nothing3 she would have but to try again4 ,something of this she felt but did not reason out1 for she was no logician4 ,what the boys saw was a great1 splendid room1 the like of which they had never seen before1 for they recognized1 without being able to explain1 the difference between it and the parlours1 and felt freer in it4 ,they all came1 and they looked not one whit better than on the ,monday evening before4 ,over this fact ,gracie ,dennis1 with all her public scoffing1 was1 in private1 a little disappointed4 ,it is true she had not expected to see them again2 but if they came1 she thought it possible that they might have been tempted to appear with clean hands and faces4 ,possibly some were so tempted1 and but for the difficulties in the way1 might really have tried for this4 ,but ,gracie was not sufficiently enlightened to dream of difficulties in the way of simply washing one's face and hands4 ,during the ,saturday evening conference it had been decided that ,mr4 ,roberts must make acquaintance with his guests4 ,it would never do to have them come familiarly to his house1 and he not be able to recognize them on the streets4 ,several plans were suggested for introducing him skilfully to them1 but he disapproved of them all4 ,no1 he said2 ,i'll tell you what we'll do4 ,i will introduce myself4 ,you may receive them1 ,flossy1 and then retire for a few minutes1 and ,i'll let myself in by the conservatory passage1 and make myself acquainted to the best of my abilities4 ,in ten minutes1 ,flossy1 ,i'll give you leave to return4 ,as for the rest of you1 don't dare to venture in until ,i have made good my claim as the head of the house4 ,i am jealous of you1 perhaps4 ,to this plan ,mrs4 ,roberts readily assented1 but the young clerk looked doubtful4 ,in common with the rest of the employs1 he stood in wholesome awe of the keen-eyed1 thorough business man1 who seemed to know1 as by a sort of instinct1 when anything in any department of the great store was not moving according to rule4 ,his knowledge of ,mr4 ,roberts1 outside of the store1 was limited1 and he expected to find the boys1 if not frightened1 so awed that they would resolve never to be caught inside that room again4 ,however1 he1 of course1 only looked his fears4 ,he was too much afraid of the great merchant to express them2 and it had been understood1 when they separated1 that this plan was to be carried out4 ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ,i ,,wonder ,,what ,,they',,re ,,all ,,after4 ,,in the library waited ,gracie and ,mr4 ,reid1 while ,mrs4 ,roberts went merrily to see whether the boys or their host had proved the stronger4 ,i don't believe this part of the programme will work1 ,alfred said confidently1 the moment the door closed after ,mrs4 ,roberts4 ,those fellows will all be afraid of ,mr4 ,roberts1 and we shall lose what little hold we have on them4 ,they don't look to me as though it ever occurred to them to be afraid of anything1 ,gracie said4 ,but ,alfred ,reid1 who had studied deeper into this problem of the different classes of society1 was ready with his answer3-- ,yes1 they are2 they can be awed1 and made to feel uncomfortable to the degree that they will resolve not to appear in that region again4 ,one cannot judge from their behaviour in ,sabbath school4 ,some way they recognize mission school as being in a sense their property1 and behave accordingly2 but in a man's own house1 surrounded by things of which they do not even know the name1 he has them at a disadvantage1 and can easily rouse within them the feeling that they are 'trapped1' than which there is nothing those fellows dread so much1 ,i believe4 ,but they were not afraid of ,flossy last week1 even surrounded by the elegancies of her parlours and dining-room4 ,ah6 he said1 his eyes alight4 ,she has a wisdom born of ,god1 ,i think1 for managing these and all other concerns4 ,she is unlike everybody else4 ,whereupon ,grace ,dennis laughed2 not a disagreeable laugh1 but there came to her just then a sense of the strangeness of thinking that pretty ,flossy ,shipley1 whom she had known all her life1 and half-scorned from the heights of her childhood because she was a silly little thing1 who could not do her problems in class1 should have a wisdom unlike any others4 ,yet1 almost immediately her laugh was stayed1 because the change in ,flossy was so great that she1 too1 recognized it as born of ,god4 ,sometimes it came with force to this proud young girl that if ,god could do so much for ,flossy1 what might he not be willing to do with those whom he had made intellectually her superior1 if they were but ready to be led8 ,the young man1 who was studying her1 watched the grave look deepen on her face1 and wondered at its source4 ,what a pretty face it was6 ,oh1 much more than pretty2 there was great strength in it1 and sweetness1 too1 of a certain sort1 but he could not help comparing the sort with that in some other faces1 and he wondered over the difference4 ,this young lady was a ,christian4 ,why should her ,christian experience stamp her with such a different expression from that which others wore8 ,he always finished this sort of sentence with a blank space first1 as though he did not choose to have himself tell himself any names4 ,yet he spoke a name forcibly enough1 still gazing earnestly at ,gracie4 ,did you ever meet ,miss ,joy ,saunders8 ,gracie turned toward him a laughing face4 ,no2 but we are very anxious to1 ,flossy and ,i4 ,we have both been told that we ought to know her1 and told so earnestly that we really think we ought4 ,who is she8 ,is she1 too1 unlike anybody else8 ,very1 he said promptly4 ,i know her very little2 she is the daughter of our landlady4 ,i meet her in the hall on rare occasions1 and sometimes catch glimpses of her just vanishing from some room as ,i enter2 but as for being acquainted with her1 ,i suppose ,i am not4 ,i think--though of that ,i am by no means sure--that she is engaged to ,dr4 ,everett4 ,oh then1 of course he would think naturally that people ought to know her4 ,what is she like8 ,like nothing1 said ,alfred1 with great promptness4 ,did you ever know a person named ,joy8 ,no2--what a singular name6 ,well it fits4 ,she is very far removed from mirth1 and she is not what people call gay1 and she is not outspoken apparently at any time1 though1 as ,i say1 ,i do not know her2 but there is something in her face that fits the name4 ,i do not know what it is4 ,sometimes ,i think it is the shining of ,christ's face reflected in her2 but the puzzle is1 why do not other faces have it--faces which belong to him8 ,perhaps there is a difference in the degree of belonging4 ,gracie spoke the words very gently1 wondering meanwhile at the way in which this thought chimed in with hers about ,flossy4 ,oh1 there is4 ,but why should there be8 ,if ,i belong to ,christ1 ,i belong1 don't ,i8 ,there is no half-way service possible4 ,why do ,i not so look that others take knowledge of me that ,i have been with ,jesus8 ,how do you know but they do8 ,ah1 ,i know--,i know too well4 ,they are more likely a great deal to take knowledge that ,i have been with ,satan4 ,i feel the frown all over my face a great deal of the time2 and the world goes astray a great many times1 when ,i suppose it is just myself that is wrong4 ,but1 ,miss ,dennis1 ,i hunger for the shining of his face in me4 ,that must be the meaning of the beatitude which puzzled my childhood1 she answered1 trying to speak lightly1 to hide feelings that were deeply moved3 ',blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness1 for they shall be filled4' ,thank you1 he said smiling2 there is actually a promise ,i had not thought of it4 ,and yet-- the thoughtful frown gathering almost immediately--do you suppose that a person who really hungered for a certain thing could be satisfied with anything else8 ,i often have an hour of what at the moment seems to me like hunger for ,him2 but the hour passes1 and ,i get filled with business1 or with plans1 or possibly with annoyances1 and feel nothing but a general irritation for everybody4 ,do you think there can be anything genuine about such desires1 so easily turned aside8 ,oh1 ,i do not know1 said ,gracie hastily4 ,why do you ask me such things8 ,did not ,i tell you ,i was not good8 ,ask those people who are unlike all others4 ,why don't you ask this ,joy8 ,she could tell you1 ,i presume4 ,i can tell you nothing1 save that this is a very strange world1 not half so nice as ,i once thought it1 and ,i don't like to think about things4 ,how different he was from other young men with whom she had spent fifteen minutes many a time in gay banter6 ,this was1 after all1 the thought uppermost in her mind at that moment4 ,nice ,christian men1 of whom her father spoke well1 and who1 people said1 were young men to be proud of1 it seemed to her that she knew them by the dozen1 yet with which one of them had she ever carried on such a conversation as this8 ,with which one could she have attempted anything of the kind1 without leading him to suppose that she was taking leave of her senses8 ,she recalled some of the gay words that she had spoken with these others1 and tried hurriedly to decide why it would sound to her perfectly absurd to talk with ,alfred ,reid in that way4 ,however1 she did not want to talk with him2 he was too full of questionings4 ,and questions1 said poor ,gracie1 are all that ,i can ask myself4 ,i want somebody to talk with who is assured of the ground on which he stands1 and can tell me why he stands there4 ,there was not time for further talk2 they were summoned to the new room4 ,bursts of laughter greeted their ears as they made their way eagerly across the hall1 and ,gracie took time to remark that the boys were certainly not awed into silence1 before the opening door let them into the brightly-lighted scene4 ,every boy was laughing1 not quietly1 but immoderately1 and the centre of attraction was evidently ,mr4 ,roberts4 ,i have been giving our friends an account of an old army experience1 he said1 in explanation to ,gracie1 and we have been enjoying a laugh together over the old memory4--,you are all acquainted with ,miss ,dennis1 ,i think1 young gentlemen8 ,clearly there was no need for any one to introduce ,mr4 ,roberts to the boys2 apparently they knew him now better than they did any of the others4 ,yet as ,gracie1 after shaking hands with each of the guests1 took a vacant seat by ,nimble ,dick1 she was greeted with a confidential whisper3-- ,that's a jolly chap as ever ,i saw2 and ,i never heard anything to beat the yarn he told us for cuteness4 ,who is he8 ,why1 he is ,mr4 ,evan ,roberts1 the owner of this house4 ,my eyes6 said ,dick1 gazing about him in a startled way4 ,look here2 he ain't that ,roberts from the big store in ,fourth ,street8 ,yes1 he is2 he is one of the partners in that store4 ,then did ,nimble ,dick give a low whistle--suddenly cut short as the other boys looked at him--and sat up straight in his chair1 and for at least a minute was awed1 or else was bewildered4 ,if his mind could have been looked into for a moment1 something like this might have been seen there3 ,and here ,i am sittin' in one of his chairs1 and been laughin' to kill over his funny story6 ,if this ain't the greatest lark out6 ,i wonder what they're all after1 anyhow6 ,then the real business of the evening commenced4 ,i should like to describe that evening1 but it is really worse to describe than the boys4 ,it was designed to be one of those most difficult evenings1 where every act and almost every word has been previously arranged1 but arranged in such a manner as to appear like an impromptu effort1 the result of merely the happenings of the hour4 ,for instance1 ,mrs4 ,roberts aimed at nothing less formidable than the teaching of these boys to read and write1 and knew as well as you or ,i know it1 that to frankly own that she was ready and willing to give her time and patience to so teaching them would be to outwit herself4 ,they did not belong to the class who can be beguiled into evening schools4 ,there are such4 ,mark ,calkins would have seized such an opportunity and rejoiced over it1 but these were lower in the scale2 they did not realize their need1 and they had what they in ignorance called independence2 they were not to be trapped by evening schools4 ,therefore it required diplomacy2 and no people can be more diplomatic1 on occasion1 than certain most innocent-looking little women4 ,mrs4 ,roberts had studied her way step by step4 ,therefore it was that by the most natural passage possible she led the way to a discussion of different styles of writing1 bringing forth to aid her a certain old autograph album which had been to many places of note1 among others ,chautauqua1 and had the names of distinguished persons1 as well as of many who were not distinguished1 except for ,christian endurance in consenting to write in an autograph album4 ,good writers were talked about and selected1 and poor writers were talked about2 and it was said by some one1 accidentally of course1 that a good hand was really an accomplishment4 ,it is more than that1 declared ,mr4 ,roberts4 ,a man's business life often turns on it4 ,i have myself had to turn away from several otherwise suitable helpers in our business because they really could not write a good1 clear hand1 that could be read without studying4--,are you a good writer1 ,miss ,gracie8 ,this remark1 coming suddenly to ,gracie from her host1 almost embarrassed her2 for you are not to suppose that the very words by which these themes should be introduced had been planned1 and it had not occurred to ,gracie that so personal a question might be asked her4 ,but she rallied quickly3-- ,no1 sir2 ,i am sorry to say that ,i am not4 ,i write what papa calls a mincing hand--all jumbled up together1 you know1 or running into each other1 the letters are1 and so difficult to read that papa said when ,i came away1 he hoped ,i would call on his friend1 ,doctor ,stuart1 every day1 and write a letter on his type-writer4 ,what is that8 interrupted ,nimble ,dick1 his face curious4 ,what8 ,a type-writer8 ,oh1 it is a strange little machine used instead of the pen--at least1 a very few people use it4 ,it is quite new1 ,i think1 and must be very curious4 ,i never saw one1 but the writing looks just like print4 ,dr4 ,stuart1 a pastor in the city1 is my papa's friend1 and writes to him on his1 and papa reads the letter with great satisfaction1 saying to me1-- ',there1 daughter1 that is something like6 ,people who cannot write well enough for others to read should print4' ,they are not so very uncommon1 ,miss ,dennis1 explained ,dr4 ,everett1 who saw the eagerness on ,nimble ,dick's face4 ,it is a comparatively new invention1 but is being caught up very promptly4 ,i think nearly all the leading lawyers use them1 and those who do not own them are getting their copying done at the rooms4 ,they are very ingenious little instruments4 ,did you say you never saw one8 ,this question from ,mr4 ,roberts to ,gracie1 and he added3-- ,mrs4 ,roberts1 ,i believe you have never had other than that first glimpse ,i showed you in the ,parker ,building4 ,i have an idea4 ,suppose ,i hire one of the little fellows to interest us8 ,it would be pleasant to look into it and see how it works4 ,did none of you ever see one8 ,well1 now1 we'll try for that on next ,monday evening4 ,i'll have one sent up to-morrow2 and1 ,miss ,gracie1 we'll appoint you showman for the following ,monday1 so it is to be hoped that you will employ your leisure in learning how to manage the creature1 and perhaps send your father a readable letter at the same time4 ,now1 as may readily be supposed1 all this about machinery had not been arranged for beforehand1 but was a side issue1 born of the fact that the watchful servant of his ,master saw an eager look in the eyes of the boy ,dick directly there was anything said that suggested machinery4 ,one of the great aims of these evenings was to study character1 however developed4 ,having turned his company from the regular channel1 ,mr4 ,roberts made haste to put them skilfully back where they were before3-- ,still it would be a pity to resort to machinery simply because one did not know how to write well4 ,i would rather set to work to correct the error4 ,i happen to know one of our number who can write a very enviable hand4--,do you know1 ,reid1 that the letter you wrote me was the first thing which attracted me to you8 ,i remember ,i showed the note to one of our senior partners1 who was particularly disturbed by poor writing1 and he said1-- ',engage him1 ,roberts1 do6 ,young man who can write like that will be a relief4' ,mrs4 ,roberts1 ,i move that we resolve ourselves at this moment into a writing-class1 to be taught by ,mr4 ,reid4--,my dear sir1 will you take us in hand8 ,something of this kind had been planned--at least1 it had been planned that ,reid should be asked to do this thing2 but he found the actual asking embarrassing1 and struggled with it with flushing cheeks4 ,gracie came to his aid3-- ,i don't know whether ,i'll take lessons or not4 ,who wants to expose one's ignorance8 ,how will you teach8 ,must we each give a specimen of our present attainments8 ,instantly ,reid divined the reason for the question4 ,no1 he said eagerly2 oh1 no2 ,i should begin with those horrors of your childhood1 pothooks or something of that sort--lines and curves1 you know4 ,there are not many of them after all in our letters1 and when once a person has conquered them1 it is easy to put them together4 ,there was more talk1 easy and social4 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,roberts1 the doctor1 and ,gracie seemed equally interested in the project1 and questioned young ,reid1 until he assured them that he began to feel like a veritable professor4 ,apparently the boys were forgotten4 ,this very fact put them at their ease1 and they listened interested and amused over the thought that these ladies and gentlemen wanted to go to school4 ,at first ,i do not think it occurred to one of them that he was included in the proposal to form a writing-class4 ,how was it done8 ,i am not sure that any one of the eager group of workers could have told you afterward1 so excited did they become over this first scheme4 ,nobody could remember just what words were said1 nor who said them1 nor whether the boys all looked equally startled when paper and pen were put into each hand4 ,they remembered that some shook their heads emphatically1 and that ,nimble ,dick spoke plainly3 ,no you don't6 ,i can't write any more than a duck can1 and ,i never expect to4 ,mrs4 ,roberts knew that ,dirk ,colson's dark face turned a fierce red1 and he indignantly snapped the offered pen half-way across the table with his thumb and finger4 ,but of these words and acts nobody apparently took any notice4 ,the writing began1 and the first marks given as copies were so simple1 looked so easy to do1 and the attempts of the ladies and gentlemen fell so far short of what the teacher desired1 and were so unmercifully criticised by him1 and the criticisms were so merrily received by the writers1 that at last the whole thing took the form of a joke to ,nimble ,dick's mind1 and he became possessed with a burning desire to try4 ,one by one the boys stealthily followed his example1 ,alfred taking care to watch eagerly1 to commend both ,stephen ,crowley and ,gracie ,dennis in the same breath for some true stroke1 and criticise both ,mrs4 ,roberts and ,nimble ,dick for not holding the pen aright4 ,the entire party became so interested that only ,mrs4 ,roberts knew just when ,dirk ,colson stealthily brought back his pen from the distance to which it had been rolled1 and1 sitting upright that he might attract the less notice1 tried his hand on the curve which was giving even ,dr4 ,everett trouble4 ,when the young teacher discovered it1 he made also another discovery1 which he proclaimed3-- ,upon my word--,i beg the pardon of each of you--but ,colson here has made the only respectable ,r-curve there is in the company4 ,then if his sister ,mart had seen the glow on ,dirk's face1 ,i am not sure that she would have known him4 ,there was a momentary transformation4 ,as for ,mrs4 ,roberts1 she bowed low over the letter she was carefully forming1 but it was to say in soft whisper heard by one ear alone1-- ,thank ,god6 ,,chapter ,,xviii4 ,,your',n',s ,,the ,,way6 ,,you are not to suppose1 because this first ,monday evening 7which1 by the way1 was concluded with sandwiches and coffee7 was a success1 pronounced so by all concerned1 that therefore the ones which followed were all rose-colour4 ,fortunately1 not one of the workers expected this1 and so were brave and cheerful under drawbacks4 ,these were numerous and varied4 ,after the first novelty wore off1 it took at times only the most trivial excuses to keep the boys away4 ,sometimes when they came1 their conduct was anything but encouraging4 ,they lolled in the easy-chairs1 smelling strongly of tobacco and other bar-room odours1 refused insolently to apply themselves to any work at hand1 audibly pronounced the whole thing slow1 and in numberless ways severely tried the patience of both ,alfred and ,gracie4 ,for the others1 they had counted the cost--at least the gentlemen had--and expected to move slowly1 even to appear to go backward some of the time4 ,as for ,mrs4 ,roberts1 ,i have told you that she worked in a peculiar manner1 with the motto1 ,this one thing ,i do1 apparently ever before her4 ,each evening was distinct in itself1 with efforts to make and obstacles to overcome2 and at its close she had a way of laying it aside1 as something with which her part was done1 not attempting even to calculate results4 ,then she was ready to turn to a new day1 and work steadily for that4 ,the winter was slipping away1 and ,gracie ,dennis lingered4 ,she could hardly have told you why1 yet there were many apparent reasons4 ,mrs4 ,roberts wanted her1 rejoiced in her1 and coaxed irresistibly as often as the thought of going home was mentioned4 ,then ,gracie1 laugh over the peculiar work going on as she might1 was undeniably interested in those boys4 ,she was working for them1 therefore of course she was interested4 ,i don't see how you can go this week1 would young ,reid say to her1 with a perplexed air2 you know we have that matter all planned for next ,monday evening4 ,how can we carry out the scheme if you are not there to do your part8 ,then would ,gracie laugh1 and demur1 and admit1 to herself only1 that it was very pleasant to be needed--as she certainly was--for one night more2 and so the nights passed4 ,her work was to be ,professor of ,elocution1 as ,mr4 ,roberts gaily called her when the workers were alone together4 ,it had been discovered that she could read both prose and poetry with effect4 ,so a reading-class was organized1 and they chose for the first evening1 not one of ,bryant's or ,whittier's gems1 nor selections from ,milton or ,shakespeare1 which would have suited part of the company1 nor yet the ,easy ,readings in some standard spelling-book1 which would have fitted the capacity of the others1 but1 with care and much discussion1 one of ,will ,carleton's descriptive poems1 full of homely yet tender language1 full of pathos and of humour1 was unanimously selected4 ,the first evening reading had been commenced with nuts and apples4 ,there are those who can see no connection between this and the intellectual2 happily for the characters with whom she had to deal1 ,mrs4 ,roberts was not one of them4 ,while the others were still enjoying the refreshments1 she took the book and read4 ,this was her quiet little sacrifice4 ,it was not pleasant to her to become a public reader4 ,it required courage to get through with one verse1 with ,dr4 ,everett sitting opposite1 and ,gracie ,dennis on a low seat at her side1 and her husband listening intently4 ,mrs4 ,roberts was not a good reader1 and was aware of it4 ,she pronounced the words correctly1 it is true2 but when you had said that1 you had said all that there was to offer in praise of her effort4 ,she had some exasperating faults4 ,but she bravely read the two verses1 and some of the boys listened1 and one of them laughed2 he had caught a gleam of the fun in the poem4 ,this1 of course1 was ,nimble ,dick4 ,then ,alfred ,reid made the same effort on the same verses2 his performance was very little better1 and he1 too1 knew it4 ,he could write1 but he was by no means a public reader2 this was his offering to the general good4 ,if those fellows1 by reason of his mistakes1 could be induced to climb1 he was willing to offer his pride on the altar4 ,no matter by what petty trials they were caught1 so that they were really caught4 ,then followed ,gracie ,dennis2 and her own father1 acceptable preacher though he was1 might with credit to himself have taken lessons of her4 ,she was certainly1 for one so young and so unprofessional1 a magnificent reader4 ,so indeed was ,marion ,wilbur1 and she had enjoyed teaching ,gracie4 ,the poem blossomed in her hand4 ,the crunching of nuts and apples entirely ceased4 ,the boys sat erect1 and listened and laughed1 and flushed and swallowed suspiciously1 over some of the homely pathos4 ,they had never heard anything like that before1 and they evidently appreciated it4 ,she read through to the end4 ,then were unloosed the tongues4 ,they exclaimed in delight1-- ,what an accomplishment it is6 said ,mr4 ,roberts4 ,and how few possess it6 ,doctor1 how many really fine readers have you heard in your life8 ,about three1 said the doctor laconically4 ,well1 said ,mrs4 ,roberts1 let us all be exceptions4--,gracie1 teach us how4 ,i will try again4 ,and she did1 on the first verse of the poem1 with better success than before2 but how sharp the contrast between her reading and ,gracie's1 she knew6 ,it was not easy for her to read4 ,i don't know--possibly ,i am mistaken--but it seems to me that ,i have known people ready for large sacrifices1 who yet would shrink painfully from these little ones4 ,in discussing the programme for the evening1 the question had been1 when each had done his part1 ,how were they to influence the boys to join8 ,could they join8 ,was it probable that they knew enough about reading to attempt to speak the words of the poem8 ,with reference to this obstacle1 a poem had been chosen full of simple1 homely words1 such as are in common use2 especially was the first verse free from what ,mr4 ,roberts called shoals4 ,having heard the verse read several times1 it was hoped that some one of the seven might have courage to attempt it2 but ,gracie did not believe that such would be the case4 ,i don't see how we can ask them1 and do it naturally1 said ,dr4 ,everett4 ,it is such an unheard-of thing1 you know2 and ,i am afraid1 do our best1 it will present itself to them as a patronage1 and that will be fatal4 ,the people who are low enough to need patronage are the very ones who won't endure it4 ,whereupon various ways of managing the matter were discussed and discarded4 ,suddenly ,mrs4 ,roberts turned to her young lieutenant1 who had been silent for some time1 and said1-- ,what are you thinking of1 ,mr4 ,reid ,do you see a way out8 ,no1 he said2 ,i have neither knowledge nor skill in such matters2 but my thoughts just then were faraway4 ,i was thinking how curiously certain apparently trivial instances of one's childhood will stand out with almost startling prominence4 ,what sent you off in that direction8 questioned ,dr4 ,everett4 ,there must have been an association of ideas4 ,oh1 there was4 ,i was thinking how vividly ,i remembered a discussion between my mother and my sister younger than ,esther1 in regard to some matter which perplexed them2 and when they could come to no satisfactory conclusion1 they appealed to my sister ,esther1 who was resting as usual on her lounge4 ,i seem to hear her voice as she said1-- ',we haven't to do anything about it until to-morrow2 perhaps to-morrow will have a light of its own for our direction4' ,thank you1 ,mrs4 ,roberts said1 her eyes lighting with an appreciative smile2 we have not to do anything about this until ,monday night1 and perhaps ,monday night will see us wise4 ,i don't know how many thought of this little conversation when ,monday evening came2 but certainly ,alfred ,reid and ,mrs4 ,roberts did1 for she glanced at him and smiled significantly when ,dr4 ,everett1 having apparently forgotten that anything beyond their own pleasure was in contemplation1 challenged ,gracie to a discussion as to the emphasis on a certain word in the second line2 he had never heard it so read1 and he called for an analysis that would sustain the reading1 and received it1 and was not yet prepared to yield the point1 but read the verse as he had imagined it should be read4 ,and then ,gracie1 at ,mr4 ,roberts's call1 repeated it with her rendering2 and ,i am not sure but all parties concerned actually forgot their final object in the interest of the discussion until they were suddenly called to it by an interrupting voice1-- ,your'n's the way1 it said1 with an emphatic nod of a shock of matted hair--your'n's the way4 ,it was ,dirk ,colson4 ,he had forgotten for the moment that anybody was listening to him1 save the two readers4 ,he was looking directly at ,gracie1 and the nods were evidently intended for her4 ,of course it is6 she said eagerly1 her face flushing with a triumph that had nothing to do with the right emphasis4 ,you read it1 won't you1 and show these people that we are right8 ,afterward1 ,mrs4 ,roberts confessed that she involuntarily placed her hand on her heart with a dim idea of hushing its beating1 lest others would hear1 so important to her did the moment seem4 ,dr4 ,everett looked dismayed4 ,the least hopeful one of the seven seemed ,dirk4 ,none of them knew of his dangerous talent for imitation4 ,none of them believed that he would make any attempt at reading1 but thought he would shrink into deeper sullenness4 ,all of them were mistaken4 ,he reached for the book1 glanced for a moment over the lines1 and then read the verse with so complete an imitation of ,gracie ,dennis1 and yet with a voice and manner that so fitted the homely words and the homely scene described1 that the effect was actually better than when ,gracie read4 ,instinctively the cultured portion of his audience greeted the effort with a clapping of hands4 ,the blood1 meantime1 rolled in dark waves over ,dirk's face4 ,he had been cheered before4 ,none of his present applauders could imagine what a set had often clapped their hands over his successful imitations2 but ,dirk1 who liked applause as well as other human beings do1 had never1 in his wildest stretches of imagination1 placed himself before such people as listened now1 and received their approval4 ,great was the excitement and satisfaction4 ,the six companions1 far from feeling any emotion of jealousy1 seemed greatly elated1 believing that one of their number had made a hit and increased their importance4 ,no one else could be found to attempt the verse4 ,nimble ,dick shook his head good-naturedly1 and declared that he would rather undertake to run an engine to ,californy than try it2 and the others were of like mind4 ,then came ,gracie to the front again4 ,i'll tell you what you must all do4 ,i have been experimenting with that type-writer1 ,mr4 ,roberts1 all the week4 ,you know it will manifold1 with the use of carbon paper2 and it chances that when ,i was seized with a desire to try its powers in that direction1 ,i chose this very verse to copy4 ,so ,i have fifteen good copies in print4 ,you must each take a copy and make this verse a study until next ,monday2 then ,i shall challenge you all to sustain me in my reading4 ,this proposition was hailed with such satisfaction by the older members that it immediately became popular1 and each boy received his copy mechanically and gazed at it curiously1 but ,dirk ,colson's thoughts were turned in a new channel4 ,look here6 he said1 detaining ,gracie by an imperious inclination of his head1 as she handed him the copy4 ,how did you make these8 ,didn't you print them fifteen times8 ,i didn't understand what you said4 ,why no1 said ,gracie2 the machine will manifold4 ,i'll show you2 come over to the end window3 it stands there waiting to be displayed1 and it is a little wonder4 ,then they crowded around the type-writer1 and ,gracie1 really proud of the skill she had acquired in a week's time1 showed off the little wonder to great advantage4 ,the fact that the type-writer was new to most of the others1 that they were decidedly ignorant as to its working1 increased the comfort of the hour1 by doing away with the embarrassing feeling that any one of them was playing a part4 ,dr4 ,everett was no more familiar with the type-writer than was ,dirk ,colson1 and was just as eager to know about it4 ,also1 everybody apparently felt an equally strong desire to write his name on the marvellous little creature2 and each in turn sat down before it and moved his awkward hands with nearly equal slowness over the keys1 picking out the magic letters4 ,it was this episode that made the workers during their next conference branch out in new lines4 ,we need something1 said ,dr4 ,everett1 walking up and down the floor in puzzled thought--we need something that shall be a genuine common interest1 of which we are all1 or all but one1 equally ignorant--something that we can take hold of with zest1 on as low a platform as the most ignorant of those seven4 ,i was convinced of that when ,i saw the abandon with which we all went into the type-writer business with a naturalness and equality that1 in the matter of reading and writing1 it is impossible for us to feel4 ,if the machine were complicated1 so that it would take us each three months or so to master it1 that would do4 ,what can we take up that will place us on a level8 ,,chapter ,,xix4 ,,we ,,have ,,begun ,,backwards4 ,,well1 said ,mr4 ,reid1 we should want to have one of our number not 'on a level4' ,how would it do to appoint you1 ,dr4 ,everett1 to give us a few lectures in hygiene8 ,popular lectures about air and exercise and ventilation and bathing1 and all sorts of every-day topics about which people are ignorant4 ,that's a capital idea1 ,reid4 ,those fellows could certainly be benefited by a little attention to such questions2 and ,i'm sure the rest of us would like to hear of the principles which govern these important laws4 ,such lectures put into popular form are decidedly interesting1 ,i think4 ,let us vote for them4 ,this was ,mr4 ,roberts's hearty seconding4 ,but the doctor laughed4 ,there is a ludicrous side to it which you do not see1 he said4 ,imagine me holding forth on the importance of ventilation1 for instance1 to a poor fellow who comes from a region where father and mother1 and a horde of children of both sexes and all ages1 crowd together in one room1 and that a cellar1 where the sun never penetrates1 and the air that crawls in through the one small window is reeking ,with even more impurities than can be found inside2 or talking about bathing to the poor wretches who have no clothes to change1 and barely water enough1 by carrying it long distances1 to satisfy their most pressing needs6 ,still1 ,reid1 ,i'm not quarrelling with your idea4 ,there is a sensible side to it2 there are things that ,i could tell even those boys which might interest them1 and would certainly be to their advantage to know4 ,the subject is one which can be popularized to suit even such an audience4 ,i'll try for it occasionally if it shall seem best1 but it doesn't meet my demand4 ,i want us all on a platform where we shall start in equal ignorance and get on together4 ,of course you are all more or less familiar with all the facts that ,i should have to present1 and the boys would know it4 ,they are sharp fellows2 it wouldn't take them an hour to discover that we were fishing for them2 and if there is any one thing on which they are at present determined1 it is probably that they will not be benefited4 ,what is there that one of us knows of which the others are ignorant8 ,french won't do1 for ,miss ,dennis is acquainted with that language1 ,i think1 and so are you1 ,reid1 are you not8 ,well1 ,i can stammer through a few sentences4 ,i don't speak it like a native1 as you do4 ,at this revelation a vivid blush glowed on ,gracie ,dennis's cheek4 ,she remembered ,professor ,ellis's comments in ,french4 ,then the doctor had understood1 though his face was so imperturbable6 ,what could he have thought of the courtesy of her guest8 ,meantime ,mr4 ,reid wore a perplexed face4 ,you are right1 he said to the doctor2 we are not enough on a level2 ,i felt our advantage last night when ,miss ,dennis was explaining the type-writer4 ,but ,i don't see the way clear4 ,what subject is there on which all but one of us could meet on common ground1 and that one could turn professor8 ,here interposed ,mr4 ,roberts1 speaking in a meek tone of voice3-- ,if ,i were not a modest man1 ,i should venture a suggestion2 as it is1 ,i really don't know what to do4 ,the doctor turned to him quickly3-- ,out with it1 man2 if you are master of a profession1 or a trade1 or a theory1 unknown to the rest of us1 you are bound on your honour as a member of this unique organization to present it4 ,at the same moment ,mrs4 ,roberts came to his aid4 ,o ,evan1 teach us shorthand6 ,whereupon ,mr4 ,roberts heaved what was intended to appear as a sigh of relief1 and announced that his modesty was preserved4 ,upon this suggestion they seized with eagerness2 not one of them knew anything about phonetic writing1 save ,mr4 ,roberts1 and he was master of the art4 ,it is the very thing6 the doctor said with heartiness4 ,i should like exceedingly to learn it1 and ,reid and the ladies may be able to make it useful in a hundred ways2 and as for the seven1 if they really master it1 it may be the foundation of a fortune for some of them4 ,so1 without more ado1 it was planned that on the very next ,monday evening the subject should be skilfully presented1 its importance and its fascinations discussed1 and the boys be beguiled into taking a first lesson1 sandwiched in between the all-important reading and writing lessons4 ,alas for plans6 ,on the very next ,monday the conspirators1 with the exception of young ,reid1 were together by seven o'clock4 ,the faint aroma of coffee floated through the room4 ,a fruit-basket filled with oranges occupied a conspicuous table1 and everything waited for the guests4 ,while they waited1 instead of enjoying themselves as the four were certainly capable of doing1 they were noticeably restless--listened for the shuffling of careless feet on the steps1 and the sound of uncultured voices in the hall1 and waited expectantly whenever the bell pealed1 only to be obliged to send word to some caller that ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,roberts were engaged4 ,the special occupation of the four seemed to be to look at their watches and to remark that the doctor's was a trifle fast1 and to wonder if half-past seven would be a more suitable hour for the boys1 and to wonder what could be detaining ,reid4 ,at last it was half-past seven1 and then it was fifteen minutes of eight1 and then it was ten minutes of eight6 ,and then the doorbell rang again4 ,it was ,reid1 and he was alone6 ,one glance at his distressed face told the lookers-on that something was amiss1 even before he exclaimed3-- ,you won't see a boy to-night6 ,why8 ,what is the trouble8 ,where are they8 ,these were the various ways of putting the same question4 ,one of the ,m',cullum partners has become interested in the boys1 it seems1 and has concluded that he will try what he can do towards their elevation2 so he has commenced by presenting each one of them with a ticket to the ,green ,street ,theatre1 and there they are at this moment6 ,this startling intelligence was variously received4 ,dr4 ,everett exclaimed1--,is it possible8 ,gracie ,dennis remarked that it was something like what she had expected2 ,mrs4 ,roberts said not a word2 and ,mr4 ,roberts added to the astonishment of the moment by bursting into a laugh4 ,poor ,reid seemed to feel the laugh more than anything2 his face gathered into heavier clouds than before1 he bit his lip to hold back the vexed words that were just ready to burst forth1 and strode almost angrily to the farther corner of the room4 ,an embarrassed silence seemed to fall upon the others4 ,at least ,gracie felt embarrassed2 the doctor looked simply expectant4 ,at last ,mr4 ,roberts drew himself up from his lounging attitude and broke into the stillness4 ,ah1 now1 good people1 don't let us make serious mistakes6 ,come back here1 my dear young brother1 and let us look this thing in the face1 and talk it over calmly4 ,are we children playing at benevolence that at the first discouragement we should cry out1-- ',all is lost6' ,and retire vanquished8 ,come1 ,i laughed because really this does not seem such a serious matter to me as it seems to present to the rest of you4 ,what did we expect8 ,here are seven boys1 right from the gutters2 somehow we have had them laid on our hearts1 and have enlisted to help to fight the battle that is going on about them in this world4 ,christ died to save them1 and ,satan means that the sacrifice shall be in vain4 ,he is bringing all his powers to bear on them1 and he has many and varied powers4 ,here comes into the scene a man benevolently inclined--not a ,christian1 but in his way a philanthropist4 ,by accident1 he has come in contact with one of the boys2 by accident1 he learns that something--he does not know quite what--is being attempted to benefit them4 ,can't you give him the credit of being honest8 ,the only thing he thinks of that he can do to help is to give them an evening's entertainment4 ,at one of the decent theatres there is being presented what seems to be known in their parlance as a 'moral play6' ,so he presents each boy with a ticket4 ,now1 what did we expect of those boys8 ,last week a lady and two gentlemen who have been members of our church for years left the regular prayer-meeting and went to the ,philharmonic concert4 ,ought we to expect that it would even occur to our seven boys to give up what to them is a rare treat for the pleasure of spending an evening with us8 ,as for the moral obligation1 they have probably never so much as heard the words4 ,isn't it time we knew what we were about8 ,what are we after8 ,it is well enough to teach the poor fellows to read and write1 and to help to lift them up in other ways1 but our efforts will amount to very little unless we succeed in bringing them to the great ,lever of human society2 unless ,christ takes hold of this thing we shall fail4 ,now1 has he taken hold8 ,is he1 at least1 as much interested in them as we are8 ,is his ,holy ,spirit preceding and supplementing all our efforts8 ,and if this is the case1 is an evening at a theatre going to ruin his plans8 ,long before these earnest sentences were concluded1 ,reid had returned from his distant corner and taken a seat near his employer4 ,his eyes were full of tears1 and his voice trembled3-- ,i beg your pardon1 ,mr4 ,roberts2 ,i'm an ignorant blunderer2 ,i did feel for the moment as though everything were lost4 ,we have begun backwards1 said ,mr4 ,roberts4 ,i was reading to-day what a mistake the missionaries made for years in trying to 'civilize' the ,greenlanders4 ,and what a perfect failure they made of it until one day1 almost by accident1 a man began to tell them about ,christ on the cross1 and the story melted them4 ,i don't think we have thought enough about him in this matter4 ,i stand convicted1 ,dr4 ,everett said2 ,i've made the same mistake1 ,i believe1 in all my efforts for people4 ,i have been praying for them1 it is true2 but after all1 ,i feel now as though there had been too much relying on human means1 and not enough on ,god4 ,it is a case of 'these ought ye to have done1 and not to have left the other undone4' ,well1 said ,mr4 ,roberts1 looking at his watch1 we are in the same condemnation2 it is1 ,i believe1 the most common and one of the most fatal mistakes that ,christian workers make4 ,but there is a way out4 ,we expected to spend until ten o'clock with those boys4 ,it is nearly nine now3 suppose we spend the next hour with ,christ1 asking for the power of the ,holy ,spirit on any and every effort that we may make for them in the future8 ,our ultimate aim is to bring every one of them to ,jesus1 and he knows it2 now if we have gone about in the wrong way1 we have only to ask his forgiveness and look to him steadily for guidance4 ,what do you say1 friends8 ,shall we spend the hour in taking them to the only ,one who really can afford them lasting help8 ,i suppose that he who maketh the wrath of man to praise him is equally able to manage the folly of man4 ,could the injudicious philanthropist have looked into that room that evening1 and heard the prayers that went up to ,god for those boys1 and understood something of the power of prayer1 he would have had one illustration of how ,god manages the foolishness of men4 ,it was a very earnest prayer-meeting4 ,these workers had each one bowed in secret1 and with more or less earnestness asked for ,god's blessing on their efforts2 but it occurred to them that evening1 as a very strange thing1 that they had never unitedly prayed for this before4 ,therefore1 there was an element of confession in all the prayers that moved ,gracie ,dennis strangely4 ,especially was this the case when she heard her old acquaintance1 ,flossy1 pour out her soul's longings4 ,it happened1 so strange are the customs of ,christians1 that though this was the daughter of a minister of the gospel1 herself a ,christian1 she had never before heard a lady pray in the presence of gentlemen4 ,she had heard of their doing so1 heard them criticised with sharp sarcasm4 ,some of the criticisms which had sounded full of keenness and wit when she heard them1 recurred to her at this time1 and some way1 with ,flossy's low1 earnest voice filling her heart1 they dwindled into shallowness and coarseness4 ,all the same1 their baneful influence was on her1 and helped to hold her back from opening her lips1 for the critic had been ,professor ,ellis4 ,when the hostess and her young guest were left alone together that evening1 the latter had a question to ask3-- ,flossy ,shipley6--the name1 you will remember1 which she always went back to when excited4 ,i didn't know you believed in praying in public6 ,have you changed in everything8 ,in public1 my dear6 with a quiet smile4 ,why1 ,i am in my own house4 ,oh yes1 but you know what ,i mean--before gentlemen4 ,do you really think it is necessary8 ,as to that1 ,gracie1 ,i don't believe ,i thought anything about it4 ,i wanted to pray for those boys1 and so ,i prayed4 ,and didn't you really shrink from it at all8 ,how very queer6 ,flossy1 ,i do believe nobody was ever so much changed by religion as you have been4 ,i don't see what makes the difference4 ,i'm sure ,i think ,i'm a ,christian1 but ,i could never do such a thing as that4 ,not if you believed it to be your duty8 ,but ,i don't believe it1 said the fair logician1 her face flushing2 ,i think it is out of place4 ,i beg your pardon1 ,flossy1 ,i don't mean ,i think it sounded badly in you2 but only that for me it would be horrid1 and ,i couldn't do it4 ,then what are you talking about1 my dear8 ,if you should never consider it your duty1 you would certainly never be called upon to do it4 ,,chapter ,,xx4 ,,oh1 ,,what ,a ,,nice ,,thought6 ,,this very calm view of the question gave ,gracie time to recover from her excitement1 and to laugh at her folly4 ,then ,mrs4 ,roberts said1 still speaking very gently1-- ,i don't want to argue with you1 dear1 and ,i couldn't if ,i wished--you know ,i am a dunce about all such things2 but ,i just want to ask you a little question4 ,you need not answer me unless you choose--not now1 that is2 perhaps some time we may want to talk about it4 ,i would like to know the reasons that people have for thinking that it is out of place for a lady to kneel down with her ,christian friends and speak to ,jesus about a thing that they unitedly desire1 and that they believe he is able to do for them8 ,if it is not proper to speak before them1 why is it proper to speak to them on the same subject8 ,this question ,gracie carried to her room for thought4 ,meantime1 as ,dr4 ,everett and young ,reid went homeward1 they had a talk together4 ,when ,i found out that those boys had gone to the theatre to-night ,i was completely discouraged1 declared ,reid4 ,it seemed to me that our work was a failure2 ,i could almost see ,satan laughing over the success of his scheme4 ,i never felt so about anything in my life4 ,and now it seems to me that perhaps the ,lord will let it result in being the best thing that ever happened to us4 ,to all of which ,dr4 ,everett made the apparently irrelevant answer1-- ,mr4 ,roberts and his wife are singularly well mated2 how perfectly they fit into each other's thoughts4 ,reid1 you and ,i have a great deal to learn from them4 ,i have1 said ,reid meekly4 ,yet another bit of talk closed this evening4 ,m',cullum has given me an idea1 ,mr4 ,roberts said to his wife as they sat together reviewing the day4 ,not a bad one1 ,i fancy4 ,i wonder when we can act on it and watch results8 ,there are tickets for other places besides theatres4 ,why couldn't we furnish them for some entertainment1 lecture1 or concert1 or something of the sort that would be really helpful8 ,the only difficulty is that there are few helpful places1 as yet1 within reach of their capacities4 ,it takes an exceptional genius to hold such listeners4 ,but his wife1 her face aglow1 clasped her hands in an ecstasy of delight4 ,what a beautiful thought6 she said4 ,and how nice that it should come to you just now1 when there will be such a splendid opportunity to put it in practice6 ,why1 don't you know8 ,gough1 next week--half-a-crown tickets2 on temperance1 too6 ,how grand6 ,and1 ,evan1 let us give them each two tickets4 ,i want that ,dirk ,colson to take his sister4 ,perhaps he will not1 but then he may2 one can never tell4 ,o ,evan1 won't it be nice8 ,ah6 said ,mr4 ,roberts4 ,as usual you are ahead of me4 ,i had not thought of the two tickets apiece4 ,that is a suggestion for their manliness4 ,flossy1 we'll try it4 ,yet another bit of talk4 ,they shambled down the stairs from the second-rate hall at a late hour that evening--those seven boys2 quiet for them1 though the play had been exciting1 and not remarkably moral1 viewed from the standpoint of a ,christian4 ,after all1 said ,nimble ,dick1 breaking a silence with speech1 as though the subject of which he spoke had been under discussion among them1 after all1 it was rather sneaking to bolt and say nothing2 ,i kind of wish we hadn't done it4 ,that's what ,i told you all along1 said ,dirk ,colson with even unusual sullenness2 but you would go and do it1 and we was fools enough to follow you4 ,and ,i'll bet she had oysters or something6 ,this from ,jerry ,tompkins4 ,you have probably no idea how hungry he was at that moment4 ,they was goin' to do somethin' new to-night--that there ,dennis girl told me so when ,i met her on the street yesterday2 something that we would like first-rate1 she said-- a bran-new notion4 ,this was ,stephen ,crowley's contribution to the general discomfort4 ,well1 said ,nimble ,dick1 and the sigh with which he spoke the word would have gone to ,mrs4 ,roberts's heart1 ,i s'pose it's all up now2 ,i shouldn't wonder if we never got another bid2 ,i wouldn't if ,i was them1 ,i know that4 ,and their old theatre wasn't no good shakes1 after all4 ,we've been a pack of fools1 and ,i don't mind owning it4 ,whereupon1 having reached the corner1 they separated and went glumly to their homes4 ,and this is gratitude6 ,what a pity ,mr4 ,m',cullum1 who had been smiling over his benevolence all the evening1 could not have heard them6 ,the weeks that followed this night were crowded with trifles on which hung important and far-reaching results4 ,this is a very trite saying1 ,i know4 ,all weeks are crowded with eventful trifles--at least1 we in our blindness call them trifles1 although we are constantly discovering their importance1 and being constantly astonished over them4 ,among other things1 the seven boys became nine1 having taken to their companionship two choice spirits1 apparently worse than themselves1 and appeared at the ,south ,end ,mission with all the bravado that boys of their stamp are apt to put on when they feel somewhat ashamed of themselves4 ,the consequence was that the trials which ,mrs4 ,roberts had to endure from them1 though a trifle less apparent to others1 were not a whit less distressing than usual4 ,but before the session was concluded they were treated to a sensation that held them in silent astonishment for nearly five minutes4 ,any person well acquainted with ,alfred ,reid could have told that he had a plan in view1 and was trying to carry it in the face of some opposition4 ,he looked convinced1 and ,mr4 ,durant looked astonished and troubled2 there was much low-toned talk between them1 and some shaking of head4 ,apparently1 however1 ,mr4 ,reid came off victor1 for his brow cleared1 and he presently made his way to ,mrs4 ,roberts's side and said a few words1 and must have been gratified by the sudden lighting up of her face and her eager1-- ,oh1 what a nice thought6 ,even if it fails apparently1 it will not utterly1 for the suggestion will help them4 ,in the course of time the new idea came to the front4 ,there was to be a festival1 or a social1 or an entertainment at the ,south ,end in the course of a few weeks--a sort of anniversary of the starting of the mission4 ,among other work that was in progress1 the decoration of the room1 involving the hanging of pictures1 banners1 mottoes1 wreaths1 etc41 required some strong arms and willing hands4 ,committees were to be formed4 ,two weeks before1 teachers had been appointed to prepare a list of committees4 ,it fell to young ,reid to appoint the committee on decoration4 ,when he was called upon for his report1 he came promptly forward1 like a man ready for action1 and commenced1-- ,a committee of four has been deemed amply sufficient for decoration1 and ,i appoint for the purpose the following3 ,richard ,bolton1 ,morris ,burns1 ,miss ,gracie ,dennis1 and ,miss ,annie ,powell4 ,the teachers1 who had been long at the mission1 looked from one to another with a bewildered air4 ,morris ,burns they knew--a clear-eyed young ,scotchman1 with willing hands and feet ever ready to run off errands for all workers1 a boy of nineteen or so1 whom everybody liked1 warmhearted1 unselfish1 and thoroughly trustworthy4 ,annie ,powell was one of the older girls in ,mr4 ,durant's ,bible-class--a sweet-faced1 lady-like little factory girl1 who would work in with ,morris ,burns nicely4 ,miss ,gracie ,dennis was ,mrs4 ,roberts's beautiful young friend4 ,all the teachers knew her1 and all thought it very kind in her to throw her strength and taste into the preparations as heartily as though she were one of them4 ,but who was ,richard ,bolton8 ,nobody knew4 ,yet their knowledge of business etiquette told them that he was chairman of the decoration committee4 ,where was he8 ,not a teacher1 certainly1 for they were intimately acquainted with one another2 and they knew no such name in the one ,bible-class made up of trustworthy helpers4 ,over in ,mrs4 ,roberts's class1 with the single exception of the teacher1 there was equal ignorance4 ,the nine boys had stopped their restless mischief to listen1 because there is a sort of fascination to boys in all the details of well-managed business4 ,they liked to hear the appointments2 but who ,richard ,bolton might be seemed not to occur to one of them4 ,it is true that ,jerry ,tompkins nudged ,nimble ,dick in anything but a quiet way with his elbow1 and murmured1 ,you've got a namesake it seems in this 'ere job4 ,yet no light dawned on them4 ,mr4 ,durant1 who1 it is possible1 has not appeared to you in a favourable light1 for the reason that he was being much perplexed by the entirely new methods being introduced among the boys who had heretofore driven him to the very verge of desperation1 was really a quick-witted man1 and having succumbed to what he feared was a wild experiment1 knew how to help to carry it out properly4 ,he came briskly to the front--,alfred's committee being the last on the list--and began his work4 ,the chairmen of these different committees will be kind enough to report to me as rapidly as possible the time and place of their first meeting for consultation1 and ,i will make the announcements4 ,then he stepped to ,mrs4 ,roberts's class4 ,bolton1 he said1 bending toward that astonished scamp1 and speaking as though this were an every-day affair1 you are chairman1 ,i believe1 of the decoration committee2 where and when will you have them meet8 ,imagine ,nimble ,dick's eyes6 ,nay1 imagine the eyes and faces of the entire nine6 ,it would have been a study for an artist4 ,for a moment ,nimble ,dick was speechless2 then he managed to burst forth with1-- ,what in thunder are you talking about8 ,your committee1 said ,mr4 ,durant politely1 ignoring the manner of the questioner4 ,you must call them together1 you know1 to plan your work4 ,where shall it be1 and when8 ,i ain't got no committee2 and ,i ain't got no place to meet nobody2 and ,i don't know what in thunder you're after4 ,then came ,mrs4 ,roberts to the rescue4 ,why1 ,mr4 ,bolton1 you can meet at our society parlour1 you know4 ,it is the very place1 and will be so convenient for ,miss ,dennis4 ,what's to meet1 and what's to do8 said ,dick defiantly4 ,i ain't going to meet nobody4 ,why1 it is just to hang mottoes and banners1 and trim the room for the anniversary4 ,of course you'll help2 ,i would have the meeting arranged there by all means4 ,very well1 said ,mr4 ,durant quickly1 as though he had received the answer from the chairman himself4 ,now as to time1 you ought to come together to-morrow evening if you could2 there is a good deal to do4 ,mr4 ,bolton1 couldn't you come up at six o'clock for once8 ,then you could get your work all done before the time for our social4 ,i can arrange for ,annie ,powell to be there at that time2 and1 ,mr4 ,durant1 doesn't ,morris ,burns work for you8 ,could he be present at six o'clock8 ,then ,i don't see but your meeting is nicely planned4 ,you can be there at six1 can't you1 ,mr4 ,bolton8 ,i tell you ,i don't know nothin' what you are talking about4 ,nimble ,dick1 who was rarely anything but good-natured1 was surprised by the bewilderments of the situation into being almost as fierce as ,dirk ,colson was habitually2 the gaping amazement of his boon companions seeming to add to his irritation4 ,but you will1 said his teacher cheerily4 ,it is an easy matter to explain4 ,miss ,dennis knows all about such things1 and ,i'm going to help1 though they haven't honoured me with an appointment4 ,at a sign from the lady1 ,mr4 ,durant stepped back to his platform and announced1-- ,the chairman of the committee on decoration desires me to say that his committee is called together to-morrow evening at the ,young ,men's ,social ,parlours1 ,no4 #gf ,east ,fifty-fifth ,street1 at six o'clock1 'sharp1' as the chairman has another engagement at seven4 ,i had to coin a name for the place of meeting1 he said to ,mrs4 ,roberts afterwards4 ,i beg your pardon if it was wrong2 but ,reid has been giving me glowing accounts of that room1 and you said something about its being a social parlour1 didn't you8 ,it is a good name1 said ,mrs4 ,roberts4 ,we have awkwardly called it the 'new room4' ,i am glad it is christened4 ,i will have some curtains hung through the centre to-morrow to make 'parlours' instead of parlour of it4 ,i can see how a second room can be made useful in several ways4 ,thus was the bewildering committee whirled into existence2 the chairman thereof being still so dumbfounded with his position that he did not rouse until the laughing boys1 by whom he was surrounded1 began to take in some of the fun of the situation1 and to assail him right and left with mock congratulations1 ill-suppressed groans1 hisses1 and the like4 ,then he turned towards them with new-born dignity that would have fitted ,dirk ,colson1 and said1-- ,if you fellows don't shut up and behave yourselves something like decent for the rest of the time1 ,i'll chaw half-a-dozen of you into mincemeat as soon as we are out of this6 ,,chapter ,,xxi4 ,,had ,,his ,,experiment ,,been ,,too ,,severe8 ,,dr4 ,,everett was driving rapidly through the city--at least1 as rapidly as the crowded character of the streets would permit4 ,he was out on professional duty1 and had just been congratulating himself that his regular calls were now made for the day1 and unless something special intervened1 he should have a couple of hours free for the alleys4 ,that meant professional duty1 too1 and of the very hardest character1 one would suppose1 as it brought him in contact not only with sickness in some of its most repulsive forms1 but with abject poverty as well1 and too often with loathsome forms of sin2 yet he went about this work with a zest that his regular practice did not furnish4 ,this was something done solely for ,jesus' sake1 and with an eye that was manifestly single to his glory4 ,he had already selected his alley1 and was planning how1 when his horses were safely stabled1 he could make a crosscut to it1 when his eyes were held by two persons who were ascending together the stairway that led to one of the public halls4 ,his face darkened as he watched them4 ,apparently they were engrossed with each other1 and took no notice of him2 but there were reasons why he specially desired to keep them in view4 ,a network of carriages and waggons such as is common to crowded thoroughfares blocked his path just then1 and prolonged his opportunity to watch the two4 ,they made their way in a very leisurely manner up the long staircase1 letting others1 more in haste1 pass them continually4 ,yet presently they joined the group who were passing up tickets of entrance4 ,the doctor signalled a policeman1 and entered into conversation3-- ,what is going on in ,seltzer ,hall8 ,well1 sir1 there's a kind of a concert1 ,i guess4 ,they play on goblets1 they say just common glass goblets--and make fine music4 ,an afternoon entertainment8 ,yes1 sir1 as a kind of introduction1 you know2 they expect to get a crowd for evening by this means4 ,do you know where tickets are to be had8 ,the policeman indicated a bookstore at his left by a gesture from his thumb1 and said1 ,right here1 and offered to secure some at once4 ,he knew ,dr4 ,everett2 many of the policemen did4 ,his offer was accepted with thanks1 and the doctor presently wound his way out from the network with two green tickets in his pocket4 ,his plans for the afternoon had been suddenly changed4 ,instead of spending the time in ,sewell ,alley1 he had decided to attend a musical exhibition1 the instruments being goblets6 ,he must make all speed now1 so he left the crowded street and dodged through several by-ways to the stables4 ,no use to keep his horses4 ,she would be afraid to drive through such crowds1 he explained to himself1 and ,i should be afraid to leave the carriage standing4 ,rushing out from the stables1 he caught just the right street-car1 and in a short space of time was ringing at ,mr4 ,roberts's door4 ,gracie ,dennis was in the hall1 dressed for the street4 ,ah1 said the doctor1 ,i am either fortunate or unfortunate1 ,i wonder which8 ,i had set my heart on having you for a companion to what ,i fancy may be a unique entertainment4 ,is there another engagement in the way8 ,i know this is a most unconventional method1 but a doctor is never sure of his time4 ,but ,gracie ,dennis felt too well acquainted with ,dr4 ,everett1 and was too young and ready for enjoyment1 to be disturbed about conventionality4 ,she merrily declared her willingness to be taken to whatever entertainment the doctor had to propose4 ,mrs4 ,roberts was out with her husband on business connected with church matters1 and she had only intended to walk a square or two for her health4 ,on the way the doctor was very quiet1 ,gracie having most of the talking to do herself4 ,the truth was1 he was trying to recall the faces of the people he had seen crowding into the hall1 to make sure that he was not taking ,gracie among people whom he would not care to have her meet4 ,apparently the couple whose movements had changed all his afternoon plans were not a sufficient guarantee of respectability4 ,however1 his face cleared as he recalled one and another as being in the crowd seeking admission2 they might not be of the class with whom ,gracie was accustomed to mingle1 but they were respectable people4 ,gracie was in a merry mood4 ,she understood enough of the doctor's busy life to feel sure that this sudden resolve to be entertained was quite out of his ordinary line1 and that of itself served to mark the hour as exceptional4 ,he feels the need of a little every-day fun1 she told herself1 and ,i'll help him to have it if ,i can4 ,poor man6 ,it must be doleful to go among sick and dying people all the time4 ,they were late at the hall2 the concert was well under way2 but there were plenty of vacant seats4 ,dr4 ,everett swept his eye over the room2 then indicated to the usher just which seat he would have4 ,it was one which commanded a view of the young man and woman who seemed to have such a mysterious influence over his plans4 ,he was relieved to find1 quite early in the entertainment1 that it really was unique1 and1 in its way1 well worth her hearing4 ,had the surroundings been agreeable1 he could easily have given himself up to enjoyment4 ,however1 they had been seated but a few moments when he saw by ,gracie's startled eyes that she had seen and recognized at least one of the couple at their left4 ,professor ,ellis1 in his usual faultless attire1 lounged gracefully on the seat in such a manner that his side-face was distinct2 he rested a well-shaped arm on the back of the seat next him1 and his delicately-gloved hand almost1 if not quite1 touched the shoulder of his companion4 ,both he and the lady at his side gave extremely little attention to the entertainment in progress4 ,apparently they had come thither for purposes of conversation4 ,they kept up a continuous murmur of talk1 interspersed at intervals with rippling laughter1 and really seemed so entirely absorbed in each other as to have at times forgotten that the hall was public1 and that the attention of many was being turned toward them4 ,the girl was pretty1 extremely so1 with an entirely different style of beauty from ,gracie ,dennis2 and a certain indescribable something in her face and manner would have told even the most casual observer that she moved in a different circle4 ,it was not her dress1 unless that was a little too pronounced for the place and hour2 but quite young ladies in good society sometimes make a similar mistake4 ,neither was her manner objectionable to the degree that you could have pointed to any one thing as offensive2 yet you would have been sure1 had you watched her1 that she was without the pale of what we call society4 ,gracie ,dennis watched her with a kind of fascination1 becoming at last so absorbed with the watching1 and the apparently troubled thoughts which grew out of it1 that she gave but slight attention to ,dr4 ,everett's occasional remarks1 nor seemed to observe that at last1 he lapsed into total silence4 ,once1 during the hour1 the young woman glanced casually in their direction1 and the careless nod and free and easy smile with which she acknowledged ,dr4 ,everett's presence drew a startled glance from ,gracie to rest on him for a moment4 ,now ,i wish ,i had my horses1 the doctor said1 as at last they made their way down the aisle4 ,i have a mile's drive up-town to take1 and ,i think the exercise might be good for you4 ,gracie caught at the suggestion1 and begged to be allowed to remain in the bookstore below while he went for the horses4 ,i want a ride1 and ,i want to talk with you1 she said simply4 ,as this was precisely what he wanted1 he went for the horses without more delay4 ,meantime1 ,gracie1 in one of the windows of the bookstore1 was supposed to be employed in examining a recent book1 but in reality gave much attention to the couple who were crossing the street1 or rather waiting for an opportunity to do so4 ,they seemed in no haste1 but were conspicuous1 even in the crowded street1 for their interest in each other4 ,more than one policeman regarded them narrowly1 as ,professor ,ellis stood with head bent toward the lady1 engaged in eager and animated conversation4 ,it was just the attitude of absorbed interest with which he had so often listened to ,gracie--not on the street1 it is true1 but in some crowded parlour--and it had flattered her4 ,it made her frown to-day4 ,they were starting now to make the disagreeable crossing4 ,he had taken his companion's hand1 preparatory to a leap over a muddy spot2 but ,gracie could see that there was a pressure of it that was unnecessary1 and1 for the street1 peculiar4 ,his face1 too1 was distinctly visible1 and the expression on it was what ,gracie had seen before1 but certainly she supposed no other person had4 ,altogether it was probably well for ,professor ,ellis's peace of mind that he did not turn at that moment and get a glimpse of the young lady in the bookstore4 ,instead he took his lady away1 and they were lost in the crowd4 ,dr4 ,everett1 making all haste with his horses1 had still time for anxious thought4 ,had his experiment been too severe on ,gracie8 ,was it possible that her interest in the man was such that the afternoon's experience had been mixed with pain as well as with disgust8 ,he could not believe it possible that the pure-hearted young girl cared for such a man as ,professor ,ellis4 ,yet there had been a look on her face when she saw those two which startled and hurt him4 ,when fairly seated in his carriage1 he did not speak until they had threaded the maze of waggons and reached clear ground4 ,even then1 he only said1 ,now for speed1 and gave the horses their desire1 until crowds and business were left behind1 and they were driving down a broad avenue1 lined on either side with stately yet quiet-looking houses4 ,then he drew rein1 and obliged the horses to walk2 he had by this time resolved on probing the wound1 if there was one4 ,i wish ,i knew just how much of a villain that man is4 ,these were the somewhat startling words which broke his silence4 ,what man8 ,yet the very tones of ,gracie's voice indicated that she knew of whom he was speaking4 ,that man ,ellis--,professor1 ,i think he is called4 ,i have reason to be very suspicious of him4 ,by the way1 ,miss ,gracie1 ,i think he is an acquaintance of yours4 ,have you confidence in him8 ,how promptly and indignantly such a question would have received an affirmative answer two months before6 ,what should she say now8 ,in what respect8 she faltered1 more for the purpose of gaining time than because she did not understand the question4 ,well1 in any respect1 ,i am almost prepared to say4 ,i have not the honour of the man's acquaintance2 but whatever ,i hear about him1 or see in him1 ,i dislike and distrust4 ,just at present his ways are specially disturbing4 ,you noticed him this afternoon1 ,i think6 ,the young girl in his company belongs to my ,sabbath school4 ,i have a deep interest in her1 partly because she is the sort of girl who is always more or less in danger in this wicked world1 and partly because she is capable of strongly influencing another1 who is a special protg of mine4 ,who is the girl8 ,gracie's manner was abrupt1 and her voice constrained4 ,it was evident that she was making great effort to control herself1 and appear indifferent to all parties4 ,the doctor took no notice of her constraint4 ,her name is ,mason1 ,hester ,mason4 ,she attends the ,packard ,place ,sabbath ,school1 which you know ,i superintend4 ,she is motherless1 and worse than fatherless2 is a clerk in one of the ,fourth ,avenue stores2 and is1 or was1 inclined to be what is called gay4 ,i do not know that that term conveys any special meaning to you2 in young men ,i think they call the same line of conduct 'fast4' ,i hope and believe that you would not well understand either term2 yet1 ,i think1 possibly1 that watching her this afternoon in a public hall will give you some conception of the stretch that there is between yourself and her4 ,,chapter ,,xxii4 ,,some ,,people ,,are ,,hard ,,to ,,warn4 ,,had ,dr4 ,everett desired in a few words to show ,gracie the gulf between herself and the man who had been the girl's companion for the afternoon1 perhaps he could not have formed his sentence better4 ,she shivered visibly1 and the doctor drew the carriage wraps more carefully about her1 while he continued3-- ,i would not want to give you a wrong estimate of ,hester ,mason1 nor lead you to imagine for a moment that ,i believe a girl who serves behind a counter cannot be a true lady4 ,i wanted rather to explain to you that her opportunities had been limited4 ,she means to be a good girl1 ,i think2 in fact1 ,i may say ,i have the utmost confidence in her intentions4 ,she is not a ,christian1 but a few weeks ago ,i had her name on my note-book as one who was almost persuaded4 ,she has been fighting the question of personal religion for some time2 her special stumbling-block being that she is quick-witted1 and has quite a clear idea of how ,christians ought to live1 and can find very few who seem to her to be living what they profess4 ,however1 as ,i say1 ,i have been very hopeful of her until within a few weeks1 when she came in contact with this man1 and ,i tremble for the result4 ,he is constant in his attentions1 and she is evidently flattered and dazed4 ,how long has he known her8 ,how did he become acquainted8 ,abrupt questions still1 asked in that curiously repressed voice4 ,the doctor's face was growing very grave and stern4 ,he feared that there was a real wound here4 ,inadvertently1 ,miss ,dennis1 it seems that both you and ,i are to blame1 or1 at least1 are involved in the acquaintance4 ,do you remember a little incident which occurred in a street-car some six weeks ago8 ,a young woman1 in leaving the car1 dropped a package1 which you noticing1 called our attention to1 and pointed out the person crossing the street2 and ,professor ,ellis announced his willingness to overtake her and return the package1 as he was about to leave the car4 ,miss ,mason was the person in question1 and ,professor ,ellis presumed on that very slight introduction to cultivate an acquaintance4 ,i have learned that he quoted my name in connection with the incident1 and since that day has been on terms of exceeding intimacy with ,hester4 ,gracie was surprised out of her reserve4 ,i remember the incident perfectly2 but the girl ,i saw this afternoon cannot be the one who was on the car4 ,yes2 she was in holiday attire to-day1 and in her working garb when you saw her momentarily on the car4 ,i remember a feeling of regret that ,professor ,ellis should have so promptly volunteered to do your errand2 yet ,i did not know what ,i dreaded4 ,i simply shrank from the man1 and wanted others to do so4 ,dr4 ,everett1 what is his motive in showing her attention8 ,i wish ,i knew4 ,i can tell you what ,i greatly fear--that it is to play with the human heart2 to see to what extent he can gain power over it4 ,and in this case1 certainly1 it is a most cruel thing4 ,the girl has no friends1 no father or mother1 to advise with or help her4 ,she is bright and pretty1 and is being shown glimpses of a world that seems to her like fairyland4 ,she is dazzled1 and one cannot blame her1 for she has neither carefully-formed judgment nor trustworthy friends to lean upon4 ,miss ,dennis1 you can judge from her manner this afternoon what is her knowledge of the customs of polite society4 ,i do not think she has an idea that she was conspicuous1 save for her beauty and the fine appearance of her attendant4 ,she is not one to shrink from what she would consider legitimate public admiration1 and this you can see but adds to her danger4 ,but1 ,dr4 ,everett1 you do not think1 you cannot mean1 that he intends to pay her special attention--that he means anything more than the desire to give her a little pleasure8 ,well1 said the doctor1 speaking slowly but with firmness1 you may judge1 ,miss ,dennis1 what ,i think--what any honourable person thinks--of a man who bestows in public the sort of attentions which we saw this afternoon4 ,you would have been insulted by them4 ,the only reason that this poor girl was not1 is because she does not know any better4 ,did you observe the flashing of a peculiarly set ring on her finger8 ,i have reason to fear that it belongs to him1 and that she believes herself specially honoured in being asked to wear it4 ,poor ,gracie's cheeks were flaming now4 ,she had not observed the ring2 but she knew it well1 and for one brief evening had worn it herself1 and then had returned it to the owner with the assurance that she could not bring herself to wear it without her father's consent4 ,she remembered what a wound she had felt herself bestowing when he had looked at her with those expressive1 reproachful eyes1 and replied that if she felt toward him as he did to her1 she would not allow even a father to come between them4 ,and he had actually given that ring into the keeping of this girl6 ,they rode on in silence1 the doctor giving a hint to the horses that they might go as fast as they chose4 ,he was in great doubt and pain of heart4 ,could it be possible that this carefully shielded young girl was caught in the toils of a man whom he believed to be an unprincipled villain8 ,if so1 had he been unnecessarily cruel in his revelations8 ,ought he to take her home1 or drive further and give her time to recover herself8 ,could he have understood what was passing in her mind1 he would have known better what next to say4 ,the simple truth was this3 before she came to ,mrs4 ,roberts1 the child had believed herself to be a martyr to the unreasonable prejudices of her stepmother4 ,she had been led to feel that her father had turned against her1 solely because of his wife's influence over him2 and that the wife was piqued because ,professor ,ellis had not paid her sufficient attention in the days of her maidenhood4 ,this1 the professor had succeeded in teaching ,gracie to feel1 was the sole charge against him4 ,he was therefore an ill-used man1 and therefore her heart went out towards him in sympathy4 ,it had not been at first a stronger feeling than this2 but1 flattered by his attentions1 so much more marked and polished than had ever been offered to the young girl before1 she had taught herself to believe that1 but for her father's bitterness1 she could be to ,professor ,ellis what he delicately and vaguely assured her no one else could1 and fill a place that hitherto in his lonely life had been left void4 ,she had not engaged herself to him2 indeed1 he had never in actual words asked her to do so4 ,but to the young and innocent and well-trained there is a language which speaks as clearly as words1 and is held as sacred4 ,gracie had allowed herself to be looked upon as one who was held by others from being more to ,professor ,ellis than she was1 who might always1 perhaps1 be held back2 for she had resolved in her own sad heart that she would never marry against her father's consent1 no1 not if she were twice of age4 ,of late1 strange revelations had come to her4 ,she had measured ,professor ,ellis with other men1 ,christian men1 and he had appeared at a disadvantage4 ,also1 she had measured herself by the side of other ,christian workers1 and herself had appeared at a disadvantage4 ,a vague unrest and dissatisfaction with her ,christian experience were growing on her4 ,moreover1 she was growing interested in those boys as she had not believed that it would be possible for her to be interested when she first saw them4 ,she began to believe that some of them at least would be saved4 ,she wanted to help to save them1 and to help others4 ,her martyrdom dwindled rapidly into insignificance1 until there would pass entire days in which she did not once remember that she was an unhappy girl4 ,at last1 but a week or two before this afternoon1 she had taken her affairs in hand1 and tried to look steadily at them4 ,the result of her hours of thought and prayer was that she was bound to ,professor ,ellis3 that is1 provided there should come a time in the dim and distant future when her father should give his consent1 it would be her duty and her pleasure1 because of what had passed between them1 to marry him4 ,still1 she began to feel less amazed at her father's opinion of him1 less angry about it4 ,she began to say to herself1 softly and pitifully3 ,poor1 lonely man6 ,he has no one to be his friend4 ,he is not a ,christian1 and that is what makes so great a difference between him and others4 ,it is that which papa misses4 ,but ,i must not desert him2 ,i must pray for him all the time1 and work for his conversion4 ,then he will grow to be the sort of man whom papa can like1 and everything will be right4 ,and while she said it1 she was dimly conscious of a feeling of satisfaction over the thought that she was very young1 and that it would be a long1 long time yet before anything could be settled4 ,and that meantime1 it certainly was not right for her to have anything to do with ,professor ,ellis1 only to pray for him4 ,and that perhaps her father would allow her to carry out a project that was under delightful discussion in the ,roberts family--namely1 to remain in the city as a pupil in the famous ,green ,lawn ,school4 ,and she did not know1--foolish little thing6--that so far even as her heart was concerned everything was wrong4 ,perhaps it would be difficult for me to explain to you--that is1 if you do not understand without explanation--what a turmoil she was thrown into by this afternoon's experience4 ,she was far from realizing as yet that the uppermost feeling even now was not wounded love1 but wounded pride--of what poor stuff she had been making a hero6 ,nothing had ever opened her eyes like this before4 ,was it possible that she had spent entire evenings with a man who stooped to set in unpleasant1 even suspicious light1 not his own character only1 but that of an ignorant young girl8 ,it would not do to plead a lack of knowledge in excuse for him2 he might be ignorant of the ways of the ,christian world1 but no one understood better the rules which governed society4 ,during part of the afternoon she had been very angry with the girl2 but after listening to ,dr4 ,everett1 it began to dawn upon her that her friend had been playing with the ignorance of a girl who probably trusted him fully4 ,you are to understand that ,gracie ,dennis was the sort of girl who would be made very angry by such a suspicion4 ,the glow on her cheeks was not all caused by the fresh air of the spring day4 ,dr4 ,everett1 she said at last1 breaking the silence1 what do you think he means by asking the girl to wear that ring1 or by letting her wear it8 ,does he--do you suppose that he has engaged himself to her8 ,i wish ,i knew what he meant6 ,dr4 ,everett said again1 a surge of indignation rushing over him4 ,if he really meant anything so honourable as that1 it would be bad enough business for poor ,hester2 but1 as ,i said1 ,i distrust the man utterly1 and from my experience with the world ,i have reason4 ,from your knowledge of him1 ,miss ,dennis1 could you suppose him to be honest and earnest in his attentions to that girl8 ,it was a very plain question4 ,it meant more to ,dr4 ,everett than even ,gracie saw1 but she saw enough to know that she was admitting an intimacy that made her blush4 ,however1 she answered steadily1-- ,no1 ,i cannot think that he is honest or honourable4 ,so ,i fear4 ,witness this afternoon4 ,gentlemen do not parade their friendships before the public gaze1 and that man knows it4 ,the doctor's voice was very stern4 ,he was sure now that there was a wound1 and that it was being probed4 ,he believed in making thorough work even with wounds2 there would be more hope of genuine healing afterward4 ,gracie's next question1 if her companion had but known it1 was a singular one4 ,why have not people who are her friends warned her against him1 and held her back from making such a false step1 if she does it in ignorance8 ,o ,gracie ,dennis6 ,how are warnings sometimes received1 even by carefully-trained girls1 who have every reason to trust the love that would shield them8 ,some people are very hard to warn1 said the doctor4 ,i have tried it1 and ,i have a friend who has tried to help her2 but the poor girl1 you must remember1 has not been brought up in a ,christian atmosphere--has never had a ,christian friend who came with the authority of relationship4 ,if she had a good father1 the way would be made so plain4 ,as it is1 can't you see how naturally she distrusts the rest of us1 in favour of the man who makes special professions of friendship8 ,i am not surprised at ,hester1 ,i am only sorry for her4 ,had the doctor been carefully informed as to all the circumstances connected with ,gracie's intimacy with the professor1 he could not have chosen words which would have touched her conscience more4 ,had not her good father tenderly and patiently warned her8 ,and had she not chosen to blind her eyes to all his words1 and believe rather in ,professor ,ellis than in him8 ,,chapter ,,xxiii4 ,,part ,,of ,,the ,,great ,,well-,,to-,,do ,,world4 ,i ,,must call at this house1 the doctor said1 suddenly drawing rein before a quiet little house at the foot of a wide lawn4 ,the gatekeeper of this ,american castle has a sick child whom ,i have promised to see4 ,can you hold the horses1 ,miss ,dennis1 or shall ,i tie them8 ,this is a quiet spot1 and they are gentle4 ,i am not afraid of anything1 ,gracie said1 eyes aglow as well as cheeks4 ,and the doctor went into the house wondering whether ,professor ,ellis1 if he could see her now1 would not be afraid of her4 ,once inside1 he gave a start of surprise1 almost of dismay1 for the face which appeared at the open door of the sick-room belonged to ,joy ,saunders4 ,you here8 he said1 trying to control the disturbed element in his voice4 ,she answered quietly1-- ,i came out by street-car4 ,did you drive8 ,yes1 he said abruptly2 but ,i am not alone4 ,how is the child8 ,and he went forward at once to his professional duties1 leaving her to wonder over his manner4 ,it was peculiar certainly4 ,joy ,saunders was used to abruptness from this man1 but there was a quality in it to-day that she did not recognize4 ,she went and looked out of the window1 and saw ,gracie ,dennis holding the horses--saw her red1 red cheeks and flashing eyes1 and the peculiar1 haughty poise of her head1 with which the stepmother at home was well acquainted4 ,she did not know this ,gracie ,dennis save by reputation4 ,once ,dr4 ,everett had asked her to call at ,mrs4 ,roberts's1 and had made her feel as though she were foolishly conventional in declining to do so4 ,how is she ever to know you1 according to the rules which trammel society8 ,there ought to be some way arranged for ,christians to be free from trammels4 ,this had been his comment2 but he had not asked her again1 and she had never met ,mrs4 ,roberts1 nor yet ,gracie ,dennis4 ,yet she knew her very well1 and had watched her often as she passed4 ,she knew instantly who she was now1 as she sat there in her haughty beauty1 checking with determined hand the impatience of those horses4 ,oh1 she knew more than this6 ,it was very apparent now why ,dr4 ,everett was peculiarly abrupt1 and--well1 yes--embarrassed4 ,she had almost thought that was the name of the feeling1 only it had seemed so absurd4 ,and then ,joy ,saunders held her meek little head high1 and told herself that he need not fear her presence2 she could go as she had come1 in the street-car4 ,the doctor came towards her now1 speaking rapidly es usual3-- ,joy1 the child is very sick4 ,there ought to be an experienced person here to-night4 ,not you2 ,i am sorry you came up4 ,do you think your mother would come8 ,will you ride down with me8 ,i have ,miss ,dennis in the carriage1 but it is quite large enough for three1 you know4 ,then ,joy had turned away her head1 holding it high1 and said1-- ,no1 thank you2 ,i am going down in the street-car4 ,and that blundering doctor drew on his gloves1 saying to himself1 ,i don't know but that is best1 and went out1 only waiting to say to ,joy3-- ,will you ask your mother about it8 ,i will see her as soon as ,i can get around4 ,i wish you would go directly home from here--will you8 ,then he lifted his hat to her1 and sprang into his carriage and rode away with ,gracie ,dennis4 ,and ,joy ,saunders waited for the next yellow car1 and climbed into it1 and told herself all the way down town that she wished she had stayed at the little house and watched all night by the sick child4 ,the thoughts that ,dr4 ,everett had given to the entire matter were few4 ,they ran somewhat after this fashion3-- ,joy here6 ,and ,i'm afraid of the fever1 from all ,i have heard4 ,i shall take her home as soon as possible4 ,how will that poor little girl in the carriage manage with a new acquaintance just now1 ,i wonder8 ,i am afraid it will be quite a strain4 ,still1 ,i can do the talking1 and let her be quiet4 ,the main point is that ,i hoped she might have a suggestion to make about ,hester4 ,if she could rouse herself to try to save that girl1 it would be the best thing she could do4 ,if she only knew it1 ,joy is the one who could help her in that direction or any other4 ,as they dashed down the avenue1 he was still occupied in wishing that he had urged ,joy to ride1 and thus forced an acquaintance between her and the pretty girl at his side4 ,he was not very patient with what he called the trammels of society4 ,when there were two people so fitted to enjoy and help each other1 as were ,joy ,saunders and ,gracie ,dennis1 he held it to be a waste in ,christian economy that they should not know each other4 ,too much occupied with his thoughts and his driving to give heed to passers-by1 he lost the careful bow that young ,reid had for them as they drew near the city's whirl again4 ,gracie did not2 she returned it with a slightly-heightened colour in her cheeks1 and wondered if that young man knew ,professor ,ellis1 and what he thought of him1 and what he thought of her for being acquainted with him4 ,sometimes it seems to me a real pity that on occasion there could not be some way of looking into one another's thoughts4 ,so many misunderstandings might thus be saved4 ,for instance1 there was ,reid1 who went on his way with a clouded brow4 ,where had ,dr4 ,everett been8 ,and why was ,gracie ,dennis with him8 ,was it probable that he had been riding for pleasure8 ,the bare suggestion astonished the young man4 ,he found that he had never before given room to the thought that ,dr4 ,everett took time for pleasure4 ,allowing this to be the case1 why had he not taken ,joy ,saunders with him8 ,such a proceeding would have seemed altogether natural1 though the honest-hearted young fellow admitted to himself that1 had he been taking a ride for pleasure1 the companion of his choice would not have been ,joy ,saunders4 ,it was certainly a bewildering world4 ,so trying did young ,reid find his thoughts on that evening that he actually set himself deliberately to learn whether the ride was the result of chance or design4 ,the consequence was1 that he learned not only of the ride1 but of the afternoon entertainment at ,seltzer ,hall1 with glass goblets for instruments4 ,this increased his astonishment1 and did not lessen the gloom on his face4 ,but the two in the carriage1 unconscious of the gloomy young man1 or of the sad-hearted young girl riding in a street-car1 were almost silent during the homeward ride1 until just as they turned into the avenue that led to ,mr4 ,roberts's door4 ,then ,gracie said3-- ,dr4 ,everett1 ,i should like to know that girl4 ,there are some things that ,i ought to say to her1 and if ,i had a chance ,i would try to say them in a way to help her4 ,i will manage it1 said ,dr4 ,everett1 speaking in a quick1 relieved tone4 ,he felt encouraged for ,hester now1 and greatly relieved about ,gracie4 ,she might be wounded1 but she was made of the material of which he had hoped4 ,she was not going to die herself1 nor fold her hands and see others ruined1 merely because she had been deceived4 ,he bade her a cheery ,good-afternoon6 ,and drove away1 feeling that1 although he had been obliged to give up ,sewell ,alley1 good work had been accomplished4 ,he believed now that he understood the situation4 ,he was right about one thing3 ,gracie ,dennis had not the slightest idea of dying4 ,her mood was better expressed1 half an hour later1 when she stood at the parlour window1 and returned a low1 lingering bow from ,professor ,ellis1 with a haughty stare from flashing eyes1 looking out from an erect and motionless head4 ,dirk ,colson's brain was in a whirl4 ,he had an important question to settle4 ,in his pocket were two blue tickets1 promising to admit him to the largest and finest hall in the city to hear the great temperance orator4 ,dirk knew very little about orators1 but he had heard of ,john ,b4 ,gough1 and everything he had heard made him wish to have a glimpse of him4 ,you will remember that ,dirk was an imitator4 ,he had heard that ,mr4 ,gough was also1 and down deep in his heart the boy had an ambition to hear the man4 ,now was his unexpected opportunity4 ,of course he was going1 but the perplexing thing was1 what to do with that other ticket4 ,there was ,mart6 ,oh yes1 to be sure1 he had not forgotten her2 but what a strange thing it would be to take her to a lecture6 ,he had never taken her anywhere in his life4 ,she had nothing to wear1 though he remembered at that moment that the mother had1 by earnest effort1 succeeded in getting her shawl out of pawn4 ,there was one incentive for taking her2 it would please ,mrs4 ,roberts4 ,dirk studied the thing for some time1 to try to discover why she should care1 and had finally given up the problem as too great for him4 ,yet he was sure she cared2 there had been a wistful light in her eyes when she said1 ,i thought possibly you might like to take that sister with the golden hair1 that he saw and interpreted4 ,it took him three days to decide what he should say1 supposing he made up his mind to ask her4 ,several people were at work helping him1 though he knew nothing about that4 ,mrs4 ,roberts remarked one evening to young ,reid that she wished she knew a way to induce ,dirk ,colson to take his sister1 without actually asking him to do so4 ,she fancied that1 besides the advantage which might possibly directly follow an evening spent in that way1 it would suggest new thoughts to the brother4 ,the young man caught at the suggestion1 and wanted to help to carry it out4 ,it was not an easy thing to do4 ,he had not grown intimate with ,dirk ,colson2 in fact1 that misguided young fellow rather resented any attempt at intimacy4 ,he was1 however1 acquainted with ,sallie ,calkins2 the numerous trips he had made to their room during ,mark's illness had brought him into such constant and pleasant contact with ,sallie and her brother that they looked upon him as a tried friend4 ,sallie1 he knew1 was a friend of the shy1 golden-haired sister4 ,so one evening he went to call at the ,calkins's room1 with a vague hope of helping indirectly in bringing to pass ,mrs4 ,roberts's desires4 ,to ,sallie1 he made known the wish that ,dirk would take his sister to the lecture1 and secured from her a promise to help the scheme along1 provided it developed4 ,after he went away1 ,sallie sat long at her sewing1 making all alone1 by a dim light1 one of the most heroic little sacrifices that was ever offered in ,his name4 ,to fully understand it1 you must know that ,mark ,calkins had recovered sufficiently to take his place in the office where ,dr4 ,everett had secured him an opening1 and an employment that would enable him to sit most of the time1 thereby giving his injured limb a chance to rest4 ,also1 ,mark had been admitted to the ,monday evening gatherings1 and was distinguishing himself there by his skill in reading and writing4 ,of course he had received two tickets1 and equally of course1 being the boy he was1 he had planned to take ,sallie with him to the lecture4 ,great was ,sallie's prospective pleasure6 ,the event of her lifetime it was to be4 ,to walk with ,mark through the crowded streets1 both neatly dressed2 to walk boldly forward with the throng1 and present their tickets of admittance to the great hall1 hitherto seen only from the outside2 to move down the long aisles as those who had a right1 and select their seats unquestioned by police2 in short1 to be like other people--part of the great well-to-do world--this was ,sallie's joy4 ,she had washed and mended her best calico dress2 she had sewed buttons on the pretty cape1 according to ,mrs4 ,roberts's directions2 she had tried on the neat bonnet which had been manufactured for her by ,mrs4 ,roberts's own fingers1 and altogether1 ,sallie had probably gotten1 during these two days1 more enjoyment out of ,gough's lecture than many others who had heard him a dozen times ever secured4 ,i do not think it any wonder that1 as she rocked and sewed1 and thought out her great thought1 there fell tears on the work she was doing4 ,,chapter ,,xxiv4 ,,for ,,you ,,don',t ,,know ,,what ,,may ,,come4 ,,this was the thought3 ,suppose ,dirk ,colson should want to take his sister4 ,sallie did not believe it in the least probable--she had not that amount of faith in ,dirk ,colson2 but suppose he should1 ,mart could not go1 for the reason that she would have nothing to wear4 ,and here was ,sallie's pretty cape1 which would cover the worst of her dress1 and her pretty bonnet1 which she knew would make a picture of ,mart2 but if she lent them1 it meant staying at home to ,sallie4 ,could she do it8 ,could she bear to think of such a thing8 ,what would ,mark say8 ,what would he do with his other ticket8 ,would she be likely ever to have another chance to go to that wonderful hall1 and be like other folks8 ,but ,mart had never been anywhere in her life4 ,and ,i1 said poor ,sallie1 catching her breath with a sob1 have been often for a walk on the brightest streets1 and looked in at the shop windows1 and everything4 ,i 'most know ,i will help her to go if ,i can4 ,young ,reid had no conception of the sacrifice for which he had asked4 ,it is little wonder1 surely1 that ,sallie's voice faltered that same evening1 as she explained to ,mart1 who had slipped in for a bit of talk1 that if ever she wanted to go anywhere very much1 she was to let ,sallie know1 and she should have her cape and bonnet to wear4 ,then she had anxiously planned for her a way to mend her dress1 so that it would look quite well under the cape1 and she had even urged1-- ,now do1 ,mart2 if anybody should want you to go1 don't say you won't1 but take your chance1 for you don't know what may come4 ,also she bore with patience ,mart's scornful laugh and emphatic statement that no chances ever came to her1 and nobody ever wanted her to go anywhere4 ,as she talked she grew interested and eloquent2 urged earnestly that ,mart should embrace the first opportunity to go somewhere1 and wear her new cape and bonnet4 ,at the same time she was silent about the lecture4 ,suppose no chance should come8 ,then it would be doubly hard to ,mart to have had the possibility suggested4 ,the same delicate reasoning had held her from dwelling on her own prospects4 ,some people would have been very much astonished over the amount of delicate consideration for the feelings of others which could be found in that little room4 ,dirk loitered strangely over his meagre dinner the next afternoon4 ,it was late1 for he had secured a position at last in one of the printing offices1 and was apt to take his meals at any hour when it happened to be convenient to do without him at the office4 ,he had only been three days at work1 and ,mart had taken little notice of the new departure1 except to remark grimly that it would not last4 ,but to ,sallie she had boasted that ,dirk had gone to work as hard as anybody4 ,if somebody could only have told ,dirk that his sister ever boasted of him1 it might have helped him much during these days4 ,what are you hanging around for8 ,you've got all there will be to eat in this house to-day1 and it is time you were off4 ,this was the ungracious manner in which the sister took note of his lingering4 ,she was painfully afraid that he had already grown weary of regular employment1 and the fear made her voice gruffer than usual4 ,his reply amazed her2 in fact1 it amazed himself4 ,mart1 ,i've got tickets to a show--a nice place--and ,i want you to go along4 ,humph6 said ,mart4 ,that is a likely story6 ,then he grew earnest1 displayed his treasures1 and urged her acceptance1 quite astonished with himself the while4 ,did he really want her to go1 he wondered1 or did he want to please ,mrs4 ,roberts8 ,you would have been interested1 an hour later1 to have seen ,mart skip up the rickety stairs leading to the ,calkins' abode4 ,you would probably have thought that she endangered life or limb by her rapid movements2 but ,mart was used to such staircases1 and the news she had to communicate required haste4 ,there's a chance6 she said1 breathless with speed and eagerness4 ,sallie ,calkins1 there's a chance1 and you'd never guess how4 ,dirk he wants me to go to a show with him this very night6 ,he's got tickets4 ,it is a big show1 where all the grand folks go4 ,it is in the very biggest hall in this city1 and ,dirk he says ,i am to go4 ,sallie ,calkins1 do you mean it1 truly1 that ,i am to wear your lovely new bonnet and cape8 ,do you suppose ,i can really go anywhere8 ,i don't know why ,dirk wants me to go so much1 but he coaxed and coaxed4 ,poor ,sallie6 ,she stooped quickly to pick up a pin from the floor1 so that ,mart might not get a glimpse of her eyes with the sudden tears in them4 ,yet1 as she stooped1 she made her final1 grand sacrifice--,mart should go6 ,then she entered with entire abandon into the preparations4 ,not only her bonnet and cape1 but her shoes--new ones that ,mark had bought her with his first earnings after his illness--were to attend the lecture4 ,she rejoiced over the excellent fit of the shoes4 ,she did more than this4 ,as ,mart watched the process of buttoning them1 and remarked complacently that she shouldn't wonder if ,dirk would buy her a pair some day when he earned money enough1 she kept her lip from curling with an incredulous sneer4 ,you will remember that she had not the slightest faith in ,dirk4 ,neither must ,i forget that there was another thing to lend--her comb--in order that ,mart's wonderful yellow hair might be for once reduced to something like order4 ,and at the risk of leading you to think that ,sallie was altogether too sthetic for her position in life1 ,i shall have to confess that this was her hardest bit of sacrifice1 her comb was so new and so pretty6 ,however1 it did its duty on ,mart's tawny locks1 and the transforming effect was marvellous4 ,in fact1 when all was ready1 the cape adjusted1 the hat which ,mrs4 ,roberts had shown her how to wear set on the yellow head1 ,sallie said not a word1 but went to the packing-box in the corner which served as a treasure cupboard1 and drew forth the one possession about which she had been utterly silent--a little hand-glass which ,mark had brought her one winter evening just before he was hurt4 ,a cheap1 little1 ugly glass which you would have turned from in disgust1 saying that it made your nose awry1 and your chin protrude1 and your eyes squint1 and was altogether horrid4 ,but1 held before ,mart's glowing face1 what a secret did it reveal6 ,mart looked1 and was silent1 too1 and went home in a hushed frame of mind to wait for ,dirk4 ,home was deserted4 ,the mother had dragged her wearied body out for a day of light work4 ,the time had gone by when she was able to do any that people called heavy4 ,where the father was none of the family knew1 and their chief hope concerning him was that he would stay away as long as possible4 ,i find myself longing to give you an idea of what that elegant1 brilliantly-lighted hall1 with its brilliant audience1 was to this girl1 and being unable to do it4 ,when people live so far below us that our every-day experiences are to them like a day at the ,world's ,fair1 it is very hard indeed to describe how our special treats affect them4 ,it is a treat to everybody to hear ,gough4 ,how then can ,i tell you what it was to this girl and her brother8 ,dirk listened2 he must have listened well1 for long afterward he was able to repeat entire paragraphs1 and to imitate the manner of the great orator with remarkable skill4 ,yet at the time he would have seemed to a close watcher to have been absorbed in another way4 ,he looked at ,mart somewhat as he had on that ,sabbath when his acquaintance with ,mrs4 ,roberts began4 ,but the thought which had dimly haunted him that day blossomed on this evening4 ,certainly ,mart looked like ,mrs4 ,roberts6 ,it might be folly to think so4 ,doubtless the fellows would make no end of fun of him if he should over tell them so1 which he meant to take excellent care not to do2 but the fact remained1 that in ,sallie's bonnet and cape1 and1 above all1 with the waves of hair floating about her1 there was a look which instantly and strongly reminded him of that lady4 ,there was another listener at the lecture who was unexpectedly present4 ,part of poor ,sallie's trial had been to tell her brother1 who had been radiant for a week over the prospect of taking her1 that she had with her own hand put away the blessing4 ,how would ,mark take it8 ,dirk's forlorn-looking sister was no favourite of his4 ,i think it would have been very difficult to have convinced him that there was a trace of ,mrs4 ,roberts in her face4 ,but such curious creatures are we that it actually hurt ,sallie to see how quietly he took the great sad news of her sacrifice4 ,after the first start of surprise1 he seemed preoccupied1 and she could almost have thought that he did not hear her explanation4 ,she had much ado to keep back the tears2 but she had made a special little feast for him that evening1 with a white cloth on the table1 and a cup of actual tea1 and the cup set in a saucer4 ,she was not going to spoil the scene with tears2 so after a little she said cheerily1-- ,nov you have a chance to do something nice for somebody4 ,who will you take on your ticket8 ,i was thinking1 he answered slowly4 ,you know it is a temperance lecture1 and it is by a wonderful man4 ,the fellows in the shop have been talking about him all day1 and they say you just can't help thinking when he gets a-going1 and ,i was just thinking1 ,what if we could get 'him' to go1 and 'he' would listen1 and get to thinking4 ,there are no italics that will give you an idea of the peculiar emphasis which the boy put on the pronouns4 ,sallie understood2 that he could mean but one person in the world4 ,but her brother must have answered the look on her face1 for she spoke no word4 ,sometimes they do1 ,sallie4 ,there was old ,pete1 you know4 ,oh1 yes1 ,sallie knew old ,pete2 everybody in that alley knew him--a notorious drunkard once1 of the sort which people1 even good ,christian people1 are apt to pronounce hopeless4 ,yet now he wore a neat suit of clothes every day1 and brought home twenty pounds of flour at one time in a sack1 and bought his coal by the barrel4 ,wonderful things occasionally happened in that alley4 ,yes1 said ,sallie1 that is true2 and old ,pete wasn't much like him4 ,the tone spoke volumes4 ,it would have almost angered her1 even now1 to have had it hinted that old ,pete was superior to that father1 though hardly a person acquainted with the two but would have said that there was more hope for old ,pete1 even in his miserable past1 than for this one4 ,how they managed it1 those two--the difficult task of getting him persuaded to go1 and then the more difficult task of keeping him sufficiently sober to get there1 would make a story in itself4 ,i fancy there are many such stories in real life which will never get told4 ,the probabilities are1 if they were1 some wise critic would pronounce them unnatural and sensational4 ,suffice it to say that the task was accomplished1 and among the most attentive listeners to the great speaker that evening was ,sallie's father1 while she sat at home and mended a badly torn jacket1 and cried now and then1 and was glad and sorry and proud and frightened and hopeful by turns all that long evening4 ,i am not sure but it was better for her that she sat at home4 ,i don't know just what she might have done had she been in the hall to see her father1 at the close of the meeting1 shamble forward with the crowd and sign his name to the total abstinence pledge4 ,she might have screamed out in her excitement1 or she might have fainted4 ,for although there were those who said--some with a sneer1 and some with a sigh--that signing the pledge would not amount to anything2 the miserable fellow could not keep a pledge to save his life6 ,sallie would have thought nothing of the kind4 ,she had faith in her father's word4 ,it is a wonderful stimulus to have some one who believes in us4 ,,chapter ,,xxv4 ,,what ,,do ,,you ,,hope ,,to ,,accomplish8 ,,do you know1 said ,mrs4 ,roberts1 addressing ,gracie ,dennis1 who1 with young ,reid1 had waited in the hall for her to join them 7they were ready for the lecture1 and were to take up ,mr4 ,roberts on the way7--do you know that ,i have a desire which ,i see no way of realizing8 ,if ,mr4 ,colson should bring his sister with him to-night1 ,i should like so much to get possession of her and bring her home with me4 ,but ,i have been planning all day1 and see no possible excuse for such an apparently wild proceeding4 ,i want you to notice how naturally ,mrs4 ,roberts said ,mr4 ,colson4 ,she never talked about ,dirk under any other name2 she even taught herself to think of him as ,mr4 ,colson4 ,consequently1 when she spoke the name in his presence1 there was not a trace of unnaturalness in tone or manner4 ,the others tried in vain to follow her example4 ,dr4 ,everett could not speak of him in this way without slight hesitation and a touch of embarrassment4 ,the truth is1 said he1 ,i think ',dirk' all the week1 and on the ,sabbath ,i find it impossible to reach up to ',mr4 ,colson' without an effort4 ,there was no touch of reaching up or reaching down about ,mrs4 ,roberts's talk with her pupils4 ,it is possible that this is one link in the chain of influence which she was weaving around them4 ,gracie ,dennis's face expressed curiosity1 and when they were seated in the carriage1 she referred to the cause3-- ,but1 ,flossy1 ,i cannot imagine why you should want to do such a thing4 ,it will certainly be too late to-night to try to get acquainted with her4 ,i should think some time when you could have an unbroken evening would be the better for experimenting4 ,for some sorts of experimenting it would1 ,mrs4 ,roberts answered1 smiling quietly2 my experiment1 in part at least1 was to see how the pink room might impress her4 ,flossy ,shipley6 ,when ,gracie took refuge in that name1 her hostess knew she was not only much excited1 but a trifle disapproving2 at such times she made haste to change the subject4 ,it happened that the thing for which she had been planning shaped itself so naturally as to give not the slightest colour of premeditation to the act4 ,when ,dirk and his sister worked their way through the dense crowds to the open air1 they discovered that it was raining heavily4 ,for almost the first time in her life the fact struck terror to ,mart ,colson's soul4 ,ordinarily no duck could have been more indifferent to a rain-storm than herself4 ,on this evening she gave vent to her dismay in short1 expressive words1-- ,sallie's bonnet6--,and cape6 ,this last after a moment's thought4 ,and shoes6 she added1 as the magnitude of her troubles grew upon her4 ,drawn up close to the sidewalk stood a carriage and a pair of horses that ,dirk could not help giving admiring attention to1 despite the rain4 ,a fine horse always held his attention4 ,no thought of the occupants of the carriage came to him1 not even after a head leaned forward and a hand beckoned2 of course it was beckoning to somebody else4 ,then a clear voice spoke3-- ,mr4 ,colson4 ,he started quickly forward2 there was but one person who ever said ,mr4 ,colson1 and besides1 that voice belonged only to one4 ,i want your sister to go home with me4 ,it is raining so hard that she ought not to walk1 and ,i should like very much to have her stay with me to-night4 ,won't you ask her to1 please8 ,if ,mrs4 ,roberts had been asking a favour1 instead of conferring one1 her voice could not have been sweeter and more winning4 ,dirk went back to his sister1 too much bewildered by the state of affairs even to express surprise4 ,mart1 he said1 she wants you4 ,a quick spring to the sidewalk1 and young ,reid was standing beside ,mart4 ,it is raining so hard1 he explained1 ,mrs4 ,roberts would be very glad if you would come4 ,and ,mart1 thinking of nothing at all save ,sallie's bonnet and cape and shoes1 turned toward the waiting carriage4 ,mr4 ,reid had his umbrella raised1 and carefully shielded the bonnet1 assisting its wearer to enter the carriage with as much courtesy as he had bestowed on ,gracie ,dennis but a few moments before4 ,not a movement was lost on the watching ,dirk4 ,when the door was closed and the good-nights had been said--,mrs4 ,roberts leaning from the carriage again for that purpose--and when the horses had dashed around the corner1 he still occupied his position on the curbstone1 gazing down the street1 gazing at nothing unless he saw a reflection of his own bewildered thoughts4 ,come6 said a policeman who knew him1 and was therefore suspicious4 ,what are you hanging about here for8 ,move on6 ,humph6 said ,dirk1 as he slowly took his hands out of his pockets1 eyes still fixed on the corner where the carriage had turned4 ,what if ,i should8 ,something in his eye would have told ,mrs4 ,roberts1 had she been there1 that he meant more than moving down the street1 though that he presently did1 regardless of wind and rain4 ,meantime the bonnet and cape in the carriage stepped somewhat into the background1 and the girl who wore them allowed herself once more to think of her individuality1 and to wonder at her position4 ,she sat bolt upright on the edge of the soft1 gray seat1 and gazed about her as well as she could by the glimmer of the street lamps4 ,she in a carriage6 ,mart ,colson sitting on a back seat1 beside a grand lady1 and rolling down the avenue6 ,who would have supposed that such a thing could have happened to ,sallie ,calkins's bonnet8 ,mrs4 ,roberts recognized the bonnet and cape with a smile of satisfaction4 ,she had studied much over the possibilities of this girl's costume4 ,was it probable that she had anything suitable to wear to a lecture8 ,she had passed the cellar where the girl lived but once1 and had had but one glimpse of her2 yet these glimpses had been enough to render it highly improbable that she had any street costume4 ,then had ,mrs4 ,roberts canvassed the possibilities of getting a street suit for her2 there were apparently insurmountable difficulties in the way4 ,she was too utterly unacquainted with the ground to venture4 ,besides1 there were reasons for believing that anything of value would find its way from that cellar to a pawnbroker's in a very short space of time4 ,having spent hours over many different schemes1 and rejected each one as liable to bring disaster1 ,mrs4 ,roberts was obliged to betake herself to prayer4 ,if the watching ,saviour wanted her to work through the medium of this lecture on this particular child of his1 he could certainly see that she was present2 could furnish her with clothes to wear1 either through herself or some other of his servants4 ,she would wait and watch4 ,not once had she thought of ,sallie ,calkins and the new bonnet that her own fingers had helped to fashion2 yet here it was beside her on the head of this girl1 toward whom she was drawn6 ,the fact made ,mrs4 ,roberts radiant4 ,she said almost nothing to the startled prisoner at her side1 beyond a murmured1 ,so glad you let me carry you home with me6 ,then she drew a bright-coloured wrap about her1 and left her to her amazement1 while the eager tongues of the rest of the party talked continuously4 ,by the way1 you are not acquainted with the pink room1 ,i think4 ,you should see it before it is invaded for the night4 ,large it is4 ,i think little people sometimes have a peculiar fondness for large rooms2 ,mrs4 ,roberts had4 ,the walls were tinted with what might be called a suggestion of pink1 with just a touch of sunset gold about the mouldings4 ,the carpet was soft and rich2 it gave back no sound of footfall4 ,it was strewn with pink buds2 some just opening into beauty1 some half-blown4 ,accustomed to the sight of elegant carpets as you are1 you would almost have stooped to pick one of these buds1 they looked so real4 ,the curtains to the windows were white1 but lined with rose pink2 they were looped back with knots of pink ribbons4 ,the bed was a marvel of pink and white drapery2 so was the dressing-bureau4 ,the easy-chairs were upholstered in soft grays with a pinkish tinge2 and the tidies1 lavishly displayed1 were all of pink and white4 ,there was nothing conventional about the room4 ,a professional would have been shocked by some of its appointments4 ,many a lady of wealth1 accustomed to having things as they decree1 would have been more than doubtful over the pink ribbons and the profusion of white drapery4 ,aside from the carpet1 and a choice picture or two1 there was nothing especially expensive about the furnishings4 ,it was simply a room in which ,mrs4 ,roberts had allowed her own sweet little fancies to take her captive4 ,the gas was lighted2 the door was ajar into a toilet-room2 a lavish display of great1 beautiful towels could be seen as you peeped in1 and various touches told of an expected guest4 ,flowers were blossoming on the mantle1 and a tiny vase which stood on a bracket near the toilet-stand held a single rose of a peculiar hue and perfume1 which had blossomed for this hour--at least1 ,mrs4 ,roberts thought it had4 ,into this room1 in all its purity and beauty1 went ,sallie ,calkins's bonnet and cape and her strong1 new1 thick shoes2 and the wearer thereof pushed the bonnet away from her flushed face1 and stood and looked about her4 ,downstairs they discussed in curious tones not her1 but the mistress of the mansion4 ,flossy1 ,i do think you are too queer for anything6 ,why don't you have her go to ,katy's room8 ,katy is away for the night1 you know1 and ,i'm sure her room is as neat and pretty as can be4 ,imagine what a contrast it would be to anything that she has ever seen6--,mr4 ,reid1 you ought to see the room into which she has been put4 ,there isn't a more elegant one in the house4 ,some of its furnishings are so delicate that ,i hardly like to touch them4 ,what sort of a disease is it that has taken ,mrs4 ,roberts1 do you suppose1 to send her there8--,flossy1 she will get no rest to-night2 she will be afraid of that immaculate bed4 ,this1 of course1 was ,gracie ,dennis4 ,mr4 ,roberts looked from her to his wife1 his face smiling1 curious1 yet with a sort of at-rest expression4 ,what do you hope to accomplish1 ,flossy8 ,he asked the question as one who was pleased to watch a new experiment1 yet felt sure that the experimenter had an end to attain which would justify any measures that she might take4 ,mr4 ,roberts had believed in his wife when he chose her from all others2 but he was learning to believe in her in a peculiar sense1 as one led by a hand that made no mistakes4 ,she turned to answer his question1 her face bright1 yet half puzzled3-- ,i am not sure that ,i can explain to you what ,i hoped for1 she said2 ,i caught the idea from ,mr4 ,reid4 ,from me6 and the young man thus mentioned looked so astonished and incredulous that ,gracie laughed4 ,he is sure he never thought of anything so wild1 she said gaily4 ,flossy1 you must find a better excuse than that4 ,yet it was something that he said4--,do you remember telling me1 not long ago1 about your sister's idea that all the world had lost its place because of sin2 that ,god intended everything here to be beautiful1 and all life to be bright with joy1 and that ,satan had gotten hold of men's lives1 and was trying to ruin them1 and that every beautiful creation was ,god's picture to the world of what his intention had been8 ,i'm telling it poorly2 but it made a very deep impression4 ,this girl's face1 you know1 is beautiful4 ,it is what ,god meant some faces to be--at least1 ,i mean he has given her the frame for a face of beauty4 ,i have a vague1 half-understood sort of wish to give her a glimpse of harmony--something that will fit her golden hair and lovely complexion--and see what she will think of ,god's idea1 and whether she will understand that it is sin which has spoiled it1 and whether she is willing to serve the author of her ruin4 ,i don't believe ,i am making myself plain1 but ,i know what ,i mean1 at least4 ,if we do not1 ,i think it must be because you have caught a thought from ,god that we are not able to reach up to4 ,it was ,mr4 ,roberts who made this reply4 ,something in his wife's experiment had deeply moved him4 ,as for ,mr4 ,reid1 his face lighted1 as it always did1 at the mention of his sister's name4 ,sometimes ,i almost think that it is ,esther still at work1 and that ,he lets her work through this woman4 ,it was what he said to ,gracie ,dennis in an aside4 ,mrs4 ,roberts had already gone to see1 in person1 to the comfort of her guest4 ,,chapter ,,xxvi4 ,o ,,lord1 ,,take ,,dirk ,,too6 ,,she found her standing before the mirror4 ,by reason of the fact that she understood no pretty trick of braid or curl1 her long yellow hair hung just as nature had made it1 with no waves or ripples save those which had grown with its growth4 ,it fell about her now like a sunset cloud4 ,she had taken from the vase near at hand a rose1 which she had pushed in among the masses of hair1 with no knowledge as to how it should be arranged1 or indeed thought2 yet the effect was something which made ,mrs4 ,roberts give an involuntary start of admiration4 ,still it was evident that1 though apparently gazing at herself1 she was thinking away beyond herself4 ,it is doubtful if at that moment she saw the flower or her own reflection1 or knew that she was looking4 ,her eyes had the faraway expression which one sometimes sees in great power on faces like hers4 ,she turned as ,mrs4 ,roberts1 having softly knocked and received no answer1 softly entered4 ,and her first words indicated the intensity of her thought1 whatever it was4 ,dirk has 'got' to go there6 ,go where8 asked ,mrs4 ,roberts1 startled out of the words she meant to speak--startled by the hint of power in the voice and manner4 ,of whom are you thinking1 my dear girl1 and where do you want him to go8 ,i'm thinking about ,dirk1 ma'am2 ,i thought about him all the evening--the man made me2 and ,i've made up my mind4 ,he's 'got' to go to heaven6 ,i suppose ,i cannot give you an idea of the force in her voice4 ,it was as though a resolution1 from which there could be no appeal1 had been taken1 and the person resolving felt her own power to accomplish4 ,it was altogether an unexpected answer to ,mrs4 ,roberts4 ,she did not know whether to be half-frightened or to laugh4 ,she sat down in one of the easy-chairs to study the girl1 and consider what answer to make4 ,mart1 meantime1 turned back to the survey of herself in the mirror1 or to the survey of whatever she saw there1 and continued talking3-- ,i never knew much about heaven4 ,you may guess that if you have ever been in our alley4 ,only lately1 ,sallie ,calkins she's been telling me what you told her1 and ,i had a kind of notion that you must know what you was talking about1 and that it was for rich folks and grand folks like you2 but the man told about that ,madge1 you know1 to-night--an awful drunkard and swearer1 and all that--how she reformed and went to heaven4 ,dirk ain't no drunkard1 but he will be4 ,everybody says he will1 because father is such an awful one4 ,mother1 she's never had no hope of him4 ,she says father didn't drink till he was most twenty1 and then he begun2 and she's looking for ,dirk to begin1 and ,i haven't thought he could help it either4 ,what if he doesn't care for it much yet8 ,he will1 it's likely4 ,i've never told nobody that1 not even ,sallie2 and ,i've been mad at mother every time she said any such thing4 ,but all the time ,i've been expecting him to begin2 and ,i know well enough when once they begin how it goes on4 ,but that man to-night told things that made a difference4 ,he says that ,god can keep them from wanting to drink1 and help them right straight along2 and that they can go to heaven as well as the best one4 ,i've wanted nice things for ,dirk all my life2 but ,i never saw no way to get them1 and it made me mad4 ,to-night ,i saw a way1 but ,i never had no kind of a notion how heaven looked till ,i come into this room1 and see the light and the flowers and the shine1 and another room spread out there in the glass2 and now ,i know1 and ,dirk shall go4 ,mrs4 ,roberts was in no mood for laughing2 the tears were dropping slowly on the flower she held in her hand4 ,mart saw in the glass just then a sight which seemed to add to her surprise4 ,she turned wondering eyes on her hostess4 ,what are you crying for8 she asked4 ,don't spoil the flower2 it is like the one ,dirk brought me once4 ,he said you sent it to me4 ,i kept it 'most a week4 ,i took it over to ,sallie's1 and she got fresh water for it every day1 somehow2 and it was then she begun to tell me what you said about heaven1 and ,i thought if ,god had made such flowers as that for you1 it was likely he had made a heaven for you4 ,but ,i didn't believe it was for ,dirk till to-night1 and ,i didn't have no kind of a notion how it looked till just now4 ,do you believe what that man said--that folks like ,dirk can go8 ,of course1 if ,madge went1 why1 ,dirk would have a right4 ,he is bad1 just because he has to be4 ,he never had no chance to be anything else2 and he ain't very bad1 anyhow--nothing to compare with some4 ,her voice was almost fierce in its earnestness2 she was beginning to resent the creeping doubt that ,mrs4 ,roberts's silence suggested4 ,careful words must be spoken now4 ,what if this awakening soul should be turned aside8 ,no wonder that the unspoken words were prayers4 ,dirk 'has' a right to go to heaven1 she said steadily1 sweetly2 there is not the shadow of a doubt as to his right4 ,no one in the world--not ,satan himself--can deprive him of it2 and it is not only his right1 but his 'duty' to go4 ,then he shall6 ,i wish ,i could give you an idea of the strength in the girl's voice4 ,it almost carried conviction with it to ,mrs4 ,roberts's heart4 ,come and sit down1 she said1 and she drew her towards one of the low cushions4 ,if ,mart sat on that1 her head would be just where a gentle hand could stroke the masses of hair4 ,let me talk with you about this4 ,you are mistaken in one thing4 ,dirk is very bad4 ,he is bad enough to shut him out of heaven for ever4 ,the girl started1 and tried to fling off the caressing hand4 ,so are you1 said the gentle voice4 ,oh 'me'6 ,don't talk about me4 ,who ever said ,i wasn't bad8 ,let me go2 ,i want to go home4 ,i don't care how hard it rains4 ,and so am ,i1 continued the gentle voice4 ,the girl on the cushion ceased struggling to free herself from the caressing touch1 and remained motionless4 ,let me tell you of something that we have each done a great many times4 ,we have been asked and urged and coaxed1 day after day and year after year1 to accept an invitation to go to this very heaven1 and we have paid no attention at all2 and this after ,jesus ,christ had given his life to make a way for us to go4 ,is not that being bad8 ,dirk he never had no invitation--never heard anything about it4 ,yes1 he has1 speaking with quiet firmness4 ,the ,lord ,jesus ,christ told me to invite him1 and ,i have done so a great many times1 and he has made no answer2 and ,sallie ,calkins has invited you1 and you have treated it in just the same way4 ,i didn't believe it4 ,isn't that being bad8 ,what has ,he ever done that you should refuse to believe his word1 when he died an awful death to prove to you that he was in earnest8 ,you said ,dirk had a right to go4 ,so he has4 ,jesus ,christ has given him a right if he will4 ,i have invited you to my house1 and asked you to spend the night in this room1 and sleep in this bed4 ,has any person a right to keep you from doing so8 ,no4 ,an emphatic nod of the head1 and a lingering1 almost loving look at the white bed behind her4 ,then cannot you truthfully say that you have a right to be here8 ,my dear girl1 it is so faint an illustration of what ,jesus ,christ has done to give you a right to heaven1 that ,i almost wonder at your understanding it4 ,but can you imagine something of how ,i should have felt had ,i urged you to come to me night after night1 for weeks and years1 and you had turned from me with no answer1 or else with scorn8 ,you wouldn't have kept on asking me4 ,mart spoke with the assurance of one who had firm faith in her statement4 ,no1 ,i presume ,i should not4 ,i would have said1 after the third or fourth invitation1 ',if she really will not have anything to do with me1 ,i cannot help it4' ,and ,i should have tried to forget you4 ,this is one of the many differences between ,christ and me4 ,he waits1 and asks1 and 'asks4' ,how long will you keep him waiting8 ,i have given you only the beginning of the conversation4 ,it was long ere it was concluded4 ,downstairs ,mr4 ,reid waited as long as he could1 curious to know the result of ,mart's first impressions4 ,then he went away1 and ,gracie went to her room1 and the house settled into quiet4 ,and ,mr4 ,roberts in the library waited for his wife1 while she told over again1 with tender words and simple illustrations1 the old1 old story1 so fitted to the wants of the world4 ,how many times has there been a like result6 ,it was midnight when they knelt together1 the fair child of luxury and the child of poverty2 but the ,saviour1 who intercedes for both1 bent his ear1 and heard again the cry of a groping soul seeking him out of darkness1 and held out his loving1 never-failing arms1 able to reach down to her depth1 and received her to himself4 ,who can tell that story8 ,who can describe how heaven seemed to the girl just then8 ,it was not what ,mrs4 ,roberts had expected4 ,i cannot even say that it was what she had hoped for4 ,her faith had not reached to such a height at all4 ,she could hardly have put into words what she hoped4 ,when she ventured to try to tell it to the friends in the parlour and to you1 ,i doubt whether you understood4 ,she thought to get a hold on the girl2 to show her something of ,god's beauty and love1 as it shone through herself2 to make her long after something her life did not give1 and to gradually lead her to seek after satisfaction in ,christ4 ,a long process--something that should unfold gradually1 with many discouraging drawbacks1 and some days that would look like utter failures4 ,she had schooled herself to be prepared for this2 but she had not looked for ,him to exert his mighty power to save in a moment4 ,how it had touched her to find a soul hungry1 not for itself1 but for a brother1 ,i shall not attempt to tell4 ,the first words she said1 after she went back to her waiting husband a little after midnight1 were these3-- ',he could not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief4' ,i think that is what is the matter with the world to-day4 ,i wonder if ,he would not be pleased with one who could throw herself at his feet with a childlike abandon of faith1 and expect wonders1 yes1 and impossibilities1 just as a child feels that anything can be done by father8 ,god has shamed my faith to-night4 ,it is as though ,i had asked for a crumb of bread1 and he gave me the entire loaf4 ,that girl upstairs has not heard of him before as a ,saviour for her--has never thought of such a thing1 or1 at least1 dreamed of its possibility2 and yet she has given herself to him4 ,and1 ,evan1 what do you think were the first words she said8 ',o ,lord1 take ,dirk too6' ,she is on her knees at this moment praying for him4 ,if you could have seen her face when it first dawned upon her that she could tell ,god about him1 and ask for his mighty power to be exerted in his behalf1 it would have been a picture for your lifetime4 ,o ,evan1 ,evan1 why can we not expect great things of ,god8 ,,chapter ,,xxvii4 ,,an ,,awful ,,problem6 ,,isn',t it strange the ways the ,lord takes to answer prayers8 ,much prayer had been made for ,dirk ,colson1 but few had thought of his sister4 ,sallie ,calkins1 it is true1 had come with trembling steps into the light of ,christ's love1 and had immediately desired to have ,mart enjoy it with her1 but was very trembling and doubting as to her ability to reach ,mart1 or to influence her in the right direction4 ,she sent the bonnet and cape to the lecture with a prayer1 but she did not look for the prayer to be answered4 ,verily1 ,he has to be content with faith less than a grain of mustard-seed4 ,was the rest of the story an answer to prayer8 ,we are to remember that he has strange ways4 ,events startling enough in their import followed each other in rapid succession4 ,in the first place1 ,dirk's father1 poor1 wrecked man1 returned no more4 ,whether he had wandered among the network of railroads which lined the southern portion of the city and lost his life there1 or whether he had fallen into the river1 or just how he had disappeared1 could not be discovered4 ,there were three men killed by an accident on the road one night1 but their disfigured bodies were buried before ,dirk heard of it4 ,there was a man seen struggling in the water off the lower wharf one evening1 but he sank before help could reach him1 and his body was not recovered4 ,there were half-a-dozen men killed by a boiler explosion1 but that was not heard of in time to look into it4 ,there were so many ways in which the wreck might have gone out of life and left no sign4 ,they were safe in supposing that he was intoxicated1 and that was about all they could be perfectly sure of concerning him--that1 and the fact that he came no more4 ,of course1 there was no such search for him as is made for the man of respectability and position4 ,to one who had some idea of the worth of a soul1 it was pitiful to see what a tiny ripple this disappearance made on the surface of life4 ,a moment of startled questioning by those who lived in the immediate neighbourhood2 a few women with aprons thrown over their heads congregating in groups around the pump or before the door of the bakery2 a crowd of dirty children1 stopping their play for a moment1 and speaking lower3 then the tide of noisy1 fighting1 swearing life went on4 ,one was gone out from it4 ,whither8 ,none knew1 few cared2 and there were such crowds and crowds left1 how could he be missed8 ,one missed him--an abused1 insulted1 down-trodden woman--one whom1 years before1 he had promised to love and cherish1 until death parted them1 and had broken the vows almost as soon as taken1 and never renewed them again4 ,yet that woman wept bitter tears over his absence2 watched for him1 listened nightly for his staggering footsteps2 rose up from her heap of straw in the corner in the middle of the night1 and set wide-open the cellar door1 and listened to the angry voices floating down to her from some drunken brawl further up the street1 if1 perchance1 she might hear his2 listened1 and held her breath1 and quivered all over with hope and fear2 then crept back to her miserable bed1 covered her head with the ragged quilt1 and cried herself into a few hours of forgetfulness4 ,she is crying herself to death about him6 ,mart said4 ,there was surprise mingled with awe in her voice4 ,she told it to ,dirk1 and the two stood thoughtfully for a moment looking out at the one window4 ,they carefully avoided looking at each other4 ,they did not understand4 ,to them there was simply relief in the father's absence4 ,they had no trace of love for him in their hearts4 ,the word father meant nothing to them but misery4 ,still there was that in them which respected the mother's grief2 they tried to shield her4 ,dirk1 of his own thoughtfulness1 brought home some tea in a paper1 and bought half a pint of milk at the corner dairy4 ,and ,mart took lessons of ,sallie1 and made a delicate slice of toast1 and borrowed ,sallie's one cup and saucer to serve the tea in4 ,she was disappointed that the mother cried1 and could hardly drink the tea4 ,she was even almost vexed that the mother said with tears that3 ,poor ,jock always did like tea so much1 and she had always thought that maybe if he could have had it hot and strong1 he would not have taken to the drink4 ,mart had no faith in this1 no belief that anything in her father's past life could have kept him from the drink2 but she held herself silent1 and let the tears have their way4 ,all the time she had in her heart one great solemn regret4 ,there was ,one who would have helped her father1 would and could have saved him1 even from rum4 ,what if she1 his daughter1 had known the ,lord ,jesus1 and could have taken the miserable father to him and had him transformed6 ,mart had no doubt about his power to do it4 ,an unanswerable argument had been given her4 ,no infidel need try to assail her now4 ,but the father6 ,why had everybody kept silence and let him sink away8 ,awful6 ,why had not she known ,christ8 ,why had she not listened to ,sallie but a week before8 ,why had not ,dirk learned the way and saved his father8 ,an awful problem6 ,mart's life must henceforth be shadowed by it4 ,meantime what was ,mrs4 ,roberts to do for this new-born soul8 ,how was she to help her1 and1 through her1 to help her brother8 ,she1 in her elegant home1 sat down to study this problem4 ,life at ,east ,fifty-fifth ,street was so far removed from life in the alley that she knew nothing about the missing father4 ,days passed1 and1 busy with many claims of society1 she had made no movement toward helping the girl1 and knew as yet no way to do it2 yet she carried her on her heart4 ,monday evening came and went1 and still she had been detained from any effort4 ,one afternoon her thoughts shaped themselves into action4 ,she would go and see ,mart4 ,she would get ,dirk to protect her in her journey down the alley2 also1 in accomplishing this1 she would accomplish another thing4 ,she would call on ,dirk at his place of business4 ,the chief of the office was a ,christian man2 yet she had reason to believe that he knew less about ,dirk1 and cared much less for him1 than he did for his little dog that sat in the window and barked at passers-by4 ,she had no difficulty in securing attention4 ,ladies were not often admitted1 but a card bearing the name ,mrs4 ,evan ,roberts was sufficient passport among any of the business men of the city4 ,mr4 ,stone was more than ready--he was eager to serve her4 ,what could he do for the elegantly-dressed lady whose carriage waited at the door1 while she came in person among the bales and boxes8 ,her business must be urgent4 ,it was4 ,could she speak with ,mr4 ,colson just for a moment8 ,she would not detain him long1 but she wished to make an appointment with him for the next day4 ,mr4 ,colson6 ,the chief and his perplexed assistant looked at each other thoughtfully and shook their heads4 ,there was no such person connected with their establishment4 ,she must have the wrong number4 ,no2 she was positive4 ,he told me only three days ago that he was in your employment4 ,he is on the third floor1 ,i believe4 ,the gentlemen looked at each other again4 ,colson6 repeated ,mr4 ,stone4 ,there is certainly a mistake4 ,briggs is in charge on the third floor front1 and ,dickson has the back rooms4 ,no1 ,mrs4 ,roberts1 we have no such name among our men1 ,i am positive4 ,but ,mrs4 ,roberts gently held her ground4 ,she was sure she was not mistaken1 for she had talked with him about his work and the different men4 ,he was in ,mr4 ,briggs's department1 she felt quite sure4 ,he was not a foreman1 she explained1 but quite a young man1 had been there but a few weeks1 and ,dr4 ,everett was the one who had interested himself in securing the place4 ,light of some sort began to dawn on the perplexed faces of the gentlemen4 ,can she mean black ,dirk1 do you suppose8 questioned the elder1 looking hard at his associate4 ,then came the sweet voice of the visitor4 ,oh1 no1 he is not a coloured gentleman4 ,his name is ,colson--,mr4 ,derrick ,colson4 ,that is the one1 said the gentleman quickly4 ,should he laugh or be annoyed8 ,it took but a moment after that to summon ,mr4 ,derrick ,colson4 ,black he was1 certainly1 not only by reason of his naturally dark skin1 but because of the grimy work1 whatever it was1 which fell to his lot4 ,his big apron was soiled with ink and oil1 and daubed with bits of dark colour which seemed not to be either4 ,he came forward with his usual shambling gait1 and an additional shade of sullenness apparent on his face1 but it glowed a swarthy red when he recognized the lady4 ,good-afternoon1 ,mr4 ,colson1 she said1 and she held forth her delicately-gloved hand4 ,his own went forward to meet it1 then drew suddenly back4 ,it is not clean enough1 he said2 there's ink or something on it4 ,but the lavender kids were not withdrawn4 ,never mind the ink2 a little honest soil never hurt anybody1 and the rough1 dark hand was taken in her own4 ,then occurred a few moments' chat2 at least the lady chatted with easy familiarity4 ,she referred to the ,social ,parlours1 to the ,monday ,evenings1 to ,miss ,dennis's ,musicale1 to half-a-dozen themes about which the bewildered gentlemen within hearing knew nothing4 ,could it be that the low-voiced1 gentle lady was trying to give them a lesson as well as to talk with ,dirk8 ,finally she made an appointment for the next afternoon4 ,would his employer be so kind as to excuse him for an hour1 if convenient8 ,certainly1 it would be convenient1 to please ,mrs4 ,evan ,roberts4 ,dirk was very much embarrassed4 ,he blushed and stammered1 and did not know how to answer any of the kindnesses4 ,but there were two things during the interview which gave ,mrs4 ,roberts more pleasure than you1 perhaps1 are able to understand4 ,one was1 that at sight of her he had suddenly snatched off the paper cap which he wore2 and the other1 that having set it again on his head as he turned from her1 he glanced back from the door1 and1 in answer to her bow and smile1 lifted the ugly little cap with an air that was an exact imitation of young ,reid1 and yet so well done that you would not have thought of it as an imitation4 ,mrs4 ,roberts could have clapped her bands1 but she did not4 ,instead she said sweetly1-- ,i am very glad that ,mr4 ,colson is in the employment of a ,christian gentleman4 ,he is greatly in need of help from all ,christian sources1 and ,i am sure there is that in him which will respond to judicious effort4 ,then she let the bewildered man attend her to her carriage1 and went on her way rejoicing4 ,but there were plans being laid for her at that moment of which she knew nothing4 ,to-morrow she would go and see the golden-haired girl4 ,in a neatly-packed basket she had certain things--among them a bonnet and a sack that she knew would fit the hair and face1 and she believed would give ,mart pleasure4 ,if only she could contrive a natural way to give them to her1 and there could be planned ways of keeping them safe from the pawnbroker's grasp4 ,all this time she knew nothing of the fact that the hand which had grasped for years to furnish the pawnbroker was stilled for ever4 ,it had not once occurred to ,dirk to tell her4 ,it is a solemn fact that in this greater excitement he had actually forgotten it6 ,as for the ,christian employer1 he did not know of it to tell4 ,he had not so much as known whether black ,dirk had a father or not4 ,he was simply a street rough whom ,dr4 ,everett was trying experiments with4 ,and because there was an unusual pressure on the office1 and poor help was better than none1 he was helping the experiment4 ,however1 when ,dirk went home from the office that night1 he remembered that the father was gone4 ,mart met him at the door1 a look of solemn determination on her face4 ,dirk1 she said1 she's going2 as sure as you live1 she's going4 ,she's been bad all the afternoon4 ,sallie says that ,mark's doctor will come to see her--she knows he will1 and ,mark shall go for him as soon as he comes home2 but ,i don't mean to wait for no doctor4 ,i want 'her' to come4 ',she' knows the way1 and ,i want mother to be told it right1 so there won't be no mistake4 ,you go for her1 ,dirk1 right off straight4 ,there ain't any time to lose1 for ,i tell you now she's 'going4' ,she's been failing all along1 you know1 and she has just cried herself down4 ,dirk1 will you go for 'her' as fast as you can8 ,the confusion of pronouns might have bewildered you4 ,they did not ,dirk4 ,her meant to him exactly what it did to ,mart4 ,he could not think how it could possibly mean any other person4 ,but this was astounding news about his mother6 ,it was one thing to have a father disappear whom he had simply feared until he had learned to hate4 ,it was quite another thing to talk about the going away of the only one who had ever tried to mend his clothes1 and who had sat up nights to wash them when she could4 ,he strode past ,mart into the wretched room1 and looked at the bed in the corner4 ,the mother was asleep1 but on her face was a strange change--a something that he had never seen there before1 worn and sunken as it always was4 ,it made him understand ,mart's fears4 ,i'll go1 he said huskily1 and rushed from the house4 ,her carriage was just rolling down the avenue as his swift feet cleared the alley4 ,he knew the horses4 ,he was a little ahead of them2 but it was not probable that the driver would stop for him4 ,won't you stop that carriage8 he said in breathless haste to a policeman at the corner4 ,i've got to speak to the lady that's in it4 ,i'll be quite likely to1 no doubt6 said the policeman in quiet irony4 ,what rascality are you up to now1 ,dirk8 ,can't you be decent for a few days8 ,but ,dirk was trying to free himself from the detaining hand1 and threw up one arm in a sort of despairing gesture to the coachman4 ,mr4 ,roberts caught the signal1 recognized the face1 and in another moment the horses stood restlessly by the curbstone1 and ,dirk1 his embarrassment gone1 told his brief story rapidly3-- ,father went off a little ago1 and never came back2 and mother1 she is sickly1 and it set her crying2 and she's going1 ,mart thinks1 and ,i guess it's so2 and ,mart wants you to come and show her the way4 ,she said you knew how1 and you would come4 ,,chapter ,,xxviii4 ,,may ,,she ,,go ,,with ,,me8 ,,of course she went4 ,and of course1 now that the truth was known1 much was done4 ,dr4 ,everett was summoned4 ,the wretched bed1 with its distressing rags1 was turned out altogether1 and a comfortable one took its place4 ,broths and teas and jellies and physical comfort of every kind were furnished1 and the doctor did his best to battle with the disease that long years of want and misery had fastened upon their victim4 ,it was all too late1 of course4 ,it was true what ,mr4 ,roberts sadly said1 that half of the effort1 expended years or even months before1 might have saved the poor1 tortured life2 but now6 ,how awful those too lates are6 ,isn't it a wonder that we ever take the risk of having one ring in our ears for ever8 ,there was one thing over which some of these ,christian workers shed tears of joy4 ',i' am too late1 said ,dr4 ,everett1 but my ,master has as much power to-day as ever4 ,he can save her4 ,and he did4 ,the poor1 tired woman1 who years before had remembered an old story well enough to name her one daughter ,martha1 in memory of the one who loved ,martha and her sister and ,lazarus1 roused her dull heart at the mention of ,his name1 and listened while the wonderful story was told her that he loved not only ,martha and her sister1 but her own poor1 sinful1 wrecked self--loved her enough to reach after her1 and call and wait1 and prepare for her a home in his glory4 ,dear6 ,why has not some one come with the news before8 ,surely she would have listened during those long1 sad years4 ,well1 they made the way plain4 ,neither was it a difficult thing to do4 ,the woman was weary1 and travel-stained1 and afraid1 and longed for nothing so much as a place of refuge4 ,she knew that she was a sinner2 she knew that she was1 and had been for many a year1 powerless to help herself4 ,why should she not hail with joy the story of a great and willing ,helper8 ,come unto me1 all ye that labour and are heavy laden4 ,she opened her eyes with a gleam of eagerness to hear the words3 ,weary8 ,yes1 indeed6 ,heavy laden8 ,who more so8 ,if the call was not for her1 whom could it mean8 ,what else8 ,why1 what but the glorious old story1-- ,i will give you rest4 ,what wonder that she closed her eyes and smiled4 ,what wonder that the first words after that were1 ,i'll come2 show me how4 ,and he showed her how4 ,dirk1 the sister said1 when the mother had gone the last and only restful journey of her life--,dirk1 she went to heaven1 and ,i'm going4 ,i've been wanting to tell you for more than a week1 but ,i didn't know how4 ,he asked me to1 and ,i'm going4 ,now1 you must4 ',cause we never had a good time here1 and she'll kind of expect it in heaven1 and be looking out for you2--she always looked out for you1 ,dirk4 ,then did ,dirk lose his half-sullen self-control1 and great tears rolled down his dark cheeks4 ,but the sister shed no tears4 ,she had serious business to attend to4 ,dirk must go to heaven now without fail4 ,one day there was an unusual scene in the alley4 ,it was no uncommon thing to see a coffin carried out from there1 but on this day there was a hearse1 and a minister in ,dr4 ,everett's carriage1 and ,dirk and his sister1 in neat apparel1 came out together and were seated in ,mr4 ,roberts's carriage2 and all the boys of the ,monday evening class walked arm in arm after the slow-moving carriages4 ,and the children of the alley stopped their playing and their fighting1 and the women stood silent in doorways1 and took1 most of them1 their very first lesson in the proprieties of life4 ,she's got a ride in a carriage at last1 poor soul6 said one1 thinking of the worn-out body in the coffin4 ,and another said1 ,i wonder what poor old ,jock would think of all this4 ,but the scene made its impression and left its lesson4 ,i think the voices of some of them were lower during the rest of the day because of it4 ,what next8 ,it was the question that filled ,mrs4 ,roberts's thoughts4 ,something must be done for ,dirk and ,mart4 ,that fearful alley was no place for human beings--certainly not for these two4 ,but what to do with them was a question not easily answered4 ,various plans were proposed4 ,sallie ,calkins's two rooms were much better than the cellar in which the ,colson family had lived2 and there was a chance to rent a room next to ,sallie's1 with a closet opening from it for ,dirk4 ,how would it do to have them board with ,sallie8 ,the suggestion came first from ,gracie ,dennis1 and sounded reasonable4 ,mrs4 ,roberts was almost ashamed to dislike it as much as she did4 ,sallie's neat rooms were home now4 ,the father1 for this length of time at least1 held to his pledge2 and son and daughter were radiant over him4 ,he had gone to work1 and already the two rooms were taking on an air of greater comfort because of the little things that he proudly brought home4 ,sallie was doing her part wisely4 ,the table was regularly laid now1 with a white cloth and knives and forks2 and two new cups and plates had been added to the dishes4 ,would it be wise to invade this home just at this juncture and introduce boarders8 ,mrs4 ,roberts did not believe that it would4 ,it was not as though the father had an established character1 and stood ready to shield his children2 they were still acting the protective1 and he had but too recently risen from the depths where ,dirk and ,mart had laughed and jeered at him4 ,besides1 the rooms were located in that dreadful alley2 and do what she would1 ,mrs4 ,roberts could not feel that that dangerously-beautiful face could find a safe abiding-place in that alley4 ,some other way must be thought of4 ,their immediate future was arranged through the intervention of a house agent2 for even that dreary and desolate cellar had its agent1 who was eager to secure his rent4 ,he was unwise enough to undertake to interview ,mrs4 ,roberts as she descended from her carriage1 not long after it had followed ,mart's mother to the grave4 ,he considered this effort of his1 a special stroke of business energy4 ,he wanted to be patient with the poor1 he said2 there wasn't an agent in the city who waited for them oftener than he did2 but business was business1 and it stood to reason that he could not depend on a fellow like ,dirk4 ,it had been bad enough when the mother was there1 but he couldn't think of such a thing as risking it now4 ,what was he to understand8 ,did she mean to rent the room for them1 and for how long8 ,because it was his duty to look out for the future4 ,what would be more natural than for ,mrs4 ,roberts1 with those two young things looking on1 to say that of course she would be responsible for the rent as long as they lived in the room8 ,thus reasoned the house agent4 ,instead of which1 ,mrs4 ,roberts turned toward ,dirk1 her face flushed over the hardness of a man who could stop a boy and girl on such business on their way from their mother's grave1 and said3 ,if ,i were in your place1 ,mr4 ,colson1 ,i should not rent these rooms at all4 ,they are not suited to your sister's needs4 ,i am sure you can do better4 ,the agent was disgusted4 ,mr4 ,colson1 indeed6 ,the disreputable young scamp whom nobody trusted4 ,he would show this silly woman a fact or two4 ,business is business1 he repeated doggedly4 ,either they must take the room1 and pay the rent in advance1 or else they must hustle out this very night4 ,i have waited now three days after time for decency's sake1 and more than that ,i couldn't and wouldn't do4 ,dirk stood looking from one to the other1 the red coming and going on his swarthy face4 ,here was responsibility6 ,he had not thought of it before4 ,the mother was not there to count out the hoarded rent with trembling fingers1 and save the wretched home to them for another month4 ,she would never be there again4 ,he had nothing with which to pay rent2 he had nowhere to move4 ,yet she had called him ,mr4 ,colson1 and seemed to expect him to act for himself and ,mart4 ,it was she who answered the agent1 but she spoke to ,dirk3 ,very well4 ,i suppose you are quite as willing to leave here to-night as at any time4 ,if ,i were you1 ,i would leave immediately4 ,let your sister come home with me for the night1 and until you have time to make other arrangements4 ,mr4 ,roberts had been summoned to a bank meeting1 and had sent ,reid to attend his wife4 ,he came forward now from the carriage1 where he had stood waiting1 and laid hand on ,dirk's arm4 ,and you come home with me to-night1 ,colson1 he said in a cordial tone1 such as he might have used with any young friend2 then we shall have a chance to talk things over and make plans4 ,that is nice1 ,mrs4 ,roberts said quickly1 rejoicing in her heart over ,reid's promptness to act4 ,then you can get away from this wretched place at once4 ,mr4 ,roberts will see to the removal of your goods1 whatever you need1 and the agent can call on him in the morning4 ,that will be the simplest way to settle it all4 ,may she go with me8 ,a slight1 caressing movement of a gloved hand on the girl's arm accompanied this question4 ,mart was silent with bewilderment4 ,when had ,dirk ever before been asked what she might do1 or might not do8 ,at first she was half inclined to scorn the suggestion4 ,then1 suddenly1 it came to her with a sense of relief and protection3 she was not alone2 it was ,dirk's business to think of and care for her4 ,would he do it8 ,as for ,dirk1 no wonder that his face was deeply flushed4 ,new thoughts were struggling in his heart4 ,he was to decide for ,mart2 he was the head of the home now4 ,mrs4 ,roberts waited anxiously4 ,she longed exceedingly to rouse in the boy1 who was already grown to the stature of a man1 a sense of responsibility4 ,a moment more1 and he had shaken himself free from the spell which seemed to bind him4 ,we'll do as you say4 ,he spoke with the air of a man who had assumed his proper place and taken up his duties4 ,mart1 you go along with her1 and ,i'll see about things to-morrow4 ,and ,mart1 for the first time in her life1 received and obeyed in silence a direction from her brother4 ,possibly ,mrs4 ,roberts may have been mistaken1 but she thought that much had been accomplished that day4 ,yet none of them realized whereunto this thing would grow4 ,mrs4 ,roberts1 when she ushered ,mart that evening into the pink room again1 and showed her how to manage the hot and cold water1 and which bell to ring if she needed anything1 and in every imaginable way treated her as a guest1 whom it was pleasant to serve1 had really no plans just then--no hobby to ride--but simply acted out the dictates of her heart4 ,you will remember that her ,christian life had been always unconventional4 ,the very fact that during her early girlhood she had been painfully trammelled by what they would say or think1 seemed to have had its influence over her later experiences4 ,since she had been made free1 she would be free indeed--that is1 with the liberty with which ,christ makes us free4 ,what would please him she resolved should be the one thought to which she would give careful attention4 ,now1 it is perhaps worthy of mention that this closely following disciple did not once stop to determine whether it would please him to give such tender care to this stray child of his1 or whether she would be considered doing not just the thing1 in his eyes1 if she entertained her in the pink room4 ,about what he would have her do next1 she gave much thought4 ,and it was not for days1 or rather weeks1 that she caught the possibility of his meaning that the pink room should really be the girl's own4 ,it was just this way4 ,the weeks went by1 and no plan for settling ,mart comfortably elsewhere met ,mrs4 ,roberts's approval4 ,there was constantly some excellent reason why the one mentioned would not do4 ,meantime they became1 she and ,gracie ,dennis1 more and more deeply interested in ,mart4 ,in her wardrobe first4 ,wherever she lives1 she should have respectable clothing2 thus much is easily settled4 ,so the matron decreed1 and ,gracie did not gainsay it4 ,she became absorbed in preparing it4 ,such fascinating work6 ,so many things were needed1 and her skin was so delicate1 and her eyes so blue1 and ,gracie's choice of shades and textures fitted her so precisely4 ,then when dressed1 simple though her toilet was1 her remarkable beauty shone out so conspicuously as to alarm ,mrs4 ,roberts1 whenever she thought of her in shop or in store4 ,several times during the weeks she visited ,sallie ,calkins1 and looked about her with a thoughtful air1 and came away feeling that it would not do4 ,there was ,mark1 growing into manhood2 a good boy1 hard-working1 respectable1 proud of his good1 homely sister1 and of his reformed father4 ,the two rooms were taking on every sort of homely comfort that ,sallie's skill1 helped by ,mrs4 ,roberts's suggestions1 could devise4 ,it was growing into a model little home in its way1 but there was not a corner in it where ,mart would fit4 ,then1 as the days passed1 a subtle1 fascinating change began to come over ,mart4 ,she slipped quietly into certain household duties4 ,she showed marvellous skill with her needle--such skill indeed1 that ,gracie ,dennis said more than once3 ,i'll tell you1 ,flossy1 what to do with her3 put her in a good establishment1 and let her learn the dressmaking trade4 ,she could make her fortune in time4 ,and ,mrs4 ,roberts smiled1 and assented to the statement1 but not to the proposition4 ,there was no dressmaking establishment known to her where she was willing to place so young and pretty and ignorant a girl4 ,but she was quite willing that ,mart should learn the looping of dresses1 and the fitting of sacks and collars and ruffles1 and take many a stitch for her1 as well as for ,gracie4 ,she was willing to have her do a dozen little nameless things the ways of doing which she had caught up2 until at last the touch of her fingers began to be felt about the rooms1 and ,mrs4 ,roberts began to notice that she should miss ,mart when she went away4 ,still1 from the first time she said this1 the thought came afterward with a smile of satisfaction1 and it was but a week afterward that she caught herself phrasing it1 that she should miss her if she went away4 ,what about ,dirk8 ,young ,reid could have told you more of him during these days than anybody else4 ,he still stayed at the boarding-house4 ,mrs4 ,saunders1 the mistress of it1 was one who1 if you had known her1 you would feel sure could interest herself heartily in such as he4 ,there was a bit of a room next to ,reid's4 ,to be sure1 it had been used for a clothes-press1 and it took the busy housekeeper half-a-day to plan how she could get along without it2 but she planned1 and offered it to ,reid for his protg4 ,just for the present1 you know1 until he sees what he can do1 poor fellow1 she said4 ,and ,reid accepted the little room joyfully1 and helped to fit it up4 ,,chapter ,,xxix4 ,,what ,,if ,i ,,belonged8 ,,you think things are taking very rapid strides8 ,well1 don't you know that there come periods when they do just that thing1 or appear to8 ,why1 even the buds on the trees teach us the lesson4 ,how many spring-times have you gone to your bed feeling that the season was late1 and the trees were bare1 and the fruits would all be backward1 and nature was dawdling along in a very wearisome fashion2 and awakened in the morning to find that there had in the night been a gentle rain1 and a movement of mysterious power among the buds and the grasses1 and that now1 in the morning sunshine1 the world had burst into bloom8 ,yet1 did you really suppose1 after all1 that the work was done in one night8 ,there was progress of several sorts in the class at the ,south ,end4 ,even a casual observer could have seen a change in the boys that first ,sunday after they had attended ,dirk's mother to the grave4 ,the dignity of that hour of sorrow was still upon them4 ,even the very reckless and world-hardened will offer a certain degree of respect to death4 ,on ordinary occasions the boys might have been merry at ,dirk's expense1 for they saw changes in him2 but the memory of his mother's coffin kept them silent1 and let his changed manner have its effect4 ,that ,sunday was full of small events to ,dirk--at least they are small enough when one puts them on paper1 though ,i admit that they looked large to him4 ,several people interested themselves in his welfare4 ,poor fellow6 said ,mrs4 ,saunders4 ,i suppose his mother tried to do for him4 ,just as likely as not she had a clean shirt for him of a ,sunday morning4 ,you will perceive that ,mrs4 ,saunders1 though all her life a resident of a large city1 was not very well acquainted with the abject poor4 ,in point of fact1 ,dirk ,colson had had no extra clothing for his mother to make clean4 ,but ,mrs4 ,saunders1 full of the motherly thought1 yet finding no trace of a shirt in the bundle of rags that ,dirk had brought with him1 went down one day into the depths of an old trunk1 and brought to light and mended and washed and ironed a shirt that had long been laid aside4 ,it lay in its purity on a chair at the foot of ,dirk's bed on ,sabbath morning4 ,he lay still and looked at it for a while1 then arose and gave such careful attention to the soap and water as was new to him1 and arrayed himself in the clean linen4 ,rig clothes were whole and clean4 ,mr4 ,roberts had seen to it that he went respectably dressed to his mother's funeral4 ,a tap at his door a little later1 and young ,reid appeared1 shoe-brush and blacking-box in hand4 ,want to borrow8 he said1 in the careless tone of one who might have supposed that the blacking of his boots was an every-day matter to this boy4 ,i always keep my own2 it is cheaper than to depend on the street boys4 ,dirk said nothing at all1 but reached forth his hand1 and took the offered tools1 and the hint which came with them4 ,when he went down to breakfast his boots shone1 and his fresh paper collar was neatly arranged2 altogether he was not the boy to whom ,i first introduced you4 ,i am not sure that ,policeman ,duffer would have recognized him4 ,a collar and a necktie make a great difference in some people's personal appearance4 ,dirk wondered a little as to where the box of paper collars came from4 ,the necktie he had just found lying in the bottom of the box4 ,it was the mate of the one ,reid wore2 but that told nothing1 for both were simple and plain1 and could be bought by the dozen in any furnishing store4 ,it is small wonder that the boys in the class looked at him4 ,nimble ,dick wore at first a roguish air1 but a sudden memory of ,dirk's face when he turned away from his mother's grave came in time4 ,open graves are not easy things to forget4 ,dirk went to the church that day--went with young ,reid by invitation1 and sat in the pew behind ,mr4 ,roberts4 ,by the way1 the seat which he occupied was another of ,mr4 ,roberts's peculiarities4 ,three seats were rented by him in a central part of the large church4 ,one of these seats he and his wife regularly occupied4 ,the others were almost as regularly occupied by the clerks from the store who chose to make that their church home4 ,six sittings to a pew4 ,when a young man chose1 ,mr4 ,roberts was ready to enter into a business engagement with him1 whereby the sitting should be considered his own1 ,mr4 ,roberts considering it to be no part of any one's concern that the sum for which he thus sublet the sittings was not a tenth of what the first rental cost4 ,it was in this way that ,mr4 ,reid owned sittings in the pew just back of that occupied by ,mr4 ,roberts1 and brought with him constantly one and another young man4 ,to-day the young man was ,dirk ,colson4 ,it was all a strange world to him4 ,he had wandered into the gallery of the mission chapel1 and looked down from his perch on the crowd of worshippers2 but this morning he was in the very centre of things1 as if he were one of them4 ,perhaps it was not strange that the startled inquiry came to his mind3 ,what if ,i belonged8 ,where did he belong now8 ,he had lost his place2 he must make another4 ,what if it should be in this neighbourhood1 among these surroundings8 ,such thoughts did not take actual shape to him1 so that he could have put them into words2 they merely hovered in his atmosphere4 ,mrs4 ,roberts sat so that he could look at her1 which thing he liked to do4 ,it had long since been settled in his mind that he had one friend1 and that one was ,mrs4 ,roberts4 ,he admired ,gracie ,dennis1 too1 with a different sort of admiration from that which he gave to the matron4 ,she might be all very well2 and she was a splendid reader1 and he knew that he could imitate her on certain sentences1 at least4 ,and she had taught him to use the type-writer--an accomplishment which he meant to perfect himself in as soon as he had a chance4 ,in fact1 his ambition reached higher than that3 one of these days1 he meant to make one of his own1 with certain improvements6 ,who shall say that ,dirk was not growing8 ,on this particular day there sat beside ,mrs4 ,roberts a lady1--a stranger4 ,he could not see her face1 but for some reason1 which he did not understand1 ,dirk liked to look at her4 ,she suggested something to him that seemed like a familiar dream4 ,he thought much about her1 and resolved to see if in her face she looked like any one he ever saw4 ,as she turned at the close of the service he was looking at her steadily4 ,lo6 ,it was ,mart4 ,no2 the possibility had not once suggested itself to his mind4 ,if you think this doubtful1 you merely show that you know nothing about the transforming effect of a becoming dress1 no matter how simple it may be4 ,remember1 ,dirk had never but twice seen his sister in a bonnet4 ,the first time it was ,sallie's2 and though the effect was sufficiently startling1 yet ,sallie's bonnet did not fit her face as this creation of ,gracie ,dennis's fingers did4 ,the second time the bonnet had been a hideous black one1 proffered by an old woman who lived in the story above them1 and whose thoughtfulness ,mrs4 ,roberts would not mar by making any mention of the neat one which she had brought in a box that day4 ,the black bonnet had been like a mask1 hiding ,mart's beauty4 ,the bonnet that she wore now was not of that character4 ,it told a wonderful story to ,dirk's astonished gaze4 ,now1 indeed1 the likeness was plain2 without doubt1 the girl whose face lighted with a curious smile at sight of him bore a striking likeness to the woman who had smiled on him whenever she met him6 ,a curious effect this had on ,dirk4 ,there was that in his sister which made it possible for her to be something like the woman who had won his heart2 and that sister was in his care--she had said so4 ,he must work for her1 and watch over her6 ,i suppose that ,sabbath was really the beginning of the surface changes in ,mrs4 ,roberts's class--not the beginning to the teacher1 but to those people who have eyes only for strongly marked things4 ,i know that it was but a few weeks afterward that ,mrs4 ,roberts came home with such an unusual light in her eyes1 and with her face so full of brightness1 that her husband said1 inquiringly1-- ,what is it1 ,flossy8 ,she turned to him eagerly1 ready to laugh4 ,it is what you will understand1 but a great many people wouldn't4 ,it is so nice that you understand things6 ,i feel just like saying1 ',thank the ,lord4' ,do you mean to convey the idea that only a very few favoured people feel like that8 ,i don't know of a person who has not great occasion4 ,what is your special one8 ,evan1 the last boy had his boots blacked1 and a fresh paper collar on6 ,mr4 ,roberts threw back his head and laughed--a genial1 hearty laugh4 ,his wife looked on1 smiling4 ,there is a great deal of character in a laugh1 remember2 you would have known that this was a sympathetic one4 ,mr4 ,roberts was entirely capable of realizing what this said to his wife about the future of her boys4 ,it was becoming certain that their self-respect was awakened4 ,a few days thereafter occurred another of those little things which mark some characters4 ,dirk1 at ,mrs4 ,saunders's breakfast-table on ,sabbath morning1 heard talk that on ,monday1 he recalled4 ,by the way1 ,i should have told you of one other way in which the ,sabbath became a marked day to him4 ,he slept in the little room which opened from ,reid's1 but his meals were picked up at a restaurant1 as occasion offered1--a much nicer and surer method of living than he had ever known before4 ,even the commonest restaurant was great respectability to him4 ,yet you will remember that he had by this time taken several suppers in ,mrs4 ,roberts's dining-room4 ,he knew that there was a difference in things--in fact1 his experience now stretched over infinite differences2 but the first time he sat down to ,mrs4 ,saunders's breakfast-table1 on a ,sabbath morning1 he discovered another grade3 this by no means belonged to the restaurant class4 ,these ,sunday breakfasts and dinners were some of ,mrs4 ,saunders's quiet ways of helping along the work of the ,christian world4 ,many a young man appeared at her table as the guest of ,reid or of ,dr4 ,everett1 or of some other of the boarders1 who was unaware that he owed the pleasant experience to the landlady4 ,well1 ,dirk at the ,sabbath table heard talk of one ,general ,burton1 famous as a soldier1 a scholar1 and an orator4 ,general ,burton was in the city1 the guest of a prominent man4 ,he was to speak on the following evening in one of the great halls1 and much eager talk was had concerning him2 great desire was expressed to hear him1 to get a glimpse of him4 ,dirk listened in silence1 but had his own thoughts about what it must be to have people talking about one1 wanting to get a glimpse of one1 and next1 what it must be to be intimate with such people4 ,did ,mrs4 ,roberts know the great man8 he wondered4 ,and then ,dirk smiled as he thought how queer it was that he should know ,mrs4 ,roberts--that he might1 in fact1 be called intimately acquainted with her6 ,remembering this reverie of his1 you will better understand how he felt on ,monday morning1 as he made his way in haste down a quiet part of one of the up-town streets1 intent on an errand that required promptness1 to hear his name called by ,mrs4 ,roberts4 ,good-morning6 she said4 ,are you in too great haste to recognize your friends8 ,i want to introduce you to a friend of mine4 ,general ,burton1 ,mr4 ,colson4--,general1 this is one of my young men1 of whom ,i told you4 ,whereupon the famous general1 hero of many battles1 held out his honoured hand and took ,dirk's in a cordial grasp4 ,i don't suppose ,i could explain to you what an effect this action had on a boy like ,dirk4 ,there is this comfort1 you may be a student of human nature1 and therefore may understand it all without explanation4 ,this is only one of many so-called trifles which occurred during the weeks to make their indelible impress on the characters of the boys4 ,of course1 the ,monday evenings prospered4 ,reading lessons and writing lessons1 and1 as time passed1 lessons of all sorts1 made good progress4 ,neatly-blackened boots1 carefully-arranged hair1 and fresh collars became the rule instead of the exception4 ,other avenues for improvement opened4 ,it became noised abroad in ,christian circles that great transformations were being worked among a certain set of hard young fellows who had hitherto been best known to the police4 ,mr4 ,roberts was interviewed by one and another1 and one outgrowth of the talks was that tickets for a course of expensive and valuable and attractive lectures on popular subjects were placed in large numbers in ,mr4 ,roberts's hands for him to use at discretion4 ,moreover1 seats were rented in the church1 towards which most of the boys gravitated--the one connected with their mission2 seats re-rented after ,mr4 ,roberts's plan1 so that as often as there appeared a young man who cared to have a spot in the church which belonged to him1 it could be had for a very small sum--in fact1 as pews rented in that church1 a ridiculously small sum4 ,these are only hints of the channels which time and patience and thought opened for these young men1 on whom1 but a short time before1 ,satan believed himself to have so firm a grip4 ,one feature of the ,monday evenings had1 in the course of time1 to be changed4 ,the young teacher of elocution went home4 ,i want to go1 she said at last1 in answer to her hostess's pleading4 ,i think it quite likely that papa would let me stay and attend school here2 but ,i am in haste to get home4 ,you need not look sober1 ,flossy4 ,i have had a happier time than ,i have ever had in my life before1 and ,i have found here a sort of happiness that will last4 ,it almost breaks my heart to think of leaving those boys1 especially my dear ,dick ,bolton2 but really ,i need to go home and undo certain things that ,i left badly done4 ,you don't half know me1 ,flossy ,shipley4 ,when ,i came here ,i was a regular goose4 ,if you had known what a simpleton ,i was1 and how hateful ,i had been about some things at home1 you would never have invited me4 ,among other things that were hateful about me1 ,i was a real horror to my mother4 ,i thought ,i had reason to distrust and dislike her1 when the truth is that ,i have cause to go down on my knees and thank her for keeping me from some things4 ,i'm in a real hurry to get home1 and show that young mother of mine what a perfectly angelic daughter ,i can be4 ,and ,mrs4 ,roberts smiled and kept her own counsel1 and this was all that she was supposed to know about her young guest4 ,she never knew the whole story about ,professor ,ellis2 though there was a girl1 ,hester ,mason by name1 in ,dr4 ,everett's ,sabbath school1 who could have told her a good deal about him1 and about ,gracie ,dennis's helping to break the net that ,satan had woven for her unwary feet4 ,the fact is1 there is a great deal concerning all these people--,hester ,mason and ,dr4 ,everett and ,joy ,saunders and ,joy ,saunders's mother--which ,i should have liked to tell you if ,i could have found room4 ,you may read of them any time1 however1 if you choose1 in a book called ,workers ,together2 or1 ,an ,endless ,chain4 ,of course1 the story of their lives does not end even there1 because the chain is1 as ,i said1 endless2 but there are many of the links presented to view4 ,so ,gracie ,dennis went home4 ,and neither then nor afterward did ,mrs4 ,roberts hear in detail the story of ,professor ,ellis4 ,what matter8 ,she had1 however1 a short added chapter4 ,it came in a letter from ,mrs4 ,marion ,dennis not long after ,gracie's return4 ,it read thus3-- ,o ,flossy ,shipley ,roberts6 ,blessed little scheming saint that you are6 ,what did you do8 ,how did you do it8 ,ah6 ,i know more about it than those sentences would indicate4 ,the dear ,lord did it1 working through you1 his servant4 ,he has called our ,gracie to higher ground1 filled her heart with that which has made insignificant things take their true place1 and wrong things show for what they are4 ,you know1 of course1 that it is all right about ,professor ,ellis2--,or no6 ,i fear it is all wrong about him1 but right with our ,gracie4 ,i hear that he has permanently located in your city4 ,perhaps your ,christian charity can reach him4 ,he sent ,gracie a letter1 trying to explain certain affairs about that ,mason girl1 with which ,i presume you are familiar4 ,she showed me the letter and her answer4 ,he will not write her another6 ,i don't know any ,mason girl1 said ,mrs4 ,roberts to her husband1 but it doesn't matter4 ,i don't want to know the story if there is nothing to be done through it4 ,there are stories enough that one 'must' know4 ,,chapter ,,xxx4 ,,it ,,is ,,no ,,made-,,up ,,affair4 ,,it was ,monday evening1 and there was company at ,mr4 ,roberts's home--not the usual ,monday evening gathering1 but quite a large party of well-dressed men and women1 many of them young1 yet some were middle-aged4 ,the pretty room opposite the conservatory was thrown open1 and aglow with lights and flowers2 and groups were continually passing in and out1 admiring the paintings and the flowers1 and the type-writers of different patterns1 and the books and magazines1 of which there were many4 ,but interest was not confined to this room4 ,the parlours were thrown open and the music-room beyond2 even the cosy little library was public property for this one evening4 ,the company was large and their tastes were varied2 so no pains had been spared to give them variety4 ,you are acquainted with quite a number of the guests2 yet ,i am by no means sure that you would recognize them all4 ,even in so short a period as three years great changes may be effected4 ,for instance1 do you know the young man in unnoticeable1 and therefore appropriate1 evening dress1 who is doing duty at the piano1 watching with practised eye the course of the player1 and turning the leaf with skilful hand at just the right moment8 ,it is a somewhat embarrassing position2 but his manner leads you to suppose that he has been accustomed to it all his life1 and that he reads music well4 ,in the latter belief you are correct2 but as to being accustomed to it--three years ago ,nimble ,dick could have told you a different story4 ,you can't believe that it is he8 ,i do not wonder4 ,the change is certainly a great one2 but he does not feel it4 ,to tell you the truth1 he almost forgets1 when he becomes absorbed in his work1 that this sort of society was not always open to him4 ,three years mean a long time to the young2 and ,richard ,bolton has so long been accustomed to the freedom of ,mrs4 ,roberts's parlour2 and to the sort of people whom one finds there1 that none of the refinements of polite life are strange to him2 and as to turning music1 has he not done it for his hostess numberless times8 ,if your eyes are now opened1 it is possible that you may be trying to spy out other young men4 ,the rooms are full of them1 elegantly-dressed fashionable young men2 but a few are noticeable by the air which they have of being in a sense responsible for the comfort of the others4 ,they are on the alert2 they are taking care that no young guest shall appear for a moment to be forgotten or neglected4 ,they appear to be entirely familiar with the house and all its appointments4 ,they can be appealed to for a glass of water or an ice1 or to know what special scene this landscape hanging over the mantle represents1 or whose bust this is in the niche at the left1 or in what portion of the library a certain book will be found1 or from what part of the foreign world that strangely-shaped shell came2 and they are all equally at home4 ,in short1 it is like having a dozen or twenty young hosts to look after your comfort and pleasure4 ,in point of fact1 there are seventeen of them4 ,the original seven has thus increased4 ,two months ago there were twenty2 but one has secured an appointment as telegraph operator in a distant city--and as ,stephen ,crowley occupies a similar position in one of the offices in this city1 some very interesting conversations are held1 and many important items connected with the ,monday evenings and the ,south ,end ,school and the ,library ,association1 etc41 are transmitted when the lines are not otherwise employed4 ,young ,haskell1 too1 has gone with one of the partners from the store where he was first employed1 to set up a branch store in a not distant town2 and his old ,sabbath school teacher has already received letters from him1 saying that they have started a branch ,sunday school in the south part of the town1 and that he has picked seven little wretches out of the streets1 from eight to twelve years of age1 and gone to work4 ,and1 dear ,mrs4 ,roberts1 ,i wish you would pray for me1 that ,i may be able to bring every one of them to ,christ4 ,so the letter ran2 and that tells volumes to the initiated about young ,haskell4 ,but although the changes among these young men have been great almost to bewilderment1 only one of the number has been promoted to a dazzling height4 ,the others are without exception earning good1 honest livings for themselves2 securing good1 substantial education through the evening classes which have grown out of that first effort2 bidding fair to become leading and honoured citizens when they actually take their places as men4 ,but ,mark ,calkins1 faithful1 plodding1 good-hearted1 patient ,mark1 has surpassed them all6 ,the truth is1 that eye hath not seen1 nor ear heard1 neither hath entered into the heart1 what sort of magnificence surrounds him now4 ,he has gone to court4 ,the chief ,ruler of the realm has sent for ,mark to be always in his immediate presence in the palace2 and with what joy he went ,i cannot tell you1 nor how often they speak of him1 and try to let their hearts conceive of the glory which surrounds him1 and dwell on the day when they will be called1 one after another1 to share the same glory1 for this is the ambition of more than half of them4 ,now1 in that sentence is unveiled the most curious part of my curious story2 and that it is curious ,i frankly admit4 ,it is no made-up affair4 ,i am not responsible for the strangeness of it4 ,you are to remember that truth is stranger than fiction1 and then to understand that ,i am telling you the truth4 ,it is1 then1 a fact that these young men have each received conditional appointments to serve in the palace1 high in power1 and splendour1 and dignity4 ,the conditions are that they are to be willing to be guided in all things by the will of their ,king1 whom they each admit to be wise above all wisdom1 and to be kind above all their conceptions of kindness4 ,it is true that nine of the number have accepted their appointments1 donned their uniform1 assumed their positions as he has directed1 and are waiting for the summons to appear in person at court4 ,it is also true that the others are still in a state of indecision2 they do not know whether to accept the appointment or not4 ,it is true that they feel themselves honoured2 that they believe this to be the only path of honourable and safe promotion4 ,it is true that they have full faith in those who will tell with joy that1 having enlisted1 they find the service even in this ante-room sweet and the rewards great4 ,it is true that they severally visited ,mark1 just as the door was opening to admit him to the palace1 and heard him speak of the glimpses of its glory1 and heard that his last words before he went away were1 ,oh1 mine eyes see the ,king in his beauty6 ,and that his voice was jubilant as that of a conqueror1 and his face radiant as with a reflection of unseen glory4 ,and yet they hesitate1 and daily with the call1 and mean1 some time1 to have such an inheritance deeded to them1 but not now4 ,remember1 ,i am not responsible for this4 ,were ,i writing fiction ,i should hesitate to set down such idiotic folly1 expecting you to call it unnatural or absurdly overdrawn2 but ,i do solemnly declare to you that this is fact4 ,account for the folly of their behaviour as best you can4 ,well1 ,sallie and her father are left behind4 ,but1 mind you1 they are not among the doubtful ones4 ,they both as much expect to serve at court as they expect to live through all eternity4 ,but while they wait1 they are busy4 ,they have moved from the alley2 the surroundings were not such as they liked4 ,did you notice that bit of a house standing modestly back from the road1 at the farther corner of those ample grounds that surround the ,south ,end ,church8 ,it is the sexton's house2 and that church1 and those ,sunday school rooms1 and those grounds1 and everything pertaining to them1 are under his care4 ,the father is the sexton it is true1 and attends the furnace and rings the bell2 but it is ,sallie's care that keeps seat and desk and window so beautifully free from dust or stain4 ,oh1 they live busy lives1 and happy ones4 ,sallie trusted not in vain in her father's promise that night1 when he put his weak will into the pledge2 but you are to understand that it was but a few days thereafter when he planted his weak and wavering feet on the ,rock of ,ages4 ,then did ,satan angle for him in vain4 ,so1 on this ,monday evening1 there were but seventeen at the gathering4 ,i hesitate over what to name the gathering4 ,i would call it a party1 but that in many respects it was so totally different from anything with which you are probably acquainted by that name4 ,the young man who stands by the door of the conservatory1 eagerly describing to ,miss ,henderson a rare and curious flower1 which has been sent to ,mrs4 ,roberts from ,california1 is ,black ,dirk4 ,really1 ,i hope you are sufficiently astonished2 for he looks so utterly unlike the scamp who used to be the special torment of the ,south ,end ,mission that ,i should be disappointed if you were not impressed by it4 ,mr4 ,colson almost everybody calls him now4 ,the name has long since lost its strangeness4 ,he is in the employment of the great firm of ,bostwick1 ,smythe1 ,roberts ,co4 ,and although ,mr4 ,roberts has never found it convenient to do so before1 there were reasons why he thought it would be well to have a clerk within call1 so ,mr4 ,colson boards with what was the junior partner of the firm4 ,he is so no more1 by the way1 for ,mr4 ,reid has been received as a member1 and is decidedly a junior partner4 ,probably ,mr4 ,roberts could tell you1 if he chose1 why one so young1 and without capital1 had been elected to partnership2 but1 as a rule1 he keeps his own counsel1 only remarking that the young man developed remarkable business faculties which were patent to the whole firm4 ,to his wife he said3-- ,i tell you1 ,flossy1 ,i believe a consecrated life will be honoured by the ,lord in whatever channel he gives it talents to develop4 ',whatsoever he doeth shall prosper4' ,that young man is going to have a career in business4 ,i shouldn't be surprised if the ,master meant him to show the world how a ,christian can use money to his glory4 ,it is early yet to prophesy what ,mr4 ,colson will do4 ,doubtless he will be a merchant2 certainly he will be a ,christian2 possibly he will be an orator1 of whom the world will yet hear--a temperance orator1 for instance4 ,i know you would like to hear him read a poem4 ,he is not confined to ,will ,carleton's style now1 though he still reads with power some of those inimitable delineations of life2 but ,gracie ,dennis offers no more criticisms when he reads4 ,in fact1 ,i have heard her defer to him1 when a question arose1 as one who had probably studied the passage and caught its best4 ,i am willing to confess that my poor ,black ,dirk was a bit of a genius4 ,the thought ,i desire you to catch is that so many of those poor fellows1 who of necessity live by their wits in the city slums1 are diamonds which could be fitted to shine4 ,you take a diamond1 and throw it down in the dirt and filth1 and put your foot on it1 and grind it in1 and leave it there1 sinking and soiling1 day after day1 year after year2 and when somebody comes along and picks it out1 how much will it gleam for him at first8 ,yet the diamond is there4 ,thou shalt 444 be 444 a royal diadem in the hand of thy ,god4 ,mrs4 ,roberts had been at work hunting diamonds for ,his diadem4 ,as ,mr4 ,colson stood there chatting freely with ,miss ,henderson1 there was nothing about the association that looked incongruous1 neither did it occur to any4 ,there was not a trace of embarrassment about this boy from the slums2 he had forgotten the slums1 and stood talking with one of the aristocrats of the city4 ,how came she to talk with him1 to allow herself to be entertained by him8 ,let me tell you2 thereby hangs a tale4 ,some time before this evening--in fact1 nearly two years before--,mrs4 ,roberts had come to a puzzle1 and stood and looked at it doubtfully4 ,then she presented it to the others3-- ,they are growing easy in their manners with me2 learning to be gentlemanly without embarrassment1 and thoughtful over little things without being ashamed of it2 but ,i am afraid that with other ladies they would be sadly frightened and awkward4 ,when ,mrs4 ,delaney came in this evening ,i could but notice how utterly silent ,mr4 ,colson became2 he had been talking well before4 ,it seems as though there was a great gulf between them and social advancement4 ,how can we bridge it8 ,then ,mr4 ,reid ventured his thought3-- ,my sister ,esther had a class in the ,centre ,street ,sabbath school--nice little girls1 who wore pretty dresses1 and had their hair curled1 and came from the best families4 ,after she was taken sick1 she told me one of her regrets was that she had not stayed well long enough to try a plan which she had4 ,she meant to take a class of rough little boys in the mission school1 and she meant to ask the mothers of the little girls to let them come1 once a month1 and play with the little boys from the streets--she to play with them and watch over them every moment1 but to try to interest the girls in teaching the boys gentleness and good manners4 ,i don't know how it would have worked4 ,esther was never well enough to undertake it1 nor could she seem to enlist any one else in such service4 ,it has grave objections1 ,i suppose2 but ,i have always thought that ,i should like to see something of the kind carefully tried4 ,mrs4 ,roberts1 before this little story was half concluded1 had turned those eager eyes of hers on the speaker--eyes that always had a peculiar light in them whenever her soul took in a new suggestion4 ,thank you1 she said4 ,i see--oh6 ,a great many things4 ,i ought to have called in that dear sister ,esther to help on this phase of the question before4 ,it has always seemed to me as though we were doing her work4 ,,chapter ,,xxxi4 ,,their ,,works ,,do ,,follow ,,them4 ,,that was the beginning of a new effort4 ,there were certain young ladies becoming well known to ,mrs4 ,roberts by reason of a similarity of tastes which drew them to her4 ,she sat down one day and wrote out their names with great care on her tablets4 ,miss ,henderson's name headed the list4 ,she was one of the aristocrats4 ,i use the word in its highest sense4 ,the accidents of wealth and position were hers--at least1 that is the way we talk1 though ,i suppose we all believe that the ,lord is the giver of both1 and will require an account of the same at our hands4 ,if this be so1 ,miss ,henderson will be more ready than some with her rendering2 for she is of royal blood1 and guards well the honour of the ,christian name she bears4 ,without hesitation1 ,miss ,henderson headed the list4 ,the others were chosen more slowly--ten of them1 picked soldiers1 to do special duty in ,his name4 ,it required much explanation1 much care to plan wisely4 ,but the girls caught at the idea4 ,in the course of weeks they formed a band1 with ,miss ,henderson for president4 ,ostensibly they were a literary society2 really they were diamond polishers4 ,they met one evening by invitation with ,mrs4 ,roberts1 and made the acquaintance of the ,monday ,club4 ,they sang for them1 read for them1 heard them read2 chatted with them on the various topics of the hour1--the last lecture of the course1 which all had attended2 a certain book carefully read and criticised by ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,roberts and ,dr4 ,everett in the ,monday ,club--not so carefully read by the young ladies2 therefore1 it came to pass that they were somewhat worsted in an argument concerning it1 which was bad neither for the young ladies nor the ,monday ,club4 ,finally1 they were taken out to supper by these young men who had so far come under ,mrs4 ,roberts's influence that they were willing to endure torture for the sake of pleasing her4 ,it is a long story4 ,i could write another book about it just as well as not4 ,the main difficulty would be that the critics would pronounce the story overdrawn4 ,they always do when one revels in facts4 ,it is only when an author keeps within the range of sober fiction that he may feel comparatively safe from this charge4 ,these young ladies represented other parlours and other dining-rooms4 ,they arranged for little graceful entertainments1 to which the ,monday ,club was invited4 ,gradually others were invited too--good1 solid men1 and wise-hearted1 motherly women4 ,the invitations were select1 the polishers were chosen with care2 but it was surprising to these workers to find how large the ,christian world is1 and how many stood ready to help if they were shown how4 ,it is one of the best suggestions that that dear ,esther has given us4 ,this ,mrs4 ,roberts said one evening when the ,young ,ladies' ,band and the ,monday ,club combined their forces and gave an entertainment to some of the best people in the avenue4 ,i have given you hints of how they did it4 ,they were every one ,christians1 these young ladies2 none others were chosen4 ,they worked with a single aim in view--,his glory4 ,they took no step that was not paved with prayer4 ,do you need to be told that they succeeded8 ,this was one of the reasons why ,mr4 ,colson chatted with ,miss ,henderson with perfect freedom1 and why his bow was graceful and easy when she introduced him to her friend ,miss ,fanshawe of ,philadelphia4 ,he was accustomed to being introduced to her friends4 ,i'm sure ,i hope you wish ,i would tell you somewhat of ,mart ,colson4 ,if you are not deeply interested in her1 ,i am disappointed in you4 ,she has been such an object of interest to me since that time when ,i caught a glimpse of her once through the cellar window1 with a gleam of sunset making her hair into gold4 ,it is a summer evening of which ,i tell you1 and she is all in white1 except her eyes--nothing can be bluer than they are to-night--and except the flowers about her4 ,she is always among the flowers4 ,i hesitate1 after all1 to tell you about ,mart4 ,hers is one of those stories hard to tell4 ,besides1 her friend and patron has suffered much criticism because of her1 and though ,mrs4 ,roberts does not care in the least1 ,i find that ,i am sensitive4 ,has she really kept that ,colson girl with her all these years8 ,yes1 she has4 ,i speak it meekly1 but she has6 ,and never had her learn a trade1 or work in a factory1 or learn to support herself in any way8 ,she has never sent her anywhere to learn a trade1 or to work in a factory1 or to stand behind a counter4 ,it is too true4 ,no1 ,i was almost sure you did not approve of it4 ,but1 for all that1 ,i don't mean to argue ,mrs4 ,roberts's cause4 ,to her own ,master she standeth or falleth4 ,not but what ,mrs4 ,roberts has argued1 on occasion--with ,gracie ,dennis1 for instance1 who paid her a few weeks' visit1 less than three months after she first went home4 ,flossy1 she would say1 what are you going to do with the girl8 ,do you really mean to keep her here8 ,she has no mother1 my child1 nor father2 and her brother is not able to care for her yet4 ,where would you have me send her8 ,why1 ,flossy1 there are places4 ,yes1 my dear1 ,i know it1 and this is one of them4 ,well1 but she ought to be learning things4 ,how is she going to support herself8 ,she is studying arithmetic with me1 you know1 and writing and reading with the dining-room girls2 and ,i am teaching her music2 and ,mr4 ,roberts proposes to have her join the history class as soon as she is sufficiently advanced in the more common studies4 ,but1 ,flossy ,shipley1 that is great nonsense6 ,you know what ,i mean4 ,you cannot turn the world upside down in that fashion1 or make an orphan asylum of your house or a charity school4 ,my dear1 do you really think the house is in danger8 ,does it look like an orphan asylum or feel like a charity school8 ,then would ,gracie ,dennis laugh1 but look a trifle vexed1 nevertheless1 and mutter that people couldn't do things that way in this world4 ,then would ,flossy be ready with her gentle drops of oil to soothe the ruffles4 ,gracie1 dear1 ,i am not trying to reform the world4 ,there are a great many girls left destitute1 ,i know1 and ,i will do at wholesale all ,i can for them2 but this one is peculiar4 ,you have admitted that it was unusual to see such dangerous beauty1 and she is unusual in her mental development4 ,she could be fierce and wicked2 she is ignorant and bitter about many things3 ,i am afraid for her4 ,i have not been able to think of a place where the ,lord ,jesus would have me take her4 ,i must see to it that 'he' is pleased1 you know1 at all hazards4 ,if he does not mean us to keep her in the shelter of our home for the present1 we do not know what he means4 ,we cannot 'mother' the whole race2 he has not even suggested it to our hearts4 ,he has simply said1 ',here1 take this one2 there is room for her2 keep her until ,i plainly tell you that her place is elsewhere4' ,gracie1 would you have me tell him we cannot8 ,by this time ,gracie would be humble and sweet4 ,it is very good of you1 she would say meekly2 and ,i was not thinking of such a thing as finding fault4 ,i was only wondering whether--whether--well1 you know1 whether such a life as she is leading in your house would not unfit her for her proper sphere8 ,but a sentence like that was always liable to put little ,mrs4 ,roberts on all the dignity she possessed4 ,her husband had ideas on that subject1 and had imbued her with them4 ,her voice could even sound almost haughty as she said1-- ,as to that1 ,gracie1 we must remember that the 'sphere' of an ,american woman is the one that she can fill acceptably in ,god's sight4 ,he may call her to the highest2 ,i don't know4 ,since she is the daughter of a ,king1 there may be no spot on his footstool too high for his intentions concerning her4 ,there was outside criticism1 of course4 ,indeed1 ,mrs4 ,roberts was sufficiently peculiar in many respects to call for much criticism from the world4 ,they talked much about that girl she had picked up4 ,gradually they said that ,colson girl2 then one day some daughter asked1 ,is she really a sister of that handsome ,mr4 ,colson in the store8 ,and by-and-by there were some who spoke of her as ,mattie ,colson4 ,that was the name which ,mrs4 ,roberts always called her4 ,it began gradually to be known also that ,mattie ,colson knew a great deal which was worth knowing4 ,three years of companionship with a lady like ,mrs4 ,roberts1 and such as she gathers about her1 can do much for a girl who wishes much done for her4 ,as to earning her living1 ,i am not sure but she was learning to do it in several ways4 ,mrs4 ,roberts struggled against all false ideas of life1 therefore taught her none4 ,she was not the cook1 but she could1 and had on occasion served up a most enjoyable breakfast4 ,she was not the second girl1 yet her fingers were undeniably skilful in the arrangement of rooms and tables4 ,she was not the sewing girl1 yet constant were the calls on fingers that had become wise in these directions4 ,she was by no means the nurse1 yet there was a little golden-haired ,flossy in the sunny room upstairs whose devoted slave she was1 and whose mother felt that ,mattie's loving1 watchful care over her darling was only second to her own1 and was so to be relied upon1 by day and night1 as to repay tenfold whatever she might have done for the girl4 ,in fact1 it would perhaps be difficult to define ,mart ,colson's position in the house4 ,yet she was1 as ,i have said1 becoming known among the young ladies outside as--,mattie ,colson1 that handsome young ,colson's sister1 as pretty as a doll1 and a protge of that lovely ,mrs4 ,roberts1 you know4 ,as for the ,young ,ladies' ,band--,i do not include them when ,i talk of the girls outside--what they had done for ,mattie ,colson she could not have told you though she tried1 her eyes shining with tears4 ,the days had come wherein the very matrons who had said that it was a strange thing for ,mrs4 ,roberts to take a girl from the slums into her family1 that it was tempting ,providence to attempt such violent wrenches1 now said one to another that it must be a great relief to ,mrs4 ,roberts to have that ,mattie ,colson always at her elbow to see that everything about the home was just as it should be4 ,and they added1 with a sigh1 that some people were very fortunate4 ,now1 dear critic1 you stand all ready to say that this is a very nice paper story1 but that in actual life attempts at doing good do not result so smoothly2 that to be natural1 ,mrs4 ,roberts ought1 at least1 to have tried in vain to reclaim half of her boys4 ,it is true1 ,i have said nothing to you about two or three whom she has not as yet reached1 though she is still trying4 ,my story was not of them1 but of the twenty whom she did reach4 ,concerning your verdict1 there are two things that ,i want to say3 first1 go into the work1 and give the time and patience and faith and prayer that ,mrs4 ,roberts and her fellow-workers gave1 before you decide that it is vain4 ,and secondly1 will you kindly remember that1 whether this be natural or not1 it is true8 ,i do not think ,i have told you the immediate occasion of this particular gathering4 ,it was1 in fact1 a reception given to ,mrs4 ,reid4 ,it is not likely that ,i need tell you at this late day that her name was ,gracie ,dennis ,reid4 ,i could have told you much about it had ,i been writing a story of that sort4 ,in fact1 there is a chance for considerable romancing4 ,there are matters of interest that ,i might tell you about ,mr4 ,colson himself1 young as he is1 and about ,mattie who wears to-night a rose that she did not pick from the conservatory2 but ,i don't mean to tell it4 ,i have just one other bit of history to give you4 ,they stood together for a moment--the young bridegroom and the lady with whom he had faithfully worked ever since that rainy afternoon in which he had confided his gloom to her4 ,both were looking at the two young men who stood near the piano waiting to join in the chorus4 ,both had known these young men as ,nimble ,dick and ,black ,dirk4 ,still another of the original seven stood in the immediate vicinity4 ,the glances of the two workers took them all in2 then they looked at each other and smiled meaningly4 ,i have been thinking of that first ,sunday afternoon1 said ,mrs4 ,roberts4 ,i asked them to pick up my handkerchief which had dropped1 and ',nimble ,dick' said1 ',pick it up yourself1 mum1 you're as able to as we be6' ,i wonder if they would remember it8 ,what if ,i should tell them6 ,as she spoke1 the bit of cambric in her hand designedly dropped almost at the feet of ,dirk ,colson4 ,he stooped for it instantly2 but ,nimble ,dick was too quick for him1 and presented it to the owner with a graceful bow1 and a slightly triumphant smile4 ,but the chorus was commencing1 and the bass and tenor were at once absorbed in their work2 so ,mr4 ,reid and ,mrs4 ,roberts had the memorial laugh all to themselves4 ,none but they understood what the white handkerchief said4 ,despite the laughter there was a suspicious mist in ,mr4 ,reid's eyes4 ,how far is mirth removed from tears8 he asked his hostess4 ,and then3 ,do you know1 when ,i look at these young men1 moving about your rooms at their ease1 really ornaments to society1 and think of the places in the world that they will be likely to fill1 and think of what they were when you first saw them1 the overwhelming contrast brings the tears6 ,said ,mrs4 ,roberts3-- ,i will tell you something that will do your heart good4 ,did you know that our young lady helpers had reorganized in larger force1 and with certain fixed lines of work which they feel certain they can do8 ,the effort has passed out of the realm of mere experiment4 ,they have chosen a name4 ,they are henceforth to be known as ,,the ,,esther ,,reid ,,band4 ,they came to me for a motto to hang in their rooms below the name2 and ,i gave them this3-- ',and ,i heard a voice from heaven saying unto me1 ,write1 ,blessed are the dead which die in the ,lord from henceforth3 ,yea1 saith the ,spirit1 that they may rest from their labours2 and their works do follow them4' ,,the ,,end4