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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/35383-8.txt b/35383-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..05979f7 --- /dev/null +++ b/35383-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8419 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Little Missis, by Charlotte Skinner + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Little Missis + +Author: Charlotte Skinner + +Release Date: February 24, 2011 [EBook #35383] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LITTLE MISSIS *** + + + + +Produced by Delphine Lettau, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + "The Little Missis" + + By Charlotte Skinner + +_Author of "Doctor Phill," "The Master's Messages to Women," etc._ + + + With Six Illustrations + + LONDON + S. W. PARTRIDGE & CO. LTD. + OLD BAILEY + + + + +[Illustration: "'SEE HOW CAREFULLY HE IS HELPING HER OUT OF THE CAB.'"] + + + + +CONTENTS + + +I. HIS PURPOSE + +II. THE HOME-COMING + +III. A GARDEN LEVÉE + +IV. A TESTING TIME + +V. WILL GOD ANSWER? + +VI. THE DARKNESS DEEPENS + +VII. THE LAME SHEPHERD + +VIII. A TWOFOLD PARTNERSHIP + +IX. A WOMAN'S WHIMS + +X. A GATHERED FLOWER + +XI. IS GOD GOOD? + +XII. THE STONE THROWN IN THE WATERS + +XIII. LOVE'S HOSPITAL + +XIV. AN UNFORTUNATE ENCOUNTER + +XV. JOY-MISSIONARIES + +XVI. THE CALL OF DEBORAH + +XVII. THE GOING FORTH OF DEBORAH + +XVIII. HER NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOUR + +XIX. THE NEW CLUB-ROOM + +XX. A STRANGE KIND OF PREACHING + +XXI. PARTNERS! + +XXII. LIGHT ON THE PATHWAY + +XXIII. LOYAL LOVE + +XXIV. RECOGNISED + +XXV. BESSIE COMES TO THE RESCUE + +XXVI. THE HOME-COMING + +XXVII. RALPH STARTS ON ANOTHER JOURNEY + +XXVIII. OLIVE LEAVES AND LAUREL LEAVES + +XXIX. CROWNED WITH JOY + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + + +"'See how carefully he is helping her out of the cab.'" + +"Phebe was in the shop taking a general look round" + +"'Bessie, you are to tell me right out what is troubling you'" + +"'Let us put this cold-blooded letter on the fire'" + +"She caused the cup with its contents to fall into Phebe's lap" + +"He was standing on the pavement, looking a sad, solitary figure" + + + + +"THE LITTLE MISSIS" + + + + +CHAPTER I + +HIS PURPOSE + + +Creak--creak--creak! went the old mangle--one of the box sort, weighted +with stones. + +"Are you dreadfully busy, Mrs. Colston?" called out a clear, young +voice. + +"Bless me, is that you, Miss Phebe?" and the mangle was suddenly silent. +"No, I'm not dreadfully busy, and in two minutes I was going to make +myself some tea; and if you----" + +"Oh, won't I, rather! I should just think I will, you dearie; and I'll +get it ready, too, while you play your last tune on your old organ." + +Creak, creak, went the mangle, clatter went the cups, and in less than +ten minutes the two were seated at a little round three-legged table +enjoying tea and talk. + +"Can't think what's the matter with you to-day, Miss Phebe. Have you got +a new dress on, or have you been doing something to your complexion, or +what is it?" asked Mrs. Colston, looking very intently across the table. + +"I have got my old dress on, and have not even washed my face in dew." + +"Well, then, what is it?--Ah, I know! you've fallen in love." + +"Yes, I fell in love with you a long time ago," answered her visitor +demurely; "but I see you've guessed my secret, you are so clever. The +fact is, I have got two secrets to tell you. I wonder which I should +bring out first!" + +The old mangle woman got up from her arm-chair, and, going to where the +girl was sitting, took the fair young face into her hands and kissed the +right cheek, saying, as the tears started to her eyes: "There, my dear; +that's in place of your mother's kiss, and," kissing the other cheek, +"that's for myself." + +Resuming her seat there was silence for a minute or two, and then Mrs. +Colston, said: "I think I can guess both your secrets. The first is, you +have given yourself to Jesus; and the second is, you have promised to +marry Stephen Collins." + +"Oh, dear, no," exclaimed the girl, rising from her seat. "Why, he has +never asked me. Besides--no, I have promised to marry Ralph Waring." + +"Ralph Waring!" repeated the old woman, and then there was an awkward +silence. + +"Oh, dear Mrs. Colston, you do not think I have done wrong, do you?" +exclaimed the girl, sinking on her knees in front of her old friend, +"say you do not!" + +"No, no, dearie; I don't exactly, but it's took me by surprise," and +putting both her arms round her neck she kissed her again. "No, dearie, +don't think that. Ralph is a very good young man, but I know very well +how much Steve loves you." + +"It is strange," mused the girl; "Ralph asked me if I loved him more +than I did Stephen, and I said of course I did." Then, rising to her +feet, she said with a ring of pride in her voice, "You know Ralph is so +clever; you should hear him give some of his lectures! He is a great +favourite at several men's meetings. His great ambition is to be a +Member of Parliament. He is sure to be mayor some day." + +"He does a good business, doesn't he?" + +"Just fancy, now, you thinking about that; I see, after all, you have an +eye to money. I never thought it of you," and then Miss Phebe laughed +quite naturally, and the little cloud which seemed to have risen between +them cleared away and the sun shone again. + +"Why shouldn't I? We can't live without it--but bless me, your cup is +empty: what can I be thinking of?" + +Phebe commenced drinking her second cup, never noticing that her +companion had not touched the first one yet. "Now tell me all about the +other secret: that's more interesting to me, you know, for it's so long +since I fell in love I forget what it's like." + +"But it is a long time since you first loved Jesus, and you don't forget +what that is like." + +"Ah! that's different, you see. He never changes; men and women do. But +never you mind about my love affairs: tell me yours." + +Phebe rose and went and stood in front of the window, looking into the +little bricked yard through which she had entered the house. There were +some scarlet geraniums in the window doing duty in place of a curtain, +and her cheeks seemed to have caught the hue of the blossoms. + +"You know for a long time I have wanted to be a Christian." + +"Yes;" and Mrs. Colston poked the fire during the pause. It was strange +for Miss Phebe to continue the conversation while her back was towards +her friend; many people can speak openly about earthly love matters, but +are shy when the Great Lover is concerned. + +"All at once I seemed to understand wishing was not sufficient, that a +definite act was needed. So the night before last I got out of bed and +knelt down by my old easy-chair, and told Jesus I gave myself entirely +to Him, that He should be my dear Master, and that I would be willing to +do all He wished." + +How well the old friend could see the scene! She knew the room so well. +The old chair was covered with brown leather, and it was the chair the +girl's mother had died in. By its side stood a little writing-table, and +on the wall above were portraits--mostly cut from newspapers and +magazines--of some eminent men and women whom the girl regarded as +heroes and heroines. An old apple-tree grew close by the window, and in +the summer-time little could be seen of the outside world but its green +leaves and greener fruit. When the wind blew the boughs tapped, tapped +at the window-panes, but Phebe would not have them cut. "I like to +think," said she, "they are messengers come to tell me the old tree's +secrets." + +"Since then," the girl continued, "I have been so happy; and is it not +funny," turning now towards the fire, "that the very next day Ralph +should ask me to be his wife? So I have given myself away twice since I +last saw you." + +"I wonder if there is anything left of you for me?" Mrs. Colston asked, +with a twinkling smile. + +"Yes; I'm still yours. I could never forget how you loved me when I was +a little crying mite. You gave me two kisses; I'll give you two--one for +being good to me when I was a troublesome juvenile, and one for being +good to me now I am a proper grown-up. But I have not finished my story, +and if you interrupt me again I shall turn the mangle instead of talking +to you. I think I told you a long time ago how much I wanted to write a +book--indeed, I have tried, and sent little chapters of it to editors in +London, but they have always been returned with thanks. Now you see +Jesus has opened up my way to serve Him. I am going to help Ralph with +his lectures and speeches--he says I shall--and I shall go with him to +all his engagements. He says those who ask him must ask me, too; and, +after all, to live a life for Jesus is better than writing a book for +Him." + +"Comes to about the same thing, I should think." + +"I am sure you will be happy now I am a Christian"--this with a coaxing +voice. + +"But you are a very young Christian." + +"A young Christian! Whatever do you mean?" + +"My dear child, you have only just started. Why, even the daisies don't +come up all at once: flowers and fruits that do, don't come to much." + +"If that is what you mean," Phebe replied, with a sigh of relief, "I +don't mind." + +"Why, you think of my work," the old woman continued; "I often do. The +clothes are not finished when the dirt's out, and you are not a finished +Christian as soon as your sin's forgiven. The clothes have to be +bleached and dried, and then there comes the getting out of the creases, +and so I mangle them and mangle them." + +"But look here," said Phebe, laughing, "you don't mean to say I have got +to be mangled?" + +"You need not laugh, my dear, for I am quite sure if Jesus was to speak +just now He'd use my old mangle for a text. I know He would; and why +shouldn't He, just as well as using the woman's candle and yeast, and +the man's fishing-net and pruning-knife." + +"I should not like to think I had to be mangled." + +"It's more than mangling, Miss Phebe, for if we want to put a nice +polish on the clothes we use a hot iron to them. You are used to the +thought of being like gold in the fire, and a lump of clay in the +potter's hand: why not think of yourself as under my roller? I often and +often think, as I smoothes out the marks, and stretches the corners, and +turns, and turns, that is just how Jesus is doing with me." + +"H'm," mused Phebe, "I suppose it's another way of describing +tribulation. But do you suppose everybody has tribulation?" + +"I do; there isn't a plant in my little garden I haven't used the +scissors to." + +"Ah, well, I suppose we must submit." + +"Yes, dearie; and we must look beyond to the afterwards. When we see +what the Lord has made us we shall thank Him. Why, the things that I +carefully pack in the baskets are hardly like the same things I take +out, they look that nice." + +"Do you think I shall have much tribulation, dear Mrs. Colston?" asked +Phebe anxiously, placing her hand on her old friend's shoulder. + +"I don't know for certain; the Lord only can tell that. But," looking up +lovingly into the face of her favourite, "don't you worry, He'll help +you right through, sure enough." + +When Miss Phebe had taken her departure and the mangle had started again +its painful song, the old woman said to herself: "Strikes me she will +have a good deal; but it will be because the Lord wants her to be extra +polished. She's real damask, she is; worth taking a good deal of trouble +with. Some folks are only like dusters, and if the Lord was like me He'd +not take much trouble with them. But, bless me, it's a good thing the +Lord is not like me, it 'ud be a poor look-out for some folks if He +was." + +As Miss Phebe walked home she said to herself: "I thought it was all +settled, but it would seem I have only just commenced." That night she +again knelt by the old arm-chair. It had always seemed she could pray +best there, for it recalled the time when she had knelt at her mother's +knees, and had first learnt to talk to Jesus. "Dear Lord," she prayed, +"make me a true Christian; and help me to be perfectly willing to let +Thee do it in whatever way you think will be best for me." + +A mile away, in a farmhouse on a height over-looking the little town of +Hadley, another earnest soul knelt in prayer: "Lord, help me to put her +out of my thoughts. If this is allowed by Thee as discipline, make me +willing to bear it. Lord, help me, but Thou knowest how much I loved +her!" and a sob, which would have broken his mother's heart if she had +heard it, escaped from Stephen Collins as he looked forward into the +future. + +At the foot of the same hill, in the back parlour of a thriving shop, a +young fellow was counting his day's takings, and when he had finished, +he drew his chair up to the fire to think things over. "Steve Collins +thought he was sure of her, I know he did; but I got the start of him +for once. I wonder if Phebe's father is really well off! I have got on +very well so far, but it is slow work in this sleepy place." + + * * * * * + +The gardener pegs some of his plants down to the ground: some he places +by a south wall, some in open spaces where the north wind has free +access. He has a purpose with each, and whatever he does is for their +"making." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE HOME-COMING + + +"I say, mother, they've come!" + +"Well, let them. What do I care?" + +"Oh, but just come and look a minute. See how carefully he is helping +her out of the cab. She's a sight too good for him. There! I've got a +brilliant idea. I'll go and give them a tune. She shall enter her bridal +home to the strains of music," and away downstairs Miss Bessie Marchant +rushed. She was the daughter of Mr. Marchant, chemist, Ralph Waring's +neighbour. + +"What is that girl playing?" exclaimed Mrs. Marchant a few minutes +afterwards, as she was preparing supper in the kitchen. + +Phill Marchant was sitting at the table working out a sum on his slate. +"Why, it's the 'Dead March.' Is her kitten dead?" + +"That girl will be the death of me. Bessie, do you hear, stop that +noise, will you? Haven't you one spark of human kindness left?" + +"No, mother," still going on playing, "I gave all the sparks to Phill." + +"Stop playing, will you? or I'll box your ears! It's perfectly cruel. +The poor thing will have enough to put up with, without you worrying her +with that bad omen." + +Bessie suddenly stopped, not because she was afraid of her ears being +boxed, but deep down in her heart, where a good big piece of human +kindness was thriving splendidly, in spite of her mother's fears, +questionings had arisen lest she might not be defeating her own object. + +"I don't want to worry her; you know that. It is a funny world to live +in if you cannot play the 'Dead March' when you like!" + +"You just march off and water the plants in the greenhouse, and don't +interfere with what isn't your business." + +"All right, but I'll----" What exactly Miss Bessie was going still +further to do, her mother did not catch, and it was not Miss Bessie's +intention that she should. + +It was a drizzling wet night when Phebe Waring arrived at her new home. +According to strict economical household arrangements, there was no +bright fire in the back parlour to make the room look cosy, because it +was near the end of June. The floor was covered with oil-cloth, no rug +anywhere, and a table, small sideboard, and six small chairs with +American leather cushions made up the whole of the furniture. + +"Not very homelike," Phebe thought, "but there, how could I expect +bachelor's quarters to look anything different?" + +For supper the little maid had placed on the table a large white jug of +lemon water, a piece of cheese, and some bread and butter. + +"There's a hamper for you, ma'am, from your father's: came about an hour +ago." + +Quickly taking off her hat and jacket Phebe opened the hamper, and when +she looked inside the tears came into her eyes; it was the first glimpse +of anything homelike she had seen for a fortnight. + +A bunch of wallflowers came first, then a large pat of butter, a +home-made cake, a roasted chicken, a piece of ham, and a large box of +little gooseberry pies. "Dear old Sis, how thoughtful of her!" Soon the +table was spread with the feast the loving sister in the old home had +prepared, and to make the room look still further homelike Phebe got +Janie, the maid, to light a fire in the empty, rusty grate. + +"It was quite fortunate I did not order anything further into the +house," said Ralph. + +In the morning the room looked as cheerless as it did the night before, +and Phebe's heart seemed to shrink as she noticed that the window looked +into a yard, surrounded with high walls, and that nothing was growing +in it but grass and dandelions. How different from the outlook over the +well-kept garden at home! "But I'll soon make it look different," said +the hopeful Phebe to herself. + +The only bright spot in the room was a bunch of beautiful pansies lying +on the table; the wallflowers had been taken upstairs. As Phebe picked +them up she noticed a slip of paper pushed beneath the string with which +they were tied, and on it was written: + +"From Neighbour Bessie. I do hope you will be my friend." + +"Ah, that must be Mrs. Marchant's daughter, next door," thought Phebe, +"I have heard Ralph speak of her. Of course we shall be friends. What +beautiful flowers! Pansies--see, they mean 'heart's ease.' Did Bessie +think--but of course she did not. She would not know their meaning." + +During breakfast Ralph put into her hand a black-edged envelope, saying, +"See what I have had sent me. A funny sort of congratulation!" + +Inside the envelope was a card, bordered with ink lines, and in the +centre, in letters to imitate printing, were the words: + + "Sacred to the Memory of + SWEET LIBERTY, + Who ceased to be on June 10th, 18--, + And was interred in the residence of + RALPH WARING, Draper, etc., Hadley." + +"Somebody thinks I'm going to be a poor martyr," said Ralph, putting on +a very solemn look. Phebe also looked solemn, but her solemnity seemed +real. + +"I don't know about that," she replied, "it seems to me it is my liberty +which is referred to. If your liberty is interred in your house it is +still yours." + +"Oh, dear, no; everybody knows women always have their own way--they +never lose their liberty," and a slight tone of anger was in the voice, +which made Phebe look up in surprise. "But there, it is only somebody's +stupid joke; not worth thinking about," and he tore the card into +shreds, feeling a trifle sorry he had spoken in the way he had done. + +Breakfast over, Ralph said: "And now, dearest, I should like a little +business talk with you, if you can spare the time. You know we have had +so much lovemaking to do we have had no opportunity of talking together +about our business." + +"'Our business,'" thought Phebe, "that sounds nice." + +"The fact is," said Ralph, when the breakfast table had been cleared and +they were alone, "I want to enlarge the business. I want to throw this +room into the shop, take the house next door, which is to let, and start +a grocery trade, too. Then my idea is to have a horse and cart and go +into the villages for orders--many of them are growing considerably, and +I think I could work up a splendid connection. Later on I should try to +sell the whole affair, and start somewhere different from this sleepy +place." + +"Somewhere different! I should never like to leave Hadley." + +"Of course not, women are never ambitious." + +"But I am very ambitious, and should like you to have a large business. +How could you possibly leave all your public work here? and I could +never leave Hadley while my poor old sick father lives." + +"We'll not worry about that," said Ralph, fearing he had gone too far. +"We need not discuss that for years. I am glad to hear you say you would +like me to have a big business; but how, without more capital, am I +going to manage it?" + +"That certainly is a very difficult question." + +There was silence for a minute, and then Ralph, evidently disappointed +she had not said more, asked: "Can you not suggest anything?" + +"No, I cannot; but if it is God's will He will show you how it can be +done." + +"God won't do for us what we can do for ourselves," he answered a little +impatiently. "I hardly like mentioning it, but haven't you some money in +the bank?" + +"Yes." + +"How much?" + +"Three hundred pounds. It was my mother's money; and the interest has +helped to buy my clothes, because father could not afford to give us +much pocket-money." + +"Couldn't I have that money? Of course, I shall give you pocket-money +enough." + +"You can have some of it, most certainly." + +"Not all?" + +"Wouldn't half do?" + +Ralph got up from his chair, went to the window, and then said slowly, +"Yes, that will do." + +"We will go and draw it out next week," said Phebe, "if you like." + +"Yes; and of course you had better change the name, had you not? And it +will seem more businesslike if you draw the whole of it and then put the +half of it back in my name. It will be yours all the same." + +"I don't mind," said Phebe, "if that will please you." + +"Please me! I'm not a child." Fortunately, just then he was called into +the shop. + +"Am I selfish?" questioned Phebe anxiously to herself. "Have I done +wrong? Ought I to let him have the whole? But I am sure father would be +cross if I did." + +All that day there was sunshine without, but very little within. Phebe +worked hard to make the house more homelike; some rugs were laid on the +parlour floor, two arm-chairs established each side the table, ferns +arranged in the grate, vases of flowers put on the chimney-piece, +pictures hung up, curtains placed at the window--and yet it seemed +dreary. But how can there be sunshine in a room when there's a shadow on +the spirit? + +After tea Ralph said: "I am going to Sunbury to a meeting this evening." + +"Oh, I am glad; I shall enjoy that." + +"But, dearest, I am sorry to disappoint you. I have promised to walk +with old Mr. Cope, and it is too far for you. Besides, if you don't +mind, I should like you to attend to the shop a little, just to check +bills and take cash, for I am a young man short to-day. Will you?" + +"Oh, yes," replied Phebe gaily, trying hard to let the feeling of pride +that Ralph thought her capable of doing this conquer the feeling of +disappointment. "I shall be delighted to do it for your sake." And after +that sweet little speech Ralph kissed her. + +The young man who was left in charge of the shop, being of a rather +fiery disposition, and having resented somewhat Phebe's advent into the +establishment, thought he would take this opportunity of having a little +revenge. + +"Do you like business, Mrs. Waring?" he asked, when they were alone. + +"I hardly know, having had no experience." + +"Well, I suppose it is with you as with me, it is all the same whether +we like it or not--we have got to do it." + +"I don't think the cases are quite parallel," she said, with a smile. + +"Oh, I thought they were, for when the governor gave Dick Forbes +notice--he left to-day, you know--he said he should not require his +services any longer, for when you came you would see after the business +when he was away. It must be nice to have a wife to look after things +while you are away enjoying yourself." + +"Your master is away doing God's business," she replied with dignity, +and straightway walked into the parlour. + +The dignity all vanished when she laid her head on her hands on the +table and had a little cry to herself. Things were all so different from +what she had expected, and such a loneliness seemed to have crept into +her heart! When she lifted up her tearful face she saw the bunch of +pansies quite close to her, and their faces seemed to look into hers and +whisper, "Heart's ease!" "What a comfort!" she whispered to herself. +"'Heart's ease,' yes, I know where to get it from. I know I feel +disappointed, but ought I not to ask: Is Ralph disappointed in me? and +is Jesus disappointed in me?" + +"What a mean hound I've been!" thought the young shopman, as he caught +sight afterwards of her swollen eyes. "It would have served me right if +she had boxed my ears. She'll have enough to put up with without me +adding to it." And that same night he walked two miles to beg a bunch of +roses for her, saying as he gave them to her: "Please forgive me for +having been rude to you." + + * * * * * + +When a king had chosen the design for the gold work of his signet and +selected the stone, carefully studying its hue and markings, then came +the _making_ of the signet: the gold was put in the fire, and the gem +under the lapidary's hammer. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +A GARDEN LEVÉE + + +In a little over a year great alterations had been made in Ralph +Waring's establishment. The shop next door had been duly taken, the +partition wall broken down, and the grocery business started. The only +part of Ralph's plan which had not come about was the throwing in of the +back parlour into the business portion. "No," said Phebe firmly, "in +this department I mean to come first. I am not going to vote for +everything being sacrificed to the business; to have a dining-room +upstairs means a great deal of extra work. I must also have the parlour +of the other shop to convert into a decent kitchen. How can we expect +Janie to be bright and happy with nothing better than a scullery to sit +in? I mean my kitchen to be as bright and cheery as any room in the +house." + +"I wonder who's master here!" said Ralph, with a snap. + +"We are partners--at least, that is what you have said, and you rule in +one department and I in the other. I have no objection to you having +one of the front rooms upstairs for a show-room." Ralph had never +thought of that, and as it sounded rather "big," it pleased him, and so +the dispute ended. + +But if changes had been effected in the front premises, a greater change +had come about in the back garden, which at first had only looked like a +walled-in yard. Where the dandelions had grown was a trim little lawn, +with a flower-stand in the centre nearly covered with pink ivy +geraniums; there was no space for any elaboration of design, so a narrow +bed of flowers round the lawn touched the surrounding walls, which were +already nearly covered with shoots of ivy, climbing roses, and that +industrious plant, Virginia creeper. In one corner a little arbour had +been erected, and, till the climbing plants had completed the covering, +a gay red-striped awning had been fixed up, adding still more colour to +the scene. + +Here one sunny August day Neighbour Bessie found her friend, Mrs. +Waring, nursing her baby. + +"Well, you do make a pretty picture! Talk of gold pictures in silver +frames, you are a picture of love in a frame of flowers." + +"Now, no more flattery, neighbour, for a week, or I'll send you to +Coventry." + +Bessie at once sat down on the grass at Phebe's feet. She was never so +happy as when resting on "Nature's bottom shelf." Her mother said this +was a sign of laziness; Bessie said it was a sign of economy, because +she did not wear out the chair-cushions, and also the sign of a cautious +nature, because there was no fear of falling. + +"You haven't kissed the baby." + +"I don't much care if I do or not, so long as I can kiss you." After the +process was over, she added, "If it had been a boy, I just wouldn't have +kissed it, so I tell you." Knowing this was a very saucy little speech +to make, she did not give Phebe a chance to reply, but hurried on, "It's +fairly wonderful the change you have made in this place, and fancy you +doing it all yourself! I used to call it 'Dandelion Farm.'" + +"What do you call it now?" + +"I haven't thought; let me see," leaning her head on her hands and +puckering up her brow as though to press the thought in, "it's just like +a patch of sunlight; yes, that would do, something out of the +usual--Sunshine Patch." + +"Yes, that will do," said Phebe, laughing, "but it reminds me how much I +disliked the place when first I had a peep of it; these walls fairly +made me shudder, and now I wouldn't have them one brick lower, because +they give privacy; and see how refreshing they will be to look at when +covered with greenery; and look at that lovely laburnum of our +neighbour's drooping over the wall; and in the spring that high +lilac-tree was a perfect picture. This little patch, as you call it, +Bessie, dear, has taught me a lesson I hope I shall remember all my +life." + +"Whatever is that, teacher?" Bessie asked, looking up with mock wonder. + +"But I am serious, Bessie; it is that most of our dark patches we could +turn into sunshine patches if only we had the will." + +"Do you know," said Bessie, with a real sigh, "my mother is my dark +patch, and she walls me round like anything. I wonder if I could plant +ivy slips round her!" + +"You are a naughty girl," said Phebe, trying hard not to laugh, "I think +she has more need to plant them round you." + +"Phebe, where are you?" Ralph called out. + +"Oh," said Bessie, suddenly springing up, "I'll go at once and consult +the gardening book," but Phebe knew this was only a pretence to avoid +having to talk to Ralph. + +"It is fine to be you," said her husband, "to be able to sit in this +retreat doing nothing this broiling hot day. How cool you look! but +there, everything goes peacefully with you, while everything goes cross +with me." + +"Can I put anything right for you?" + +"Of course you can't. I've been thinking," sitting down by her side, +"what a stupid I am to put myself to so much trouble for people. You +know I went last night to Hawtree Hall; I've been going there now for +three years, and I haven't one customer in the place." + +"But, Ralph, dear, you have a higher aim surely than to get customers." + +"Of course I have; dear me, how you do misunderstand me! But surely +decent, common gratitude would lead some of the people to deal with me, +if they had any. They don't pay for my services!" + +"Of course not." + +"And why, pray, 'of course not'? The more I get, the more good I can do. +Do you think I want money for any special, selfish gratification? God +has called me to make money as well as to make speeches, and I can serve +Him equally well in both ways." + +"Certainly, but I think we all have to watch lest we cloak our ambitions +with the appearance of doing God's service, and so deceive ourselves." + +"A very nice way of calling me a hypocrite." + +"Oh, Ralph, Ralph, it is nothing of the sort! I have often had to watch +against that sort of thing." + +"Well, don't measure my corn with your bushel, that's all. We'll change +the subject. I see you opened that letter of Deason's, asking for that +money. I am not going to pay him yet. I want that money for buying a +'new line' with. I am going to try another experiment this winter." + +"But, Ralph, that man needs his money, he is poor." + +"You can leave all those matters to me. You talk like a--but there, what +do women know about business?" And he got up and walked towards the +house, but before entering turned round and said, "I shall not be home +till late; when it gets cooler perhaps you will be able to make me out a +few bills." + +She felt inclined to answer, "I don't know enough about business to do +that," but wisely kept silence. She had been taking lessons of late in +the right use of the lips, and was getting them pretty well under +control. + +When the cool of the evening came she was again sitting in Sunshine +Patch, from whence she got just a little peep of the sunset sky. The +baby was asleep; Janie was reading; Phebe had already spent two hours in +bill-making and thought she might now conscientiously take the luxury of +sitting and doing nothing, except having a good think. All day long +there had been in her mind old Mrs. Colston's words about the process a +Christian has to go through. "I think," she sighed, "instead of the +creases getting out of my character, more creases get in. See how I seem +to aggravate Ralph. Then to think of Bessie; I thought I might do real +missionary work with her, and she's just as naughty as ever, and Janie +is just as dull," and the tears began to come. + +"Please, ma'am, here's Mrs. Colston." It was Janie's voice, and Mrs. +Colston herself immediately appeared. The old lady at once noticed the +tear marks, and exclaimed, "I can see you are quite tired out; you must +come in and lie down on the couch, and Janie shall get you +something--no, I'll get it myself," and after half carrying Phebe +indoors, she bustled away to the kitchen. + +"Now, Janie, get some milk, a saucepan, and an egg." While she was +watching the milk lest it should boil over, she went on talking. "Look +here, Janie, you are to look well after your mistress, or she'll slip +through your fingers." + +"You don't mean to say she's going to die!" exclaimed Janie, in horror. +"Oh, dear, what should I do! You don't know how different this place has +been since she's been here, and you don't know what she's done for me." + + +"No, I don't, but I can guess. You mustn't speak so loud or she will +hear, and mind you don't go and tell her what I've said. Just shake +yourself together a bit, my girl, and look well after her; be sure and +feed her well, and see that she rests." + +Mrs. Colston having seen to her favourite's bodily wants, sat down to +have a talk. "I suppose you've tired yourself with writing lectures and +speeches." + +"'Lectures and speeches'!" exclaimed Phebe, trying to laugh, "whatever +made you think I'd been doing that?" + +"You told me yourself you were going to help Ralph write his lectures +and speeches." + +"Oh no, I do nothing of that sort," and try as she might the tone of +disappointment would not be kept down, and the old friend caught it and +guessed something of its meaning. + +"You've never told me baby's name yet." + +"She has two names." + +"That's right; that's one for each of you." + +"My name, I mean the one I chose for her, is Mary. I did not want to +call her Phebe, because I don't see why married women should lose their +Christian name, and they always do if they have a daughter called after +them. I think no name can be so beautiful as Mary, because it was the +name of the mother of Jesus. Ralph chose the other name; he said, +simply Mary Waring would sound mean." + +"Perhaps so; Phebe Mary go well together, and it was only natural he +would like her named after you." + +"It is not Phebe. Baby's name is Victoria Mary." + +Mrs. Colston had long ago commenced the training of her lips, and for a +moment did not speak. + +"And may the little dear always have the victory. That's my wish for +her." + +"And you don't think it sounds ridiculous then?" asked Phebe, raising +herself up on her elbow, "I mean for a draper's daughter?" + +"Certainly not; why shouldn't a draper's daughter have as good a name as +anybody else? I hope she will grow up a real queenie." + +"I was thinking, dear Mrs. Colston, as you came into the garden, that +the process of Christian-making is slow work with me. Indeed, sometimes +I am afraid it has stopped altogether." + +"Not it, my dear; not a wee bit of it," stroking her hair. "If you had +said, 'I'm getting on fine--shall soon be a saint,' I should have said +it was pretty nigh all up with you. But, bless you, my dear, you've got +that feeling just now because the Lord's been dealing with you. I +watched old Robert in the spring cutting his vine; my, there was a +slaughtering! I fancy the poor old vine thought it was almost done for, +but you should just see it now!" + + * * * * * + +As Mrs. Colston stepped out of the shop door that evening she nearly +fell into the arms of Neighbour Bessie, as Phebe loved to call her. "How +is Mrs. Waring?" Bessie asked anxiously. "Do you think she is all +right?" + +"Yes, she'll get on with care." + +"Oh, she is a dumpling!" said the girl, with all her impulsive +enthusiasm. + +"Well then, take care and keep her warm, for cold dumplings aren't up to +much! She needs a lot of warmth--love, that's what I mean." + +"I'll see she has that," exclaimed Bessie, "if my sort is any good." + +"All real love is good, my dear, you may be sure of that." + +That night as the old mangle started its tune again, these were the +words that went along with it. "There, bless me, how that dear Miss +Phebe of mine has won those two girls! Why, she'll win them for Jesus +yet. I know she will! Yes, I dare say she thinks she's done nothing. How +little we can judge of our own work, or, come to that, of anybody +else's, either. It's only our dear heavenly Father, who gets such a high +view of things, seeing all over and into all the corners, that can +really know how we're getting along." + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +A TESTING TIME + + +Two years went by, each day filled for Phebe, except the Sundays, with +housework, care of the child, and looking after the business. From +Monday till Saturday she hardly ever crossed the outer doorstep. "It +will not be always like this," she said to her sister, who remonstrated +with her. "When Ralph has got the business well established he will be +able to afford more help." + +She often smiled somewhat bitterly to herself over the old dream of +helping Ralph in his high endeavours to influence the souls of his +fellows, and how she was to accompany him when he went forth to deliver +his messages. "Never mind," she would say to herself. "I sell the people +tea instead." She often called to mind the memorial-card of "Sweet +Liberty," and saw how clearly it had proved prophetic of something she +had truly lost. Long ago she guessed who the sender was, for she had +found out what a keen reader of character Neighbour Bessie was, and what +keen intuitive powers she possessed. Phebe never referred to the card, +but she once said to Bessie, "I think you ought to be called 'Prophet +Bessie.'" + +"If you spell that word 'p-r-o-f-i-t,'" replied Bessie, "mother would +say you were out of your reckoning entirely. She would say it would be +nearer the truth to call me 'Dead-loss Bessie.'" + +"Nay, nay, that would never do, but 'dear-loved Bessie' might." The girl +looked at her with hungry eyes, but did not answer. + +To be so shut in, so entirely engrossed with affairs purely selfish, +would to an ordinary woman have been both narrowing and depressing. "An +old woman once lived in the Isle of Wight who had never seen the sea, +and there are women living in Swiss valleys who have never watched a +sunset. How little such women can know of what the world is like! How +narrow their sympathies, and how small their ideas! I am something like +them," thought Phebe, "but I'll do my best to get a wider outlook, +somehow." So by her chair in a corner of the shop parlour you might +always find some paper, magazine, or book she was interested in. During +the early months of their marriage Ralph had read aloud to her in the +evenings, or she to him, but lately he was far too much engrossed in +other things. + +No one guessed the bitter sorrow Phebe suffered in thus burying her +dreams. Alas, for the graves that are not found where willows grow +within cemetery gates! for the flowerless graves we often weep over in +our daily life! Yet deep in Phebe's heart was the hope that from this +grave would blossom, some sunny morn, a husband's love such as she had +dreamt of in her girlhood dreams. It seemed as if Ralph's love was +sleeping, but surely some day it would waken. Oh, that God would teach +her how to waken it! + +By this time Victoria Mary had a companion in the person of a little +brother. "I should like him to be called Ralph," said Phebe. + +"I don't care for children to be made gravestones of," replied her +husband. "You certainly shall choose one name and I the other, and you +can choose anything you like but Ralph." + +The young arrival a few days later was described on his +birth-certificate as "John Washington." + +These two young folks were ever afterwards known as "Queenie" and +"Jack." What a lot of bother it would save if parents named their +children what they intend afterwards to call them! + +"Phebe," said Ralph one evening, "just put your book down and talk to +me." + +"That will be nice," said Phebe, with a choke in her voice, brought +there by a sudden hope. + +"Wouldn't you like to travel?" + +"I should rather think I would." + +"Well then, don't you think the time has come when we might sell this +business and start somewhere else? I should dearly like to go to +Australia. Will you consent?" + +"If you will only wait till father is taken home, I will willingly go +wherever you choose." + +"But why should we wait till then? The Bible says 'a man shall leave his +father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife.'" + +"Yes," said Phebe, trying to laugh, "but it does not say a woman shall +leave her father and cleave unto her husband." Then, more seriously, "Do +you think it is right for marriage to break every family tie? Don't you +think a child has duties to its parents, however old it may become? +Think how lovingly Jesus thought of His mother, providing as far as +possible against her feeling lonely." + +"If you are going to preach, I'm done." + +"I am not preaching, but I do always like to see if there is anything in +the life of Jesus that fits in with my life, so that it will guide me." + +"Well, I cannot 'fit in' with this humdrum life much longer, so I tell +you that plainly, and I don't mean to, either. If God calls you to stay +here, God calls me to go elsewhere; so how can you reconcile those two +things?" + +"But why do you think God calls you elsewhere?" + +"I am not going to be cross-examined like a prisoner," he replied, +almost fiercely, and walked away. So the conference came to an end. + +About two months afterwards Phebe received a note one dinner-time +purporting to come from her sister, saying she wanted to see her at +once. As the note was not in her sister's handwriting, and was so +strangely worded, she was rather puzzled. + +"Who has brought the note?" she inquired of the shopman. + +"Some boy, but he has gone now." + +"It is strange," thought Phebe; "father must be worse, and she had not +time to write herself; yet that is not at all like her." + +As quickly as possible Phebe hurried away, to find on her arrival her +sister had not sent for her. "It must have been a trick of your +neighbour, Bessie, to get you out for a change." And Phebe, thinking +that idea was quite likely to be correct, made herself comfortable for +the afternoon, knowing that Janie would be sure to keep faithful guard +over the children. + +It was quite dark when she arrived home, for autumn was fast merging +into winter. Ralph was out, but that was no uncommon occurrence. The +evening was a very busy one, as the afternoon leisure had caused work to +accumulate. When ten o'clock came, and the shopmen had both gone up to +their bedroom, and Janie was preparing to retire also, Phebe began to +think it was strange Ralph was so late. Going out on to the front +pavement she gazed anxiously up and down the road. Very few people were +about, for it was anything but a pleasant night for a stroll--true the +moon was shining, but hurrying dark clouds were constantly passing in +front of it, and a sighing wind seemed to prophesy the near approach of +bad weather. + +At eleven o'clock she went out again: the clouds had grown larger, the +intervals of moonlight were briefer. The wind sighed in a more mournful +tone than before, and Phebe shivered, but more through apprehension than +cold. + +At twelve o'clock she was on the watch again. The night was quite dark. +"He must have missed the last train," she said to herself. "I will go to +bed now." + +She must have slept for about two hours when she woke up with a sudden +start. "Could there be any connection between that note and her +husband's absence?"--that was the haunting question with which her mind +was filled. "But how could there be?" she reasoned with herself. Sleep +was wooed again, but all in vain. Rising and getting a light, she opened +a drawer where Ralph kept some of his clothes. It was empty. Another +drawer was opened; it also was empty. Then she looked in the cupboard, +where his travelling-bag was kept; it was gone. + +She sat down to think: then, with startling suddenness, his words came +to her mind, "I cannot fit in to this humdrum life much longer." + +For the next hour it seemed as if she was utterly alone. It was +impossible even to think. She was fast becoming petrified, her very +blood was freezing, when her baby woke up crying--and that cry saved +her! She picked the baby up and strained it passionately to her, the hot +tears raining on its little head. The child soon nestled to sleep again +in its mother's arms; and then, still grasping her little one, she knelt +down to pray. "O Jesus, take care of Ralph! O Jesus, take care of me and +my little ones!" That was all she could say. After a moment or so of +waiting, as though listening for the answer, she prayed again, and then +came the sweet feeling of God's arms being round her, and she said, in a +whisper to herself, "He will! He will!" + +She had been out in a dark wild storm, but had found the hiding-place. + +The next morning, while sending off some telegrams to places where she +thought she could make inquiries without causing alarm, her sister +called at the chemist's next door for some medicine for her father, and +seeing Bessie just near the parlour-door, thought she would have it out +with her. + +"Ah! I have found you out this time, young lady." + +"I don't know what you mean." + +"What has she been up to now?" asked her mother, who happened to be +near. + +"Oh, nothing to be cross about," she hurried to explain, fearing lest +she should get the girl into trouble. "Indeed, it was a little act of +kindness she did." + +"I really don't know what you mean," said Bessie. "I know I've been up +to no tricks, for I've been as good this last week as they're made. It's +almost been the death of me, I've been so--" + +"But what about that note you sent my sister yesterday?" + +"Never sent her one." + +"Never sent her one!" + +"No, never wrote her, nor saw her all yesterday." + +"Well, that is very strange." + +"What note was it?" asked Mrs. Marchant. + +"A note saying her sister wanted very much to see her. Of course I did; +I always do, so it was not untrue; but I did not send it. We thought +Bessie sent it as a kind little plan to get her out a bit." + +"No, I know nothing about it." + +Just then Janie came in on an errand, and seeing her mistress's sister, +came up hurriedly to her, saying, "Please come in; mistress is looking +so bad, and master's not been home all night." + +"There!" exclaimed Bessie, as Phebe's sister hurried away, "you may +depend that handsome man next door sent that note himself." + +"Why should you think that? You are so quick to judge people, and think +yourself so mighty clever over it," said Mrs. Marchant. + +Instead of the usual saucy answer, Bessie was silent. Was she learning +the same lesson Phebe had been learning? + + + + +CHAPTER V + +WILL GOD ANSWER? + + +Miss Lizzie Lawson soon found that the trouble which had befallen her +sister Phebe was one which, at least for a time, could not be talked +about. + +"What is the matter with you, Phebe?" she asked anxiously, as she caught +sight of the weary-looking face. + +"I have had a very bad night." + +"Where is Ralph?" + +"I do not know." Then suddenly throwing her arms round her sister's neck +and kissing her, Phebe said, "Lizzie, dear, I'll tell you all in a day +or two, but I cannot now. You'll trust me, won't you? And do not say +anything to father." + +"God bless and help you, Sis, darling." + +Of course the only conclusion the sister could come to was that husband +and wife had quarrelled. "He will soon get over his sulks and come +back," she said to herself. + +All that day Phebe watched minute by minute for postman or telegraph +boy, but no message came. Even the shopmen went about on tip-toe, +feeling that something strange was in the atmosphere, but the white set +face of the mistress kept them from asking any questions. + +Sharp-witted Bessie for once was at a loss to know what to do. Should +she show any sympathy? Should she go in, or stay away? Should she seem +to know nothing, or all? These were the questions she weighed over and +over. At last this little note was sent: + + "DEAR MRS. WARING, + + "Please ask me to come in to tea, or I shall go perfectly blue and + never get a right colour again. + + "NEIGHBOUR BESSIE." + +Just a wee bit of a smile crept into Phebe's face as she read it, and +the thought came, "What would she do if she had troubles like mine to +face?" + +Bessie's blueness seemed to have quite vanished by tea-time. During the +meal she kept up a lively chatter, and Phebe came to the conclusion that +Bessie was not aware that anything unusual had happened. I don't know if +Bessie had ever read that the way to cheer people who are down is not by +bidding them count the blessings still remaining, for they are sure to +sink still lower if you do that, but by counting up to them the +blessings they have conferred on others. It has certainly a wonderful +effect; and that was just what Bessie did. + +After she had helped Janie to clear the table she sat down for a minute +or two on the rug at Phebe's feet, and then said, "When I began to write +you that cheeky little note this morning I wanted to say something--I've +wanted to say something for weeks, but don't know how." + +"Just tell me straight out," said Phebe gently, stroking her tangled +hair, thinking it was some confession she wanted to make or to ask +advice how to get out of a scrape. + +"It's only that I wanted to tell you how much I love you and what a help +you have been to me. Do you remember telling me that story Jesus told +about the woman who would have her way, and how it taught us how to +pray? Well, last night, for the first time in my life, I really prayed. +I felt quite sure Jesus was listening. Things have been so different +since you have been here. I never had anybody to talk to as I can to +you; you understand me, and don't scold me." + +"But I think I often scold you." + +"Bless you, that's not scolding." + +Phebe bent down and kissed her, saying in a low voice, "God bless you, +Bessie, darling. I cannot tell you how your words have comforted me, +just as though an angel had helped you to say them. Perhaps some day you +will understand what I mean." Bessie thought she understood even now, +but did not say so. + +"And I may love you just as much as ever I like, may I not?" + +"Of course you may, there is room in my life for a lot of love," and +Phebe had suddenly to rise and go into the shop, but Bessie knew it was +only that she might not see her tears. + +Next morning came, still no message. The day passed to Phebe as the +previous one had done--she had been ever on the watch, a feeling of dumb +despair taking possession of her. In the evening she had a visitor; no +other than Stephen Collins, who asked if he might see her alone. + +After the first greetings were over there was an awkward silence, and +then Stephen said, "Mrs. Waring, you are in trouble. I cannot tell you +exactly now how I know, but will you not as an old friend confide in +me?" + +No answer. Poor Phebe could not think what to say; she could only look +up into his kind face and as suddenly let her glance fall again to hide +her tears. + +But the look gave Stephen courage to go on. "Ralph has left you, has he +not? Did he leave no message behind?" + +"I can find none," she replied frankly, "and I have searched +everywhere." Quite unconsciously she thus for the first time revealed +the secret trouble which was so crushing her. + +"Do not think me rude or interfering, dear Mrs. Waring" (how the name +seemed to choke him!), "but are you left in difficulties?" + +"I don't think so--besides, he will come back soon. But why do you ask? +Have you any reason?" + +"I am afraid people will think it is business difficulties that have +made him go." + +"But the business is prospering." + +"Still you need some capital to go on with." + +"The business, I am sure, is all right, besides if I were pressed I have +a little of my own." That morning she had found the key of Ralph's desk +in her pocket. It had startled her at the time, for Ralph must have +placed it there; and now, taking it from her pocket, she rose, went to +the high desk standing in the corner, and unlocking it produced the bank +book. She opened it quickly, took one glance and then closed it with a +sob. Ralph had drawn the whole of the money out as recently as the +previous Monday. She put the book from her with a shudder; it was like +the death certificate of her husband's honour. + +A paper had fallen out of the desk, and mechanically she stooped to pick +it up, praying as she did so for strength to appear calm. + +Stephen was watching her closely, a struggle going on in his own heart +too. + +"Is the account all right?" he asked. + +"No," then another sob. Oh, for strength! Why could she not make herself +be calm? She looked at the paper in her hand, and more because she +thought it might give her time to master her feelings than for anything +else, she said, "Can you tell me what all these figures are about?" + +Stephen took the paper and looked at it for a long time and then said, +in a strained voice, "It is a statement Ralph has drawn out showing +exactly how the business stands, with a list of all debtors and +creditors. If you could get most of the debts in you would still need +three hundred pounds to keep affairs going." + +"I cannot tell how it is; everything is so dark." + +"But if you will let me help you," he pleaded, "all will come right. I +can easily lend you what you need." + +For an instant, like a vision, there came to her a feeling of +restfulness, and she looked up to his face, bending over her, with eager +trustfulness. What a safe strong arm his would be to lean on! But +instantly she put the temptation from her; it would not be right to +accept his help remembering what Mrs. Colston had said, and the sweet +light which had arisen went suddenly out, leaving the darkness deeper +than before. + +"No," she said firmly, "I cannot accept your help." + +"But what will you do?" + +"I cannot tell, but in some way God will help me. And surely Ralph will +come back soon!" + +"I do not think so." + +"Why?" It was Stephen's turn to be silent this time; how could he tell +her all he knew? How could he explain how evident it was that Ralph had +drained all the money he possibly could from the business? + +"Do you know where Ralph is?" she asked suddenly. + +"No, I do not." + +After another pause Stephen said, "Perhaps I had better leave you now. +When you have had time to think things over, you will trust me more." + +A minute ago she would have urged it was not for want of trust, but now +her mind, all so confused, could not rid itself of the idea that he knew +something about Ralph which he had not told her. When he had gone the +idea gave rise to two questions, "What had first made Stephen think +Ralph had left her when not even Bessie knew how he had gone away?" and +"What had given him the idea Ralph had left her in difficulties when the +success of the business had been so widely talked about?" But though she +asked the questions over and over again, no answer would come. "Could +Stephen have had any share in persuading Ralph to go away? had he +tempted him away?" But the remembrance of the tender, true face made +such thoughts seem wicked. + +Going to the desk for the paper which Stephen had replaced there she +took it out to study it for herself, and with it, lying just beneath, +she drew out a folded paper, and opening it found it to be--a letter +from Ralph! How had it got there? Had Stephen placed it there?--but she +was in too much of a hurry to read it to pause to reply. + + "MY DEAR WIFE, + + "I know this letter will pain you, it cannot help but do so, and for + this I am very sorry. I would not willingly grieve you, but it all + arises from the painful fact that you have always failed to + understand me. You know that for a long time I have had a great + desire for a larger sphere. You thought this was because my love to + God had grown cold and the love of the world crept into my heart. I + assured you this was not so, but that it was only a leading into + other service. If I can make money and devote it to God's work, am I + not still one of God's servants? I am now with my face set towards a + foreign land, where I hope to win a fortune. I feel no remorse at + the step I have taken, since I asked you to agree to emigrate and + you would not. I know you will get on pretty well without me, + because, if you fail in the business you can return to your father. + The sale of the business will cover all liabilities and more. I + shall let you know from time to time how I get on: it will always + be a great pleasure to report progress to you. Never doubt but that + all I make, which I do not return to God, I shall hasten home with + one day to lay at your feet. Tell my dear children their father + heard a call like Abraham did, and has gone out to seek a name and + a fortune to enrich them with. I know I have no need to assure you + that I shall always remain, + + "Your own faithful, loving husband, + + "RALPH WARING." + + "P.S.--I did not say 'good-bye' to you for fear you should succeed + in persuading me to stay with you. Some day soon, I will send you an + address where you can write to, as I shall be anxious to hear how + you are getting on." + +It was strange, but the reading of that letter gave her the calm she had +been struggling to obtain. After reading it a second time, she went out +into the garden, named in the summer-time "Sunshine Patch." How long ago +that seemed! Where was the sunshine now? But the stars shone down on it +if the sun did not, and it was refreshing to feel the cool breezes on +her face, and to be alone under the pitying skies. + +Now that she had read this letter a burden of uncertainty had gone; she +knew now something of what she had to face. + +Surely Stephen had not been the bearer of that open letter; it must have +been in the desk before! But the very doubt about it made it more easy +to resist Stephen's offer. + +It was impossible for her to return to her father; how could she burden +him with herself and two children when even now he could only just +manage comfortably? But how could she get the three hundred pounds +Stephen said she would need? She had no earthly friend she could go to +and had nothing she could sell or mortgage. But, ah, there was always +one source of help she could go to! There was one way still open--the +upward way! Sitting down in the desolate little arbour, she buried her +face in her hands and prayed, "Dear Lord, I have no one to help me but +Thee. Please open up my way! Show me how I can continue the business. +Give me also business ability. Show me my way very clearly. I know Thou +art listening to me. I feel sure of it, just as Bessie did. And now I +am going to carefully watch for the sign that Thou art going to help me. +Oh, strengthen me; I feel so lonely!" A flood of tears came, but she +could let them flow unhindered now. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE DARKNESS DEEPENS + + +Early the next morning, as soon as the shutters were down, Phebe was in +the shop taking a general look round, and examining the stock. With the +help of Reynolds, the shopman who gave her the roses, she got a very +good grasp of the state of things. "The stock is very low indeed," said +Reynolds; "some things we are out of altogether. It's not my fault, for +I told master a fortnight ago, and again last week, but he took no +notice--said it was not my business." + +[Illustration: "PHEBE WAS IN THE SHOP TAKING A GENERAL LOOK ROUND."] + +Phebe only replied, "We must see to these things as soon as possible; +thank you for helping me," and then went in to breakfast. + +She had got a clear view of the situation as far as the business was +concerned, but all else was in a mist. When she tried to analyse her own +feelings with regard to Ralph's conduct, what exactly it was that had +prompted him to such a course, how it would appear to outsiders, what +steps she was to take to secure capital to work the business, all seemed +chaos. + +Breakfast over, she picked up a little Revised Bible from her +book-corner, and went out into the arbour for a few minutes' quiet, +hoping she might gain a little light. She had only just bought this +Revised Bible, indeed it had not been out long. Opening it at random, +her eyes fell on these words, from the prayer of Asa, "We rely on Thee." +A feeling of awe crept over her. Surely an angel must have opened the +Book! The sign she had prayed for last night had come. Scanning the page +to find out all the story, the leaf was turned over, and then she caught +sight of this description: "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro +throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in the behalf of them +whose heart is perfect towards Him." + +"I must pray for the perfect heart," she said to herself, "and I shall +just rely on God, and I am now going to watch how He will show Himself +strong for me. I feel sure He will, for He knows I am relying on Him." + +But the angel's work was not over yet. Just then there dropped out of +the Bible a little New Year's card which she had never carefully read as +yet. Picking it up she looked at it in an absent sort of way, and then +feeling that it was in some way specially meant for her she read: + + + "An inner light, an inner calm, + Have they who trust God's mighty arm, + And hearing, do His will." + + "For He hath said, 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.' + I took it as His word of honour."--David Livingstone. + +"And so will I," she said fervently. Just then there was a call from the +shop, and all at once, with hardly a moment's warning, she went from the +golden gate to the busy mart. + +A commercial traveller was waiting to see her, presenting an account for +twenty-five pounds. + +With all a woman's wits about her she stood where her face was in the +shadow. "I am sorry that Mr. Waring is not at home," she answered, "he +is out of town. Can the account stand over till your next visit?" Her +voice was quite steady. The traveller looked fixedly at her, but was +quite unrewarded for his trouble, through her face being in the shadow. +She however saw his uncertainty, but he answered suavely, "Certainly, +madam, Mr. Waring's credit has always been good." Then added, after +another moment's reflection, "Can I have another order to-day? I have +some very cheap lines." + +Turning to Reynolds, she said, "You know better than I do what we are +wanting; just make a list of what we usually have from this gentleman's +firm," and she stood quietly by while this was done. + +"I hope Mr. Waring is well," remarked the traveller. + +"He was quite well when he left home." + +"I hope I shall have the pleasure of meeting him the next time I call." + +"I hope so, but, if possible, your cheque shall be sent on before then." + +When he had gone she said to the shopman, "Reynolds, I think I can trust +you." The man nodded; he wanted to say "Yes," but could not for a lump +in his throat. "I do not know where Mr. Waring is, except that he has +gone abroad. If anybody asks you where he is, you had better say frankly +you do not know." It was hard work to keep the voice steady. + +"Mrs. Waring," said Reynolds, huskily, "I'll stand by you to the best of +my ability," and he put out his hand, which she took in both of hers. + +"I feel sure you will," she said with a choking sob. + +The thought which was uppermost in her mind that day was how she could +explain her position to any one. Some report must be given to the +outside world--what should that report be?--what could it be? If she did +not give one the world would soon make one. She determined to go that +evening and seek her sister's advice. + +The first thing on arriving at the old home was to show her sister +Ralph's letter. They were alone in the sister's bedroom. After it had +been read twice over the sister threw her arms round Phebe's neck, +exclaiming, "You poor child! you poor child!" and then they sobbed +together as they had never done since the time when they were first +motherless. + +"What am I to do? What am I to tell people?" asked the deserted young +wife. + +"I don't know; I must think," was the sister's answer, who was usually +so clearbrained. "Will you come home to live? I wish you would. Father +wouldn't object to it if I coax him." + +"No, I am not coming to be a burden on him. I must work for the +children. But, oh, Lizzie, you don't know all. He has left me deeply in +debt, and taken all my own money, and the stock is so low. But don't +tell father!" + +"Left you in debt!--the rascal!" + +"No, no, don't say that; he asked me to go with him two months ago, and +I would not consent. So you see it's partly my own fault. But I never +thought he would go without me." + +"Well, you will just have to tell anybody that asks that he has gone to +start a business abroad, and that you may be joining him later. It will +be best to be straight about it." + +"If he sent for me, should I have to go?" + +"I expect you would. You had better tell father all about it, or he +will be dreadfully angry if he hears of it from anybody else." + +The old father was sitting by the fire reading his paper. He was good at +heart, and thought no end of his "girls," but he had always considered +it would never do to let them know this, that it was a parent's duty to +do a certain amount of scolding. + +"How's Ralph?" was his first question. "He's not been to see me for an +age." + +"He was quite well when I saw him last." + +"Saw him last? Why, is he away from home?" + +"Yes." + +"Where has he gone?" + +"Abroad," in a very low voice. + +"What did you say?" wheeling his chair round towards her in quite a +fierce way. "Why can't you speak out properly?" + +"Ralph has gone abroad." + +"Gone abroad! Whatever for?" + +"To start a business, I suppose." + +"Well, you do astonish me. I think he might have come up to bid me +'good-bye,' that I do. And what part has he gone to?" + +"To Australia, I think." + +"You 'think'! Really, Phebe, you are most exasperating. What are you +keeping back?" + +"Look here, father," put in Lizzie, "it is like this: Ralph wanted Phebe +to go to Australia and she objected. She didn't want to leave you, for +one thing, so he's gone without her, and the worst of it is, he did not +tell her he was going." + +"Didn't want to leave _me_! that's all fiddle-sticks. She ought to have +gone with him. It serves her just right he has left her. Look here, +Phebe," putting his hand sharply on her knee, "I consider you have +brought disgrace upon me. A wife's place is by her husband's side. A +nice talk the town will make of it." + +"Father! father!" exclaimed Lizzie, "do not be so hard on Phebe. You +know very well you wouldn't let anybody else say a word against her. Of +course it is the way of the world to put all the blame upon the woman, +but it is rather hard if her own friends do not stand up for her." + +"If she had got any fault to find with Ralph she should have come up and +told me all about it." + +"What! get a wife to tell tales about her husband!" + +"Well, it is no good talking anything more about it at present. It came +so suddenly upon me. It's a good thing, Phebe, my girl, he's left the +business behind him, he couldn't take that with him very well. Of course +he could have sold it, but then if he had done so the cat would have +been out of the bag. You must just tackle things with a brave hand." + +"Yes, I mean to do so, father," was all Phebe could manage to say. + +Presently she bade him "good-bye" in her usual manner, though her heart +was very full. + +It was getting late, and there was a lonely bit of road to traverse, but +the two sisters lingered at the garden gate, each loth to part from the +other. + +"You said, Phebe, darling," the elder sister whispered, "your stock was +low and there were debts. What are you going to do for money?" + +"I do not know. But I feel sure God will help me in some way or other. I +am relying on Him." + +"Bless you! you were always a good girl. I wish I had your faith." + +"Don't say that, for you don't know how often my faith fails me. I am +often ashamed of myself. But I feel sure the business will go on right +enough." Just now the monetary difficulty seemed a very small one +compared with the fresh shadow which had just fallen on her. + +"Well, look here, dearie, let me help you. Take my money and put it in +the business. You know how welcome you are to it. And if I never have it +back, it will not matter; I should not make any trouble of it." + +"You are good, but you know father would not like that, and we should be +obliged to tell him;" then she added, as her sister was about to +remonstrate, "I'll tell you what I'll do: if no other way is shown me, I +will accept your loving offer." + +"That's right, darling. And now good-night, and may God bless and +comfort you." + +All the way home her sister's words kept ringing in her ears, "It is the +way of the world to put all the blame upon the woman." She had thought +the world would wonder, and would doubtless pity her, but it had never +dawned upon her before that the world might throw the blame of the +present position upon her. Considering how she had suffered and +patiently endured it was a bitter, galling thought. And how could she +overcome it? how could she vindicate herself in the eyes of the world? +What a stain would rest on the lives of her children! She had thought it +would be a hard battle to shield them from poverty. Now she had in some +way or other to fight a still harder battle--to shield them from +dishonour. + +Did Stephen Collins think she was to blame? He surely could not have +done so, or he would not have looked so pityingly at her. + +Neighbour Bessie was waiting when she arrived home. "I am so glad you +have come," exclaimed the impetuous girl; "you have just saved me from +such a sad fate." + +"Whatever do you mean?" and Phebe, in spite of her heartache, was +obliged to smile at Bessie's dramatic attitude. + +"Mother thinks I am soundly asleep under the blankets by now. But how +could I sleep without one sight of you?--haven't caught a glimpse of you +all day. Mother will lock the door at ten o'clock, and if I am not in +before then I shall have to sleep on the clothes line in the back yard. +It is all up ready." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE LAME SHEPHERD + + +Late the next evening Stephen Collins called on Phebe again, still +hoping his offer of help would be accepted. + +They were alone together in the back parlour. "I do hope, Mrs. Waring, +you will not think me too interfering, but for old friendship's sake I +could not keep from coming. It grieves me so to think you are placed as +you are and that you will not allow me to help you." He looked her +steadily in the face, and she returned his gaze long enough to be quite +sure he was not one of those who condemned her. Yet, in spite of that, +her woman's heart craved for the assurance of word as well as look. + +"But why should you trouble, Mr. Collins? There are plenty of people who +will say it serves me right, and that I must have been to blame"--the +words seemed as if they would not come--"that I was not--that it was not +an easy thing to live with me--to get on with me." + +Stephen Collins rose from his chair with an impetuous movement, and went +and stood by the fire with his elbow on the mantelpiece. "Of course," he +exclaimed, "the world will talk, but any one who knows you would fling +back that accusation as a lie!" + +They wore both silent for a minute. Phebe was feeling a relief and +gladness no words she could think of would match. At last she said: "It +makes a difference, too, if it is known that I could have gone with him +if I had chosen. Ralph spoke to me about going two months ago." + +"It would have been very difficult for Ralph to have taken you and the +children with him, seeing he had no home prepared to take you to." + +"Yes, that is so; but still he wanted us to go." + +Stephen was looking intently into the fire, evidently weighing some +thought over. + +"Perhaps I had better tell you, Ralph secured his berth to Sydney three +months ago." + +"One berth?" + +"Yes." + +"May I ask how you know?" + +"I made inquiries, as I thought it would rest your mind to know exactly +where he had gone." + +"And you think----" began Phebe. + +"I think," interrupted Stephen, anxious to save her all the pain he +could, "that it was not his intention to take you with him." Only God +knew what it cost that man to say those words; it seemed to him that he +was giving this crushed woman an extra stab, but it was only to save her +all he could of future pain. He wanted to keep her from building on the +hope that her husband would send for her, for he believed in his heart +that Ralph was only too glad to be relieved from the responsibility of +providing for wife and children. + +"Perhaps it was much better he should go with a free hand," was all +Phebe said. She wanted very much to ask Stephen to tell her all he knew, +all he thought, but dared not do so; something held her back--something +which told her there was a wound in that man's heart she might not touch +nor look upon. + +"He will send for me some day," she said, after another pause; but still +Stephen did not answer. It was such a hard struggle to keep himself well +in hand--so hard to keep from cursing the man who had stolen his love +from him, and who, because she had not brought him the dowry he had +hoped for, had basely deserted her! + +Phebe thought he was busy turning over ways and means as to how she was +to run the business; instead of that he was praying for strength and +calmness. + +She got up from her seat and, standing by him, put her hand on his arm +and said gently, "Stephen!"--that was how she used to call him--"you +must not trouble about me. I shall battle through all right. God will +help me. See these beautiful words I came across yesterday," and she +picked up the Bible and read the words over again. + +He took the Bible and looked at the page, but the words were all in a +mist. "There is not the slightest doubt but that He will help you," he +managed to say. + +"My heart is not perfect," she continued, "but He knows I want it to +be." + +"But don't forget, Phebe--Mrs. Waring," he said, turning towards her, as +they both stood facing the fire, "that God works through human +agents--very often does so." + +"I know He does," she replied, "and I think He prompted my sister last +night to offer me the use of her money. I would have said 'Yes' at once, +only I know it would vex father. Still, if no other way opens I shall +accept her kind offer. So you see things will shape themselves--no, be +shapened--all right. Reynolds is such a good 'stay-by' for me, and a +commercial this morning let me order a lot of things, although I could +not pay his account." + +"Oh, yes," he answered; "I know very well you will be a downright +successful woman of business. Only, you know," with a smile, "I wanted +to have a share in the success!" + +"And so you will have," she exclaimed. "Do you think it can ever go for +nothing to have a friend like you--some one who believes in me?" + +He took her hand in both of his, and, in a voice full of emotion, said: +"Phebe, you were always wise and far-sighted--that was why you always +won in the games we played together. Your plan is the wise one. It would +not do for us to be in any way connected--not even in business matters. +But promise me if ever you should want my help you will send for me!" + +"I promise," she said, in a low voice; and then they parted: he to go +right out, apparently, from her life for years; and yet, though she was +long in learning it, never a week passed by but in some way or other his +life touched hers. + +After he had gone it came upon the lonely woman with overwhelming force +the sense of what she had lost, but with a bravery only a pure heart +could know she put the thought of it from her and turned resolutely to +her ledgers. + +Stephen Collins' way home led past Mrs. Colston's cottage. It was the +desire for a little bit of human sympathy which led him to knock at her +door. He could not unburden his heart to his mother--not that she would +be unable or unwilling to understand and comfort, but because he was too +chivalrous to burden her with any fresh trouble. He hardly realised it +was sympathy he was wanting. Perhaps he might have resented such an idea +if it had been presented to him in words, feeling that such a sorrow as +his was too sacred for human sympathy; but at least there was the desire +to talk over some of it with somebody, and to feel the nearness of +sympathy. It surely was this same desire which bade Jesus so earnestly +to request the three disciples to watch with him under the shadow of the +olives! + +Mrs. Colston was busy at her work as usual. A big lad was turning the +handle of the mangle, but she sent him home when she saw who her visitor +was. Work at once entirely ceased, and the two sat together by the fire, +each strangely silent. Mrs. Colston seemed to feel that there was +something on his mind which he wished to unburden to her, but knew no +way in which she could help him to begin. At last she hit upon an idea. + +"I don't suppose, Mr. Collins, you have had your supper," she exclaimed, +rising from her chair with a kind of jump. "The idea of me not thinking +of that before! and I've got the loveliest pork pie you ever tasted," +and in a few minutes there was the refreshing fragrance of coffee in the +room and a dainty supper laid on the little round table. Mrs. Colston +had always a strong belief in keeping the body well nourished because of +its great influence on the mind and heart. "So had the Lord Jesus," she +often used to say; "don't you remember how He gave the plain hint to +those parents that the girl would need food, and to the disciples about +the crowd! And it was just lovely what He said to those fishermen on +that early morning when they were cold and wet: 'Come and have something +to eat.' Why, when the Lord wanted to give us a bright bit about Heaven +He had to bring in a supper party." + +For all that, Stephen did not eat much, though there is no doubt the +fact of a meal being about does help conversation, and to a certain +extent raises the spirits. + +At last Stephen got near the secret of his visit. "Mrs. Colston"--his +face was turned towards the fire--"suppose a shepherd out walking, who +had become lame--could only walk on crutches--should come across on a +dark night a lost lamb--a lamb he had loved dearly. What could he do? If +he put the crutches down he could not carry it to its home? If you met a +man like that what would you tell him to do?" + +"I should tell him to speak a few love-words to the lamb, and then hurry +away to the nearest cottage and ask the man there to return with him to +the lamb and get the man to carry it home." The answer was given +straight off, with all a woman's ready tact. + +"And if he came to your house?" Stephen turned towards her eagerly. + +"I might not be able to carry the lamb," she said, with a little laugh, +"but I would certainly help the poor man all I could, and, at least, I'd +try to carry it." Then she added: "Mr. Collins, you are the shepherd; +but I don't know who the lamb is. Tell me all about it. I know you trust +me or you wouldn't have come to me; and you know I'll do all I can for +you." + +"I know you will," and for the second time that evening he stretched out +his hand to grasp another in a close grip. "The lamb is not on any +hillside, but in a back parlour." + +"Whose parlour?" + +"A draper's." + +"You don't mean to say it's my Miss Phebe?" bending anxiously towards +him, trying to read all she could from his face. + +"Yes." + +"Is she ill?--I must go to her at once." + +"Not ill in body, but heartsick, and in monetary difficulties." + +"Oh, dear, dear, what can have caused it all? And me not to know a word +of it!" + +"She has told no one but her father and sister. I got to know of it in +another way; but do not ask me how--some day I may tell you, but not +now." + +"Where is her husband?" + +"On his way to Australia." + +"Poor lamb! poor stricken lamb!"--the tears would not keep back, and +something like a sob came from Stephen as he rose to his feet to go. + +"Stay, stay," said Mrs. Colston, putting a detaining hand upon him, "the +shepherd would be sure to give some particulars as to the lamb's +whereabouts and what help it needed. Tell me how it is she is in +difficulties about money, and what you would advise her to do." + +"You can guess how it is she is in difficulties; the worst reason you +can think of will be the right one. What I want her to do is to accept +my help, but that she refuses to do. If no other way opens up she will +accept her sister's help, but she is rather afraid that would anger her +father." + +"Yes, he has rather close ways. How much does she require?" + +"Three hundred pounds with care would set her upon her feet." + +In another five minutes the two had parted company outside in the +road--Stephen to go home to the lonely farmhouse; Mrs. Colston to go and +do shepherd-work. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +A TWOFOLD PARTNERSHIP + + +Mrs. Colston found Phebe seated at her books, where she had been ever +since Stephen had left. A brighter look came into her face when she saw +her old friend than had been there since Ralph's disappearance, but it +was the brightness of the rainbow, for in a minute or two she was seated +on a stool at Mrs. Colston's feet sobbing bitterly. + +"Poor lamb! You precious dear!" murmured the old friend, gently stroking +the brown bowed head and putting her arm lovingly round her neck. She +never sought to check the tears, knowing what a safety-valve they are. +And who can say tears are either weak or wicked, since "Jesus wept"? + +"I am so glad to see you; I did so want you to come, but did not like to +send for you," Phebe managed at length to say. + +"I came off the first minute I knew you were in trouble. I only wish I +had known before," and she put both arms round her then, and kissed +her--just like a mother would have done. + +"Stephen Collins told me, so I may as well tell you. Do you see these +hands?" spreading them out before her. "There's a good deal of strength +in them yet. No harm shall come near you that I can keep off. You're not +alone in the world, thank God; there's one friend who'll stand by you if +no one else does, and her name's Susan Colston!" + +Phebe looked up with quite a smiling face. "That does sound nice!" she +exclaimed. "You are a dear. I cannot tell you how lonely I have been +since Ralph went--just as if I were living in a desert; but such a load +seems gone now you have come." + +Then Phebe told her story. Sometimes the words would hardly come for a +choking sob; but at last it was spread out before her childhood's friend +in all its grim, unromantic baldness. + +When it was finished Mrs. Colston said: "Well, dearie, I'm not going to +say one word against Ralph; I hope I never shall. We will pray for him, +that is all: he must just be left to God's dealings." + +"But he could not have loved me, could he?" sighed Phebe. Mrs. Colston +wisely did not answer. Then Phebe spoke of her fresh trouble: "The world +will blame me, won't it? People will say I was a dreadful sort of woman +that Ralph could not live with." + +"I dare say they will, but what will that matter? Lots of people are +wrongly judged and wrongly punished. All this goes into the making of a +Christian. You know Job stood the trials of loss and bereavement, but he +could not stand the trial of the loss of his good name. It was then he +opened his mouth and used bad language. Up to that time he had blessed +the Lord--a pretty good difference. Suppose they do take away your good +name, the Lord will give it back to you again. Don't try to vindicate +yourself: you just leave all that to Him, and He'll make all come out +clear. People think it was the washing of those men's feet that showed +how humble Jesus was. I don't think so. I think it was when He 'made +Himself of no reputation'--just calmly let people take His character +away. Don't you see, Miss Phebe, dear, that your life is getting a +little bit more like the life of Jesus. Just a little step more, and, +like Paul, you'll glory in tribulation." + +"I'm afraid I'm a long way from doing that." + +"No doubt you think so. But there now, I'm afraid my tongue is going on +too fast. What I particularly want to know is how you are going to +manage this business?" + +"I think I can manage very well if I have a little more capital, and if +no other way opens up I can have my sister's money." + +"Will you let me ask a favour?" + +"Of course I will. You know that." + +"And won't be offended?" + +"How could I be?" + +"I want you to let me open the way for you. You have asked God to open +up the way for you, let God answer your prayer through me." + +"Do you mean it?" in great astonishment. + +"Yes. Perhaps you think a poor old mangle-woman could not have a +banking-account, but I have"--this with a pleasant ring of laughter. +"There now, what do you think of that? I've just got three hundred +pounds in the savings bank. Will that be enough?" + +_Three hundred pounds!_--just the amount Stephen said she would need. +Phebe stood speechless. + +"Say, dear, won't you?" repeated Mrs. Colston. + +"Why, of course I will; am only too delighted. It is the wonder of it +that made me quiet. You are good--so very good--and I'll see to it you +shall never lose the money," lifting up a face full of love-light. + +"You are not to trouble about that. If it is lost it is lost; I shall +not mind so long as we're partners. But there is something else I want +to ask you, and this you may not grant because it is asking so much." + +"I am sure you cannot ask anything I should not be only too happy to +grant." + +"If you are going to manage the business, who is going to look after the +housekeeping and the children? You cannot do all." + +"No, I cannot." Then after a pause: "God, who has helped me thus far so +wondrously, in such an unexpected way, will certainly make that clear +also." + +"So He will!" jubilantly exclaimed the dear old body. "So He will, only +He will let me do it for Him. It's just splendid to be on errands like +this!" + +"Whatever do you mean?" Phebe was bewildered. + +"I mean this: let me come and live with you and be your housekeeper and +nurse! I am tired of living alone, tired of my musical-box, and tired of +having no one to show bits of love to when I've a mind to. Will you let +me? I'll be so good if you will." + +"Let you! Why, it fairly takes away my breath. But I don't know if I +ought to let you. It is taking too much from you. You would have to give +up your own little home, and then there's the children----" + +"I know what you are going to say: that old folks don't want to be +bothered with children. Perhaps some don't, but what would my life be +worth now if I'd never had anything to do with children?" + +"Ah! but that was when you were younger." + +"I'm not old yet," drawing herself up with laughable dignity; "no, not +yet, thank you. But now to business. As far as you yourself are +concerned, have you any objection to my plan?" + +"None whatever, none. There's nothing you could have thought of that +would give me greater joy." + +"Then it's settled," and a kiss--no, it was more than one--sealed the +bargain. And then those two women involuntarily knelt down, and the +elder one in a quavering voice prayed: "Father, I have followed Your +directions, which You whispered to me as I came along the road to-night. +Miss Phebe and I love each other, we are going to help each other; do +bless us both. Let us feel just now You are blessing us." A pause. +"Thank You. The peace in our hearts is the token. We love each other. +Tighten with Your own hand, dear Father, the knot. From this moment may +this business prosper. May the business be altogether Yours. And bless +the two dear bairns. Help me to be another Hannah." + +When they rose from their feet Mrs. Colston said: "Before I go I must +just have a peep at my charges." + +"Of course you shall," said Phebe, beginning at once to lead the way. +"How I wish you were not going away from me to-night. I wish you could +stay right off." + +"I must go to-night, dearie; but I shall not be very long before I'm +back, bag and baggage. Janie won't mind me coming, I know." + +"She will be delighted." + +The two children were in Phebe's bedroom, Queenie in a little cot to +herself. They were both asleep. The sight of a sleeping infant always +suggests the thought of angels. It is not always the fear of waking a +sleeping child that makes the heaviest feet go on tip-toe, but the awe +which comes from the near presence of heavenly visitants. To be near a +sleeping child is to be near Heaven. + +Jack was a fair-haired, rosy-cheeked, chubby child. One little arm lay +under his head, and a smile seemed playing round his lips. He seemed +almost like a picture of sunshine asleep. Mrs. Colston stooped down and +kissed him--what woman could have helped doing so? She had once said she +believed Jesus kissed His disciples, because Mark used the words, "When +He had taken leave of them"--and Easterns took leave by kissing. + +Then she went to look at Queenie. Poor little Queenie! A dark-haired, +sad-faced darling. Mrs. Colston could hardly have explained how it was +she turned so quickly away from the little crib after ever such a +hurried kiss. Perhaps it was because she had seen a mark on the child. +Her father had been a forester, and often when out walking with him +along the forest pathways she had seen a mark on some of the trees and +knew by that sign they would soon be lying prostrate, stripped of all +their green grandeur. It was not so much of the child she was thinking +as of the child's mother. + +But when she reached the little parlour again, her face was as bright as +ever. "I want you," she said to Phebe, "to let me teach the children to +call me 'Nanna.' I had a friend once who was called 'Nanna.' Nothing +could make me more proud than to think I was a second 'Nanna.'" + +"On certain conditions," said Phebe. "You are having it all your own way +to-night. Now it is my turn." + +"What are they?" + +"That you call me Phebe, and that I call you 'Nanna,' too. I do so want +to be mothered, and no one can do it but you." The little speech began +with a laugh, but ended with something like a sob. How many there are +who want "mothering," and how many could do "mothering" if they chose! + +"That's another bargain." + +"May I come in?" It was Neighbour Bessie's voice. + +"Bessie comes in each night to bid me good-night," explained Phebe. "You +couldn't guess what good news I have to tell you," she continued, +turning to Bessie. + +"Not that----" stammered Bessie. + +"Nothing about Mr. Waring!" quickly put in Phebe; and then Bessie was +told the whole story. She was sitting on a little stool near the fire by +the side of Mrs. Colston. + +"I am downright glad for your sake, Mrs. Waring," she exclaimed +heartily. "It's just what you were wanting; but, oh dear," resting her +chin on her hands, "there's lots of good times a-going, but I'm never in +them." + +"Why, my dear child, you are always in them," exclaimed Mrs. Colston, +patting her head. + +"Well, I should like very much to know how you reckon that sum up." + +"I reckon it up out of the Bible. You are one of those who have a +continual feast." + +"A continual pickle, you should say, to be correct." + +"No, 'feast.' I know one riddle--and only one. Can you guess it? What is +the longest feast mentioned in the Bible?" + +"I know," answered Bessie, laughing, "because you've done as good as +tell it already: 'A merry heart is a continual feast.' But I haven't got +the merry heart, you see. Now, why couldn't it have been arranged for me +to be Mrs. Waring's partner?" + +"That I cannot tell. That's the Sunshine Patch meant for me. Your +Sunshine Patch is all round you already, only you are given to looking +too much over the fence." + + * * * * * + +Thus, without any pillar of cloud, or shining light, or glittering gems, +guidance came. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +A WOMAN'S WHIMS + + +It did not take Mrs. Colston long to sell up some of her furniture and +the goodwill of her mangle, and settle down in her new quarters and to +her new duties. By that time the three hundred pounds had not only been +drawn out, but used, partly in paying debts and partly in adding to +stock. On one point Phebe was very firm, and that was that a legal +document be drawn up acknowledging the loan and agreeing to pay interest +at five per cent. Not that Phebe considered that would cover all her +liability. "As I prosper--if I do prosper," she said to Mrs. Colston, +"you shall prosper too. We will be real partners." + +"I don't want any of that lawyer's writing. Your word is sufficient," +said Mrs. Colston. + +"That may be, but I might be taken away, or some one else might step +in," replied Phebe quietly. + +Mrs. Colston quickly saw what was in Phebe's mind, and wisely forbore +saying anything further. When Nanna had been duly installed, not only by +mistress Phebe and Janie but also by their majesties, Queenie and Jack, +Phebe took hold of the business reins in true-going style. + +The first thing was to institute several reforms. One class of goods +which had usually been sold under different prices received one fixed +price; charges to different customers were made uniform. + +Reynolds was shocked. + +"So-and-so," said he, "will think the things are common if you don't put +the price on." + +"Then shall we level up, instead of levelling down?" asked the shrewd +mistress. + +"Oh, dear, no; for Mrs. Dash will deal somewhere else if she doesn't +think she's having things extra cheap." + +"I cannot help all these little peculiarities," said Phebe. "I mean to +run this business on true, straight lines, whatever happens." + +Reynolds wanted to say something about it being a woman's whim, but +somehow or other the words would not come out. But a climax was reached +when he felt that to keep silence longer would be guilty; this was when +Phebe announced that in future the entire establishment would be closed +every Saturday evening at eight o'clock. + +"Mrs. Waring!" he exclaimed; "you have no idea what sacrifice you are +making. If it is your assistants you are considering, why not close +earlier on Wednesdays?" + +"I intend to do that as well," she replied graciously; "but I may as +well be frank with you and say it is _not_ out of consideration to my +assistants I am closing earlier on Saturdays." + +"Then why do it? I want the business to be a success, and I am sure you +do; but this plan, you will excuse me saying so, will be a dead loss. +Why, we take as much sometimes on a Saturday evening as we do all day on +Wednesday! And folks will say if we are so independent of their custom, +they'll see we do without it altogether." + +"Thank you most sincerely, Reynolds, for so unselfishly studying my +interests. But your reasoning is a little at fault," she added, with a +laugh. "If people think we can afford to be independent, that is the +very best advertisement we could have, for you know the old saying, +'Nothing succeeds like success.' But neither success nor non-success +weighs with me in this matter." + +"May I ask, then, what does?" asked Reynolds, feeling quite in a fog. +The question was put in a most respectful manner. + +The answer was given in one word, "God," and when it was spoken both +felt no inclination to pursue the subject further. But to Mrs. Colston, +Reynold's felt he might explode to his heart's content. + +"What's the good of trying to push things on, I should like to know? The +mistress, with all these new-fangled ideas, will just ruin the business. +What's God to do with a draper's shop, or a grocer's shop either?" + +"Keep cool, my dear boy, keep cool. If God's got nothing to do with +these shops then they'd better be closed." + +"Do you mean to say God troubles Himself about sugar and calico?" + +"Yes, I do, and with everything that goes on under this roof." + +"Well, I don't, then; but if even He does, what has shutting up early on +Saturday evenings to do with it?--that's what I want to know! I tell you +it's only a woman's whim"--and he felt ever so much better after that +expression had come out. + +"To give herself and her friends proper time to prepare for the +Sabbath." + +"But she's not a Jewess." + +Mrs. Colston could not keep from laughing. "The idea that only Jews want +preparation-time! Why, Reynolds, I'm ashamed of you. To think that a +grown-up Sunday School boy like you should be so dense! How can anybody +keep the Sabbath properly who is toiling up to midnight on Saturday? And +look how mean it seems, as though you said to the Lord, 'I'll take +precious good care You don't get five minutes more time than I can +help.' I tell you, Reynolds, your mistress won't lose a penny by +honouring God. You mark my words, God has said, 'Them that honour Me, I +will honour.' And if even she did lose some customers, she won't lose in +the end, I tell you. You watch, but don't take short views of things." + +"Well, you're a queer pair, that's all I can say." But it was not all +he thought. + +Phebe had received no business training whatever; even when a child a +book had more fascination for her than a pair of scales, and to dream +dreams was more in her line than playing at shop, or even dressing +dolls. But she was one of those women who, when they once realise what +the work is they are shut up to, quickly master all the details, and +with zest determine to become master of it. She saw plainly there was no +path before her but what led behind counters. For her children's sake, +and for God's sake, she determined to make the business "go"; the zeal +she put into it acted as balm to her wounded heart; her industry kept +away the feeling of desolation, giving her no time to brood over the +hardness of her lot. Indeed, the business was a "godsend," but for it +she might have sunk into a spiritless, listless life; instead of that, +faculties were developed in her that her nearest and dearest never +dreamed she possessed. Of course her father warned her against all +unwomanly ways, constantly reminding her that the duty of every member +of her sex was to be like a flower and "blush unseen"; but to others he +daily sung her praises. + +Reynolds by degrees became reconciled to her reforms, and after +watching the conflagration of a box of valuable feathers, doomed to +destruction on account of the cruelty by which they were obtained, he +decided that nothing which might happen in the future as to the conduct +of the business would ever surprise him. + +Away in Texas there is a little plant called the compass plant, and the +Indians, even in the night, can tell by feeling its leaves the direction +in which they are going. The top leaves, weighted by dew or dust, +sometimes lose their power to point in the right direction, but the +young leaves, standing edgewise to the earth, are always true, ever +pointing north and south. To Reynolds Phebe was as a compass plant by +which he learned to measure right and wrong, but, best of all, she +pointed him to God. Of all this she was unconscious, and it was better +so; but would she always point true? Would the world's dust ever cause +her to lose that charm? + +In spite of Reynolds' fears, all these reforms did not affect the +business adversely; there were some losses, but the gains outnumbered +them. A good many customers came out of curiosity, and gossip was pretty +rife in the town, but all the information they got was that Mr. Waring +had gone abroad with the idea of starting a business. Some even +questioned Phebe herself and Mrs. Colston, but gained no further +information. + +No other letter had been received from Ralph, but Stephen Collins sent a +note one day saying that the ship which Ralph had sailed in had safely +arrived after a pleasant journey, and all were well on board. Phebe +supposed Stephen had gathered this information from the newspapers, but +asked no questions. + +One day Reynolds startled his mistress by saying, "Don't you think we +might begin to enlarge our borders?" + +"What do you mean?--do you want us to take in a third shop?" + +"No; but a long time ago master spoke of starting a village trade, and I +don't see why we should not start it now." And then he went on to give +the names of some villages which were quite growing localities through +becoming small manufacturing centres, but where shops had not increased +accordingly. By canvassing these and lonely farmhouses which lay +between, he thought a good bit of business might be done. + +"It could not be done without a horse and cart, and I could not afford +to buy those just now," said Phebe, shaking her head. + +"I have thought of that, but Higgins, the laundry people, have a horse +and light van they use only three days a week; there's no doubt they +would be willing to let us hire them." + +"Perhaps so; the plan is worth thinking over; but what should I do here +while you were away? I should be obliged to engage another assistant." + +"Yes, you would; but I think you would find it pay." + +Phebe promised she would give the subject serious consideration--"and we +must both pray about it," she added. It took quite an effort to bring +the words out, but she wanted in every possible way to show Reynolds +that God was to be consulted in all business details. + +The very next day Phebe had a visit from a young man seeking a +situation. She liked his appearance very much, he had a frank expression +on his face which touched her heart, and, besides that, she knew his +mother very well and had a great respect for her. + +"Have you a reference from your last situation?" + +The young fellow's face darkened. "No, Mrs. Waring, I have not," he +answered. "If I tell you all my trouble, will you promise not to tell my +mother? It would break her heart if she knew all." + +"I promise," she replied. "Come into the parlour, and tell me all," and +the young fellow did so--how he had been tempted to speculate, how he +had used some of his master's money, and had been found out before he +had time to withdraw money from the Post Office Savings Bank to refund +it. "I have paid it all now," he added, "but the master said I need +never ask him for a character. If you will trust me, Mrs. Waring, I +promise you I will serve you faithfully. You shall never regret having +me. Oh, for my mother's sake, do give me a chance!" + +"Just wait a minute," and then she went to consult Mrs. Colston, whom +she had previously spoken to about Reynolds' suggestion. + +"Is this God's answer, Nanna? Or would it be unwise to engage a young +man who had made such a mistake? I feel strongly inclined to give him a +chance, if even we did not start a village trade." + +"I should take it as God's answer, dearie, you are to extend your trade. +And, bless me, why shouldn't you give the young fellow a chance? God +gives us plenty! But don't start him with a rope round his neck." + +"Whatever do you mean?" + +"Don't show any mistrust, that is all." Afterwards she said to herself, +"Reynolds would call that another 'whim' if he knew about it. She +wouldn't have engaged that young fellow as quickly as this before her +trouble came, not she; it's just wonderful how trouble softens the +heart. It's only them that's received mercy which show mercy." + +The young fellow's name was Jones--D. Jones--the "D." standing for +David. Neighbour Bessie came in just afterwards on what she called her +ginger-beer cork visits--a pop and go visit, and, of course, she was +told of the new "hand" and the new scheme--but no hint as to the young +man's past was given. + +"D. Jones," she exclaimed, clapping her hands, "makes me think of an old +man in America my aunt knew, who had once been a soldier; he was 'D. +Jones,' but you'd never guess what the 'D.' stood for, that you never +would, but it is what I shall call your Mr. Jones." + +"Well, tell us what it was, Miss Smarty, or I'll shake you," said Nanna, +trying to look fierce. + +"It's what I wish somebody would call me; it was 'Darling Jones.' It's a +fact; I'm not making it up. Isn't it lovely! Just fancy, if my name was +'Darling,' what a fix mother would be in! She couldn't scold me and call +me 'Darling' at the same time, now could she? Wouldn't it be rich to +hear her call out 'Darling, you are a wretched girl!' It would be +scrumptious, just!" + +"You're a naughty darling, that's what you are," said Mrs. Colston, +solemnly shaking her head. "It's a pity you can't put all your fun and +energy to some good purpose." + +"Well, I shall always call your Jones 'Darling,' you see if I don't." + +That same evening Reynolds was informed that the extension scheme was to +be tried at once. + +"And may I ask," in a very quiet voice, looking earnestly into Phebe's +face, "what led you to this decision?" + +"Yes, certainly. A young man came and asked me to give him employment. I +had not advertised, nor spoken of the matter to any one but Mrs. +Colston. I liked his manner very much. I took that as a guidance, and +have engaged him. I am sending to-night to printers to have circulars +prepared, and next week I will help you to get out samples. Perhaps you +would not mind seeing Mr. Higgins for me." + +"Well, well," said Reynolds to himself, "the idea that God had anything +to do with that young man coming here. We shall hear of angels serving +the customers next." + + + + +CHAPTER X + +A GATHERED FLOWER + + +The printed circulars were issued in Phebe's own name. Whether she had +the legal right to do this or not she did not know, but knew well enough +the moral right was hers. + +The very first trial of the new scheme showed that it would prove a +success. This was largely attributable to two things; first, to +Reynolds' "push": the scheme being largely his own he felt the +responsibility of it, and for his own credit's sake determined it should +"go"; the other thing was Phebe's good sense; the grocery department she +conducted from a housewife's standpoint, the drapery department from a +Christian woman's standpoint, and thus in both had a considerable +advantage over her husband. + +Fellow tradespeople marvelled that in the absence of the husband there +should be an extension of the business. Woman is supposed to be +conservative, yet at the same time it is acknowledged she quickly sees a +point and seizes it while the man is still thinking about it. Each +cannot be fully true. Love may make her at times conservative; but if +roused to devoted service she cannot be anything but progressive. + +But if sunlight was growing in the business department the shadows were +deepening in the home department. Sturdy little Jack had been elevated +to sleeping in the crib, while frail little Queenie nestled each night +to sleep in the mother's arms. Nanna could see that the child was a +fading flower, soon to be transplanted to a fairer region, but, strange +to say, the mother's eyes only saw the still brilliant tints of the +sweet blossom. Very early every morning the child would sit up and +stroke the mother's face till she wakened, such a glad light coming into +her eyes when she had succeeded. A little later on she did not attempt +to sit up, but stretched up her arms to her mother's face. Then came a +morning when the mother woke without the touch of the little fingers; +the child was awake, the love-light as usual in the soft, grey eyes, but +with not strength enough left to show its love in the old way. + +Then it was Phebe grew alarmed, and the doctor was sent for. But all +that human aid could do Nanna had already done. And then came a day when +even the shopmen stole about on tip-toe. (The Potter was about to put +His cup into the furnace again. There was high work designed for it, for +which it needed great preparation.) + +All day long Phebe sat by the fire nursing her dying child on her knee. + +The angels must have bent very closely round Mary of Nazareth as she +nursed her Babe; but surely they gather just as closely round a mother +whose child they are about to conduct to their King! + +There was still the love-light in the little one's eyes. Nanna was +standing at the window watching the sunlight fade from the sky; Phebe +was watching the light slowly fade from her child's eyes. + +The angels were bending still closer. + +For one moment the little hand was once more raised to stroke the loving +face bending over it. It was a last effort, and then the light was gone. + +The angels had gone. + +"It is time she had some more milk," said Nanna, coming near. + +"She is asleep," said Phebe, in a strained voice, "let her alone just +now," and quite hastily she put her arm over the child, drawing the +shawl partly over its face. + +Nanna did not feel she had the heart to press her point, and left the +room for a few minutes. On her return she said, "Phebe, dear, you must +wake Queenie, she must have her milk; it will never do to neglect any +effort. Let me have her for a few moments. I'll promise to wake her +gently," and she held out her arms beseechingly. + +Phebe's answer was to strain the little form passionately to her breast. + +"Come, come," said Nanna, more firmly, "let me take her." + +"To wake her?" asked Phebe, looking at her with wild eyes. + +"Yes, there's a dear. You will be quite worn out." + +"She will never wake again," wailed Phebe, and then tears came to her +relief, tears which in the first moments of her agony seemed to be +freezing her life's blood. + +"Phebe! Phebe! Why did you not tell me before? Did you know that she was +gone when I spoke to you before?" + +"Yes, but I could not let you have her, and I cannot let you have her +now." She rose to go upstairs, still carrying the little cold form. + +"But I must have her, Phebe, dear," said Nanna, planting herself firmly +in Phebe's way. + +"Surely, you will not take her from me yet! I cannot, oh, I cannot part +with her. It is so hard! Oh, so hard!" + +"It is hard just now, darling, I know. Sit down again, and let us look +at the sweet little face." Phebe did so. "And won't you really let me +have her at all?" Nanna continued; "surely, you will!" and Phebe, +pressing a passionate kiss on the cold brow, yielded, knowing that never +again in this life would she hold that little form in her arms. Was it +any wonder she was loth to part with it, when, however much her arms +might ache for it in the future, she could never again press it to her +heart! + +And then came days of darkness. Why had God allowed her child to be +taken? He could not have prevented her husband's desertion without +taking away his free will, but the child did not wish to leave her; why +did not God touch her with His healing hand? Was not her lot hard enough +without this last trial? Why did not God, to make up for the loss of +husband, allow the child to remain? Would not an earthly loving father +have done as much? These questionings would come, and her heart could +find no answers--yet. + +And Nanna, who knew all about them, never chided. She just waited, +knowing that ere long comfort _would_ come. "It was the sight of sorrow +such as yours that made Jesus shed tears," she said one day. "It fair +broke the blessed Lord down to see that woman Mary cry so, and to see +the trouble death brings." + +"Then you don't think He's cross with me for fretting so?" asked Phebe, +with some excitement. + +"Not a bit of it, dearie. He knows right well what a blow it has been to +you, and sympathises with you; rest on that." + +"That is a comfort, but then, Nanna, why did He not prevent it? He is +all-powerful, and could have prevented it if He had chosen!" It was the +old cry from a broken heart, "Why! Why!" + +"Because He wished for your child exactly the same as you do." She spoke +very emphatically. + +"What is that?" Phebe asked, eagerly. + +"The greatest good. Be sure of this, if it had been for the child's good +she would have stayed. God can judge so much better than we can what is +the best, so He decided she was to go. You do believe, don't you, +dearie, that God knows best?--He must do!" + +"Yes." But the voice had no ringing tone in it. + +"And there's another thing I want you to rest on, though you cannot work +it out yet in your own mind, but it's true, for all that, and it's this, +that God will make all this trouble work for good in your own life, +quite apart from dear little Queenie's, or, even for your sake, He would +not have permitted it." + +"I believe it all, Nanna, and yet it seems so hard to live out the +belief." + +"Yes, dearie, I know, but that's just because the trouble has kind of +stunned you. Just you wait awhile, and you will be able not only to rest +on the fact of God's wisdom and goodness, but _cheerfully_ to rest." + +"I wish I could!" + +How strange it is that there is never a wounded heart but there's +somebody close by to put in some extra drop of bitterness. A friend +called in one day with the express intention of showing sympathy, but +succeeded in doing just the opposite, by remarking she was sure it was +not the will of God any little child should die, and what a pity it was +we had not more faith. All this Phebe told to Nanna, and, for a wonder, +Nanna was near to exploding. + +"I do wish folk would have more sense! Why, it seems to me, some folks +think they know better than God Himself. If you had prayed, 'My child is +not going to die, my faith will keep her here,' wouldn't that have been +dictating to God! Then, think of all the holy men and women who have +died young! Do you think God allowed them to die before their time +simply because they didn't know they might have healing through faith! +Don't trouble your head about that. Why, God, perhaps, has some work up +yonder to do that only an innocent child-spirit like Queenie could do, +or He may have taken her to shield her from some evil. If your faith +could have saved that child you would have had the faith. God knew right +enough you didn't want to part with her." Then when the dear old soul +had taken breath, she started off again. "What is a sign? It's something +out of the ordinary way to teach you some special lesson. Well, Jesus +said the sick were to be cured by faith, as a sign, not as a rule. +Nobody can get over that, so there now," and off she went to give Jack +his supper. + +It was not long before Phebe herself realised at least one blessing +which had come into her life since the child's departure, and that was +the sense of the nearness of the spirit world. It seemed as if a line of +light connected her world with the beyond, and the line of light was the +pathway Queenie had trod. When she had lost her mother her grief was +great, but it was the grief of a child, her soul had not the conscious +power then to reach after her loved one as now she reached after her +child. + +The whole of her life seemed made up of strips of light and shade, and +just as this gleam from the golden land dawned upon her, the old +darkness seemed all to come back again. The following letter was +received from Ralph:-- + + "_Queen's Hotel, Adelaide._ + + "MY DEAR PHEBE, + + "I dare say you have been wondering what part of the globe I + have travelled to. This letter will set your mind at rest on + that score. I do not suppose I shall stay here long, but any + letters you send will be sure to be forwarded to me. I have + already found several friends here and have good prospects. No + doubt my sudden departure was a shock to you, but I did it out + of regard for you, and you must think of it in that way. And + you cannot say I did not leave you well provided for. The + goodwill of the business and the stock are worth a great deal. + You are in a much better position now than before you were + married. As soon as ever I am permanently settled we will + discuss future plans. Of course I miss you and the children + very much, and no doubt you miss me. This is a splendid + country, with room to breathe in. I only wish I had come years + ago. I mean to make my mark here; no more small pettifogging + ways for me. My friends tell me I am just the man to succeed + here. It is nice to be appreciated. + + "Write soon and tell me how you all are. + + "I am, + "Your affectionate husband, + "RALPH WARING." + +It was not long before Phebe noticed that though the letter was in a +foreign envelope, it had neither stamp nor postmark of any description. + +By what means the letter had reached her seemed too great a mystery for +her to attempt to unravel, so the thought of it was put right away, the +change in Ralph's affections being quite sufficient for her to cope with +just then. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +IS GOD GOOD? + + +During these dark days Neighbour Bessie was a constant visitor, and she +never came without seeking to bring some brightness, though mostly it +was in the form of fun. Sometimes it jarred on Phebe when she first came +in, but invariably Phebe was found enjoying the fun before Bessie left. + +Bessie was in high feather when Phebe told her in neighbourly confidence +that an old great-uncle, recently deceased, had left her the freehold of +a meadow at Edenholme, a place four miles from Hadley. + +"Do you mean to say you are a landed proprietress?" + +"Yes, if you care to put it in that grand style." + +"Of course I do--style is everything. But really to be serious, I should +like to see this estate of yours!" + +"Estate! Just one field, with one solitary donkey, perhaps, in it." + +"Well, let's make the dear donkey's acquaintance, anyhow. Could we not +drive there? Couldn't Darling Jones drive you and me, and let's have +half-a-day's holiday? Now, do, there's a dear! I'm sure I'm losing all +my complexion because I never get an outing." + +"I do wish you wouldn't call that young man by that foolish name. +Suppose he should overhear you?" + +"That would be perfectly lovely! He'd put his hand on his heart, and say +'Somebody loves me!'" and Bessie put herself in the supposed tragic +attitude. + +"You are a dreadful girl. Now, just for a punishment Reynolds shall +drive us." + +"Then you consent to go?" and Bessie's eagerness confirmed Phebe in her +suspicion that it was simply a ruse to get her out. + +However, the drive was taken and enjoyed. Instead of the donkey being +found in the meadow, there was a blind child groping about on hands and +knees for flowers and grasses. "Just look there!" exclaimed Bessie, +quite philosophically; "and yet with two eyes of quite the proper sort +and power, most of us miss heaps of flowers we might gather." + +The meadow was close by a small railway station soon to become an +important junction, a new line being under construction which would run +into it from quite an opposite direction. + +Reynolds drove them to the other side of the line, where some hundreds +of men were at work on a long tunnel. The curious little wooden houses +in which some of the men lived were inspected, and Phebe had quite a +long chat with one of the "gangers." + +On their return home Bessie informed Mrs. Colston that the "estate" had +some "park-like stretches," and was quite "a suitable site for a summer +holiday with the help of a tent." "But it is a shame," she went on, +"that it is not on the other side of the railway. Why, if that meadow +had only been near that tunnel the railway folks would have given ever +so much for it. Don't you think it is too bad?" + +"No, I don't." + +"You don't! Wouldn't you like Mrs. Waring to make an honest bit of +money?" + +"Of course I should. But if it would have been better for the meadow to +have been where you wished it, it would have been there, no doubt about +that." + +"Do you think, then, that whatever is, is best? But I don't see how you +can. I didn't have any breakfast this morning. Mother said I was in one +of my tantrums. Suppose I was; but I can tell you it wasn't the best +thing for me." + +"Perhaps it just was; but I cannot say positively about your affairs, +because I don't know that you come under the same list as mistress +does." + +"What list is that?" + +"The list of Christians. You know 'whatever is _is_ best' for them. +Perhaps it doesn't seem so at the first, but God makes it so sooner or +later." + +"He doesn't do so, then, for everybody?" + +"No, I don't think so; I can't see how they can expect Him to." + +"It's a bad look-out for me, then, Mrs. Colston," and the girl looked +her frankly in the face. "I often wish I were a Christian; but there, I +never shall be." + +"Why not, Bessie, dear? Tell me what is your difficulty." + +"I can't give up my nonsense and fun; it's no good, I couldn't be +serious like Mrs. Waring is for anything. And then," dropping her voice, +"mother would never believe I was trying to be good, no, not if I tried +like an archangel." + +"What your mother believes, or doesn't believe, shouldn't come into the +question, dear. It's the Lord's opinion of us we've got to trouble +about. But you make a great mistake if you think you've got to give up +fun, so long as it's innocent fun. Why, I believe God is often +disappointed in His children because they're such a long-faced, sour +lot; I do indeed." + +But just then Mrs. Marchant sent in a message that Bessie was wanted at +once. + +That same evening Phebe was called into the grocery department to see a +woman who particularly wished to speak to her. She was a very +forlorn-looking being, and seeing the marks of tears upon her face Phebe +invited her into the parlour, placing a chair for her by the fire, for +the evening was chilly. + +"I've come to ask you, Mrs. Waring, if you will come and see my husband. +I do believe he is dying." + +"But why do you want me to see him?" Phebe was feeling very bewildered. +"Why not get a doctor? I'm not even a nurse." + +"Oh, it's not that. I've got a doctor for him; he wants to talk to you. +It's him that sent me to ask you." + +"But why does he want to see me?" + +"I asked him if I should get anybody to come and pray to him, and he +said as how he didn't want no parsons a-bothering of him, but he would +like Mrs. Waring to come, for," in quite a whisper, "he's mortal afeared +of dying." + +"He wants me to come in place of a minister?" said Phebe with a gasp. +"How does he know me? How did he come to ask for me?" + +"Why, you know he used to go a good deal to 'The Rose in June,' and they +was a-talking about you there one night--he told me so when he came +home--as how you shut your shops early on Saturday 'cause you were +particular about Sunday. One of your shopfolks said so to somebody. And +my Jim said as how you must be one of the right sort, for your religion +cost you summat. That's how it is. He's talked about it a lot of times; +and one night some of the men that goes to 'The Rose in June' came to +have a look at you." + +Phebe smiled. "I should like to help your husband all I could," she +said, "but I am quite unfit to talk to a dying man. Why not let me send +for one of our good ministers? Or, I will ask my friend if she will go." + +"I'm sure he won't see anybody else," the woman exclaimed, but Phebe was +out of hearing. Presently she returned, saying in a very quiet voice +that she would accompany her home at once. Nanna had firmly refused to +go, saying it was a distinct call from God to Phebe herself, and that it +would be wicked to disobey. + +So in great fear and trembling Phebe went. + +The man was lying on a wretched bed, evidently very weak, but with no +signs of death about him. After inquiring as to how he felt Phebe +started straightway by telling him how unfit she was to help anybody, +being only a learner herself, and her very simple straightforwardness +drew the sick man all the more to her. + +"But, look here, missis," he said, turning on his elbow eagerly towards +her. "You can help me all I want, and I'd rather have you than one of +them preaching chaps as is paid to do it. What I wants to know is this: +Do you think as how God is good and only does good things?" + +Phebe paused for a moment, and while she hesitated the man was keenly +watching her, with great hungry-looking eyes. + +"I want my answer to be perfectly true," she replied, "that is why I +waited." + +"I know it'll be true," said the man. + +Is God good? What about the taking away of her child! Could she say to +this hungry, seeking soul He was not good? A thousand times, _No_--that +she could never do. "I have been in great trouble lately--for more than +a year the way has been very dark"--there was a choke in her voice. + +"I guessed so," said the man softly. + +"But God _is_ good," her voice was clear and firm again. "Yes, He is +good; I have found Him so over and over again. We judge Him too quickly +so often, and so often blame Him for what comes through the sins of +other." + +"There's so many queer things in the world," said the man, "that it +seemed to me there couldn't be a good God." + +"It's the men and women who are queer." + +"But, look here, if He's really good, will He take pity on a poor chap +like me, who's been such a wicked 'un, and only comes to Him when he's +not got nobody else to go to?" There was a depth of yearning in the +voice. + +"Before I answer that question I should like you to answer me one, +because I cannot know your heart as God does. Suppose, now, God was to +give you back health, how would you treat God then?" + +"Ah, now, missis, I must take time to think, as you did." Then, after a +pause: "I'd stand by Him, blest if I wouldn't!" + +"And leave off going to the public-house and lead a straight, clean +life?" + +"Yes, I would, if only He'd make me downright sure He wiped off all old +scores agen me. Will you ask Him to?" + +"Yes, I will." + +"But I mean here--now!" + +To pray in public! She had never done such a thing in her life! Again +came the feeling of fear, but again it was conquered. Kneeling down by +the side of the bed, with the man's hand in hers, and the man's wife +kneeling by her side, she slowly, in short sentences, asked for just +what the man needed, and under his breath he repeated every word she +said. If the man had never heard of Jesus, and what Jesus had done for +him, he learnt it from that prayer, and grasped the truth for himself. + +"Now," said she, as she rose from her knees, "I believe you are going to +get better." + +All the way home her thoughts dwelt on the fact that she had publicly +testified to the goodness of God. "After that," she said to herself, "I +must not grieve any more after my darling. It must have been right for +her to go, since God is good. To doubt that will make me a liar, and my +life, too, must show I do not doubt it; but, oh, that I might catch a +glimpse of her just for a minute!" + +It was a trembling Phebe who left home--a radiant Phebe returned. Nanna +could not understand the change, but when she heard the story she +exclaimed: "There now, that's always the way! If ever you want help, go +and help somebody else. I do declare it was the Lord Himself who got you +to commit yourself in that way. He just cornered you for your own +deliverance." + +It was a hard, strenuous life that Phebe Waring led day by day. An hour +was spent in the business every morning before breakfast, and till the +last shutter was up at night she was still at her post. But never a day +passed without some portion of it being entirely given up to +sunny-haired little Jack. There was no piece of work done in which she +did not lend a hand, and not only was there in every department every +evidence of fair and honest dealing, but the utmost economy was also +studied, down to the tying of string and the folding up of paper. +Economy is not the sign of a small mind, but waste the sign of a mind +with empty corners. + +As the new year approached Reynolds asked if there was to be any +stocktaking, and, if so, on what lines it should be done? The truth was +Phebe had not thought of this, but did not think it necessary to say +so. After due deliberation the whole affair was arranged, and when she +cast up her accounts, to her great astonishment she found there had been +considerable advance made--and this in spite of the extra help employed, +the purchase of a horse and cart, and several improvements which had +been made in the premises. "Is not that splendid!" she said to Nanna, as +all the figures were explained. "I shall give a good bonus to Reynolds, +for he deserves it; and Jones must have something, too. If I go on at +this rate I shall some day be a rich woman! Think of that! God is indeed +good!" + +"Ah, dearie, it's easy to say 'God is good!' when the balance is on the +right side, but what must please Him best is when we can say it just as +trustfully when the purse is empty." + +The truth was, Nanna was just a wee bit afraid lest her darling should +not stand the test of wealth. She remembered an old story about a play +which used to be enacted at country fairs in the days when the Quakers +were so bitterly persecuted. Among the _dramatis personæ_ came the evil +one, who, in the course of a speech, made these remarks: "Let these +Quakers alone; it's no good hunting them down. This is my plan: God is +sure to prosper them in basket and in store, because they serve Him +faithfully; then when they are rich, that will be my time. I shall be +sure to get them then." + +"God keep her from the snare of riches!" was the old woman's fervent +prayer. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +THE STONE THROWN IN THE WATERS + + +Neighbour Bessie had got a new thought! + +Not that this was an unusual occurrence, her brain being pretty +prolific, but this was of special importance and gave her special +delight. + +She was a member of a certain young woman's Bible class which happened +just then to be without a teacher. The inspiring thought was, "Why +should not Mrs. Waring become the teacher?" Hurrah! And she _should_ +become the teacher, too, if Bessie could by any possible manoeuvres +bring it about. + +That her own personal invitation was not sufficient she knew well +enough, and was quite sure Mrs. Waring would never offer her services, +though "coaxed like anything." "I know what I'll do!" she exclaimed to +herself. "I'll get up a petition. See if I don't;" and she did, for when +once Bessie willed she did, and there was "an end on't," as the +Lancashire women say. + +She drew up the heading herself, one sentence being, "And we shall ever +be grateful," which she thought would be especially "fetching." "None of +your 'Kathleen Mavourneen' style about that: 'may be for years or may be +for ever.'" Truth to tell, there was never much of the "Kathleen +Mavourneen style" about any of Bessie's doings, her character being cast +in too decided a mould for that. + +The following Sunday twelve out of twenty members were present, and all +willingly signed the petition, somewhat tickled with the fun of it and +Bessie's tragic manner. The other eight she visited at their homes, and +thus the full number of signatures was obtained. + +Then came the formidable task of presenting the petition. "When a +subject presents a petition to the Queen"--that was how she began her +speech on the very first opportunity--"I suppose the proper thing is to +drop down on the knees something like this," straightway kneeling down +in front of Phebe. + +"Are you thinking of interviewing the Queen yourself, then? Is that your +next adventure?" + +"I am already interviewing the queen of my heart, and would beseech her +gracious majesty to carefully read this petition," spreading the paper +out on Phebe's knee. + +"What nonsense are you up to now, Bessie?" asked Nanna, coming into the +room just at that minute. + +"No nonsense at all, but real serious business, such as you would +delight in yourself. Come and help me to persuade Mrs. Waring to say +'Yes.'" + +"But ought she to say 'Yes'?" + +"I am sure you will say so when you know all about it." + +Phebe at once, with a smile, handed Nanna the paper, and Nanna, with +spectacles on nose, began to read with a face as solemn as the +countenances of two judges photographed on to one negative. But sunshine +soon conquered solemnity. + +"Well done, Bessie! It does you credit," was the instantaneous verdict. +"I can see it's you that's been at the top and bottom of it all. Of +course you'll say 'Yes'?" turning to Phebe. + +"It's very good of the girls, and it is just what I should like to do; +but there is one thing they have forgotten to do." + +"What is that?" quickly questioned Bessie. + +"You have never asked the permission of the superintendent." + +"Never thought of that," exclaimed Bessie; "but there will be no +difficulty in that quarter. Why should there be? Then you do really say +'Yes'?" + +"I will certainly try what I can do, but understand, the invitation must +also come from the superintendent." + +"You are a dear," and impulsive Bessie flung her arms round her neck and +kissed her. "Do you know I feel so good and virtuous I don't think I +shall sleep to-night." + +Certainly Phebe did not go to sleep quickly that night, the idea of +partly mothering twenty girls quite taking possession of her. If only +she could get them to rise up to the full dignity of Christian womanhood +what a splendid piece of work that would be! And there and then she +began shaping her introductory talk to them. She looked upon Bessie's +scheme as another means sent by God to fill the void left in her heart +and life. + +The following Sunday afternoon she quite expected that Bessie would come +in to tea, bringing with her the more formal invitation. The meal was +even kept waiting, but no Bessie came. + +"She will come in after tea," said Phebe--still no Bessie. + +"She will be here at supper-time, sure enough," said Mrs. Colston. +Supper-time came, but no Bessie. + +"She must be unwell, surely," thought Phebe; but Bessie's high voice +overheard on Monday morning proved that to be quite a mistake. + +All Monday passed, but no Bessie came. On Tuesday morning Mrs. Colston +sent her a message: "Why do you not come in? Have you forgotten what we +are expecting?" To Phebe she said: "No doubt the superintendent was not +present on Sunday, but at least she ought to have come in and told us +so. I don't hold with girls being so thoughtless." + +Bessie's answer was: "I'll come in this evening." + +Poor Bessie! When she did come--and she made it as late as ever she +could--she looked as if she had just made the acquaintance of the +ducking-stool. + +"I know you wanted to hear what that superintendent said, and that's +just why I didn't want to come in," she blurted out. + +"Poor old Bessie!" said Phebe, quite pained to see the change in her, +"but don't fret about it, whatever it was." + +"But I can't help it! It is a downright big shame." + +"What dreadful thing did he say?" + +"He's going to take the class himself, but I can't stay any longer, +mother will want me." + +"Bessie," said Phebe, laying her hand firmly on her arm, "there is +something else troubling you." + +"The girls don't want a man to teach them--but I really must be going." + +"Bessie," Phebe forced her into a chair, and stood over her, "you are to +tell me right out what is troubling you. Surely there are to be no +secrets between us! Tell me just what the superintendent said." + +[Illustration: "'BESSIE, YOU ARE TO TELL ME RIGHT OUT WHAT IS TROUBLING +YOU.'"] + +"That he should take it himself"--putting her hands over her face to +hide the tears. + +"What else?" + +"That you were not suitable." + +"And what else? Why was I not suitable?" + +But Bessie could not answer for crying. + +"Tell me this"--and Phebe's voice was very strained--"was it because my +husband had left me?" + +Bessie looked up at her with her tear-stained face; words would not +come, but a little nod told all that was needed. + +The blow Phebe had feared so long had come. It was a fact, then, that +her good name was tarnished. She went over to the fire, standing with +her back to Bessie, to try to calm herself, to pray for strength to bear +such a cruel blow. The sound of Bessie's sobbing was very painful to +hear, but at last the girl roused herself, and coming and standing by +Phebe she whispered, "I would have given anything to have kept it from +you. You do believe me, don't you?" + +"Of course I do. Do not fret, dear; all will come right"--her breath was +caught--"in time." + +"To think that I should have brought this on you." + +"But you did not--it is better for me to know how--people regard me. +Now, go home, dear, and do what you have to do. I shall be feeling all +right in the morning." + +It was a comfort when Phebe reached her own room to be alone, save for +the sleeping child--and the unseen angels. + +And Bessie, too, was glad to be alone. She was thankful the whole affair +had come out, having felt assured it was bound to do so, but her whole +being was filled with indignation at the thought of the indignity her +friend had been made to suffer. "If only I had never asked her till it +was all settled it wouldn't have been so bad! What can I tell the girls? +_I_ shan't let out all the reason, but _he_ will, I dare say. Wish I +could be upsides down with him, that I do! What a mess I do make of +everything, to be sure. If mother knew she'd say it was just like me. I +feel perfectly wretched. I wonder how I could pay that man out for his +meanness!" + +And then another bright idea struck Neighbour Bessie, and by the time +she had worked her plan out she was fast asleep. + +The next day, during the minutes she could snatch from work, twenty +dainty little notes were written, addressed to the twenty girls who had +signed the petition. Each was supposed to be a private note, inviting +the receiver to accompany Bessie next Sunday afternoon to some special +meeting going on in the town, and to meet her at 2.45 by the +market-pump. + +Not being very flush with pocket-money--she never was--the notes could +not be posted, but during the next three evenings were all delivered by +hand. Twelve favourable replies were received, some of the girls +expressing appreciation of this marked token of Bessie's favour, Bessie +being really a very popular member; four declined on the plea of colds +or previous engagements; and four were blanks, but Bessie found out, in +some way or other, that these were away from home. + +"That's just splendid," she said to herself, surveying the pile of +assorted notepaper, "perfect." + +"I say, Bess, are you going to give a party?" asked her brother, +happening to catch sight of the notes. + +"Yes." + +"When?" + +"I'll tell you when it's all over." + +At 2.45 on Sunday afternoon twelve girls met round the market-pump, each +greatly surprised to see all the others. + +"I came here to meet Bessie Marchant," said one. + +"And so did I," said another. + +"And so did I," said they all; and then they all laughed, for they were +a good-natured set of girls. + +"We'll make her answer for this when she turns up," said some of them. + +"What do you mean by this, Miss Bessie Marchant?" three or four called +out all at once when at last she made her appearance puffing and blowing +through hurrying. + +"Dreadfully sorry, girls, to be so late; really couldn't help it. Mean?" +looking ever so solemnly sweet, "mean? You were all such dears I +couldn't leave one of you out," and taking hold of the two girls she had +the least confidence in marched off, all the others following. + +She told the whole story the same evening to Nanna, alone. "You would +have died of laughing if you'd seen the faces of those girls as they +cuddled round that pump, that you would. Some were hanging on to the +handle, they felt that took back like. But I got them all to the +meeting." + +"But what did you do it for?" + +"That's just what they wanted to know, and not one guessed. I told them +after they came out, though." + +"Well, what was your reason?" + +"To pay that man out, of course. He pretended he wanted the class for +himself, and I thought at least for one Sunday he shouldn't have that +pleasure. It was splendid fun just to picture how he would look when he +went into the room and found no one there. It did tickle the girls, I +can tell you." + +"But you don't mean to say you told them all that!" + +"Of course I did. I was obliged to tell them how he had refused Mrs. +Waring's offer, and so I explained to them how just for once I had paid +him out." + +"And don't you suppose they will go and tell him what you have said?" + +"Some will, no doubt; but others are as cross as I am about it." + +"Oh, Bessie, Bessie, when will you learn wisdom!" exclaimed Mrs. +Colston, in a very troubled voice. + +"What have I done wrong now, I should like to know? You don't mean to +say you're cross with me?" + +"You have made that man more than ever the mistress's enemy. You have +thrown a stone into the waters; you can never tell where its ripples +will reach to. He may be a Christian. I don't know, but after the trick +you have paid him he will dislike and mistrust Mrs. Waring more than +ever. You may have done your dear friend a great unkindness, for if he's +got any unsubdued malice in him he'll show it some day towards her; +you'll see." + +"Mrs. Colston!" exclaimed Bessie, "you fairly take away my breath. I +declare life is too much for me!" + +"It's too much for any of us--alone. With all your fun and nonsense you +need a lot of prayer, that the Lord would keep you from doing anything +that's against the Golden Rule." + +"I don't know what'll become of me, I'm sure. It's always my luck to do +the wrong thing. There, I wish I were dead, that I do! But don't you go +and tell Mrs. Waring what I've done, will you?" + +"No, I'll not tell her. Trust me for that." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +LOVE'S HOSPITAL + + +There often came back to Phebe's mind the prayer she offered just after +her engagement, "Dear Lord, make me a true Christian, and help me to be +perfectly willing to let Thee do it in whatever way Thou thinkest will +be best for me." It was one of the few-remembered prayers; they are but +few in anybody's experience. Our prayers are too often to us but as +yesterday's faded rose-petals. + +She was not quite so sure to-day she could pray that prayer truthfully +as when it was first framed. But there was this comfort, she had no +desire to take herself from beneath the moulding Hands. + +Nanna was inwardly very indignant at the treatment Phebe had received, +not that her teaching and her own private experiences did not agree, but +she was one of those women who have to do a certain amount of boiling +over and exploding before a calm level is obtained. She was, however, +mostly wise enough to let this exciting process be carried on in +private. She was a perfect tower of strength to Phebe; indeed, it would +be impossible to reckon up all Phebe owed to her, and Phebe was quite +aware of this, often saying that Nanna was the clever one who made the +plans, while she was only the humble one who carried them out. + +"Look here, dearie," Nanna said, when she could trust herself to speak +with calmness, "I say, and say it with all deliberateness, it was wicked +to shut that door on you like that. If that man thought you were unfit +to mix with those girls he should have first been quite sure of the +grounds he was acting on. But, never you mind; mark this, and mark it +well, man never shuts one door, but God opens another, and a bigger one, +too. Men shut the door of the Ephesus Church against John, but look what +a mighty big one God opened for him into Heaven! And it's the same +to-day. So, you be on the look-out--I mean to--and see who sees it +first. I told Bessie this, and she says she'll buy a spy-glass for one +eye and a telescope for the other. I wonder if that girl will ever sober +down!" + +"She will make a fine woman some day." + +"There's the making of a fine woman in her, and she's certainly on the +mend." + +Bessie overheard Phebe one day referring to Mrs. Colston's leadership, +whereupon that young lady remarked she ought to be called "teacher," and +all the others in the house "disciples." + +It was at the tea-table. David Jones quietly observed, "You never hear +of women disciples." + +"Yes, you do," snapped Bessie; "if you had ever read Grecian history, +you would never have made that remark. Besides, women deserved the name +of 'disciple' more than those men did who followed Jesus; they saw to +His wants, if they did nothing more; it only mentions once that the men +ever did so, and then it took the whole twelve of them to go and buy a +meal, leaving the tired Jesus all alone, not even one there to get a +drink for Him." + +"Better take care, Jones," said Reynolds, "you'll be sure to get the +worst of it." + +"Yes, of course you will," said Mrs. Colston; "there are too many nasty +little things said now-a-days about women. The other day I heard some +one say he wished Satan had gone for Job's wife, but he knew better. I +felt like calling out." + +"But then she was really a bad one," said Jones. + +"Indeed, she was not. That's just it; so often wrong judgments are +passed on women." (Nanna had wanted to bring out this little speech for +some time, and quite blessed Bessie for the opportunity she had made.) +"That poor woman bore without a word being recorded against her, the +loss of children and property, and it was only when she saw her husband +stricken that she rebelled, and then she didn't say half the bad things +as Job did a bit further on. Yet Job's held up for admiration, and the +poor wife for execration. I tell you it's not fair." + +"I should think not, indeed," chimed in Bessie. + +"Now, is it?" asked Mrs. Colston, turning to the young men. They both +agreed it was not. "Then do be careful," she continued, "both of you, +whenever you are tempted to say sneering things about women." Phebe had +left the table at the commencement of the conversation, which made it +still more easy for Nanna to send home her message. There was one +splendid thing about her: however cutting her rebukes might be, she +always gave them in a bright, nice manner; as Bessie said, she always +used the biggest spoon she could get--inferring that the pill was nearly +lost in the amount of jam she used. + +Both the young fellows knew her words had a special significance; they +were not at all offended, but rather, on the contrary, a fresh feeling +of chivalry was stirred in their hearts towards their young mistress, +"The Little Missis," as she was so often called. David Jones was even +beginning to think there was a halo round everybody's head in that +establishment, except his own, and a double halo round Bessie's, in +spite of her snaps. If he had known all that took place in that little +homestead he would have had a still more brilliant vision of glory--if +even he had known the significance of the silver stars, one of which was +found in a conspicuous place in every room, he would have felt like +taking off his boots, for he was both impressionable and by nature +devout. But not even Nanna knew till long afterwards what those stars +meant, though she had a pretty shrewd guess about them. + +As can be easily imagined, Phebe's life was a lonely one. The fact of +her husband cutting himself off from her in such an abrupt fashion was +quite enough to bring about this loneliness. There was not even +companionship through the pen; she had answered both Ralph's letters, +and still continued to write, giving him all particulars of the +business, trying to put as much love into the letters as she could truly +find echo in her heart, but no further replies came. All was a blank. +And then there was the further loneliness all souls find the nearer they +get to God. True, she had her sister, and Nanna, and sunny Jack, and +Bessie; but these only touched the outer part of her being. We stand as +units before God, and the more we understand our relationship to God the +more we realise the soul's loneliness from the human side--a loneliness +which draws us nearer and nearer to God. + +Phebe often wished she could constantly remember the presence of God +with her, but sometimes for a whole day she would forget Him, and she +knew that was the reason why so often she failed, and the peace was +broken. Prayer came very naturally to her when anything was wanted, but +she felt that was not sufficient. + +"What do people do who have bad memories?" she asked herself. Then came +thoughts of strings round fingers and knots in handkerchiefs, but these +seemed childish. One day the words, "When they saw His star," were very +much with her, and the thought came, "I wish I could always see His +star!" and this was followed by what she thought a bright idea. She +would make a number of silver stars and place one in each room, shops +and sale-room included, where she could not fail to see them; no one but +herself need know their meaning, and they would continually remind her +of His presence until she had trained herself to do without their help. + +The plan was carried out. There was nothing in it anybody could object +to; there was nothing of the fetish, nor crucifix, nor altar about it. +Many an eye was raised up to those stars; the children were especially +fascinated by them, and the shop was even spoken of by some as "The shop +of the silver star," but none guessed their meaning. Reynolds was quite +in the dark; though he often watched his mistress fix her eyes on them, +he never came near the secret. Most people thought they were only in the +nature of decoration. How often we draw near to holy places without even +a thrill or look of wonder! + +And the stars helped her greatly. I do not say she never forgot, but +every little help we can secure along life's way to bind us to the +Divine we should make the most of and rejoice over. + +Even sharp-eyed, sharp-witted Bessie, who was now a real member of the +circle, did not guess their meaning. Perhaps this was because she was so +full of her own good-fortune that she was not keen on anything else just +then, and when her first joy had cooled somewhat, the sight of the stars +had become too familiar to excite comment. + +For a long time Mrs. Colston and Phebe had been of the opinion that +Bessie would never make much progress while under her mother's roof. +Both mother and daughter loved each other (there was no doubt about +that), but they did not rest each other. Mrs. Marchant was a fretful +woman; family cares had shattered her nerves; Bessie was all +alive--"life in every limb" was intensely true about her three times +over--and so they constantly irritated each other. + +As Bessie was washing up the tea-things one day, feeling very +down-hearted, even dropping a tear now and again, she thought she would +banish her gloom with a little song, and so piped up on her loudest key: + + "I'm sweeping through the gates;" + +not remembering more than one verse, the chorus was repeated several +times. + +"Sakes alive!" screamed out the mother from the kitchen, "do stop that. +Do, for goodness' sake, finish your sweeping, girl, and get through the +gates and stop there!" + +"I only wish I could," replied Bessie, but not loud enough for the +mother to hear. + +Soon after that she noticed her brother's jacket had slipped off a chair +in the kitchen, where he had thrown it, and while she was sitting +mending some stockings, she saw something moving on it. For a minute or +two she kept a most careful watch, then cautiously picked the coat up +and hung it at the back of the door. When her brother came to put it on +she gave a nervous little wriggle on her chair, but said nothing. + +At supper-time there was quite an explosion, the brother declaring she +had put a black-beetle in his pocket, in spite of knowing how much he +dreaded them; he had drawn it out with his handkerchief at a +choir-practice, right in front of all the boys. + +"I never did!" protested Bessie. + +"You had something to do with it, I'm sure; else why did you so +carefully hang my jacket up, without a word of fault-finding?" + +"I saw it walk into your pocket; that's a very different thing from +putting it in," the girl frankly explained. + +Instead of the mother seeing any fun in the situation, and quietly +pointing out where fun ends and unkindness begins, and forgetting the +many practical jokes Bessie herself had good-naturedly endured at the +hands of her brother, she literally stormed at Bessie, declaring she +should leave home at once and be put to some business. + +Phebe hearing of all this, offered to take Bessie, to which the mother +readily agreed. So it was a very short journey indeed Bessie took from +home. + +Deep down in her heart the girl was very grieved at the way she had left +home, but outwardly kept her usual brightness, and was indeed truly +delighted at now really being "one of the company." + +"If ever I get rich," she exclaimed, "and have a coat-of-arms, I shall +have a black-beetle on my quarterings, for it was a black-beetle which +carried me here; a fine old ebony coachman! Oh, Mrs. Waring," and a sad +note came into the girl's voice just then, "life often seems to me such +a tangle and jingle!" + +"Does it, dear? It has often seemed the same to me." Just then she +caught sight of the star--she must not lose an opportunity--"but we must +do our best to turn it into a song. We'll try together, won't we?" + +A squeeze of the hand was all the answer Bessie was able to give. + +It is strange that though we stand as units before God, the soul's +progress can only be definitely marked by its relationship to others. By +the way Phebe treated those who came under her influence was one test of +her advance. + +The only objection Nanna raised to this addition to the family was the +fear lest Bessie and Jones should be thrown too much together. + +"You must have noticed how she has ceased calling him 'Darling.'" + +"They are less likely to come together if they are constantly in each +other's society than if they only saw each other occasionally," was all +Phebe said. + +"I really think," remarked Nanna, "this house ought to be called a +hospital for sick souls. First of all, you take this lonely soul in----" + +"Why, it was you who took me in," interrupted Phebe. + +"All lonely and forlorn," calmly continued Nanna, unheeding the +interruption; "then Jones comes along, sore wounded in the battle, and +now there's this poor young thing taken in with a broken wing. It's +really nothing short of a hospital." + +"Well, then," replied Phebe, "we'll call it Love's Hospital." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +AN UNFORTUNATE ENCOUNTER + + +Jim Coates, the sick man whom Phebe Waring was called to visit, did not +die; on the contrary, from the hour of her first visit he began to mend. +Very often of an afternoon, when business was slack, she would go and +have a talk with him, and nothing pleased him better than for her, +instead of reading the Bible to him, to tell the stories out in her own +words and with her own comments. No child ever drank in fairy stories +more eagerly, and Phebe even discussed some infidel notions he had got +hold of, overcoming many of his difficulties. If she had been told two +months before that she could even attempt such things the firm answer +would have been "Impossible!" + +After Jim had regained strength to a certain measure, came the difficult +question of getting work for him. Phebe at once thought of the ganger at +the railway-works, and drove over to enlist his sympathies on behalf of +Jim, frankly telling him all the story. The man listened respectfully, +and then said, "Yes, I'll put him on; but he'd better keep his mouth +shut as to how he got here, or the men will give him a lively time, I +bet. And if he keeps true blue among this crew, then he's a Briton, I +can tell yer, for they're the rummiest lot I've ever had. I go to chapel +myself with the missis, but I don't let on to them I do." + +"Do you think then, it is impossible to be a Christian and work with +these men?" asked Phebe anxiously. + +"I don't say as much as that," answered the man, nervously grinding his +heel into the soil as he spoke, "only you have to keep your religion to +yourself." + +"Do you think that is possible?" + +The talk was getting a little too personal, and the ganger, with an +extra red face and a muttered "Don't know," turned away. + +Jim Coates was delighted when Phebe took him the news. The distance from +the town was no obstacle, he being the happy possessor of a +"bone-shaker" bicycle. + +"But," said Mrs. Waring, in a serious tone, "the ganger says you must +keep your religion to yourself. Are you going to do that?" + +"Not I; why should I?" + +"Because they will give you a lively time." + +"Well, let them; I'm not made of sugar." + +"That's splendidly said; and you'll show your colours from the very +first, won't you?" + +"I should be a sneak if I didn't." + +That same day at the tea-table Phebe gave an account of her day's +mission. Meal-times were always made as interesting as possible. Nanna +remarked that she wondered what the men camped out there did with +themselves on Sundays. + +Bessie suggested it would be a splendid thing if Mrs. Waring went over +there on Sunday afternoons and talked to the men, adding, "I am sure she +could do it splendidly, and they'd listen to her like anything; but +there, that will never come to pass, because the Bible says women +mustn't do that sort of thing." + +Nanna was on the war-path instantly. "In what part of the Bible do you +find that, I should like to know? That's nothing but the teaching of the +evil one, just to hinder the Lord's work. I'd think twice, if I were +you, before I'd do that sort of dirty work." + +"It says women are not to speak in church; I'm sure it does," stammered +Bessie, getting red and feeling uncomfortable. + +"It says they are not to chatter in the church, and nothing more; and +that's what they still do in the east, so they say, both men and women. +You forget that the Bible gives particulars as to how women should dress +when they pray or prophesy, that Jesus Himself told women to spread the +news about Him, that God told Joel his daughters should prophesy, that +Phillip's daughters were prophets and Deaconess Phebe a foreign +missionary! You forget all that; but there, you are no worse than lots +of other women. Women run women down just as much as men do. Often and +often when women might have done a good piece of work for God they got +behind that bit of bad translation, and, like dying ducks, gurgle +something about it 'not being modest.' It's a good deal more immodest to +aid Satan in his work! I've no patience with the majority of women, and +I do hope, Bessie, you won't become one of the brainless sort that +think a good deal more about the fit of a skirt and the cut of a sleeve +than they do about God's Kingdom!" + +Poor Bessie did not know what to answer. Fortunately the group broke up +just then, and she followed Phebe out into Sunshine Patch, where little +Jack was rolling in the grass, and where there was quite a show of +spring's yellow and violet tints. + +"Life doesn't seem to get any easier," said Bessie, as they seated +themselves in the little arbour; "seems impossible to know sometimes +what is exactly right to do. But Mrs. Colston never seems at a loss, +everything seems pretty straightforward to her." + +Phebe had been wondering how much of Nanna's speech had been intended +for her own benefit. "You see," she answered, "Nanna is so much older +than we are; her longer experience enables her to see more quickly +through things, and on so many points she has fought her way to clear +conclusions. We must not get discouraged. If we are willing to be +trained by God all will come right in the end." + +"Yes; but I want things to come right now, and I want to be always able +to know at once what is right." + +"I am afraid we all do, Bessie, dear; but we have to learn to curb our +impatience. If we more constantly remembered that this life is only a +training-time we should become more patient, and I find if I give myself +time for a few moments of prayerful waiting I am taught which is the +right thing to do." + +"Ah, you're sweet and patient, that's it, and I am not." + +"If it was a question of sweetness, dear heart, I think you'd gain the +prize. I think it is more a question of being perfectly willing to let +God train us." + +"And do you think Mrs. Colston is right about women doing things just +like men?" + +"I think she is, though I never heard it put so forcibly before. You +know it says we are 'all one in Christ Jesus.'" + +"I love to hear you talk, and I love to hear Mrs. Colston, too. I do +believe I shall be real good some day; but I must rush in now, or +Reynolds will be up a tree and it will take me a whole day to get him +down again," and off the impulsive Bessie ran. + +If Bessie found it difficult to know what was the right thing to do Jim +Coates did not. Right from the very first he had a plan ready, and +carried it successfully through. The first thing he did was to write out +the following notice with a pencil on a piece of tea-paper, and during +the first dinner-hour he tacked it on to the end of one of the sheds. + + "This is to give notice that Jim Coates, who is a Christian, + has come here to work, and he thinks it would be so much easier + for him to keep straight if he had a mate going the same way as + he's trying to go. If there is another Christian in any of the + gangs do find me out and give me a word. You'll know me by a + piece of red ribbon in my waistcoat-buttonhole. + + "JIM COATES." + +At first it passed unnoticed, but the second day a man tore it down to +read it more readily. After he had spelt the words out he called out in +a loud voice: "I say, chaps, here's a lark! Do you just listen: it's as +good as a play," and then in quite an affected tone of voice he read out +poor Jim's brave notice. + +"There he is!" exclaimed quite a score of voices, while as many derisive +fingers were pointed in his direction, "there's the red ribbon," and +then they gathered round their victim, and began giving him a warm time. +One took away his ribbon, another tried to dry up imaginary tears from +his face, and, last of all, they decided to carry him away to some pond +and give him a ducking. Jim prayed as he never prayed before. It was so +hard to keep down "swear words," but just as these rough fellows were +about to carry their threat into execution the ganger, whose +acquaintance Phebe had made, came along. + +"What are you up to, lads?" seeing Jim on the ground in their midst. +"None of your larks, I tell you, or it'll be the worse for some of you." + +The words acted like magic. With a few sulky expressions, and a sly kick +or two, they all moved on. The man who had taken the notice down tacked +it up again--not through any spirit of restitution, but in the hope it +would bring Jim further trouble. + +"Better keep yourself to yourself," was the ganger's advice, "or they'll +make this too hot for you." + +The news of the "red ribbon man" and "the advertisement for a mate" +spread all through the company, and men even came to have a look at Jim +as a kind of curiosity. + +Two days passed, but no mate turned up, though he had put up a second +notice in another place. The ganger's advice did not deter or frighten +him in the least. But on the third day, just as he was mounting his +machine, a very big, lanky fellow came up behind him and said: "I'm the +fellow you're looking for, if you've found no one better." + +Jim grasped him heartily by the hand: "Bless God; I am so glad you've +come. Now there are two of us we may find some more, and we might start +a little prayer in the dinner-hour--a friend of mine (Mrs. Waring) says +the railway-men do that in some places." + +"But I'm a poor sort of a Christian," said the man; "bless you, I +couldn't pray in a meeting; and as for doing what you've done, I should +never have had the courage in a whole blue moon. Why, I've stared at +that paper two whole blessed days before I was man enough to come up to +speak to you. I was afraid the fellows would see me." + +"What's your name?" asked Jim. + +"Dick--Dick Witherson." + +"Well, Dick, don't you go worrying 'cause you didn't speak to me sooner. +I'm only too thankful you've come now. And you know the bravest disciple +of all was the one that was at first the biggest coward, so don't you +lose heart. Where shall we meet to-morrow in the dinner-hour?" The place +was agreed on, and then they parted. + +The very next day a third mate was found, and this gave wonderful +courage to Dick, almost transforming him into another sort of man. + +The following day was Saturday. Work was knocked off at twelve; so there +was no time for meeting together again till Monday. + +Early that Saturday afternoon Mrs. Coates, breathless and agitated, came +into Mrs. Waring's shop and, seeing Phebe behind the counter, went up to +her at once, exclaiming, "Oh, Mrs. Waring, can you help me! Jim's never +come home; he's quite an hour late. I know they often have to wait a +good while to be paid, but that's not all. A lad as plays with my +Freddie says he saw him go into 'The Rose in June' about half-an-hour +ago. O God, help me; it's all over with him if he's gone in there!" + +"It cannot be true." + +"The lad says he was sure it was him. Oh, Mrs. Waring, would you mind +going in to see if he's there, and try to get him to come home? I +daren't go in by myself; he'd give me such a time afterwards if I did." + +"Do you want me to go into the public-house?" + +"Yes, if you would; we might get him out then before he had spent all +his money and was quite drunk. Do you mind? I know it is asking a great +deal." + +Phebe paused for a moment; but when she looked up at the star she at +once answered: "Yes, I will come with you." + +It was a very busy time, she could ill be spared, but what was all that +compared with the rescue of a soul! + +A few minutes afterwards these two women had passed through the +swing-doors of "The Rose in June"--the first time Phebe had ever entered +a public-house. + +No sooner had the doors swung to behind them than they were face to face +with Jim! To say that a straw would have knocked the man down is but a +faint description of his utter astonishment. + +"What--what--is the matter!" he gasped. There was not the slightest +smell of drink about him. + +"Oh, come outside! Come outside, do!" exclaimed Mrs. Coates, bursting +into tears. + +It did not take the three long to get the other side of the doors, and +then, standing on the doorstep, Mrs. Waring began to explain: "You must +forgive us; we were afraid----" + +"I understand it all, Mrs. Waring," broke in Jim. "Don't you make any +trouble of it. You thought I'd come in to have a drink; but I hadn't. I +only came in after some of my mates to keep them straight, if I could." + +"But, ought you to put yourself in the way of temptation?" + +"Bless you, the drink's no snare to me now. I hate even the smell of +it. I thought----" and then he faltered. + +"I am so sorry," said Phebe Waring, putting her hand on Jim's arm. + +Just then who should go by but Stephen Collins and Bessie's +superintendent. The former raised his hat and gave Phebe a smile; but +the latter passed on without any recognition, except for an extra look +of grimness on his face. + +"No, you're not to say you're sorry," said Jim, magnanimously. "It was +only natural you should think it queer. As for my old woman here, no +wonder she was nervous, after all she's suffered. And I thank you with +all my heart, Mrs. Waring, for coming here, for it shows that if I had +indeed gone crooked you wouldn't have given a fellow up." + + * * * * * + +"A very strange place for a woman who wishes to be thought respectable +to be found in!" said the superintendent to Stephen. "Those three had +just come out of that public-house." + +"Just the very place Jesus would have been found in," answered Stephen +drily. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +JOY-MISSIONARIES + + +No flower ever comes up to perfection through one single influence; many +powers and companionships, great and tiny, unite to complete its +beauty. The winds rock it, the rains wash it, the breezes fan it, the +dew kisses it, the sun smiles on it, the clouds give rest to it, the +soil feeds it, neighbouring shrubs shelter it, its leaves protect it, +the insects enrich it--and over all is the Great Gardener. + +Thus groweth to perfect grace a little earthly flower. + +Flowers of the Kingdom grow in like manner. + + * * * * * + +If Bessie was not a success amid dishes and brooms she certainly was +behind the counter; many a customer came again and again, attracted by +the bright, sunny assistant, and would even patiently wait till she was +disengaged rather than be served by any one else. + +In the home circle she was a constant source of pure merriment and joy; +very seldom, indeed, was there anything like a cloud upon her spirits as +there used so often to be, and this was largely owing to the fact that +she was appreciated, that there was now-a-days no fear of being snubbed +and scolded. Nanna certainly occasionally "sat upon her," but then it +was always done with a smile, and Bessie knew right well every word of +"the dear lecture" was uttered because Nanna wished her to be "a right +sort of a woman." And then there was the daily inspiration of being with +Mrs. Waring, who never lectured; sometimes she would give a look, but +that was all, and then there was always love in the look. The girl often +wondered why there could not have been the same state of matters at +home, and never hesitated to take the most of the blame to herself. She +went in home every other day, always with the same determination to be +on her good behaviour, but never met with anything like success. It was +a long time before she found out the reason of this--it was because the +atmosphere of the homes was different. Some flowers can only bloom under +certain conditions. One home was Bethany, the other was Gadara. + +All the fun and merriment Bessie went in for was not purely spontaneous; +knowing the weight of trouble her friend had to carry, she, on set +purpose, planned to bring the sparkle to Phebe's eye and the laugh to +her lips. Her keen sense of the ludicrous and her ready wit always made +her efforts appear natural. One day an old man--an old bachelor--came +into the shop, and complained that so many people owed him money, +mentioning one, a widow woman, but he added, "I shall stand it no +longer, I shall 'court' her." Of course, he meant the county court. When +Bessie retailed this at dinner, she described his look of blank wonder +when she offered to be bridesmaid! "And do you know, that poor old dear +never grasped what I meant, and I do believe he went away thinking I had +made him an offer of marriage. I do indeed. I must not do any more +adumbrations again." + +"What!" exclaimed Mrs. Colston, nearly choking. + +"I thought you'd think that was a good sort of a word. I only got hold +of it to-day, and I had to turn the dictionary up myself to know what it +means. It means 'to shadow forth.' I must not speak in shadow +henceforth, but in plain English. Yes, I like that word. I mean to make +up a list of nice-sounding words to bring out on special occasions." + +"Mind they fit in properly," said Reynolds. + +"I shan't trouble much about that," said the irrepressible Bessie, "a +misfit often gives piquancy to a sentence. Only yesterday old Mrs. +Bennett told me that the doctor had told her as how 'her calculation was +that slow she was in a very bad state indeed.' I didn't tell the poor +old dear she meant circulation, because I thought it would hurt her +feelings. But I just thought that word delicious, and told her she'd +have to hurry up with her figures." + +Had any one asked Bessie just then if she was a Christian, her answer +might have been a "No," but that she was not far from the Kingdom is +certain from the fact that she was constantly trying to frame her life +to "high issues." "If I can do nothing else to please Jesus," she said +to herself, "I can try to let folks have a bright time." If Bessie +gained inspiration from Mrs. Waring, it is equally true Phebe gained the +same from her. It was largely owing to Bessie's brightness that hope was +still strong within her, that she went often to her work with a true +zest, and that the sunny aspect of things took first place with her. + +Bessie had a gift which singers, orators and philosophers might envy, +but it was Phebe who had first given the girl the idea that she could +use it to the glory of God. One old woman, whose blood was thin and +cold, declared that to be with Bessie for a quarter of an hour was "like +sitting in a sunny garden a-smelling of roses." Phebe's enjoyment was +something similar, but she had herself placed the seat and planted the +roses, though it never struck her like that. + +Very often Phebe chided herself for being what she thought too gleesome +in her ways, and one night after supper she had a talk with Nanna about +it, when all the others had retired to bed. "Do you think I am getting +too frivolous, Nanna? I often find myself laughing and even joking, and +then I think how unbecoming it is for a matron like me, with all the +responsibilities of a business resting upon me, and"--a sigh and a +pause--"with such a shadow on my life, to be acting like that." + +"How do you think you ought to act, then, dearie?" lovingly stroking +Phebe's hair. They were sitting in the old fashion, close by the fire, +Phebe on a low stool, leaning on Nanna's knee. + +"Why, with something of a calm, quiet dignity," looking up with a smile. + +"Do you think that quite fits in with the idea of rejoicing ever more?" + +"Hardly." + +"Or with, that 'your joy may be full'?" + +"No. But, Nanna, dear, I don't want you to ask me questions. I want to +know what you think yourself. And I want you to remember that mine is a +sort of special case, that might not come under general rules." + +"Excuse me, I don't think yours is a special case; there's many women +with sorer troubles than yours. Besides, if no one was joyful except +those who had no burdens, I wonder who'd be joyful! Not many, if any, +for burdens come to everybody." + +Phebe was silent, for we all, somehow or other, cling to the idea our +burden is a specially heavy one. + +Then Nanna went on: "You want me to say what I think. Well, you must not +scold if you don't like what I am going to say, seeing you would have +it; but I've been thinking instead of you being too frisky, you're not +joyful enough. You've got five young folks immediately under your +control, not to speak of others, and for their sakes--if no other +reason--you've got to be joyful. And then there's another reason--you +profess to be a Christian, and they're shams and nothing else who don't +go in for delight-work--delighting themselves in God. The idea that your +trouble should be a sort of black veil to you is ridiculous. If you let +your trouble shadow your life it's as good as saying God is not able to +take care of you, and if you let it hinder you in your life it gives the +victory to Satan, and seems to say trouble has more power over you than +God's peace. No, our dear Heavenly Father knows what it is to be merry, +and He expects His children to be merry too. So mind you are." + +"You dear, sunny preacher," said Phebe, reaching up and kissing her. + +"Ah, I do wish folks would go in for more joy. I do believe we could do +with joy-missions and joy-missionaries." + +"You are one already." + +Again there was silence, and then Phebe said: "Of course, it's not as +though I had no hope at all. Ralph may come back; sometimes I think that +loneliness will waken up his love again, for they say love never dies." + +"No love dies," replied Nanna, "but it changes. There are a good many +sorts of love. But even, dearie, if that hope never comes about, you've +got God and Jack to hope in. Now, I may ask a question, mayn't I?" + +"You know you may, you old darling Nanna." + +"Are you going in for that 'calm, quiet dignity' affair, or are you +going to be the Lord's happy-hearted Phebe?" + +"The latter, God helping me," in a quiet whisper. + +The next evening there was another conference, but this time it was a +conference of three, Jim Coates having come to report progress. + +There was now a little band of four Christians among the navvies. They +had held two meetings, at which a chapter had been read, and two had +prayed. Their mates had not yet learnt the secret of these gatherings; +lively times were expected when they did. + +Then Jim went on to say how he and Dick had visited the camp on Sunday +and found a dreadful state of matters. "Talk o' heathen folks, they're +not in it, not a bit of it, and never anybody comes along to say a word +to 'em; not even to give 'em a tract. And you should hear 'em talk about +religious folks, it 'ud fair make your hair stand on end, that it would. +I've been thinking, Mrs. Waring----" and then poor Jim came to a +standstill, and sat nervously twirling his hat in his hands. "I've been +thinking," he started again, and again there came a pause. + +"You needn't be afraid of us, Mr. Coates," said Nanna, "we're only two +poor lone women that a mouse would scare out of our wits." + +"I don't know about that," said Jim, with a laugh. The bit of fun set +him quite at his ease. "I've been thinking that if only we could get the +use of a shed we might hold a meeting there on Sundays." + +"I'm sure my friend the ganger would arrange that all right for you," +put in Phebe. + +"Yes, I think he would," replied Jim; "it wasn't on that point I wasn't +sure, but on something else." + +"And what is that?" inquired Phebe, feeling quite curious as to what +could be making Jim shy. + +"Well, it's this. I've been thinking if only you'd come and talk to the +men as you've talked to me, it might be the making of some of 'em." + +"That is impossible!" said Phebe, rising up from her chair in her +agitation, "impossible." + +The star was forgotten. + +Nanna was darning some towels. As Phebe uttered the last word, she let +the work drop and looked up, then instantly picked it up again and went +on, without uttering a word. Phebe instinctively knew Nanna did not +agree with her, and just a little feeling of resentment took possession +of her. Nanna ought to have sympathised with her, and protected her from +such an overwhelming request. + +"I'm sorry," said Jim; "p'raps you'll think better of it a little later +on. I can't tell you how sorry I am." + +"I cannot help it. I am altogether unequal and unfitted for such a work. +But that does not say I will not help you in some other way, for I do +admire your earnestness so much. I will do my very best to find some one +who would undertake it." + +"Well, that certainly is the next best thing," said Jim, feeling +considerably relieved, and with that understanding they parted. + +Nanna still went on with her darning. + + +"You do not think I have done right, Nanna?" + +"No, I do not." + +"But it would not be possible for me to do such a thing." + +"God has opened a door for you, and you have put out your hand to close +it." + +"Don't say that. You cannot be sure the door was meant for me; perhaps +it is that I am to find some one; that is to be my share of the work." + +"Child, I have more faith in you than that, and I do not think that is +the way God works." + +It struck Phebe just then how unfair she had been to Nanna in her +thoughts; instead of feeling aggrieved she ought to have felt flattered +that her old friend had such confidence in her abilities. It would not +do to make any confession, but she put her arms round Nanna's neck and +kissed her as though to atone for the wrong she had done. + +"Ah, dearie, you've stood to-night, I'm thinking," Nanna continued, +"where Moses stood and where Jeremiah stood, and you've made the same +excuses they did." + +Just then Phebe caught sight of the star. + +Did she hear over again the old command, "On whatsoever errand I shall +send thee, thou shalt go"? If she did, she certainly made no answer. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE CALL OF DEBORAH + + +It was a long time that night before Phebe got to sleep. She had even +found it difficult to pray; this she tried to attribute to the unrest +Nanna had caused her. Over and over again did she return to Jim's +request, and each time seemed to find a fresh obstacle; the distance was +surely one great obstacle. + +She tried her level best to rest on the firm conviction the work was not +hers, and then to consider how she was to make good her promise to find +some one who _would_ feel called to do it. + +Would it be any good to appeal to the church? She shrank from that, +remembering her late experience. + +What could she do! Did God intend to convince her the call was hers by +making it impossible for her to find a substitute? + +All at once she remembered a committee had recently been formed in the +town consisting of representatives from various bodies, to attend to +certain social and religious wants of the district--the very thing +needed! The first thing she would do when morning light appeared, would +be to write to that committee, and with that restful thought she fell +asleep. + +The letter was written and posted directly after breakfast, but not a +word to Nanna did she say about it. What a delight it would be when she +could all at once announce the fact that this important committee had +received her suggestion with grateful thanks and were commencing work at +once! + +This said committee happened to meet on the following day. Stephen +Collins was a member of it. Mr. Bell, Bessie's superintendent, was the +honorary secretary. + +Phebe's letter was the first to be read when the item "Correspondence" +on the agenda was reached. + +In a very pompous voice the letter was read aloud. It had taken the +writer more than half-an-hour to frame, but it did not take many seconds +to read. This is a copy of it: + + "DEAR SIRS, + + "My attention has lately been drawn to the sad state of matters + among the men working at the railway-works at ----, especially + on Sundays. I believe the use of a shed could be obtained if + workers could be found to conduct a service there. I need + hardly say that for such men it would need to be a bright one, + and conducted on as fresh lines as possible. It is four miles + from Hadley, not too far for a strong man to walk. If you would + take up this work, I am sure it would be fulfilling the object + for which you were called together, and would bring honour to + God. It seems certainly very discreditable to the Christians of + this town that no hand has yet been stretched out to help these + men. Will you not retrieve our good name? If I can be of any + assistance or give any suggestions, I shall only be too happy + to do so. + + "Yours, in Christian service, + "PHEBE WARING." + +"There are your marching orders, gentlemen, and a captain ready provided +for you," said the honorary secretary sarcastically. + +"I do not think that letter calls for any such remark," said Stephen +Collins. He was rather aghast at Mr. Bell's words, knowing nothing of +the stone Bessie had thrown into the waters. Mr. Bell gave him a very +fixed stare, causing Stephen Collins' face to grow very red. "I think it +is a splendid piece of work she points out, and one that we should in no +wise pass by." + +"I think we have quite enough work upon our hands already," remarked the +chairman. + +"Excuse me, sir," said Stephen, "I thought our duty was first to +ascertain how much needed to be done, and then to confer how best it is +to be accomplished. We are not here to do so much and no more." + +"No one said we were," was the testy answer. + +"It's a fine state of matters," remarked one member who always acted as +echo to the secretary, "if we are to be told our duty by a woman." + +"And by such a woman," remarked the secretary. + +"What do you mean, sir?" demanded Stephen. + +"Oh, I forgot she was a special friend of yours; I am very sorry if I +offend"--this more blandly--"but I mean this: a woman whose husband was +obliged to leave her, even forfeiting thereby a profitable business, and +who is seen standing talking at the door of a low public-house, is not +the kind of woman to do the Deborah act for us. That's what I mean," +bringing his hand forcibly down upon the table. "Indeed, I know it for a +fact that she was refused admittance as teacher to a certain Sunday +School in the town, where she had offered her services." + +"That is a libel upon a good Christian woman," protested Stephen. + +"Gentlemen, I think we had better pass on to the next business," said +the chairman. + +"No, sir," said Stephen, restraining himself with great effort, "I am +about to move a resolution, and it is that an answer be sent to Mrs. +Waring, thanking her for drawing our attention to this call for service, +and assuring her it shall at once be considered how it can be met." + +This was seconded by a special friend Stephen happened to have sitting +next to him. + +"And I beg to move an amendment, Mr. Chairman," said the echo; "it is +that a reply be sent to Mrs. Waring to this effect:" and then he read a +letter which all knew Mr. Bell had previously written and passed on to +him. + + "'DEAR MADAM, + + "'Your esteemed communication to hand. It is strange, whoever + your informant was, that we were not the first to be put in + possession of the facts. We are obliged to you for your kind + offer, but it is not work at all suitable for women, and indeed + the workers would have to be very carefully chosen. At present + we have sufficient work in Hadley to occupy us. Perhaps at some + future time, when our committee is enlarged, we may be able to + take in both Hadley and district. We are, madam, yours + faithfully, on behalf of the committee, etc., etc.'" + +The amendment was carried with only three dissentients out of fifteen. + +One of the members remarked that no doubt the application would have met +with a different reception if it had come from some other quarter. + +"Mark my words, gentlemen," said Mr. Bell, "Mrs. Waring will commence +the work herself. What she wanted was to be able to do so under our +auspices." + +"And now," said the echo, with a drawl, "she will put it about that she +was obliged to do so because those dreadful men were too lazy and +indifferent. Trust a woman to make her side right." + +Stephen said nothing; he prayed to be quiet, and the prayer was +answered. Love urged him to vindicate the honour of this defenceless +woman, but wisdom said, "If you love her, you will be silent." + +All this part of the committee's business was duly retailed afterwards +by Mr. Bell to Mrs. and Miss Bell. + +From that time, although Phebe never knew the reason why exactly, she +lost four good weekly customers. How many more these influenced could +not be reckoned, and in addition to this several people who had been in +the habit of saying "Good-day" to her as she met them in the street, now +passed her by with the coolest of nods. + +The circle in the waters was spreading. + +When the committee's letter was received Phebe was more than +disappointed; it was like a stab to the heart. For a little while the +keen pain was followed by a dazed feeling. It was some time before she +recovered sufficiently to fully understand the letter; then two +conclusions were arrived at: the first was the committee had no sympathy +with woman's work (it was entirely composed of men, although more than +half the work they had under consideration had to do with women and +children), and the other was that they had the same prejudice against +her that Bessie's superintendent had. + +Then came three anxious questions. Should she show the letter to Nanna? +Having failed to find a substitute, had she now to consider the call a +personal one? How far was she justified in allowing men's prejudices to +hinder her? + +The first was soon answered. It would be a poor return for all Nanna's +love to keep this fresh trouble from her; besides, Nanna would be sure +to supply answers quickly to the other questions. + +"But shall I be ready to accept her answers?" Phebe asked herself. "I'll +wait and see; I am sure about nothing that concerns myself just now." + +That evening, at their usual time of confidences, and in their usual +attitude, Phebe handed the letter to Nanna, giving no word of +explanation. Nanna got her glasses, and began at once to read. It took +her a minute or so to grasp whom the letter was from, and she turned +more than once to the heading of the paper. + +"My poor child! You dear Phebe! But never mind; let us put this +cold-blooded letter on the fire. Think of it no more, and let us go back +to where we were the night Coates came. See, shall I?" holding the +letter over the fire. + +[Illustration: "'LET US PUT THIS COLD-BLOODED LETTER ON THE FIRE.'"] + +Phebe nodded, and they both watched it curl up into a black mass, and +then sink down into the heart of the fire. + +"Shall we go back, Phebe, dear?" + +"What does that mean, Nanna?" + +"That you give God your answer." + +"That I am willing to do that work myself?" + +"Yes." + +"And do you really think I could?" looking up into the strong, brave +face bending over her. + +"Yes, I do; it is God's call, and He is sure to give you all you need. +Will you?" + +There was a pause, and then a faint "Yes," but Nanna knew, though faint, +it was meant. And there and then, without altering their position, Nanna +prayed: "I thank Thee, dear Father, for this honour Thou art putting on +my dear Phebe. Perhaps it is in some way to make up for the dishonour +some have put upon her. Through the delay in answering Thee she has +brought fresh pain to herself, but forgive her and comfort her, dear +Father. Open up the way for her in this piece of work, everything going +so smoothly that thereby she may see Thy dear hand in all, and be +assured Thou art with her. Give her, dear Lord, to-morrow, if Thou seest +it will be good, some extra bit of comfort to make up for what has +wounded her so sorely to-day. May she be another of Thy brave Deborahs. +We are in Thy hands; never let us even wish to be anywhere else, and do +let us each feel the touch of those blessed hands." + +The next day at dinner, to everybody's surprise, Mrs. Colston announced +that in all probability Mrs. Waring was going next Sunday afternoon to +hold a meeting among the navvies. + +"You don't say so!" exclaimed Bessie; "then I shall go, too. It wouldn't +be the proper thing, you know, to let her go alone." + +"And couldn't you sing a bit?" asked Nanna. + +"Yes, I would if Mrs. Waring would like me to do so." Bessie had a very +nice voice, but was never very confident of herself as a singer. + +Phebe only smiled an answer. She was still feeling too nervous to talk +much about the plan. Later on, Reynolds said: "I have been thinking, +Mrs. Waring, they are rather a rough sort you are going among; if you've +no objection, I should like to accompany you." + +And a little later, when Jones heard all about these arrangements, he +exclaimed: "I'm not going to be left out, I'm sure. I'm coming, too; and +if you've no portable organ or anything of that kind lent you, I could +bring my concertina." He had a beautiful English concertina, and was +really a very good player. + +"Splendid!" exclaimed Bessie, "we'll all gather round 'The Little +Missis,'--that we will!" + +"I am sure you are all too good to me," said Phebe, with tears in her +eyes, for she realised that all these offers were made out of pure +devotion towards her, no higher motive as yet being apparent. + +"There, dear heart!" exclaimed Nanna, "there's the answer straightway." + +"What answer?" forgetting for the moment to what she referred. + +"Don't you remember what I asked the Lord for last night? A special bit +of comfort to come to you to-day, and there it is straightway in the +offer of these loving young hearts!" + +It struck Reynolds as a rather new idea that anything he did should be +described as an answer to prayer. If that were so, God must often be +very near to him, influencing him. The thought made him feel very quiet. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE GOING FORTH OF DEBORAH + + +Nanna lost no time in sending Jim Coates a verbal message as to Mrs. +Waring's promise. This was followed later on by a note from that +individual herself, asking Jim to see her friend the ganger, and +ascertain if the use of one of the sheds would be granted for a Bible +meeting on Sunday afternoons. + +The very next evening Jim paid another visit to Mrs. Waring's +establishment, this time to give report number two. He little thought +the night he came with some of his drinking companions to have a look at +the woman whose religion "cost her summat," that he would ever be a +welcome guest in her parlour, or even wish to be. + +Jim had already enlisted the sympathies of his three Christian mates in +his scheme. Dick was especially taken up with it, and the two had lost +no time in making all the arrangements they could. + +The ganger had done all in his power to help, but had not hesitated in +uttering most doleful prophecies. "She's a little brick, that she is; +but they'll either send her to Coventry or Bedlam." Jim repeated all the +ganger had said, feeling it only right that Mrs. Waring should know the +risks she was running. + +But Phebe only laughed, quietly remarking: "We shall have more on our +side than those that are against us." Jim wondered very much at her +reckoning up, but said nothing. He had not learnt yet to include the +angels in his calculations. + +The whole company joined in discussing the plans--the two young men, +Bessie and Nanna. + +"I don't see how you are going to walk those four miles," said Bessie; +"it is that which troubles me, for you are not a good walker at any +time." + +"I did think of that myself," said Phebe, "but if it is right for me to +go God will give me the strength." + +"Hear, hear," said Nanna, clapping her rough little hands; "that's what +I call the right note." + +"You stop a bit," said Jim mysteriously. "Dick and me have thought about +that; you wait and you'll see." + +Then he went on to describe how they were going to fit the shed up and +erect temporary seats. "But Dick and me want to know, Mrs. Waring, if it +was a fine day, if you'd be willing to have the meeting out of doors? +More of the men would listen if you would. Dick says if you sat with +your back to the shed it would be a sounding-board for you, like as they +have in churches." + +"That would be a good deal better than a stuffy old shed," put in +Bessie, to which opinion Phebe also agreed. + +Punctually at a quarter to two on the next Sunday afternoon the little +party was ready to start on its expedition. Nanna whispered to Phebe: +"'Fear thou not, for I am with thee: be not dismayed, for I am thy God; +I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee +with the right hand of My righteousness.'" + +Nanna, with little Jack in her arms, and Janie by her side, stood at +the street-door to wave their farewells. Prompted by Nanna, Jack +screamed out: "Bye-bye, mummy; come back happy." + +Jim Coates, all radiant in a new black-and-white check suit, and hair +well oiled, met them at the bottom of the street to act as conductor. + +"I say, Mr. Coates," exclaimed Bessie, "where's that carriage and pair +of greys you promised Mrs. Waring? I wonder you are so forgetful." + +"You wait a while, miss, and you'll see I'm not so forgetful as you +think," with a comically solemn look on his face. + +"Did you ever see such a swell--a real Beau Brummel, if you like!" +whispered Bessie to Phebe. "He looks like 'a peacock with a wooden leg,' +if you like. But he's 'a dear' for all that." + +When they had got less than half-way, lo! there, in the centre of the +road, stood Dick, holding a tricycle. + +"There!" exclaimed Jim, with a triumphant smile, "there's the carriage +and here's the greys," pointing to himself and Dick. + +A Bible was strapped on the handle-bar, on which also was hung a large +motto-card, bearing the words "God is Love." + +"I thought," explained Jim, "these 'ud show as how you weren't riding +for pleasure on Sunday." + +"You are quite right," said Phebe, feeling deeply touched by this +exhibition, not only of thoughtful love, but of loyalty to God, "but I +have never learnt to ride!" + +"Oh, that don't matter, ma'am," said Dick, coming to the help of his +mate. "Jim an' me's a-going' to push you--at least one of us is, but we +hasn't fought it out yet which is a-going to do it." These men were real +heroes--truer than any who have ever trod a battlefield: they knew right +well the pushing of that machine meant months of ill-natured chaff and +persecution. + +As they neared the end of their journey, one of the men, who had been on +the look-out for them, quickly took the word to the camp: "Gentleman +Dick and Red Ribbon and their swells are coming along. Come on, I say, +and let's have a fine old spree!" + +Quite a little crowd gathered close by the shed to witness the arrival. +Jim and Dick were greeted with some very rude gibes, but the other +members of the party escaped any personal remarks. + +With the same quickness and tact Phebe had shown in the management of +her business, she set about this new work. Taking their seats in front +of the shed, Phebe and Bessie began to sing, Reynolds and Jones +standing close by, while Dick and Jim stood on each side as a kind of +defence. The concertina was a great help, and when Bessie sang alone it +formed a nice soft accompaniment. The men were quite taken off their +guard, and thoroughly enjoyed it. "Give us some more, missis," they +called out more than once. + +A little later on Phebe said: "If you don't mind, friends, sitting down +on the grass, I'll tell you a story while my friend has a rest," and a +good number of them did so. They hadn't the slightest idea, some of +them, that they were attending "a meeting." First, with a story from her +own girlhood, and then one told in her own words, from the life of +Jesus, she got their closest attention. When one at the close called +out, "How much are you paid for this, missis?" more than one tuft of +grass was thrown at him, with several unparliamentary bits of advice as +to what he was to do with his mouth. + +After more singing they asked her to talk to them again, and she did so, +this time pressing home one or two truths, and then she prayed. Many of +the men had never heard a prayer since they prayed at their mother's +knee. Not many eyes were closed, but a wonderful silence fell upon that +group of rough fellows as they listened to that "little woman" talking +to God. + +"Will you come again, missis?" asked one. + +"Yes, I will, if you will let me. And please tell your wives, those of +you who have them living here--will you?--how much I should like to see +them, too. If it rains we should have to go into the shed--would you +mind that?" + +"No, why should we?" they answered. "Not if the singing girl comes too." + +The four visitors went into the shed before starting home, just to see +what it was like, and there a surprise met them. On a stool stood four +cups and saucers, a jug of milk, a packet of sugar, and some biscuits. +Presently Dick came in, carrying a teapot. This was all his own +particular bit of work. He had made a fire at the back of the shed and +boiled his kettle there, giving a boy a penny to stand guard over it. + +The journey home was accomplished in the same manner as the outward had +been, and all four had to tell Nanna that they had really had a very +enjoyable time. The most enjoyable part to Phebe had been a talk she had +with a young fellow who had walked part of the way back with them. + +"I was the only useless one there, Mrs. Colston," said Reynolds. "My +manly protecting strength was not required at all." + +Just like a woman with a dear old motherly heart, Mrs. Colston had ready +for them a specially nice tea. + +"Is you tum home happy, mummy?" asked dear little Jack, as he gave his +mother some welcome hugs. + +"Yes, darling, very happy." + +"Why is you vevy happy, mummy?" + +"Because, darling, I've tried to be obedient." + +But the thought of why his mother had to be obedient was too perplexing +for him, so he turned to the easier task of counting the gooseberries in +his little pie. + +Just before entering the town the little party had been met by Stephen +Collins, who again passed by with a bow and a smile. But no smile was in +his heart. "Others can stand by her and help her, but I must do +nothing--not even defend her as she ought to be defended. God help me!" + +The following Sunday afternoon the same programme was carried out, with +just a few additions. A few women were present, some of the men learnt a +chorus; two women forcibly took the tea arrangements out of Dick's +hands, the remark being, "What's a great yardstick like you know about +making tea!" and instead of one man accompanying the little party on its +way homewards there were four. The result of all this was that Bessie +informed Nanna that "things were humming more than ever." + +If the men had been asked to attend a service there would have been +nothing short of a mutiny; as it was they had done so unawares, and got +accustomed to it before awaking to the fact. When they did a few +rebelled, but the majority submitted to fate. After that second Sunday +the feeling of extreme nervousness which had at first taken possession +of Phebe passed away. She was able now to look upon the work as really +hers, given by God, and began to study it in that light. It was +imperative that she should look ahead. The railway-works would continue +quite another twelve months. It was all very well to hold the meetings +out-of-doors during the fine weather, but what about the winter-time! +Would the men be really willing to come into the shed, and if even they +were willing to endure the discomfort, what about heating and lighting +arrangements? + +What was really needed, she told herself, was an iron room, which the +men could use as a club-room during the week. How much would such a room +cost? + +Advertisements were scanned. Yes, a second-hand one could be obtained, +with all necessary fittings, for a hundred pounds. + +Could she afford to spend that amount just then? Would it be a wise +expenditure? Just then she was about to open a branch business in which +Jones was to be put as manager, and from which it was hoped to still +further enlarge the country trade. This, of course, meant a considerable +strain upon the exchequer, and it would only be with difficulty, in +spite of her success, that a hundred pounds could be spared. + +"Well," she said to herself, "I must just leave the matter for a while, +and wait and watch for the pointing Finger." + +On that first Sunday afternoon, unknown to Phebe and her little company, +only excepting Dick, the ganger had been an attentive listener, standing +at the back of the shed, close by Dick's fire, and with him, equally +attentive, was one of the contractors, a gentlemanly-looking man. + +It was the ganger who had told the contractor of the meeting, and he was +there partly out of curiosity and partly out of fear lest there might be +some rather rough "horse-play." + +He had taken a house in the neighbourhood for two years, furnishing it +with every comfort. He was by no means a Christian, having for the last +few years been given over body and soul to just two things--money-making +and pleasure. + +Lunch over, it suddenly occurred to him he might as well go to the works +as sit by the fire reading a newspaper. Maybe there was a little hope +somewhere in his heart that he might get a spice of enjoyment out of the +fun going on. + +But in all that gathering there was no more attentive listener than Hugh +Black, the contractor. He stayed till the little party started on its +homeward journey, and then stood where he could watch them. + +"I say, Greaves," turning to the ganger, "yonder little woman is plucky, +if you like. There's not many who would have won that lot of fellows as +she has done this afternoon. And didn't she hold them! I never heard or +saw anything like it in my life before. What brought her here, do you +suppose?" + +Greaves muttered something about not knowing. + +"There's no money in it, that's certain; and it cannot be for popularity +among her set, for I should think a good many folks would blame her for +it." + +"I know what my missis would say there was in it," the ganger plucked up +courage enough to say. + +"And what's that?" still with eyes fixed on the tricycle, held on either +side the handle-bar by Dick and the fresh addition to the party. + +"She'd say as how it was to please God." + +"H'm." Then turning sharply round to the ganger, he exclaimed, "I say, +Greaves; do you profess to be religious?" + +The ganger grew very red. "Not like she is," pointing towards Phebe. + +"I thought not. If you had, it would have come out before now. Well, I +shall not soon forget that little woman." + + * * * * * + +As an earthly flower grows towards perfection its progress is of no help +whatever to any other blossom. Even its fragrance, scattered so lavishly +on the air, adds nothing to the perfume of another. Flowers of the +Kingdom know nothing of this isolation--can know nothing. The growth of +each in grace aids the growth of others. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +HER NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOUR + + +Late one night Bessie took her favourite low seat close by the fire, and +closer still to Phebe, occupying the same position Phebe did in her +confidences with Nanna. + +"What's the matter, Bessie, dear?" Phebe was very quick to note any +change in Bessie's manner, and try as she might Bessie never could hide +her feelings. + +"I don't know how it is," said Bessie, with a sigh, "but try as I may I +can't get on with mother," and then there came something like a sob. + +"Is there any fresh trouble?" + +"Yesterday was mother's birthday," went on Bessie, in a low voice, "so I +thought I would give her a little present; it's ever so long since I've +done so. I bought a brooch--I could not afford a gold one--and when I +gave it her--she said she never wore sham jewellery----" Bessie's voice +was too choked to go on any further. + +"Poor old girl!" said Phebe tenderly, taking hold of her hand; "never +mind, you must keep on trying; love-work often goes slowly at first. +You'll see, she will wear that brooch on Sunday, mark my words." + +"But that was not all she said," went on Bessie; "she said I was getting +far too much of a saint for her; she wondered I had anything to do with +such a wicked woman as she was,--but she believed it was only some +clever trick I was up to,--mother even said I could act a sham to you, +but she was not so easily gulled." + +"Something had surely been worrying her." + +"No, I don't suppose so, that's just mother. What is the good of me +trying! I feel as if I'd never go in home again, that I do!" + +"Do you think that would be acting a daughter's part?" + +"No,"--very faintly. + +"Then your course is very clear, dearie." + +"Yes," with a deep sigh. + +"Don't despair, Bessie, darling," said Phebe, stooping down and kissing +the girl's brow. "It's a difficult piece of work you have to do, but +there'll be all the more joy when it is completed." + +There was a long silence between them, and the subject was not referred +to again that evening. But Phebe sat long after Bessie had retired for +the night thinking things over. The thought uppermost in her mind was +this: + +"I plead for visitors to go to zenanas in India, but what is my duty to +Mrs. Marchant? All the years she has been my neighbour I have never even +prayed for her, or tried to pass on to her any helpful message! Fancy +that! And I call myself a Christian!" + +When Nanna came into the room to bid her good-night, she said: "I wonder +what her majesty is turning over so seriously in her mind!" + +"Her majesty's subject," with special emphasis on the last word, "is +thinking sadly of a neglected duty." + +"Well!" exclaimed Nanna, laughing, "if the late lamented Mrs. Caudle +had an eye for a bloater, my Phebe certainly has an eye for duties!" + +"But, Nanna, when I tell you what it is, you will not laugh." + +"Yes, I shall. I belong to the Guild of Gladness, and there's something +to be glad about in everything,--if you look for it. If even this duty +is a very solemn one, I am glad you have at last thought of it." + +"I know I can never get you in a corner." And then she told Nanna her +thoughts. + +"You are quite right," was Nanna's reply, "we have both been to blame; +we have thought so much of winning Bessie, we have lost sight of the +mother." + +"I shall make 'a dash for it,' as Bessie says, to-morrow. And trust for +guidance, at the moment as to the right thing to say." + +So the very next afternoon she went in to see her neighbour, and found +her, of course, as busy--not as a bee, but, rather, as a cloud of dust. + +"I wish I had your easy life, Mrs. Waring! I am never done," she +exclaimed, sinking down into a chair with a load of freshly mangled +towels in her arms. "And as for troubles,--it seems as if my life was +made up of them." + +"But I think you will acknowledge that I have had a few troubles lately, +Mrs. Marchant, don't you think so?" + +"Yes; but then troubles slip off some people like rain off a +cabbage-leaf, but it soaks into me like it does into a sponge. I can't +shake it off nohow. I don't know how it is, I'm sure," and she put her +bundle down on her lap and began to smooth the towels with her hands. + +"You are very highly strung," began Phebe. + +"Yes, I know that, but you're about the first one that has said so; +everybody seems to think I ought to be made of cast-iron. I'm sure the +trouble that Bessie of mine's been to me nobody knows. And then to think +she can be such an angel to you while to her own mother she can never be +anything but a worry!--it's exasperating! It makes me wild when I think +of it." + +"I am sorry you feel like that. I know Bessie loves you dearly, and she +is gaining so much more control that I thought you would have noticed a +real improvement in her. Of course I know she is rather thoughtless--but +there, you are proud of her for all that, and she is a girl any mother +might be proud of!" + +"I don't know about that," but a little pleasanter look came on to her +face which seemed to contradict her words. + +"But I did not come in to talk about Bessie," went on Phebe, "I came in +to speak to you about yourself. I was saying to Nanna last night I did +not think I had acted the neighbour's part to you; I have seldom ever +been in even to ask how you were." + +"I am sure it is very kind of you," put in Mrs. Marchant, and she really +meant it. We all like to be made of some importance. + +"I think housewives need all the cheer and sunshine they can +get,"--Phebe suddenly paused, for Phill just at that moment came into +the room, and Phebe then noticed, what she had not done before, that +dinner for one was laid at the end of the table. Evidently Phill had +come in with the intention of sitting down there; if so, it was +"good-bye" to all private talk with his mother. After a few scattered +remarks Phebe departed. + +"You have not been long," remarked Nanna; "what success have you had?" + +"Not any," answered Phebe; "just as I was drawing near to say something +helpful Phill came in, and then my opportunity had gone. His arrival on +the scene quite spoilt my little plan." + +But had it? If Phebe had known a little more of the Unseen Hand which +shapes our lives, she would not have been quite so sure her little plan +was spoilt. + +The sight of Mrs. Waring brought to Phill Marchant's mind a little train +of thought he had been cogitating over lately, and as soon as she left +he remarked to his mother: "Mrs. Waring has got something you haven't +got, mother." + +"What's that?" snapped the mother. "I'm as well off as she is any day. +She's got no jewellery to speak of, and goodness knows, her house is +poor enough!" + +"Oh, I don't mean that sort of thing." + +"Well, what do you mean?" + +"She never seems to get into flusters like you do, she seems to have +something that steadies her, somehow; I hardly know how to put it." +Phill saw from the look on his mother's face he was getting on to +dangerous ground, and that made it all the more difficult to clothe his +thoughts in words. + +"Flusters, indeed! She'd be flustered right enough if she had the +worries I have." + +"I should think she has more to worry her than you have," Phill ventured +to remark. + +"That shows all you know about it! Why, she came in this afternoon to +try and cheer me up a bit--she as good as said so just before you came +in." + +"Yes, that's just it!" put in Phill eagerly, "she's got the knack of +brightening things up for folks as well as for herself. She makes a +fellow feel cheery like to be with her." + +"You'd better go and live with her then, like your sister's done. It's a +fine thing when children take to lecturing their mother! It would be far +more becoming of you to try to lessen your mother's worries than to make +out she is so much worse than her neighbours!" + +After that Phill ate his dinner in silence, and took his departure as +quickly as possible. But the thought of the difference between his +mother and Mrs. Waring had taken still deeper root in his mind. + +The next time he met Bessie he was specially gracious to her. Bessie did +not know what to make of it. + +"It is wretchedly dull at home now you're away, Bess. I do wish you +would come back!" + +"Not if I know it!" answered that young lady. "I know when I'm well off. +Besides, I thought you would get on like the steam out of Watts' kettle +with me away!" + +"Yes, that's just it, I'm always in hot water," he replied in a doleful +voice. + +"Well, what if you are? Isn't hot water better than black beetles? Hot +water is a splendid thing to drink, but it would give you the creeps to +have to eat beetles! Ugh!" + +"What a stupid you are, Bess, and just when a fellow wants to be +serious!" + +Bessie had it on her lips to say, "Wonders will never cease!"--she had +already raised her hands in a tragic style, but something in Phill's +manner checked her. "What was it you wanted to say, Phill?" she asked +quite kindly, suddenly dropping her hands. + +The lad looked up at her, struck with the change in her voice, and was +silent for a moment or so. "Tell me, Bessie, what it is that makes Mrs. +Waring so different to mother?" The sentence was quite shot out. + +"How did you find out there was any difference?" + +"Find out? It don't take long to find that out! Mrs. Waring don't worry +and fluster like mother does, and yet I should think she's got more to +worry about." + +"You're right there." + +"Well, what is the difference? I can hear you all laughing like anything +sometimes." + +Bessie knew well enough what the difference was, but did not like to put +it into words. + +"I wish I could come into Mrs. Waring's of an evening!" went on Phill. + +"Well, do," assented Bessie eagerly, "and then you can find out for +yourself what the difference is. I am sure Mrs. Waring will be pleased +for you to come. I'll ask her." Bessie was quite relieved by this way +of avoiding the explanation of "the difference." + +Thus it came to pass that another member was added to "Love's Hospital." +Many a bright, merry hour did the lad spend there. + +"Have you found it out?" Bessie ventured to ask him after a while. + +"Of course I have, and you are pretty dense if _you_ haven't! Why, a +mole could see it!" + +"Well, what is it?" + +"I believe you know as well as I do." + +"Of course I do; I haven't lived with her all these months for nothing." + +"Then you tell me," said Phill. + +"It is that God counts for something in Mrs. Waring's life," was the +girl's straight answer. + +"H'm," said Phill, "I suppose that's it." + +"Yes," said Bessie, now quite brave once she had started, "and what she +can't do, she leaves to Him, and knows it will be all right. You see, +when once you get to that point, there's no need of flusters and +worries." + +The boy did not answer, but turned thoughtfully away. + +Mrs. Marchant was not able to forget Phill's words; even when her +resentment had worn off a little, they were there with haunting power. + +"I'd give a good deal to know what it is she has that I haven't!" she +kept saying to herself, "for, oh dear, life at times seems unbearable! +It can't be her religion exactly, for lots of religious people are just +as worried as I am. What can it be, I wonder! I have a good mind to ask +her straight out the next time I see her." + +She had not long to wait, for Phebe was on the look-out for another +opportunity of getting close to her neighbour, and Mrs. Marchant, true +to her resolution, put the question to her. + +Phebe's heart bounded with joy. How splendidly her way was being opened +up! when,--was it of the Evil One, or was it of God?--that just at that +moment Mr. Marchant should come into the room! + +There was no help for it but to again beat a retreat, but before doing +so, she said: "Do come in some afternoon and have a cup of tea with me. +You have never been in yet." + +"No, I have no time for visiting," was the abrupt answer. But when she +got to the door with her visitor, she added, "Yes, I'll come." + +When Phebe reported progress to Nanna, that dear old body exclaimed: +"Well, that's something to be thankful for! When a woman's got out of +conceit with herself, and has an idea she'd like to be different to what +she is, she is certainly on her way to Joseph's garden!" + +"Joseph's garden!" exclaimed Phebe; "you funny, old dear, what is that?" + +"Why, don't you know? Mary while at Bethany only listened to the Lord's +message, and gave Him something; but when she got to Joseph's garden, +she said, 'Master!' + +"But she had to go by the cross to get there!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE NEW CLUB-ROOM + + +Autumn was drawing near, and still the pointing Finger had not been +recognised. A few of the meetings had been held in the shed, and, +although most of the men had been loyal to their promise, they had been +anything but comfortable times. + +Nanna thought the matter had not been made a subject of united prayer +enough. So at morning prayer, which Phebe had lately established, it was +mentioned, and she also spoke of it to some of the men, asking them to +pray about it too. + +Hugh Black had attended most of the meetings, taking up the same place +behind the shed. The men had got to know of this, but said nothing, and +once Phebe had caught sight of him herself. His presence brought back a +little of the old nervousness, but when she told Nanna, that old Amazon +said: "Toots, child, what difference should an extra quality in cloth +make to you! I should say he needs your help as much as anybody." + +To Phebe's great astonishment he walked into the shop one morning. + +"Can I have a word with you alone, Mrs. Waring?" he asked. + +"Most certainly," and the two entered the parlour. + +Phebe's heart was going pit-a-pat at a very unusual rate. Could it be he +had come to put any difficulties in the way--to make any complaints! How +is it in any moment of excitement we are sure to jump to the most +doleful conjectures? + +"Pray be seated, Mr. Black," she managed to say, in a tolerably steady +voice. + +"Thank you. I have often wanted to come to see you, Mrs. Waring, and +this morning I thought I'd just make a rush for it. Perhaps you wouldn't +believe it, but I felt quite nervous at the thought of coming." + +"That is very strange; I am sure you are given to inspire more terror +than I am. To tell you the truth I felt nervous when I saw you come in," +and then they both laughed. There is nothing like a laugh for putting +people at their ease. + +"Well, Mrs. Waring, I'd better go straight to the point at once. I like +what you say to those men--indeed, I take most of it to myself, too. But +that's not what I wanted to say. What are you going to do when the bad +weather comes on?" + +"Wear a macintosh," was the simple answer. How could she be so dense! +Surely here was the pointing Finger, yet she did not recognise it. + +"Yes, yes; but that's not it. Where are you going to hold the meetings?" + +Phebe grasped the arms of her chair to steady herself. She had caught +sight of the Finger now. She lifted her eyes to the star--God was near! + +Then, with her usual simple straightforwardness, she told him all that +had been in her mind and how she had been waiting for guidance to know +if it was right to spend the hundred pounds. "I can afford to do so +now," she added, "much better than I could at the beginning of the +summer." + +"It would not be right to let you do it. I came here with the +determination to offer you fifty pounds, if that would help you in any +way, but I'll make it a hundred." + +"Sir!" gasped Phebe, her breath fairly taken away. + +"Yes, it's no more than I ought to do. I'm making a profit out of the +men, and ought to do it; besides, I want to help you, too." + +"Mr. Black," she said earnestly, putting her hand on his arm, "I'll +accept fifty pounds thankfully, but no more. I must do some of it +myself. And do you know, you are here as God's servant! We have prayed +so much about this, and God has sent you with the answer." + +"I'm not a religious man, Mrs. Waring. I don't want to sail under any +false colours. I'm what you'd call 'a black sheep.'" + +"Perhaps so, but for all that you are doing some of God's work, and some +day you'll do it for God's sake." + +"Do you think I shall?" and the man had quite a yearning look on his +face. + +"Yes, I do." + +Then they talked of the best means of securing a second-hand iron +building and the best place to put it. When they parted Hugh Black said: +"Well, Mrs. Waring, if you will not accept more than the fifty for the +building, I mean to help you in some other way." + +"So you shall, if God opens up the way." + +"Do you think that God wants me to do anything for Him?" + +"I am sure of it. The very fact that you were led to make that offer +proves it. Do believe it, Mr. Black, for it will help you to get near to +God." + +"I'll try." Then he shook hands with her, and, just as he was opening +the door, turned round and said in a shaky voice: "Pray for me, Mrs. +Waring, will you? I was not always what I am now." + +"I will, and God will answer." With another hearty shake of the hand he +was gone. + +How the sun did shine that day! The sunbeams did not glance from the +fifty sovereigns, but from this signal proof of God-partnership in the +work. There is a little bit of the Thomas spirit in us all. We do so +like to see! + +That day at dinner-time Phebe arranged that Bessie and Reynolds should +be in at the same time. While Nanna was carving Phebe told her startling +piece of news. + +Nanna put down her knife and fork, and, starting to her feet, exclaimed, +clasping her hands: "Praise the Lord! it's worth more than fifty pounds +to feel Him so near." + +"Glorious!" exclaimed Bessie; "let's sing the doxology." + +And they did so, Reynolds as heartily as anybody, and Janie coming to +the door to join in, though she knew nothing of what the praise was +specially for. + +"And another thing which is so fine," said Nanna, when they were quietly +seated again, "is that all this proves God is working in that man's +heart. We must all pray for him; we'll just pray him into the Kingdom." +Reynolds wanted very much to ask if he was going to enter that way too. +Nanna had certainly looked at him very significantly but said nothing. + +After dinner was over, Nanna whispered to Phebe: "Dear heart, wasn't it +worth the pain that letter brought you to have all this?" + +"I should think so, a hundred times over." + +"We must not forget another time a shadow falls that God never lets +Satan have the victory in the end. It only means a little waiting, a +little enduring." + +The next Sunday afternoon Phebe startled the hearers by saying: "I want +to correct a mistake which some of you have fallen into. You think I am +not paid for my services here, but I am." + +"Whew!" went from more than one pair of lips. + +"I have had fifty pounds given me, and I have had other payments +besides." + +"Share round, missis, and then we don't mind," said one voice. + +"Yes, I am going to share round, but perhaps not in the way you mean," +and then she told them the whole of the story, of what her hopes had +been, her difficulty, the watching for the Finger, and the gift of the +fifty pounds. "Now," she exclaimed, joy lighting up her face, "who will +say God is not watching over our little meeting?" + +"Hip, hip, hurrah!" shouted one of the men, which was quite equal, in +his mind, to "Hallelujah!" + +The story had a splendid effect upon the men. The idea of a club-room +all their own, of money being given for their special benefit, gave a +decided impetus to the work, and the signal proof of God's near +connection with them certainly led many a heart closer to God. + +"I say, missis," one man exclaimed, "let us have some share in the +paying for this room, won't you? Gentleman Dick," turning towards that +individual, "hand round yer hat for a collection. You lazy fellow, stir +yourself, do." + +And before Phebe had time to say "Yes" or "No," twenty-one shillings +were collected. + +"This must be spent in something extra," said she, when she had +collected her thoughts together, "so I propose you appoint Mr. Dick your +treasurer." To which they all agreed. + +It did not take long to secure the iron room, and before the autumn days +had begun to show the touch of winter it was up, the floor was covered +with linoleum, pictures were on the walls, and there were as many wooden +arm-chairs as could be conveniently got in. Phebe's idea was that the +room should be made as attractive as possible. The men's money was put +to the chair fund. + +Arrangements were made for the room to be open every dinner-hour and +every evening. Dick was appointed custodian, and one of the women paid +to give it a good cleaning every Saturday. Dick thought he was quite +equal to this latter duty, but Phebe was not quite so sure on that +point. + +There were about fifty women in the camp, living in the long rows of +little wooden houses specially built for them, just like married +quarters in some military camps. Phebe wanted specially to get into +touch with these women. + +In consulting with Mr. Black as to the best site for the room, Phebe +happened to mention her ownership of the meadow on the other side of the +line, wondering if that would be too far away. It was agreed that the +room had better be as near the camp as possible, Mr. Black guaranteeing +to be at the expense of its removal should it be found at any time +necessary to do so, owing to any development of the railway work. + +The opening meeting was made a special one. Bessie had got a special +solo, with a very taking chorus, and then some of the men gave little +testimonies. To Phebe's great surprise and intense joy, after a little +pause when she had asked if any one else would like to speak, Reynolds +stepped forward. "Friends, I think it is high time I opened my mouth." +His voice trembled very much when he first began, but gradually got +steadier. "I've made up my mind to be a Christian. I gave myself to +Jesus three weeks ago, and I made up my mind on the Sunday the room was +opened to let this be known. It gave me a little courage to put it off a +while. I was tempted this afternoon to put it off still longer, but I +did not give in." ("Hear, hear!" said Dick, once the secret Christian +himself.) "What I owe to my mistress here I can never tell you; she has +made God so real to me." ("God bless her!" said Red Ribbon.) "That's all +I have to say, as I am no speaker, but I thought I must let you know +this." + +Emboldened by Reynolds' example three other men made a like confession, +and then they all stood up and sang the doxology. "For," said Phebe, "if +you cannot all praise God for yourselves you can for others." + +On the way home she grasped Reynolds firmly by the hand. "God bless you, +Reynolds! This is a happy day. But always remember I am as much your +debtor as you are mine. So, please, never praise me again. God only +knows how much you have helped me, and what I owe to you. I should not +be in the position I am to-day but for you." + +And what effect do you suppose that little speech had upon the young +fellow? To make him proud and expect a bigger bonus than ever at +Christmas? Not a bit of it; he was more than ever her willing slave. If +masters knew the value of praise, there would be more "love-unions" than +"trades-unions." + +Every dinner-hour in a small corner of Sunshine Hall--that was its +formal name--a little group of men gathered together, either for prayer +or to talk over any difficulties, and it was astonishing the knotty +points they got hold of, and the difficult questions they afterwards +propounded to their leader. In prayer they mostly spoke of her as "The +Little Missis," "The Missis" being too cold and "Mrs. Waring" too +formal. + +But, in spite of all this sunshine there were still deep shadows. Public +opinion in Hadley passed very hard sentences on "The Little Missis," +though fortunately she did not always hear them. "Unwomanly," "Forward," +"Did not know her place," "Eager for popularity," "Fond of men's +company," "Hand in glove with the world," "Knew how to advertise her +business"--these were some of the comments. There was one good thing, +however, about this state of matters--there was clearly no danger to be +feared such as comes when all men speak well of you. How Satan must +rejoice when he can get God's workers paralysed through the criticisms +of Christians! + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +A STRANGE KIND OF PREACHING + + +The afternoon Mrs. Marchant came into "Love's Hospital," Bessie was very +excited. Mrs. Marchant had previously sent word of her intended visit. + +"Are you pleased your mother is coming?" whispered Nanna to Bessie as +they met on the stairs. + +"Of course,--but you might as well ask a magpie if it liked black and +white feathers." + +"Well, don't act like a magpie, if you can help it, there's a dear," and +Nanna patted the girl's cheek lovingly. + +Nanna saw to it that it was a specially grand tea, being anxious that +their neighbour should realise they were desirous of doing her honour. +To grace the occasion still further Nanna wore her Sunday gown and black +silk apron; and Phebe, catching the contagion, put on a light coloured +cashmere dress which Nanna had presented her with, having specially +commissioned a traveller to buy it while on a visit to Paris. + +Bessie did not dare to do anything extra in the way of smartening +herself up, except putting a red flower in her dress, for fear her +mother should openly chide her for her extravagance. And that would be +dreadful, if she did it before Reynolds--or--D.J.! + +"Do you think there is any chance that Mrs. Marchant will think we are +trying to show off?" Phebe asked Nanna. "I should be so sorry if she +did." + +"She will take it as a compliment, I am sure," replied Nanna. + +The fact was Phebe was not quite at home in her new dress, though she +had a great liking for it, not only because it was Nanna's love-gift, +but also because of its restful colour. She called it her "hope dress." +It was a pale heliotrope colour, with silk flowers on it of the same +shade, and to Phebe it seemed to speak of the hopefulness and gladness +of the springtime. As a girl she had often gathered the wild crocuses in +the meadows, and her dress was of the same hue; and the gladness of her +girlhood days seemed to shine out at her from its folds. Though her +dress was always of the simplest kind, she had a great liking for dashes +of colour--not splashes. Nanna shared with her this love of colour, +going in as she did for everything that increased true cheeriness. One +of Phebe's favourite ideas was that there could not possibly be a "glum" +mealtime if a red geranium in full blossom was on the table. + +Nanna presided at the tea-table; Phebe sat at the foot of the table, +with Mrs. Marchant and Jack on her left, and Bessie and Reynolds on her +right. + +Both Phebe and Nanna did their best to keep up a bright conversation. At +first Bessie was very quiet, but when she did wake up all lost time was +more than atoned for; indeed, Phebe had to give her several quiet +touches under the table. + +When once Bessie started she always found it difficult to "slow up." +Phebe could see that her mother was looking at her in a rather ominous +manner, and feared there might be trouble. + +Reynolds happened to refer to some comical customer they had just had, +and Bessie at once began a humorous description of the whole scene. + +"But, Bessie," said Phebe, "it is not kind, when you know the poor thing +cannot help her singular ways." + +But it was too rich a bit of description for Bessie to let drop quickly, +and she went on waving her arms in a dramatic manner. + +Just at the moment Phebe was taking a cup of tea from Mrs. Marchant, +Bessie was exclaiming, "She perfectly waltzed up to Reynolds," when, lo! +with a backward wave of her hand, she caused the cup with its contents +to fall into Phebe's lap. + +[Illustration: "SHE CAUSED THE CUP, WITH ITS CONTENTS, TO FALL INTO +PHEBE'S LAP."] + +In a moment there seemed a tempest in the room. + +Reynolds exclaimed, "Now you've done something!" + +Nanna screwed her lips up so tightly that only a little "Oh" came out. + +"Oh, mummy, your French dress!" cried out young Jack. + +Mrs. Marchant sprang to her feet and made a dash over the table as +though she was going to box Bessie's ears. The table, however, being too +broad she sank back into her chair, exclaiming: "There never, never was +such a provoking girl, never! You may thank your stars, young madam, +this did not happen in your own home!" + +Phebe was the only quiet one in the company. She had placed the empty +cup-and-saucer on the table, and as she stood up, the tea streaming down +the front of her dress on to the floor, she said, in a calm, low voice, +"Pray, Mrs. Marchant, do not trouble about it, I can soon change my +dress," but before moving away she bent down and kissed Bessie, who was +sitting gazing fixedly at the havoc she had made. The kiss seemed to +waken her, and she exclaimed, as the tears streamed down her face, "What +shall I do? What shall I do?" + +"Do!" exclaimed Mrs. Marchant--"get some more sense into your head, +that's what you should do, and drop all your wretched, nonsensical +ways." + +When Phebe returned Nanna had wisely arranged that she and Mrs. Marchant +should finish their tea alone. + +Mrs. Marchant's first words were: "Now I know that what our Phill said +was true." + +"What was that, Mrs. Marchant?" + +"That you possess something I don't. If I had had a dress like that +spoilt I should have gone into a towering passion, I know I should. But +to see you taking it all so calmly, fairly staggered me. Tell me what it +is that makes this difference between us?" Mrs. Marchant's voice was +quite eager, and she looked beseechingly into Phebe's face. + +"Perhaps several things," said Phebe, after a moment's hesitation; "I +have trained myself not to get into flurries if I can help it, for they +never accomplish anything. Then I knew Bessie was grieved enough without +me adding one word more. But the chief thing is--shall I tell you?--do +you really want to know?" + +"Yes, I do, for I long to be like you." There was a catch in her voice +that quite went to Phebe's heart. + +"My first thought was, Jesus is here, and He would not like to see me +agitated over such a little thing." + +"Jesus!" + +"Yes,--Jesus." + +"Oh." There was a world of meaning in that one word. + +"I think the difference between us is this," said Phebe, taking Mrs. +Marchant's bony hand and gently stroking it: "I have put my life +entirely into God's hands, and knowing He rules over everything, I can +well afford to take things restfully." + +"Then it is your religion that makes the difference?" + +"Yes, if you like to put it that way." + +"And would it make the same difference to me?" + +"Of course it would." + +"Well, I shall never forget the sight of your face when that tea went +over. That sight was worth all the sermons I ever heard!" + +"Wouldn't Bessie be glad if she knew! I'm not a bit sorry she spilt the +tea, now. It would be worth the spoiling of all my dresses if it makes +you want--_Him!_"--the last word very softly. Her eyes were on the +silver star, but the secret of the star was too sacred to speak of. + +"But," added Phebe, "you must not give me one bit of praise for keeping +calm; I should have been as mad as anybody,--_but for Him_." + +"And do you think of Him as always with you?" + +"Sometimes I forget, and it is then that things go wrong." + +That evening Phebe found Bessie busily engaged in unpicking the skirt of +the unfortunate dress. + +"I'll buy stuff to match it," exclaimed Bessie, "if I have to walk all +the way to Paris!" + +"Well, my dear, you cannot do that, because of the English Channel, but +I want you to thank God you spilt that tea." + +"Thank God I spilt that tea! What do you mean?" + +And then Phebe told her story. + +"Ah, it was not the tea, it was the blessed peace in your dear face that +did it! It's just like your dear loving ways to want to give me a share +in it! I tell you, mother is quite correct, I am the most exasperating +girl that ever was! But"--and she looked up with a tender little +smile--"I've caught a little bit of your secret to-day. As you stood up +there with the tea all trickling down your dress, I fancied I saw Jesus +just behind you! It was that which kept me from answering mother back." + +"That was just splendid, Bessie, I am proud of you!" + +"What, in spite of this!" holding up the stained breadth. + +"Yes, in spite of that and a dozen like it! What is that worth compared +with my Bessie? And Nanna would say just the same." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +PARTNERS! + + +One December evening, after the opening of Sunshine Hall, Janie was +telling little Jack wonderful stories about what people did at +Christmas. + +"Nearly always when people go away for a long time, they come back at +Christmas, and bring such lots of nice things with them." + +"My daddy's gone away," said the child, "mummy said so." + +"Yes, I know he has," said the slow-witted Janie. + +"Will he come back at Kiss-mus?" + +"Perhaps he will." + +"And will he bring Jacky nice things?" + +"Of course he will, when he comes." + +That expectation quite took root in the little brain, and when +"Kiss-mus" morning came, his first words were "Has my daddy come? I want +my daddy!" + +The mother was quite startled, and wondered what had given the child +this idea. Janie explained it afterwards, when a considerable amount of +brain-searching had been done. It took a wooden horse on wheels, a box +of chocolate and a box of bricks to get the little fellow to dry his +tears. + +The next Christmas, strange to say, there was the same expectation and +the same disappointment, but with added sorrow. The child was older, and +if it could appreciate good things more, also felt sorrow more. He had +mingled with other children, whose fathers made much of them. "Perhaps +daddy will come at Christmas," he would say to himself. + +Christmas morning came, but again no daddy. + +"Why doesn't daddy come?" he sobbed out on his mother's breast. + +"I don't know, darling." + +"Has he forgotten me?" he asked, turning up his tear-stained face to +hers. + +"I do not know." The words had to be uttered. There was no way in which +she could truthfully cover up the silence of years. To the sensitive +child the words were like a cruel blow; after building upon the father's +return to be told that father might have forgotten him was more than he +could bear, and in his grief, to his little mind, the doubt became a +certainty--his father had forgotten him! It was the child-soul's first +knowledge of Gethsemane. + +The mother strained him passionately to her, showering both tears and +kisses upon the little tear-stained face. "But mummy has not forgotten! +Mummy never will forget!" she wailed over him. + +From that hour a new feeling took possession of little Jack. If his +father had forgotten him, it was very likely the mother was also +forgotten. Mummy must feel lonely too, but he would not forget her, and +when he was a man he would work for her. He would be her champion and +defender--not that he used these words to himself, they were rather too +long for him, but the idea they expressed was in his brave, loyal little +heart. Nanna often wondered at the quaint little ways in which he showed +himself his mother's protector, but never knew the heart-sorrow which +had given birth to them. + +The child's grief was an added weight to the mother's heart. She saw +that her burden was no longer one which she had to bear alone, but that +her child, her innocent, sunny-haired child, with the face of an angel, +and brother to an angel, had to feel some of its weight also. + + * * * * * + +Away in Holland a gardener will patiently labour for even twenty years +to bring one hyacinth to perfection. Its soil is often changed, and the +hand, though moved by a heart which dearly loves the flower, does not +hesitate to even use the knife to the sensitive root. + +With still greater patience bends the Great Gardener over the flowers of +the Kingdom. + +And still there was no letter from Ralph. She had left off writing now, +not knowing into whose hands her letters might fall. At last she +ventured to write to Stephen Collins, asking if he thought there was +anything more she could do. He at once replied that he was scanning +several Australian papers every week, but had not come across any +mention of Ralph, and that he could think of nothing further she could +do. It did not seem to him to be at all necessary to seek police aid, +though he did not say so in his note. Later on, he sent word that he had +written to the proprietor of the hotel to which her letters had been +addressed, and he had replied that for a long time six letters had been +waiting for Mr. Waring, but a little while ago Mr. Waring had sent a +messenger for them. Should that same messenger call again he would do +his best to obtain Mr. Waring's address. + +This gave Phebe courage to write again, but after some months the hotel +proprietor returned the letter, saying that nothing had been heard of +Mr. Waring, but that if at any time he did receive news of him it should +be forwarded instantly. + +After that all was a dark blank. Years passed, but not the faintest +report of his doings was ever received. "Do you think he is dead, +Nanna?" Phebe would often ask, but the old friend could only shake her +head and say, "Dear heart, I do not know, but he's somewhere where the +Lord knows all about him. We must rest on that." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +LIGHT ON THE PATHWAY + + +One Friday morning Mrs. Waring received a note from Mr. Hugh Black +asking her to call, if possible, and see him at his house that morning, +as he wished to consult her on important business. + +It was next to impossible for her to do so, as two travellers were +expected, but, thinking the visit had to do with the hall or meeting, +she sent Bessie in her place, and a note to Mr. Black, saying the +bearer was her special friend with whom he could safely talk over any +point, or trust with any number of messages. + +Reaching the house Bessie was shown into a conservatory where Mr. Black +was writing some letters. He received her very courteously, and, as +politely as he could do so, gave her to understand the business he +wished to discuss with Mrs. Waring had nothing to do with the work among +the men, but was quite private. He would, however, explain it all in a +letter to Mrs. Waring, if Bessie would be kind enough to wait while he +wrote it, and he would himself call on Mrs. Waring the next day. On a +little table near by was some fruit and biscuits to which he asked her +to help herself. But a fit of shyness seemed to have come over Miss +Bessie, and though she looked wistfully at the tempting fruit, she only +nibbled away at a biscuit while the letter was being written. It was an +innocent-looking little missive Bessie carried home, but not nearly so +unimportant as it looked. It did not contain exactly a bomb, but it +certainly gave Phebe a shock. Both Nanna and Bessie noticed her +excitement, but said nothing, as they were both quite sure they would +hear all about it in due course. + +Mr. Black paid the promised visit, and remained talking a long time, but +there was still the same kind of subdued excitement about Phebe when he +had gone; indeed, the interview had even deepened it. + +At supper-time that day--Saturday--Bessie made a confession. There were +some nice pears on the table, which Nanna informed the company were +Bessie's gift. "Yes," said Bessie, "but I'd better tell you why I bought +them. When I went to Mr. Black's yesterday he asked me to have some +fruit. There was a tray with a nice white cloth on it and some plates, +and on one plate a silver knife-and-fork and some parings. And on the +tray, besides other things, a beautiful dish of pears, and another +knife-and-fork. Oh, I did want one of those pears so badly; you can't +tell how much I wanted one!" + +"Well, bless me," said Nanna, "why didn't you take one, then! Didn't he +ask you to take one?" + +"You so often ask me to bless you, and I really haven't any blessings to +spare. So please excuse me." + +"Your very presence is a blessing," put in Phebe. + +"That does sound nice, but really if you interrupt me so much I shall +never get through my little story. Of course Mr. Black asked me, and +that made me want one all the more. But the sight of that knife-and-fork +made me feel I could not dream of having one--yes, I did dream of it, +but I couldn't really take one! Just fancy me taking a pear with a knife +and fork! I should have been as awkward as an elephant in a china-shop." + +"What did you do, then?" asked Reynolds. + +"Do? Why, I went without, of course. I wasn't going to show off my bad +training. So to prevent such a display of self-sacrifice again I bought +some pears this morning, and I had a downright good practice in the +kitchen with Janie. We can both do it in high style now." + +And then everybody round the table, except David Jones, who usually +spent week-ends at Hadley, and had arrived just in time to hear Bessie's +story, began eating pears with a knife-and-fork, only the knives were +steel ones. + +After supper David asked Bessie if she would take a little walk with him +for a few minutes. It was not the first time he had done so. Both Phebe +and Nanna had seen the growing nearness between these two, but had made +no remark, for the friendship had certainly been helpful to both. + +"I could quite sympathise with you about that pear," said David as they +reached a quiet road away from the usual Saturday night scenes. He did +not always reach Hadley so early, but had made a special effort this +night for a special purpose. There was something on his heart he wanted +to say very much, and had hardly known how to introduce it. The story of +the coveted pear seemed quite like "a godsend" to him. "Yes, I have +felt like that myself." + +"Have you?" said Bessie. "Shouldn't have thought it; it isn't like a man +to hesitate at a trifle like that." + +"Do you think I should have eaten it straight away out of my hand?" + +"Something like that." + +"Would you have blamed me if I had done so?" + +"I shouldn't have blamed you, most certainly not; but smart folks +might." + +"I don't care for smart folks, do you?" + +"Can't say I don't, seeing I should like to be smart myself." + +There was a little pause, and then David said: "But you would advise me, +if there was something I wanted very much, to take it the best way I +could?" + +Bessie seemed to hesitate; perhaps she guessed what it was the young +fellow wanted! "Certainly," she answered in a low voice. + +"Bessie," and he turned eagerly towards her, "it's a flower I want, a +flower to wear for ever on my heart." + +"I think you're growing sentimental, and it's getting late; we had +better turn back." + +"No, Bessie, now I've once started you must let me finish. It's you I +want." And then he told her the old story which has had so many +different endings, yet always beautiful when coming from lips sincere. +That same night David told his mistress all about it. "And what did +Bessie say?" asked Phebe, greatly interested and pleased at the +confidence he showed in her. + +"Well, she didn't say much, but I think it will be all right." + +"You may rest assured if she had meant to refuse you she would have said +so right out. But, David," and here she put her hand on his arm, and her +voice took on a low, tender note "have you told her how you came to be +in my employ?" + +"No, Mrs. Waring," all the joy suddenly dying out of his face; "do you +think I need do so?" + +"Yes, I do; I think it is your plain duty to do so." + +"If I did she would throw me over as she would toss away one of her +pears that was bad." + +"I don't think so; it is only your fear makes you have that thought." + +"But why should I tell her? That is all past and gone." + +"You would be starting life together with something withheld from her; +there would be no thorough trust in each other. And, suppose some one +told her of the occurrence? Such a thing would not be impossible. Better +lose her now than lose her respect when you are tied together for life." + +There was a tender pleading in her voice which quite broke David down. +"I believe you're right. I'll do it," he said in a broken voice. + +The next morning he was unusually quiet; during the walk to the meeting +in the afternoon he was still as absorbed. Bessie did not know what to +make of matters, trying in vain to read the secret of the gloom on his +face. "I never knew he was of a sulky turn before," she said to herself; +"if this is having a lover it's a mighty queer business. I wonder if +it's something I've done wrong! I wonder if he expected I should have +gone down on my knees in ecstasy last night!" But wonder as she might +there came no answer. + +On the journey home David made a desperate effort to get the unpleasant +task over. + +"Bessie, there's something I want to tell you which I ought to have told +you last night, but did not like to." + +There was such a ring of pain in the voice that Bessie's heart was +touched at once, and for the first time, and of her own accord, she +slipped her hand into his arm. The little action was like balm of Gilead +to David. + +"When Mrs. Waring engaged me, she took me without a character," he went +on. + +"She did me, too," said Bessie, "so we're in the same boat." + +"I had used some of my master's money, and before I could pay him back +he found it out. I was going to return it, for I had money in the +savings bank." + +"Did you pay him back?" + +"Yes, every penny; but he would give me no reference, and I was +dreadfully afraid mother would find it out. It would have broken her +heart." + +"Well, that's all done with now, so forget it. You've good character +enough now for the two of us." + +"And you don't think any the less of me?" he asked, bending anxiously +towards her. + +"I think all the more of you," she said, looking up frankly into his +face and pressing her hand upon his arm more firmly, "only it's made me +feel rather queer, for I shall now be obliged to tell you not simply one +bad thing I've done, but heaps. In fact, I don't know where to begin." + +"That's all nonsense," he said. "I know you are trying to cheer me, and +I bless you for it, but there's still another thing I must say, for I +want that there should never be a shadow between us. I did not want to +tell you of my slip. I don't want you to think I was frank enough to +tell you all this of my own accord. It was Mrs. Waring who pressed me to +tell you." + +"That's just like her; she is a dear." + +"So she is; she's been the making of me." + +"So she has of me. Leastways," added Bessie in her characteristic +manner, "she is making me. The business is not near finished yet." + +"It's all right," whispered David to Mrs. Waring as they went into tea. + +"I'm so glad," was her reply, "doubly glad." + +There was really no need for him to tell her this; his face told the +story so plainly--so very plainly--that when tea was over, and they were +standing in Sunshine Patch, Mrs. Colston went up to them and said: + +"And so you young folks have made each other happy." + +"Why, how do you know? Who told you?" exclaimed Bessie. + +"Know! Who told me? There was no need for anybody to tell me. Your faces +tell the tale. Well, do you think you'll get on together all right?" + +"I can get on with anybody," sang out Bessie, "if they only let me have +my own way." + +"Do you think we shall, Mrs. Colston?" asked David. + +"Yes, I've watched you, and I do think you will; but you must neither +try to get in front of the other. It must be side by side." Taking a +hand of each, she said in a sweet, serious way: "May the Lord bless you +both; may you not only be strength to each other but to many besides." + +"You dear!" exclaimed Bessie, flinging her arms round her neck, and +kissing her, while the tears streamed down her face; "if I'm only half +as good as you, I'll do." + +"Nay, nay, child, you must not take any measurement by a mortal; Jesus +is our measure. But look here, dears, you've both got to go in and tell +your story to mother next door. Don't leave her in the cold. But, mark +you, you'll have no silver forks to eat your pears with." + +"Oh, yes, she shall," exclaimed David as they both went away laughing. + +That same evening Phebe and Nanna talked this courtship over, and +concluded that things were going on all right. Then Phebe started a +fresh subject. "Perhaps you have wondered, Nanna, dear, what Mr. Black +came about. I felt I could not tell you about it all in a hurry; it was +too exciting, and I have not had a quiet moment till now." + +"It's all right, dearie; I knew you would tell me at the proper time." + +"Ah, my dear, I wish I always had your calmness." + +"I wonder how it is so many folks seem to envy me! I have nothing +everybody cannot have as well as me." + +"Tell me in a word what you think your secret is, could you?" + +"How like I am to Mrs. Marchant!" she thought to herself. "How much we +all lean upon one another!" + +"Yes, I think I could; but then it's your secret as well as mine." + +"Never mind whose else it is, tell it me, there's a dear." + +"It's only this--that I know the Lord is always with me, and that in His +hands things are sure to come right--could not help but be, He's so +clever and good. So why shouldn't I be calm?" + +"You say 'in His hand things are sure to be right,' but so often I say +to myself, 'How can He make my tangle right?' He cannot make sin come +right." + +"There's your mistake, dear heart," exclaimed Nanna. "He can! He can! He +can make the wrong you've suffered work out splendid things in your +character, and help you to do things you would never have force enough +to do if you'd had a smooth life. And He's doing it now, now! So rest on +that, you poor, tired child. Now tell me about Mr. Black, will you?" + +Phebe gave a little sigh of relief. "I had almost forgotten about it. It +will almost take away your breath, so be prepared." + +"Stop one minute," said Nanna, "let me ask one question. Is it something +you approve of?" + +"Yes, quite." + +"All right, then, nothing whatever can take away my breath now." + +"Don't be quite so sure about it. What do you say to him showing me how +I can have two thousand pounds paid to me this week?" + +"I should simply say he couldn't." + +"But he has, and when I tell you how, you will advise me to take it, I +am quite sure. Now, doesn't this take away your breath?" + +"No, I've still got a few gasps left." + +"You know that meadow of mine? It has a long frontage to the main road. +Some men have been buying up the land all round the new railway-station. +They expect it will be quite a busy centre owing to the junction of +rails. Mr. Black knew I owned that meadow. I told him so when I thought +the hall might go up there, and he has negotiated with these men for the +sale of it. But for him I should have thought I was doing well if I had +sold it for five hundred. He is trying to see if he can get a little +more when I told him what I should use it for." + +"What is that?" a sudden fear again taking possession of Nanna lest +money should become a snare to her darling. + +"To build or buy a house for a cottage hospital here in Hadley. I have +long wanted to do it, and now, without any trouble, God is sending me +the money." + +"God bless you, my dear one," said Nanna, her heart full of rejoicing. + +"And what do you think of this plan?" continued Phebe. "I should like to +give the money to Stephen Collins, and let him do all the business, my +name never to be mentioned. He need simply say a friend had entrusted +him with it. Mr. Black, I know, will keep my secret. I thought two +thousand would provide the building, and the town might be willing to +pay for its upkeep. I should like it called 'Love's Hospital.'" + +"There! Didn't I tell you the Lord would help you to do big things? +Can't you see if you'd never gone to the railway-men you would never +have known Mr. Black!" + +"Yes, I can see it, and if I had never visited Jim Coates, I shouldn't +have gone to the railway-men. It is all the Lord's doing. I have got +another scheme I want to work out, but have not the money for it yet, +and I don't see where it is to come from either. Still, after this +wonder I shall not give up hope." + + * * * * * + +Stephen Collins accepted the task, called together a town's meeting; a +committee was appointed, Bessie's old superintendent, Mr. Bell, being +one of the number. An old-fashioned house, with a large garden was +bought, and in less than twelve months "Love's Hospital" was in working +order. + +Bessie, Reynolds and David knew Mrs. Waring had sold her meadow at a +very good figure. They knew also of the anonymous donor of the hospital, +and, as shrewd young people will, put two and two together; but the +townsfolk, in spite of a good deal of curiosity, were not so wise. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +LOYAL LOVE + + +When little Jack was nearly nine years old he came home from school one +afternoon in a sorry plight. Not only was his face tear-stained, but +his jacket was torn. There was every evidence that he had been in a +battle, and had not come off victor, either. Fortunately, his mother was +away spending the afternoon with her father and sister. + +"My dear boy!" exclaimed Nanna; "what ever have you been doing!" + +"Don't be cross with me, Nanna," cried out Jack, literally throwing +himself into her arms, "I couldn't help myself. You would have done the +same yourself." His arms were round her neck, and he was hugging her so +tightly that she found it rather difficult to get her words out. The +hugging really seemed to comfort him. Nanna felt alarmed, for it was so +unusual for Jack to shed a tear or to be so demonstrative. Trying with +one hand to loosen his grasp, and with the other stroking his tangled +hair, she said: "You surely could never imagine your old Nanna mixed up +with a fight, now could you? A pretty figure I should cut, shouldn't I?" + +"Well, you would have done something; I know you would," sobbed out the +little fellow, who could no longer keep the tears back. + +"Ah, no doubt I should have done something; you're right there. But tell +me what it's all about? Whatever will mummy say about it! And what do +you suppose your little angel-sister thinks of you if she is looking at +you now?" + +The thought of the "little angel-sister" did not distress him much; but +at the mention of "mummy" his grief broke out afresh. + +"But you won't tell her, will you? And you'll mend my jacket for me, +won't you?" taking his arms down from her neck to show the ugly rent by +the pocket. + +"Not tell mummy? Keep anything from mummy? Why, Jack, what can you be +thinking about? She would not like her boy to have any trouble she did +not share. And if you have done wrong all that she will do will be to +give you advice that might help you another time." + +"I know, I know," and the voice was a little fretful, an unusual thing +for Jack, "but you don't understand: it's because it would make mummy +cry I don't want her to know." + +"Well, tell me all about it, and then I shall understand." + +"And you won't tell her?" + +Nanna felt to be in a difficulty, and had to think. Jack saw the +difficulty she was in, and, like the chivalrous little fellow he was, +helped her out of it by saying, "I'll tell you first, and then I know +you'll say she mustn't know, and Janie must not know," getting down from +her knee and shutting the door--"nobody must know." + +Resuming his seat, and with one arm round her neck, he told out his +little tale of woe, the tale that was so big to him. A fresh boy had +come to his school whose displeasure he had won by obstinately keeping +at the top of the class, a position keenly coveted by the new boy, whose +name was Frank Bell. + +Knowing of no other invective he could hurl at his rival, Frank tried +this one: "You're no good; you've no business among respectable boys. +Your mother's a wicked woman, and that's why your father can't live with +her. My ma says so; I heard her." + +"I told him she was as good as good could be, better than his mother, +for my mother held meetings and his mother didn't. So he said he'd pay +me out for calling his mother names, and after school he hit me in the +face, and I hit him back." + +"And you got the worst of it?" + +"He's ever so much bigger than I am. My mother is good, isn't she?" +lifting up his tear-stained face to look steadfastly at Nanna. There was +no doubt in the loyal little heart of the mother's goodness, but there +was one big mystery in his life he could not solve, and he wondered if +Nanna could help him--or, would help him. + +"Of course she is good; we both of us know that." + +"If only daddy would come home! If he would, then Frank couldn't say +anything." He watched her face attentively--the face that had always had +truth written on it, that had never kept a secret from him. + +"I wish he would, too; but I don't know why he doesn't, and mummy +doesn't know either. Perhaps--but you must not speak of this--perhaps he +is dead. Sometimes we think he must be." + +"Poor daddy!" murmured the child, and then turned to look at his photo +hanging over the mantelpiece. + +"But, Jack, dear, I want to show you where you have done wrong and how +you must be wiser another time. It does not matter what any number of +boys say about your mother; it could not alter the fact of her goodness. +You need only have said he was making a mistake. Then you should not +have questioned his mother's goodness; it is quite right for him to +think his mother better than yours--every boy should think his mother +the best that ever was. And then, when he struck you, you should not +have struck back--that's what cowards do, heroes quietly walk away. You +remember what our dear Jesus said, that when anybody strikes us on one +cheek, we are to let them do it on the other side, too, if they like." + +Jack sighed. Life to him just then was indeed an "unsunned space," and +it seemed getting darker. It was bad enough to have had his dear mummy +so wickedly spoken about, but to be struck and not retaliate! And now +Nanna was disappointed in him. There came another deep sigh. + +"Don't sigh, little man. It is by these mistakes we learn. You will be +wiser next time, so cheer up. Let us ask Jesus to forgive us all our +mistakes. We can afford to forget all about them then." + +In the most natural way possible the two knelt down and made their +request of the invisible Master, whose presence in that room was always +acknowledged. It was by no means the first time these two had done so. +Jack was not at all surprised or confused. + +Prayer over, Nanna set about preparing tea, and Jack, still +disconsolate, sat by the fire. His own share of the pain was forgotten, +but he could not feel happy about his "mummy." He did not want her to +know, and yet he longed to hear from her own dear lips that she did not +mind. + +"You won't tell mummy, will you?" he pleaded before going to bed, and +the promise was given. "Not till you say I may," said wise, far-seeing +Nanna. The burden of having a secret from mummy was a heavy one, and +Nanna felt sure it would not be long before it all came out, and that +the loving little heart would only find peace in the mother's arms. + +Phebe that night went in as usual to give Jack his "good-night" kiss. He +had cried himself to sleep. He had even laughed at supper-time, and +forgotten all his sorrow, but in the darkness of the bedroom it had come +back again with full force. + +The mother bent to kiss her boy--the face was damp--Jack had been +crying! Nanna had said nothing about any trouble, yet she was always +Jack's confidante. What could it be? She bent again to kiss him. Yes, it +was quite damp--the pillow even was damp. Her sunny-faced, earnest, +eager-hearted Jack, crying! The boy sighed in his sleep, tossed about, +and then, the light of the lamp falling on his face, he woke up. + +"Oh, mummy! dear mummy!" The lamp was quickly put down, and in an +instant the two were locked in each other's arms. + +"Jack, darling, you've been crying. You must tell me all about it." + +"But I can't--no--you are not to ask me." + +And then straightway he told her, though not in words. He smoothed her +face, he examined her, then he hugged her, and whispered: + +"It is my _good_ mummy!" + +"Has somebody been telling you I'm not good?" + +"Did Nanna tell you?" he exclaimed. "Oh, dear, she promised she +wouldn't!" + +"No, darling; Nanna did not tell me. She would not break her promise to +you." + +"Then how did you know?" + +She could hardly explain. "I guessed it," she said. "I saw you had been +crying. Who was it that was finding fault with me?" + +"Frank Bell; he's a new scholar." The name was not familiar. + +"See here, darling, you must never trouble about me. You know I do +things differently from some mothers, and they think it is wrong, but I +think it is God's wish; so it does not much matter. You understand?" + +"Yes." Then, after a pause: "And it has not anything to do with daddy +not coming home?" + +There is a sisterhood of Mary found the wide world over--women who have +felt the sword pierce the soul, and in that instant Phebe felt afresh +what membership with that sisterhood meant. But her child, at all costs, +must not know of it. + +"No, nothing at all," was her calm answer. + +And then came the story of the fight and the torn jacket. It was so nice +to be able to tell her everything, and to know she was not hurt at all. + +"What, my Jack been in a battle!" trying hard to laugh. + +"Yes; but Nanna has mended my jacket, you'd never know it was torn, and +I'm never going to fight again. Nanna says heroes walk away, and that +must be so, 'cause it's harder." + +"Nanna's right, you dear little champion!" + +"When I am a man, nobody will dare to say you're not good." + +"Yes, they will, dear. You know Jesus told us to beware if everybody +spoke well of us. That would show we were not quite brave enough." + +But the child spoke truer than she knew. + +The next morning Phebe sent Frank Bell a box of chocolate, which Jack +willingly delivered. + +To say that Frank was mystified is putting it very mildly. + +"For me?" he exclaimed. + +"Yes, mother sent it you." + +"Does she know what I said about her?" + +"Yes, but I didn't tell her. I had to tell Nanna because of my jacket." + +Frank thought Nanna was the servant. He wanted very much to "round on" +Jack for telling, but did not know how fairly to do it. + +"She knew what I said about her, and yet sent me this chocolate!" + +"Yes, you see she's a real Christian--Nanna says she's one of the right +sort." + +"Well, she must be; my father's a Christian, but I don't speck he'd +send anybody chocolates that snubbed _him_," and the very idea made the +boy laugh. + +"You'll never say she's wicked again, will you?" pleaded Jack wistfully. + +"That I won't, I'll say she's a stunner, and she is, too!" And from that +moment Phebe Waring had no more brave defender than chubby-faced Frank +Bell. + +That same morning Phebe got a few minutes' talk with Nanna: "Jack told +me last night you knew all about his little battle and what occasioned +it." + +"Yes, he did," said Nanna, turning round to look at her carefully. She +was not quite sure how much Phebe knew, nor how she would take it. The +look satisfied her. + +"I only want to say," said Phebe, "that you need not worry about it for +my sake. I have been so happy lately that I can afford to have a little +drawback like that. Perhaps God saw I needed something to keep me +humble." + +But she could not have spoken in that brave tone twelve hours before. +She knew that, and Nanna guessed it too. + +"Ah!" said Nanna, "it wouldn't do for us any more than for the trees to +have all sunshine and never have a storm." + +Yes, Phebe had been very blessed lately, and she not only knew it, but +had drunk in all the joy of it. The railway-works had long since been +completed, and the hall had been taken down and stored. Most of the men +had been scattered all over the country, many of them taking with them +the precious secret learnt from a woman's lips, but some still remained +in Hadley and the neighbourhood, and these had persuaded Phebe to +continue the meetings in the public hall. She had done so, and very +happy gatherings they had proved to be. + +Every week the further scheme she had in her mind took deeper root: the +more she saw of working-men, of their hard life and colourless +existence, the more she pitied them. The scheme was often talked over +with faithful Nanna, whose brain was as keen as ever, though her body +was more bent. More than once she advised Phebe to consult Stephen +Collins, but Phebe could not trust herself to do that, knowing too well +that temptation lay in that direction. + +"Besides," she would add, "I have not money enough yet. Love's Hospital +was not my gift--the money simply was passed on by me. This time God +seems to show that I have to work for the money, storing it up little by +little. When I have enough and have got my plans all settled, I'll ask +Stephen to carry them out for me. I don't mind doing that; it would not +take long." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +RECOGNISED + + +Bessie's marriage passed off in high style,--the change that had come +over her mother being most marked--and after a fortnight of "doing the +grand" at Bournemouth she and her "Darling" Jones settled down to +business with the firm determination of making it "hum." And "hum" it +did. Bessie had been a treasure in the business at Hadley, but she was a +far smarter business woman now that she shared some responsibility. +Every morning the shutters were down at eight o'clock, every corner +thoroughly swept by nine, every order attended to promptly, supplies +well seen to. It was like taking in a breath of Swiss air to go into +that shop. Many a sleepy country-woman rubbed her eyes and pulled +herself together after an interview with Bessie. It was not simply done +for the money it brought, though of course the more business done the +more it was to the advantage of the managers, but the main impetus was +in the thought that she was helping Mrs. Waring. Bessie's highest +delight was to win her "Well done!"--to know she was hastening the +development of her scheme, for Phebe had taken both Reynolds and Jones +into her confidence. + +Bessie's mother marvelled at the change which had come over her, and +wondered if it could possibly be the same girl who used to be always in +hot water! If there was anything "hot" now-a-days it was more of the +nature of milk than water. + +The money for Phebe's scheme was gradually accumulating. One or two +special agencies had helped in this, but it had mostly been won by hard +and constant application to work. And all the time the sum in the bank +had been growing Phebe's influence had grown too. There was never a +town's meeting called to discuss any forward movement, or to right any +wrong, but she was invited, mostly accompanied by her boy. But, as +nearly always happens, alongside with this growing influence was a +growing disfavour with well-to-do, rut-bound people, especially with +those who had class prejudices and believed that woman was simply the +chattel of a man. This was very much accentuated when she was called in +as an arbitrator in a dispute between some men and their master, and was +still further manifested when she publicly exposed the wrongs of some +laundry girls. Whenever she saw wrongs or injustice she was bound to +speak out. She even once spoke out at a church-meeting against the +custom of relegating the poorest members to the top seats in the church +gallery. That was a shocking offence, and almost won for her +church-discipline. But she calmly went on her way, her eyes still fixed +on the silver stars, and more and more became the confidante and helper +of the poor. + +The day at last arrived--the day she had looked forward to for months, +even years--on which she paid into the bank to her "scheme account" the +last needed amount before commencing operations, bringing the grand +total up to five hundred pounds! + +The following day arrangements were made for an interview with Stephen +Collins. Both Nanna and she agreed it had better take place at her +sister's house, her old home. It would be quieter, and there would be +less chance for gossip to make anything out of it. + +The father was dead, but the sister was still staying on in the old +house. Phebe frankly told her she wanted a business talk with Stephen, +and asked if she would mind inviting him. + +"I shall be only too pleased," was the reply. "The wonder to me is you +manage to get along so much by yourself as you do. Who would have +imagined our dreamy Phebe turning into an enterprising business woman, +and quite a public character, too! How things change! I used to be the +go-ahead, and now I'm as good as a recluse." + +"You've done the hardest piece of work, after all, dear," was Phebe's +answer; "one that God won't forget. And, besides, you have the +opportunity of coming out into the world and its work now father is at +rest." + +Stephen Collins accepted the invitation, and on a dreary Friday +afternoon at the end of October the three gathered round a cheerful fire +in the old-fashioned parlour. + +For a minute or so Phebe thought they were girls and boy together again, +and that the door would open presently and "mother" would come in with +her cheery voice, "Girls, it's time for tea, and you'd better get Steve +to help you!" How many a romp they had had together, especially when +"father" was away at market! The fire crackled and the old clock ticked +just as they had done then, but a glance at Stephen's iron-grey hair and +his sad, earnest face gave proof enough that the old merry days had gone +by for ever. + +They talked about the weather, about the new tenant in the next +farm--all three seemed anxious to talk, and yet there were awkward +pauses, and Phebe could not bring herself to mention her scheme. The +Spirit of the Past seemed to hold them. + +The sister must have known Phebe's thoughts, for all at once she said: +"It's no use waiting for mother to announce tea to-day. I must get it +ready myself." + +"Let me help you," said Phebe. + +"No, you sit and talk with Stephen." She still called him by his +Christian name. + +Phebe poked the fire, and swept some dust from the hearth, conscious all +the time that Stephen was watching her closely. When she took her seat +again they were both silent, till at last Stephen said: + +"Mrs. Waring, I have not the slightest idea what it is you wish me to do +for you, but rest assured whatever it is I will do my utmost to fulfil +your wish. Please do not hesitate. Trust me." + +"Trust you! There is no need to tell me to do that. I do not hesitate +because of any thought of unwillingness or mistrust--never that." For +the first time their eyes met and she could not resist putting her hand +on his, just for an instant. "Why I hesitate is because I am going to +ask so much, and you may not think my plan a wise one." + +"You need not hesitate on either of those points. I have plenty of time +at my disposal, and I should not put my judgment before yours." + +"I don't think for a minute my sister will agree to my scheme." + +"Then we must try to convert her." + +It was not till the tea had been cleared away and the trio had gathered +round the fire again that the scheme was unfolded. Phebe introduced it +by saying: "You must please both of you let me tell my tale without +interruptions, for I really feel nervous talking to two such critics. +When I have quite finished, then you can talk. I must first of all tell +you I have saved up five hundred pounds, and I want to buy Farmer +Green's big meadow in Haystone Lane; he wants a thousand pounds for it." + +"How can you buy a thousand-pound meadow for five hundred pounds? Folks +will say that's like a woman," interrupted the sister. + +"Will they? But you must please let me finish my story. I propose for +the present getting a mortgage of five hundred. I want to put this +meadow in trust of Mr. Collins, Mr. Black, Jim Coates, and my two +assistants, Reynolds and Jones, with Mr. Collins as chairman, or +something of that sort. Then I want this meadow turned into garden +allotments. I think it will make forty. One of these I want to reserve +for a plot for our railway-hall to stand on, to be used as a club-room. +These thirty-nine allotments I want let out to working-men, or women, +too, if they felt equal to spade-work. These would bring in a rental of +thirty-nine pounds; twenty of this would be needed for interest and the +remainder to be spent in prizes for the best things grown in the +gardens. For the club I should propose that a small quarterly +subscription be charged, which would be sufficient to keep the place +going. I hope by the time the scheme is started to have saved another +fifty pounds, which I should like spent in the purchase of plants and +trees to start the gardens with." Phebe paused. The sister held up her +hand like the children do at school: "Have you finished! Please may I +talk?" + +"Yes, I have finished." + +"Well, I think you are a very foolish woman to squander your money in +such a fashion! You've got your old age to think of, and your child to +provide for. Let your working-men provide gardens for themselves--they +can spend plenty of money in the public-house. You stint yourself to +help them, and not one in twenty will give you a 'Thank you' for it. No, +I say you are not called upon to do such a thing as this. What do you +say, Stephen?" + +"I say, it's just like her." + +"That may be, but that doesn't say it's wise." + +"You are too hard on these men, Lizzie. They can afford no luxuries, no +hobbies, and there is little wonder they go to the public-house. I often +think if I had a home like they have I should do the same myself; there +is nowhere else that is bright and attractive for them to go. As for +their thanks, I don't want them; besides, my name is not to be mentioned +in connection with the scheme. But before I die I hope to be able to +clear off the mortgage. As for my boy he can always get a living out of +the business. I have no need to provide further than that for him." +Turning to Stephen: "Will you do this for me, Mr. Collins?" + +"I will." No marriage-vow was given with more earnestness. + +"Well, you are the funniest woman that ever God made," exclaimed the +sister. + +When the time came to separate, Phebe would not hear of either her +sister or Stephen accompanying her, though the night was dark. They went +as far as the garden-gate with her, and as they stood there after she +had left them, Stephen said in a choked voice: "You call her the +funniest woman God made: I call her the best and the bravest." + +"So she is," the sister replied frankly; "but then it doesn't do to tell +her so, does it?" + +"I only wish I might," was his low response. + +As the sister walked up the path again to the silent old home she +whispered to herself: "Poor old Steve! Dear old fellow! What a queer +world this is!" + +While Phebe was away from home that evening Nanna sat for a while in the +desk in the grocery department; she often did so when a quiet time was +expected. "I shall write a book some day," she used to say, "and the +title will be 'From the Mangle to the Desk.'" Certainly she looked +wonderfully wise there with her spectacles on her nose. + +All at once she was attracted by the sound of a voice. Her memory for +faces was very defective, but for voices very acute. Where had she heard +that voice before? Looking up she saw a tall, elderly, shabby-looking +man, who every now and again gave a little hacking cough. She watched +him as he bought half an ounce of tea, a rasher of bacon, one egg, and +half a pound of sugar. Then she heard him say to Reynolds, who was +serving him: + +"Who owns this shop?" + +"Mrs. Waring." + +"I wondered who 'P. Waring' was: it used to be 'R. Waring.'" + +"Yes." + +"Where is Ralph Waring now?" + +"I don't know--he went abroad on business." + +A little stifled laugh: "Oh, did he?" + +Nanna saw that Reynolds suddenly looked up and gave the man a searching +look. When he had gone Reynolds went up to the desk. He was too agitated +to speak, and Nanna was feeling just the same. At last she managed to +say: + +"Follow him!" pointing to the door. + +Just as he was Reynolds rushed to the door; he looked to the right, he +looked to the left, but the questioning customer with his cough and his +laugh was out of sight, for the gathering gloom of the chilly autumn +night made escape easy. + +It might have been a December night the way Reynolds was shivering. "Was +it----?" he asked in a hoarse whisper as he returned to the desk. + +"Yes," was all her answer. Then, "I must go at once and meet the +mistress." + +"Let me go." + +"No, that would never do. She would wonder what was the matter, and as +long as possible we must keep it from her." + +As fast as she could the dear old lady hurried along the lonely country +road. The little, stifled sarcastic laugh was still sounding in her +ears, a laugh that spoke of a heart unchanged except as trouble had +soured it. + +At last she heard footsteps--light ones--she could see a woman's form! +Yes, it was her dear Phebe, and, thank God, she was alone! + +"Why, Nanna!" exclaimed Phebe, as soon as she recognised her; "whatever +brought you out a night like this?"--kissing her on the cheek and taking +hold of her arm. + +"To take care of you, dearie, to be sure; and, besides, I wanted a +walk." + +"On a night like this?" + +"Yes, I felt stifled like," which was quite true. + +Phebe's suspicions were aroused, but finding all well at home, concluded +it was just some whim of the dear old soul's, or else she had suddenly +been seized with some unaccountable fear, as is sometimes the case even +with young folks. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +BESSIE COMES TO THE RESCUE + + +For nearly ten years Ralph Waring had been a homeless wanderer, getting +a living in a variety of ways. Of course things had gone well with him +while he had money in his pocket, but when that had melted away his +appreciative friends suddenly disappeared. Like other folks in that new +country he had plenty of opportunities of getting on, but like so many +others he wanted the top rung of the ladder first, and found that such a +leap did not come within the bounds of possibility. Every bottom rung he +was compelled to try proved too prosaic, and years were spent in +becoming familiar with a whole series of bottom rungs. + +All the letters he had sent to Phebe had been under cover to Stephen +Collins; even the one Stephen Collins had himself placed in the desk had +been directed to him. Why Ralph had done this it would be difficult to +say. His motive may have been the wish to provide Phebe during his +absence with a reliable helper, but it was very questionable if he had +really sufficient regard for either of them to do that. + +The letters ceased just as soon as his "castles in the air" came to +grief. He could never bring himself to write to Phebe of defeat. He was +once tempted to make up a story of good fortune, but had sufficient good +sense left to know that should Fortune continue to frown upon him this +would only add to his annoyance. No, it was better she should think him +dead than poor. + +It was three years since his illness came upon him. He struggled against +it with a heroism that would have placed him on the top rung if it had +been shown earlier and in other ways. Then a feeling of home-sickness +came over him; or perhaps it was that he missed the tender ministry of +loving hands. + +But how was he to get home? There was no other way than to work his +passage over, and that he must do at once before he got too weak to do +so. A berth as assistant-steward was secured, and in a few hours after +setting foot on English soil he found himself in the old country town of +Hadley. + +His first impulse was to go straight to Phebe and pour out his heart to +her, with all its bitter disappointments. Then his usual cautious habit +reasserted itself--he would first of all make inquiries. + +After taking a very humble lodging he soon found out the position Phebe +held in the town, and then his chagrin knew no bounds. He wished himself +back again a hundred times over in the land of strangers--what a fool he +had been! However, she should never have an opportunity of lording over +him. "R. W." would stand for "Richard Wood" equally well as "Ralph +Waring." A very old school-fellow had failed to recognise him, so it was +not likely Phebe would. It was this strong belief in his changed +appearance rendering his identity impossible that made him enter the +shop. He quite chuckled over the way in which he had "done" Reynolds, +and tried the experiment a second time. Reynolds was in the shop and +again served him. As soon as he left the stolid look disappeared from +Reynolds' face, and quick as lightning he despatched a shop-boy to +follow "the tall, thin man with a cough" to see where he went. "Don't +show yourself, though," was his parting injunction. + +The lad did his "shadowing" in quite a professional manner, and +returned with the answer: "63 Dutton Street." + +"63 Dutton Street!" repeated Reynolds to himself. "Well, I never! Things +get worse and worse! I mustn't tell Mrs. Colston that, the poor old +dear! I won't let out he's been in again." + +After Ralph Waring had made his second lot of purchases and paid his +lodgings a week in advance, he had one solitary half-crown left. He had +no watch or anything with him he could sell or pawn; possessing +absolutely nothing but the thin, shabby clothes he stood up in. He +turned the silver coin over in his hand, and muttered: "Only that +between me and the workhouse!" + +Day after day Nanna kept her secret from Phebe. How could she tell her! +How could she bring such a double fold of gloom over her! And day after +day she prayed for God's clear guidance. + +At every opportunity she kept a stealthy watch over every customer who +came into the shop, and all the day she was for ever listening for that +hollow, rasping cough. + +All this tension told upon her considerably. Phebe was quite certain +she was not well, and she knew herself it was taking away her joy and +breaking her peace. At last she pulled herself together, and decided she +must carry the burden no longer. "It is too difficult a piece of work +for me to do," she said to herself, "I must leave it all to God. If He +wanted me to help in it He would have shown me the way. I'll just watch +and see how He does it," and the joy and peace came back again. + +If she had known of "63 Dutton Street," she would have seen the +beginning of God's plans. + +The knowledge soon came. + +She was in the business early one morning, when all at once she felt +impelled to whisper to Reynolds-- + +"Have you seen Ralph Waring again?" + +Reynolds had no alternative but to answer "Yes." + +"Did he come into the shop?" + +Reynolds gave a solemn nod. + +"Tell me all you know, Reynolds," she said, fixing her clear grey eyes +on him; "don't keep anything back. I am quite prepared, for I feel sure +all will come right." + +And then Reynolds told her, first of all looking round to see if any one +should be listening. + +"He is staying at 63 Dutton Street," he whispered. + +"63 Dutton Street!" she exclaimed, and then checked herself. "Why, that +is where Mrs. Coates lives!" in a lower voice. + +"Yes, he is lodging with her." + +"Well! well!" She hardly knew what to say. Surely God had led Ralph +there--but why?--why? + +"Why? Why?" kept repeating through her brain as she went about her work. + +That morning she received a letter from Bessie, in which that young lady +said: "When are you coming to see me? Couldn't you come this afternoon?" + +"Yes, I will," she said to herself. "Bessie's brain is younger than +mine, and quicker. Perhaps she can tell me what I ought to do." + +When Phebe knew of the intended visit, she said: "Well, I am glad! I do +believe you are improving in your old age. Be sure and tell Bessie she +has my permission to give you a good scolding for not going sooner." + +"How little she dreams of what my real errand is!" whispered Nanna to +herself. "I wonder if I am doing right in not telling her! But surely if +I can keep trouble from her that is right! Surely she has suffered +enough through Ralph Waring already without having any more! She thinks +he is dead--'tis better so." And with that assurance she started on her +journey. + +"You blessed one!" exclaimed the excitable Bessie; "I have a good mind +now you are here to lock you up like lavender, and never let you back +again. Now I am going to get a high-style tea ready. If only I had been +quite sure you were coming I would have bought a whole red-herring--they +are the most economical things going, you only need one; you hand it all +round the table, and each guest rubs his, or her, bread with it, and +each one has all the delight of seeming to eat a whole bloater. However, +as it is, we must stretch to sardines this time. David!"--peeping into +the shop--"I'm not coming into the shop any more to-day, so if you can't +manage to scrape along without me, you can put up the shutters at once." + +"You see, Mrs. Colston," said David, "she is just the same Bessie as +ever." + +"Well, I never!" exclaimed Bessie, "if that isn't rich! Did you expect I +should turn into somebody else?--say Polly Spriggs, or the Duchess of +Marlborough!--which would you have preferred?" + +But David had fled back into the shop. + +It was during tea Nanna told her story--always the time for +confidences. + +"We had such a strange customer in the other day, Bessie. Guess who it +was!" + +"Was it one of the high levellers, or one of the low levellers?" + +"He looked like one of the low levellers, as you call them; but he used +to be----" Nanna's hands trembled so much she almost dropped her cup. + +Bessie was quick to notice this. "Dear Mrs. Colston," she exclaimed, +"you have some bad news to tell me! What is it?--Do tell me quickly!" + +"The customer was Ralph Waring." + +"Ralph Waring! And does the Little Missis know--did she see him?" and +Bessie started up from her chair in her excitement. + +"No; I want your advice. Reynolds has found out that he is lodging at 63 +Dutton Street. Just fancy that!" + +"63 Dutton Street!" repeated Bessie, quite bewildered. + +"Yes; with Mrs. Coates. You know Mrs. Coates. Do you think I ought to +tell her?" + +"Tell Mrs. Coates?" + +"No--the Little Missis, as you call her." + +"Of course not. If his lordship does not choose to make himself known, +why should you trouble her about him? She has had enough trouble with +him already--at least, I think so." + +"That is just how I have been thinking." + +"Oh, dear, dear! Whatever in the world did he need to turn up again for! +I wish to goodness I could run away with him, that I do!" + +"What is that you are saying?" exclaimed David, looking in from the +shop, with quite a dramatic expression on his face. "Who is it you are +wanting to elope with now? I really must know!" + +Amid both laughter and tears Nanna explained the situation. + +"Well, if she can manage to run away with him," said David +magnanimously, "I am quite willing. But how can you work it, my sweet +queen Bess?" + +"Ah, that's the difficulty," she sighed. "I shall have to put my +thinking cap on." + +"There is no doubt he is very ill," said pitying Nanna; "he has a +dreadful cough." + +"A consumptive cough?" asked David. + +"Yes." + +"Then may God help him! I know what that means. My father died of +consumption in Warley Hospital." + +"I have it!" exclaimed Bessie, "let's get him into Warley Hospital! At +least he would be some distance away, and would be better treated than +in lodgings. Oh, yes, I'll manage to run away with him after all, you +see if I don't! I'll call and see Mrs. Coates, and if I hear her lodger +cough, I'll offer to get him an indoor letter for Warley Hospital. I'll +not show myself at all, of course. Mrs. Coates shall do the real +elopement work; I'll only superintend." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +THE HOME-COMING + + +True to her word Bessie paid her visit to Mrs. Coates the next day. She +had not been long in the house before the hollow cough was heard. + +"Good gracious!" exclaimed Bessie; though really listening for it, the +sound had quite startled her. "What a dreadful cough!" + +"That it is. It's our lodger, poor fellow! I'm afraid he's not long for +this world." + +"What is his name?" + +"Richard Wood." + +"H'm." If Mrs. Coates had been at all a sharp sort of woman she might +have detected something peculiar in that expression. + +"I'm afraid he's very poor," continued Mrs. Coates. "He's paid me all +right, but I don't think he's much left. I took him up some hot supper +last night, and my! didn't he eat it up ravenously!" + +"Has he any friends?" + +"Doesn't seem to have any." + +"The best thing he could do would be to get into a hospital." + +"Yes, I suppose so. I really wish he would, for that cough quite wears +on me." + +"I know some one who subscribes to the Warley Hospital: I could get him +an in-letter for there, I feel sure, if he would care to go." + +"Do you really!"--quite eagerly. "I should be glad if he could be got +there! I shouldn't like to tell him to go, it would seem cruel, but I'm +sure I can't stand that cough much longer." + +"Well, go up at once and ask him," suggested Bessie. + +"I will, there can be no harm in that," and away Mrs. Coates went. + +There was quite a different look on her face when she returned. + +"No, he won't go," shaking her head, "couldn't move him!--says that when +his money's all gone, he'll go into the workhouse; I needn't be +frightened about being kept out of my money--as if I was thinking of +that! But there, that's all I get for all my trouble! You might give +your life for some folks, and they wouldn't give you even a nod in +return, not they!" Mrs. Coates was evidently feeling very annoyed. + +"Yes," exclaimed Bessie, "he's just one of that sort"--and then suddenly +added, "at least, I should think so, from what you say." + +Bessie could think of no other suggestion to make, but went away +determined to think out some other plan for getting Mrs. Coates' lodger +out of Hadley. + +The next time Mrs. Coates had an interview with her lodger, he suddenly +asked: "Who was that woman who wanted to get me packed off to Warley?" + +"Mrs. Jones," was the curt answer. + +"And who's Mrs. Jones?" + +"A very nice woman," turning round quite fiercely towards him, "a very +nice young woman indeed, and I can't see why you shouldn't be willing to +let her do you a kindness--that I can't!" + +"Perhaps not," he replied, "but you haven't told me yet who she is. +There are heaps of Mrs. Jones." + +"She used to live with Mrs. Waring; she's the daughter of Mr. Marchant, +the chemist. I wish you'd let me ask Mrs. Waring to come and see you," +exclaimed Mrs. Coates, not giving "Richard Wood" time to reply, the very +mention of Phebe's name bringing, what she thought, a bright idea into +her head; "she would be sure to know what was the best thing for you to +do! I always take all my troubles to her." + +"Look here, woman!" exclaimed the lodger angrily, "don't bring that +friend of yours here, for I will not see her. Please remember that." + +"But she is a good woman." + +"Is she!"--with a sneer. + +"Yes, she is--a very good woman!" + +"Then why did her husband have to leave her?--Yes, I know her just as +well as you do, perhaps better." + +"You know nothing bad about her, that I'm certain," replied Mrs. Coates, +raising her voice to quite an angry pitch; "you should ask, 'What sort +of a sneak was her husband to leave such a woman?'--that's what you +should ask." + +"So that is how she talks about her husband, is it?" + +"No, it isn't. I've never heard her mention him, so there. But I won't +have you say one word against my Mrs. Waring. So I tell you!" And Mrs. +Coates left the room for fear her tears should be seen. + +"The horrid man!" she said to herself. "I suppose God sees something in +him to love, at least that's what Mrs. Waring would say, so I suppose I +must search for it till I find it. But for that he should go out of this +house this very day, that he should! Wouldn't Jim be riled if he knew +what he said about Mrs. Waring! I'd better not tell him." + +Late one evening Phebe paid a visit to Jim Coates to explain to him her +garden scheme and to secure his help for it. + +What a change there was in that home from what it was on her first +visit! The whole family this evening was in a state of great excitement +over the arrival of a new couch, and each member had been taking turns +to lie down on it. Jim had also got a special and personal bit of news +which considerably added to the excitement; he had just seen Mr. Black, +who had offered him a good position as foreman on some fresh works quite +near, and when Mrs. Waring added her news there was a state of matters +in that little home difficult to describe. + +Jim clapped his hands and shouted: "If this isn't like being in Heaven +afore the time! It beats everything I ever knowed!" + +"Don't make quite so much noise, then," put in Mrs. Coates. "You see," +turning to Mrs. Waring, "we've got a lodger in bed upstairs, and he's +that bad, poor fellow, I don't know what will become of him." + +"Bless you! he can't hear us," exclaimed Jim; "and if he did, it 'ud do +him good. It does you good to laugh, and it does you good to hear a +laugh, too." + +"Ah, but Mr. Wood is a good deal too bad for that." + +"Poor fellow!" said their visitor, "if I can help him in any way please +let me know." + +"Look here, Mrs. Waring," put in Jim. "I wish you'd do us the honour of +having a bit of supper with us. I'm of the same mind as your Mrs. +Colston, when you're extra happy it seems like as if you ought to eat +together. On the strength of my new job I've bought a tin of coffee and +some new-laid eggs." + +Mrs. Waring felt it would be very ungracious if she did not accept the +invitation, though just then time was very precious. + +"Don't you think I'm a lucky man, Mrs. Waring?" exclaimed Jim, as he +stood with his watch in his hand, counting the minutes while the eggs +were boiling, "and it's all come through you." + +"No, through God," was her correction. + +"Well, God used you, anyhow. And what a change there is in Mr. Black, +too----" + +"Who is that!" suddenly exclaimed Phebe, springing to her feet. Mrs. +Coates had just gone upstairs, leaving two doors open behind her. It was +the lodger's cough she had heard. + +"It's only Mr. Wood coughing," explained Jim, and Phebe took her seat +again feeling strangely tired. + +Again the cough was heard. It had a strange little moan at the end of +it, almost like a suppressed cry. + +"Oh!" exclaimed Phebe, this time feeling powerless to rise, but +stretching out her hands to Jim Coates, "_that is my husband coughing_!" + +Jim almost dashed his watch on the table and rushed towards her, taking +hold of both of her hands. + +"It's our lodger, Mrs. Waring, don't be skeered. Come up and see him, if +you like, and then your mind will be easy." + +"Yes, yes," whispered Phebe faintly, "in a minute I will." + +She would have fallen on the stairs if Jim had not put his strong arm +round her, but when she reached the sick man's room she was herself +again, only that her breath seemed very short. + +Just for an instant she stood at the foot of the bed, and then going to +the side she took up one of his thin hands, and said gently: "Ralph, +dear, why did you not come home?" + +"I didn't want any fine folks about me." + +"But I am not fine, I am your wife. You will come home now, won't +you?"--the voice was full of pleading. "It is your home, I've kept the +business on--it's yours, too." + +"Of course it is." There was not one loving tone in the voice, but he +was stroking her hand gently. He was glad she had come, glad of her +gentle welcome, but he did not want to show it. + +Jim Coates and his wife were dumb with surprise. When the meaning of it +all dawned upon them, with the instinct of true gentle-people they crept +quietly downstairs. + +Phebe bent and kissed Ralph on the brow. "I'll leave you now, dear," she +said, "just for a little while. I must go home and arrange for your +coming. I will not be long, and if we roll you up well in blankets and +drive in a closed cab the journey will not harm you." His only answer +was a nod, but that was better than a refusal. + +She walked home like one in a dream. Stephen was there waiting to ask +her some question about the garden scheme. He was talking to Nanna. + +Almost abruptly Phebe broke in upon them. Her face was very white, she +was trembling all over, and could scarcely speak. Nanna rushed to her, +thinking she would fall before she reached a chair. It was Stephen who +gently placed a seat near, and held his arm round her as Nanna stooped +to loosen her boots. + +"Poor dearie, you're quite done up!" said Nanna, but she knew all the +time the shadow had fallen. + +"I've found Ralph," she whispered. "I want you to light a fire +upstairs--I am going to fetch him home in a cab." + +Stephen withdrew his arm and caught hold of the chair-back to steady +himself; the room seemed to swim before him. + +"Yes," was all Nanna answered. + +"Did you know?" gasped Phebe. + +"Yes." + +"And you?" turning to Stephen. + +He could only shake his head. + +The sight of Stephen's struggle gave her fresh strength. + +"Why did you not tell me, Nanna?" + +"It was too difficult--I did not know." The words came with great +effort. + +Phebe stroked her hair with a comforting touch; they had exchanged +places. + +It was Stephen who fetched the cab, and when it drove up again and the +limp figure with the incessant cough stepped out, he was standing on the +pavement, looking a sad, solitary figure. + +[Illustration: "HE WAS STANDING ON THE PAVEMENT LOOKING A SAD, SOLITARY +FIGURE."] + +It was very late. The shop had long been closed. Jack was safely in bed. +Only Nanna and Janie knew of Ralph's arrival. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +RALPH STARTS ON ANOTHER JOURNEY + + +As soon as their lodger had been removed, Mrs. Coates told her husband +what he had said about Mrs. Waring. "And to think," she exclaimed, "that +he should talk like that about his very own wife! I didn't tell you +before 'cause I knew it 'ud rile you so." + +"I should think so," Jim cried out, "the good-for-nothing fellow. I +should have been tempted to have picked him up and carried him straight +off to the workhouse whether he wanted to go or whether he didn't." + +"Do you suppose Mrs. Waring knows how he's talked about her?" + +"No; shouldn't think so." + +"If she did, do you suppose she would have taken him home?" + +"Yes; that would make no difference to her. She's got too big a heart to +hold spite against any one." + +"Did you know that she nursed Topsy Scarves for six weeks when she had +the smallpox?" + +Jim shook his head. "No, but it's just like her if she did." + +"She did. Topsy wouldn't let no one else touch her, but she was like a +lamb with Mrs. Waring; so Mrs. Waring stayed six weeks and let her +business get on as well as it could without her. And when Mrs. Scarves +wanted to thank her, she said she wasn't to, for it had been a real +happy time for her. Mrs. Scarves says she did everything for Topsy, and +wasn't frightened a wee bit. I told you Mrs. Bessie Jones offered to get +Mr. Wood,--no, Mr. Waring,--into Warley Hospital. Do you think she knew +who he was?" + +"Did she see him?" + +"No, she only heard him cough." + +"I wish to goodness she'd succeeded, and that it shouldn't have been in +our house the Little Missis got such a blow! My! it was a staggerer for +her when she heard him cough! I never saw any one look as she did! I +wish we could help her in some way or other, that I do. I wonder God +lets such a good woman like she is have so much trouble." + +"Perhaps it's trouble that's made her good," wisely remarked Mrs. +Coates. + +"Perhaps so, it does some people." + +As soon as Ralph was safely in bed Janie was despatched for a doctor. +His appearance alarmed Phebe more than ever. The cough was incessant, +and occasionally thin streaks of blood were seen on the handkerchief. + +"I wish you'd get me a red handkerchief," he said, in an irritable +voice. + +"A red handkerchief! Why? I haven't got one." + +"Yes, a red handkerchief. And if you don't possess such a thing, you +could get one, couldn't you? I shouldn't see that blood if I had a red +handkerchief." + +"I did not know exactly what you meant. I'll get you one at once out of +the shop." It was the same old Ralph, always wanting to cover up +trouble, never able to fairly and boldly face consequences. + +The doctor pronounced him in a dangerous condition, promised to send +something at once to ease the cough, and in the morning would examine +him more thoroughly. "But I am afraid he is not long for this world, +Mrs. Waring," he said, as he bade her good-night; "he has had a very +hard life lately, that is very evident." + +Yes, she saw it all; Ralph had come back with a wrecked life--had come +home to die!--the man who had gone forth to win a fortune to lay at her +feet. How bitterly disappointed he must be! This thought gave an added +tenderness to her voice, and made her still more patient. All the night +long she watched by his side. Sometimes he slept a little, but when +awake lay gloomily staring at the wall. He never uttered a word of +tenderness or pleasure at being home. Only once did he refer to the +past, and then it was to rip open the old wound. + +"You've been very successful, Phebe." + +"Yes; God has greatly helped me." + +"No doubt; but still it was I who started you. I left you a good +business, and in addition"--he had to pause to cough--"and in addition I +had trained you well, so, after all, the success is mine as much as +yours." + +How could she contradict him? If he found comfort in this thought would +it not be cruel to put forward any doubts? So after a pause she +answered: "Yes." + +"You don't seem very sure about it," with as much "snap" in the words as +his breath would allow. + +"I should not be where I am now, but for you," she answered gently, and +that answer seemed to please him. + +Then in a little while: "I must see the books in the morning. I shall +soon be able to pick up the threads. There's a country branch, isn't +there?" + +"Two." + +"Ah, that's good; I gave you that idea." Another fit of coughing. "I +shall soon be all right; it's only an extra cold I've got. I'll soon be +able to take the reins, and then----" But he was too weak to finish the +sentence. + +Early in the morning Phebe went to break the news to Jack. He was +sitting up in bed rubbing his eyes. She sat down by his side putting her +arm round his neck, bringing his sunny head to nestle on her shoulder. + +"Jack, darling, I've something very particular to tell you." + +"Have you, mummy? What is it? Has Janie got a sweetheart?" + +"No, it is something very serious. You must not joke." + +"Is it?"--lifting his head to look at her. "Are you in trouble? Who's +been hurting you?" in his impetuous way. + +"No one. Jack, your father has come home." + +"Father!--come home!" in a bewildered voice. "Father come home! I say," +and he began to get excited, "I must get up at once. Then he wasn't dead +after all?" + +"Stay a bit, Jack; he is very ill--and very poor." She knew the dreams +the lad had cherished, of how his father would return, of the grand +treasures he was to bring his boy. + +"Poor!" he exclaimed; "then why didn't he write and tell you so? Why did +he leave us all this time!" + +"Jack," she answered gently, "I expect it was because he was so +disappointed at not finding the fortune," and then she told him all the +story of how she had found Ralph. + +"Has he asked after me?" + +"No, not yet. You see he is very ill." + +"Not asked after me! And been here all night!" He was rather glad to +have this fresh reason for anger. + +"You must not take any notice of that. Remember how ill he is. Sick +people cannot be expected to be thoughtful. Get dressed now, and then +come and tell him you are glad he has come home." + +"But I'm not glad--and I don't want to see him." + +"Jack!" + +"No, I don't; and I won't see him," bursting into angry tears. "What's +the good of a father like that! To stay away from us and never write us +a letter, and only come back 'cause he's ill!" + +"It was I who brought him back, you must remember." + +"What will all the fellows say! I've told them----" + +"Never mind all that. You can tell them your father has had +disappointments, and they will be sorry for him." + +"Not they, they'll sneer. Oh, mummy, I am so wretched!" + +She tried to soothe him, but the angry spirit had got hold of him too +much. "Come and see him, there's a dear Jack. You will be sorry for him +when you see how ill he is." + +"No, I won't. He's been cruel to you--cruel!" + +"Jack," standing straight up and speaking very firmly, "I am grieved, +deeply grieved, at your unloving spirit. You had better get dressed and +go at once to your aunt's and remain there till you have a more +forgiving spirit. How could I tell your father that you refuse to see +him!" + +It was the first time there had been a cloud between them. Each felt it +keenly. Phebe went away with a heavy heart. The burden had more than +doubled during that quarter of an hour. How gladly she would have +entered the Golden Gate just then! It seemed as if now both husband and +son had failed her. Entering the sick-room her eyes fell on the silver +star, and the old motto came again to mind: "We rely on Thee." "I do," +she murmured, "God is with me; He is working all things right." + +"Nanna," exclaimed Jack, when he got downstairs, "I can't find my cap." +His eyes were too full of tears to see it. + +"Well, you don't want your cap before you have your breakfast." + +"I don't want any breakfast." + +"Don't want any breakfast! What nonsense! Where are you off to?" + +"To aunty's; mummy said I must go at once." + +"Mummy did not mean you to go without your breakfast. Of course she will +want your aunty to know quickly of your father's return; but there's not +so much hurry you cannot have your breakfast." + +He had been trying hard to keep back the tears, but could not succeed. +"Oh, it's not that," he exclaimed. "Mummy is displeased with me, and is +sending me away." + +"Jack," said Nanna, putting her hands on his shoulders and trying to +look into his eyes, "do you mean to say you are going to desert your +mother just at one of the darkest moments of her life?" + +"I don't want to go--she sent me away," freeing himself from her +detaining hands. + +Arriving at his aunt's he was obliged to tell her the whole of the +story. She felt inclined to share the boy's anger and resentment in the +first moment of excitement, but, afterwards viewing the matter from the +mother's standpoint, her words were very similar to Nanna's. + +"No doubt you are disappointed, but didn't it strike you your mother +must be disappointed, too? I think you've done wrong, Jack, not to stand +by her and make things as easy as you could for her." + +Poor little Jack! Everybody seemed against him! + +"What did Mrs. Colston say to you?" the aunt continued. + +"Just what you do," he answered, and then sighed deeply. + +"Ah! I thought she would. Your mother must be as disappointed in you as +you are in your father, and I'm sure Mrs. Colston would say we +disappointed God as much as we disappoint one another." + +In less than an hour love for his mother had overcome all pride, +disappointment and anger, and he was back home again. + +Nanna met him with a smile. "Well done, Jack; you've scored a victory, I +can tell it by your face. Mummy will be delighted! Jack, dear, it will +do your heart good to see her loving patience. She makes me think of +God. Her patience and love are just like what His must be--only, of +course, His are bigger. I tell you what you must do when you go +upstairs. Don't make any note of your father's funny ways; take notice +only of how your mother's trying to win him----" + +"Should I go upstairs now?" + +"No, your father's dozing. Sit down and have some breakfast. I don't +suppose you ate much while your burden was on you. Jack, have you ever +heard of St. Bernard's Hospice?" + +"Yes, I've seen a picture of it." + +"The monks go out with their dogs in the winter to see if they can come +across anybody perishing in the snow. They are love-missionaries. I +think this house is a hospice just now. Your mummy's found a poor +perishing soul, and she's brought it home to get it ready for heaven." + +"Is father going to die?" + +"Yes; I'm afraid he's not long for this world--the doctor says about a +week; so you and I have got to do all we can to help mummy." + +"What can I do?" + +"A lot. Do what mummy does; show all the love you can." + +It was not until Ralph had finished his breakfast that he asked: "And +how are the children?" + +"There's only one left down here." + +"Which one?" + +"The boy." + +"Well, it's a comfort it's the boy. I expect Washington is a fine lad by +now!" + +"Washington!"--the name slipped out involuntarily, it sounded so +strange. + +"Yes, Washington; that's the lad's name, and the one I mean to call him +by. You can fetch me up the books now." + +Going downstairs she caught sight of Jack. + +"Mummy," exclaimed the lad, rushing towards her, "I'm so sorry I +disappointed you! I couldn't stop away from you. I'll do what you want +me to do, and I'll stand by you through thick and thin, that I will. +You'll see if I won't," and the bargain was sealed with a hug and a +kiss. + +He was received back without one word of reproach. "Jack, if your +father calls you by your other name you must not express any surprise. I +can get along fine now you are with me." + +This little rift in the home-music had puzzled as well as troubled +Phebe, but all at once it struck her that God perhaps meant her to see a +parable in it, and that was how it was to work good for her. "Perhaps +Ralph got away from God as Jack went away from me, because things +weren't as he wanted them. But he'll get back again to God, as Jack has +got back to me." And the parable comforted her, and inspired her. For +God can take even the wayward doings of a petted child to teach His +lessons and do His work. + +Jack made his way upstairs at once. "Good-morning, father," he said in +his cheeriest tone, "it must be nice for you to be home again." + +"Yes, nicer for me than you, I suppose"--the words were snappish, but +Ralph looked at the boy with a kind of look which plainly said: "You +will do." + +The business books were brought, but he was far too weak to master them: +"I'll attend to them when I'm stronger," he said. + +But each new day found him weaker. + +If ever a man lived in an atmosphere of love Ralph Waring did. How much +of the old love had revived it would be difficult to say, if even any +had. But it was a love which was willing to forego self to the utmost, +and what love could be richer, more Christlike, than that? + +It was a true testing-time to Phebe. It was not easy to relinquish every +thread of work in which she had been so deeply interested, and it was +harder still, after being her own mistress so long, to submit patiently +to that dictatorial voice! It was as though the Great Gardener had taken +His cherished plant on to a bleak moorland to see how its blossoms would +thrive where the winds blew all around it. + +All the town soon knew of Ralph Waring's return, and many were the +comments on it. Some said it was "mighty good of Phebe to take the +rascal back again," and showed how loving her heart was. Others said it +showed that Ralph still loved her in spite of her having driven him from +home, and that he could not die in peace away from her. + +It was not till the last day came that there was any proof that love had +conquered. The doctor's prophecy had not come true, for he had lingered +week after week, and even on this last day there seemed no change, +except in manner and voice. + +"Phebe," the tone was even stronger than usual, but quite startling in +its tenderness, "my life has been a failure. I see it all so plainly +now." + +"This part may have been so, dear; but you must remember this is not +all." She had a great longing to soothe and comfort him, but the moments +were too precious and solemn to allow her to cover up the truth, however +much she might be tempted. + +"Yes, but the future must be a good deal according to what the past has +been." + +"Yes, maybe; but I love to think that out of all our tangles God can +produce a beautiful design if we turn to Him with all our hearts." + +Ralph sighed heavily. "It has been self all along with me. It was a good +thing God did not let me succeed. How I have fought against my failure, +what it has cost me to be here receiving all your kindness, knowing all +about your success, you can never tell--never!" and for the first time +in all her life Phebe saw tears rolling down his face. + +"Poor Ralph! I am grieved for you, dear!" + +"I know you are," taking hold of her hand and kissing it. "It has cost +me a struggle to acknowledge that God has led me right. If I had been +other than a bankrupt soul He could not have had mercy on me. He was +obliged to bring me low. But I thank Him for it. You do forgive me the +wrong I did you?" and he looked so wistfully at her. + +"Of course I do, a hundred times over," and she stooped to kiss him, her +hot tears mingling with his. + +"Dear Phebe----" But strength had gone. With one hand clasping Phebe, +and the other his boy, and with Nanna gently wiping the cold sweat from +his brow, he passed to the other land. His last words were: "Phebe, +come with--me!" But he had started on a journey he was obliged this time +to take without her. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +OLIVE LEAVES AND LAUREL LEAVES + + +In a very few weeks after Ralph's death the whole affair of his return +seemed but as a dream, so much had life resumed its old aspect for all +in Phebe's household. But the calm was not to last long; there was first +to be two big pieces of excitement, and then, as the young folks say in +the old game of "Family Coach," a general "change" round. + +One glorious spring evening Jim Coates paid Mrs. Waring an unexpected +visit. + +"I thought you were at Exton," exclaimed Phebe. She knew that Hugh +Black had started work there on a very large scale, and that he had +given Jim a good berth. + +"Yes, I was there; but I have come over specially to see you. I said to +my mates, 'If there's anybody that can help us it's the Little Missis. +And I mean to go and ask her, that I will.' So I've come." + +"Are you in trouble? You know I will do whatever I can for you." + +"I know you would, Mrs. Waring, I know you would. But, thank God, it's +not anything that is specially _my_ trouble; it has to do with all the +lads. They are threatening to come out on strike. They're just mad +against Mr. Black, and I thought you might go and see him for us, he +would listen to you. It would be no good me going; the lads say now that +I'm afraid to open my mouth against him." + +"But I should not know what to say to him!" put in Phebe, feeling +somewhat aghast at the new _rôle_ which was being thrust upon her. + +"I can soon tell you all about it, and then I know right well you'd know +what to say--no one better. Mr. Black's got hisself into a kind of a +corner. He's promised to have the work done by a certain date, and now +he sees he can't do it. P'raps he got the job by making out he could do +it quicker than others, I don't know about that: anyhow, he's in a fix, +and the lads say he means us to get him out of it." + +"But how could you?" + +"Well, he wants us to work an hour a day extra." + +"Yes, you could do that," put in Phebe again in a quick voice, feeling +relieved at this easy way out of the difficulty. + +"Yes; but what is he willing to pay us? We work ten hours a day now, and +a long day it is at that heavy work, and to put another hour a day on to +it without anything extra is what the lads won't stand." + +"Do you mean to say he wants you to work that hour for nothing? There +must be some mistake!" exclaimed Phebe. + +"Oh, yes,--don't make a mistake,--he will pay us the usual money, of +course, but the lads say that is not fair, if we work extra when we're +tired he ought to pay us extra, specially when it's to get him out of a +mess, and--my! he'll make a lot of money out of it too! And what I don't +like," continued Jim, sinking his voice, "the fellows sneer at him so; +they say he's been harder than ever since he's been a bit religious. +'That's what your religion does for a man!--makes him a bigger sneak +than ever.' That's how they talk." + +Phebe was silent. If the men did talk like that, then it _was_ her duty +to go and speak to Hugh Black. + +"And there is something worse still for you to hear," continued Jim. +"Mr. Black says if the lads throw the job up, he shall put on a gang of +Irishmen, and the fellows say if he does, they will never let them do +any work, and there's sure to be bloodshed!" + +Another silence. Certainly if she could prevent bloodshed it was her +duty to do so! And it seemed to her, too, that the men's claim was a +just one; if they were willing to help Hugh Black out of his difficulty +he ought to be willing to pay them something extra. + +"Are you willing for me to tell Mr. Black all you have just said?" + +"Will you go, then?" asked Jim eagerly. + +"Why, yes; how could I refuse?" The words came but very slowly. + +"There now!" exclaimed Jim excitedly, slapping his hands vigorously on +his knees. "There, I said you would, and the lads bet all manner of +things you wouldn't; they even said you wouldn't because you couldn't +afford to offend Mr. Black. But I told them to wait and see." + +Phebe only answered: "Can you tell me exactly what the men would like +Mr. Black to do?" + +"Yes, I could, but I wonder----" + +"Do not hesitate to speak out anything that is in your heart. But I +wonder if I could guess what it is you wish to ask me to do! Is it to go +and have a talk to the men first?" + +"It is!" exclaimed Jim, more excited than ever. "How could you know what +was in my mind?" + +"Oh, very easily," replied Phebe, laughing. + +"I know what the lads want, and you are welcome to tell Mr. Black all +I've said; but it will be a heap better if you will talk to the men +theirselves." + +"Would they be willing for me to be their spokesman to Mr. Black, do you +suppose?" + +"Why, of course I am. They'd only be too proud if you would." + +"When could I see them?" + +"They have a meeting to-night----" Again he hesitated, feeling he was +asking so much. + +Phebe quickly answered, "I will go with you at once," and then added, +"Ah, Mr. Coates, it is not the first time you have induced me to go on +an errand I have shrunk from!" + +"And this one," exclaimed Jim, his face all aglow, "is going to be as +well-ended as the other one was, you see if it isn't!" + +Half-an-hour's run by the train, and ten minutes' walk brought them to +the place of meeting. Many thoughts passed through Phebe's mind during +that short journey; how came it she should be led into such difficult +positions?--how could she adequately deal with subjects so far removed +from those of her everyday experience? + +Several of the men were on the look-out for her; evidently her visit was +expected, for a potato-basket had been turned up for her to stand on, +and a chair provided for her to sit on. The men had gathered, about +sixty of them, just at the junction of some country roads, and were +standing under the shelter of a high barn-wall, for a rather cold wind +was blowing. + +Many a rough hand was stretched out in welcome to her, and though she +was a stranger to some, no one seemed in the slightest to resent her +coming. + +"I'll speak first and set the ball a-rolling," she said, in her bright +way; "Mr. Coates has told me about the trouble you are in, and it is +very good of you to let me share it." + +"It does one good to hear her voice agin," said one old man in a very +audible whisper, which was followed quickly by a loud "Shut up!" + +Phebe went on in her calm, low, but incisive voice, commenting on what +Jim had told her, and then she asked, "Who is your spokesman here?" + +"Ford!" called out a score of voices, and a thick-set man came forward. + +"What do you wish Mr. Black to give you for the extra hour?" she asked. + +"A shilling." + +"And if he agrees to that, what would become of the Irishmen whom you +say are on their way here?" + +"Let them go back to their taters," some one called out. + +"Oirishmen are as good as ye are!" The accent was so unmistakable that a +general laugh went up. But it did good. + +"Of course they are," replied Phebe, "and sometimes a bit better, and it +is for them I want to plead. If I take any sides at all it will not be +for the rich"--a big cheer, and much clapping of hands--"but for the +poor and unfortunate. Those men come expecting work; if Mr. Black agrees +to your terms you ought to be willing to stretch out a willing hand to +those Irishmen. You all know Mr. Black has made an error in his +calculations"--cries of dissent--"hear me to the end and I am sure you +will agree with me." + +"We'll make them listen," called out a strong voice, followed by several +others. "That we will!" + +"No, friends," Phebe calmly answered, "I will only have a willing +audience." + +"You have! You have!" they all called out. + +"I am going to ask Mr. Black to give you fifteenpence for that extra +hour, on condition that you are willing to work 'shifts' with these +Irishmen. Couldn't you manage that?" + +"No," said Ford, "the days are not long enough." + +"Well, what could you suggest that would show that you were willing to +do the brother's part by these men, and also show Mr. Black that the +English working-man was willing to do as he would be done by?" + +Then there followed several little speeches of the usual Socialistic +strain, to which Phebe replied: "Yes, I sympathise with you there, but +those questions are out of order at this gathering. We must be +practical." + +"Tell us what you would like us to say to him," said Ford, and another +round of cheers followed this suggestion. + +Phebe paused for a moment to ask for guidance; the light from the +blessed stars was very clear, but just then an added glory was given to +the scene by the moon suddenly shining forth. The silver beams brought +Phebe a message. "This is what I would suggest, friends," and as she +spoke it seemed as if a sudden silence came over the men, "that instead +of working the extra hour--for I am sure your day is long enough--you +let the new men work with you, and that Mr. Black pay you a halfpenny an +hour more than the usual rate--that would mount up in the course of the +week; or, if that is not practicable, to work in 'shifts,' as I +suggested before, which could very well be done with the aid of electric +light. If he preferred the latter plan, I should still advise him to let +you work the extra hour at the increased pay I mentioned. Of course this +will greatly aid him in getting the work finished, perhaps long before +the time. I am not, however, forgetting that the plan will shorten the +job for you, but work will surely not be scarce this fine weather. Now, +what do you think of my suggestions?" + +"I think they'll do all right," said Ford. + +"Do you all agree to them, and empower me to say so to Mr. Black?" + +"She speaks fair enough," said one man. + +"He'll never cave in to all that," called out another. + +"But do you agree?" + +A great shout went up: "We all agree." + +"And will you go on steadily and quietly with your work till you hear +from me again?" + +"Yes, we all agree!" Every man of them must have joined in that shout by +the noise they made. + +They all wanted to shake hands with her before she left; several wished +her "luck," but one old man said solemnly: "Eh, missis, you're a clever +'un, but you'll never get anything out of Hugh Black." + +Before Jim started to accompany Mrs. Waring to the station he whispered +to Ford: "There now! didn't I tell you she'd manage the men all right? I +knew she'd handle them all neat enough! Trust the Little Missis for +that." + +"Yes," assented Ford, "she's just splendid, but she won't succeed." + +The visit to Hugh Black was by no means so easy an affair as the one to +the men had been. When he learnt what her errand was he could hardly +believe it. "Whatever will those men get you to do next? I expect the +next thing will be, you will represent them in Parliament. I shouldn't +wonder, though, but that you'd do it better than the fellow who is there +now. But to the point: what have those fellows talked you over to ask +me?" + +"I want you to understand, Mr. Black, they have not told me at all what +to say; what I am going to say to you is my own suggestion, to which +they agreed." + +"If that is so it will make a considerable difference." + +Her first endeavour was to get him to sympathise with the men in their +hard toil. She scored a good point when she expressed her surprise that +clever men like he was did not invent more machinery to save such heavy +toil. "I feel sure you could do it if you tried." From that she passed +on to the fact that the men had some time ago found out he was seeking +to live his life on a higher plane than at one time. "'A bit religious' +is the way they put it." + +"Well, what if they do?" + +"I want them to see that that bit is real," was her straight answer; +"that God has something to do with your business arrangements." + +He made no answer, and then she told him the two suggestions she had +made to the men, and asked him which he preferred. + +"You fairly take away my breath!" he exclaimed. "The last one is a +splendid idea! I had never thought of that wrinkle! The men would never +agree working side by side, but the idea of the 'shifts' and the +electric light is a dazzling one. The wonder is, I had never thought of +it myself." + +"You think, then, the electric light could be managed?" + +"Yes, easily enough. Why, do you know, I should get this contract +finished in time to take on another I was thinking I should have to +decline! I really ought to pay you for the idea--excuse me," seeing a +flush come to her face, "but I am really indebted to you!" + +"What may I say to the men, Mr. Black?" + +"That I will have the two 'shifts,' and that if they will work the extra +hour I will pay them the sum you have named to them. I could do no other +after the help you have been to me." + +"I wish," she said earnestly, "you had agreed to it out of sympathy with +the men, and because you thought God would have you do so." + +But he made her no answer. + +Early that evening Jim Coates came to receive the message for the men. +He lost no time in returning to his mates. They were assembled in the +same place as before. + +Of course the message was received with cheers. Some of the men could +hardly believe their ears. + +"Well, I never!" was all Ford and some others could say. + +"And I am to tell you," continued Jim, "that when this job is finished, +Mr. Black will have another job on hand." + +Another cheer. + +"And he couldn't have taken this job but for the Little Missis." + +Still a louder cheer. + +"But there is something else I have to tell you," went on Jim again, +"which she said I was to be sure to remember. When you asked her to say +what she would have us ask, she took just a moment to ask God for +guidance, and at that very moment the moon came out. It was the clear +moonlight which brought her the message about the electric light. She +says that was God's answer. You know it was all along of the electric +light made Mr. Black so pleased; it made the way easy for two gangs of +us to be at work, and made it possible for him to take on the other job. +So the Little Missis says we are always to remember God will work for us +if we will let Him." + +There was no cheering after that part of the speech, but the words, "God +will work for us if we will let Him," rang in those men's ears for many +a long day. + +They were repeated to Mr. Black by Jim Coates. + +"'God will work for us if we will let Him,'" Hugh Black repeated to +himself, "how real God is to that little woman! I wish He were as real +to me!" The moonlight never fell upon his path but the words came back +to him, and they were always followed by the simple, earnest prayer: +"Undertake for me, O my God." + +Hugh Black was Mayor of Hadley that year. One day Jim Coates put a +little packet into his hand in a very mysterious manner. It contained +two pounds in sixpences and threepenny bits, and this little note: + + "We'd like you to do something with this that would show our + gratitude to the Little Missis.--A FEW ROUGH NAVVIES." + +He mused over it a few days, then he borrowed a photograph of "the +Little Missis" from Bessie, had a coloured enlargement taken from it, +then had it framed in carved oak, with the words in gilt beneath: "The +Little Missis. Subscribed for by a few grateful admirers." + +The next step was to ask permission to hang it in the Council Chamber, +which was readily granted. Thus in the very room where she had been +spoken of as "a woman whose husband had been obliged to leave her," the +portrait of "the Little Missis" had a place of honour. + +It was months before Phebe knew anything of this, and when she did, so +many other things had come to pass that her mind seemed too full to +either grieve or be glad over it. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +CROWNED WITH JOY + + +Eighteen months had gone by since Ralph's death. Nothing of any unusual +nature had occurred to Phebe or her household, except the completion of +the Garden Scheme and the settling of the dispute between Hugh Black and +his men. It had been a true resting-time, without any strain, without +any need to study ways and means, and without any attempt to advance in +any direction so far as outward things were concerned. And yet Phebe did +not feel satisfied; there was something missing, life did not satisfy +her in its present outlook. During Ralph's illness all her outside work +had been given up, others had stepped in and carried it on, and she had +never got back to her old place again entirely. This was not through +any unwillingness on her part, it was simply that the way did not open +up. + +While Ralph was away there had always been a sense of strain and tension +which had buoyed her on and on. Now that was removed, and there was no +necessity to be on the alert, there had crept over her a weariness and +lassitude. + +"Nanna," she suddenly said one day, "I am going to leave you." + +"Going to leave me!--never!" + +"Not for long, you dear; you may rest on that. But I have thought I +should like to get right away for three or four weeks. I want to view my +life from a distance--that is, if I can. If I get away from my everyday +surroundings perhaps I could see it more clearly. I'm not satisfied with +it." + +"But you would take somebody with you? Your sister?" + +"No, not my sister; I should be all the time viewing _her_ life if I +did." + +"Well, then, take Jack. I should not like you to go alone." + +"Yes, I might take Jack." + +So the two started on their journey alone, and only Nanna and Aunt +Lizzie knew whither they were bound, both of whom were strictly charged +to keep the matter secret. + +What the mountains are to the Swiss, the sea is to the islander. Phebe +and her boy settled down at a watering-place on the east coast, the lad +finding endless amusement and instruction among the fishermen, while the +mother sat on the green cliffs under the shadowing of blossoming trees, +watching the course of the distant river, and the great steamers passing +by bound for foreign shores, but intent mostly with the study of the +past and future. The steamers made steady progress, but the same could +not be said of the personal studies. Day followed day, but no progress +was made. She was just where she was when she first came. + +"Show me Thy will, O God," she prayed. "Thou knowest my heart is willing +for it." + +One very warm day she had her sunshade up to keep off a darting sunbeam +that would keep dancing on her book, and did not notice a gentleman +taking a seat not two yards away from her. When it was nearly time to +meet Jack for their evening stroll she suddenly became aware of her +neighbour. Both sunshade and book dropped from her hands--only one word +escaped her lips, and it was-- + +"Stephen!" + +Not even in a moment's excitement would he have called her "Phebe" +unless in some way she had given him permission, but here it was, and +eagerly he grasped it. "Phebe!" and their out-stretched hands met in a +tight clasp. + +"What brought you here?" Phebe was the first to speak. + +"I may ask the same," said Stephen. "But sit down again; this is a quiet +spot, and I should like to talk to you." So they sat down again, but +close together this time. "I came here," continued Stephen, "to have a +quiet time to think things over and to know God's will. Not a creature +in Hadley knows where I am. I have long wanted to ask you to be my wife, +as I did years ago, and during all the years since then no one has taken +your place in my heart--no one ever could. Whether you accept my love, +or not, you are still, as ever, my queen." His voice had sunk to a +whisper. He knew from the pressure of her hand that it was not likely +she would refuse it. "I would have spoken to you before this, but I was +afraid--I thought you shrank from me. Forgive me, dearest, if I wronged +you." + +"You have nothing to forgive. I only seemed to shrink from you because I +feared"--it seemed so hard to get the words out, but he wanted to hear, +so did not help her at all--"I feared lest you might not respond to my +love." + +"What, after waiting all these years! Never mind, you shall not reproach +yourself. I ought to have shown you more of my heart. But, tell me, +will you have this grey-haired fellow for your very own?" + +They looked into each other's eyes, the answer was there plainly enough. +"You know I will," said Phebe, "but I've nothing to give that is worthy +such patient love." + +"That is my business," he said, with a laugh, "so don't trouble about +that." + +"Shall I tell you what brought me here? I was so restless, I wanted to +quietly review my life and plan something for the future. Only Nanna and +Lizzie know where we are. Jack is with me. But I have been just as +restless, and I prayed only an hour ago, 'Show me Thy will, O God.' God +must have sent you to me." + +"I'm sure He did, my Phebe." There was such a glad ring in the voice. + +"If only we could be young again!" + +"Look at the sky, dearest!" There were bars of light and dark in the +western sky, and above these a flock of tiny clouds. Along the edge of +the horizon ran a line of rosy light. Presently the bars merged into +dark purple clouds, the cloudlets above took on a rosy light, the glory +widened from below and from above, till the whole western sky was aflame +with radiant beauty. "That is like our life, dearest," Stephen +whispered, putting his arm round her as they sat. "All our clouds which +memory may bring or the future reveal are going to be made beautiful, +covered all over with rosy love." + +"But it's evening, Stephen," she whispered, "the darkness is creeping +on," and he felt that she was trembling. + +"But we are together. Besides, no illustration can be strained too far: +it's evening in the heavens but mid-day in our lives." + +"Well I never!"--it was Jack's voice. (Was there ever stranger ending to +a wooing!) "Are you two chums?" Evidently he was feeling very annoyed. +His mother having failed to meet him at the appointed time and place he +had come in search of her. + +Stephen jumped up at once, seized hold of the lad with loving hands, and +compelled him to sit down between them. "Yes, we're chums," said +Stephen, in his old bright manner, "and we want to tell you how it came +about." + +Jack's face looked rather dark, and he muttered: "This is why, then, +mummy wanted to come here so much." + +"No, it was not," said Stephen firmly, and then he told him of their +unexpected meeting, of how God had seemingly led them both on the path, +and of his (Stephen's) boyhood love for his mother. And all the time +Phebe said never a word, but sat looking at the two with eyes full of +love. + +"Ah!" said Jack, with a sigh of relief, "I don't mind now. I thought +you'd been keeping it dark from me. But, I say, if you take mummy, +you'll have to take me as well! Else what will become of me?" + +"Of course I shall; the fact is, we'll all be chums together, won't we?" + +"Rather!" said Jack. "I call this spiffin," and then their hands seemed +to get all mixed up together. + +The next day Stephen had a particular request to make. It was that, +seeing he had waited for his love so long, they should be married at +once, and Phebe felt she could not refuse him. + +Nanna, Aunt Lizzie, Bessie, Reynolds and Jones were all communicated +with at once, and on a given day the three establishments were closed, +all assistants given a holiday, and the above-named individuals summoned +to the ceremony. To please Jack he was allowed to give his mother away, +and Reynolds was the bridegroom's best man. + +Bessie--the Bessie of old!--was delighted. "This is what I call fine! +I'm as happy as if I were being married to my dear 'Darling Jones' over +again!" Nanna was just as radiant; her old dream after all had come +true! + +Once more during the honeymoon Phebe referred to the past. "If only we +could have started our life together! How was it I was so blind? Why did +not my heart respond to your love as it does now? Nanna was not nearly +so blind as I was," and then she told Stephen of Mrs. Colston's guesses +that afternoon in the old kitchen where the mangle was. + +"I cannot answer your questions, dearest; but I am sure you are the +richer women to-day for the trials you have had." + +"Yes, Nanna said that day, when I told her I was a Christian, that to be +a full Christian was a matter of development, that there were many +creases in my nature God had to mangle out. I am afraid there are many +creases still left." + +"Yes, though we may be blameless before God our education is still going +on." + +"But I have been far from blameless. I have often thought if I had +entered more into Ralph's ambitions it would have been better and his +end would have been different. What if I should bring defeat into your +life too!" + +"Dearest! you have brought nothing but inspiration into my life. You +are not to have these sad thoughts. I was not brave enough in the past +to show my love, or you might have seen it in a plainer manner--and all +would have been different. But we neither of us acted from selfishness. +You considered at the time you acted rightly by resisting Ralph's +restlessness. God will never blame us for not acting up to any light +that was hidden from us. If we have made mistakes in the past God has +forgiven us, and therefore we should put the past entirely from us." + +"So we will," she answered, with a happy smile; "we are both making a +new start, and we will let nothing hinder us." + +When the time came for their return home, there was great excitement +among many of the Hadley people. The honeymoon had been considerably +lengthened at Stephen's request, for two reasons--first, to give Phebe +as long a rest as possible; and secondly, to give time for the +beautifying of the old farmhouse on the hill above the town. Bay-windows +and a porch had been built out, the front garden had been relaid, +several rooms refurnished, and all had been kept a grand secret from +Phebe. + +"I tell you what it is," said Jim Coates, "she shall have a welcome like +a duchess, that she shall!" So instead of stepping into a cab as she +expected she would do when she came out of the station, Phebe found a +carriage-and-pair waiting them, and then at a certain bend of the road a +whole body of men suddenly made their appearance, took out the horses, +attached ropes to the carriage, and drew it along in triumphant style. + +Just for a moment Phebe was quite startled; the idea suddenly presented +itself that they were being captured by robbers--it was but for an +instant--and then the sight of Jim Coates' face, and the triumphant look +on Stephen's, made it all clear to her, and partly laughing, partly +crying, she managed to exclaim: "It is too much--too much!--don't let +them do it, Steve!" But it would have taken more than Steve to hinder +that loyal little band of stalwarts, if even he had been willing, which +he was not. + +Wreaths of evergreens were stretched across the road, flags were +fluttering everywhere; close to the house was a long banner, with the +words in red letters, "Welcome home to the Little Missis and her +husband." + +As the men paused at the gate they had still breath enough to exclaim: + +"Three cheers for the Little Missis and her husband!" and great hearty +"Hip! Hip! Hurrahs!" rang out. + +"But, Steve----" exclaimed Phebe, as she looked up at the +unfamiliar-looking house, and then a second revelation came to her. + +Steve answered her questioning look with a kiss on her cheek--and then +there was another cheer. + +Bessie and Janie were both standing at the gate, bearing a great basket +of roses. + +Bessie had decided that because she had not thought of scattering roses +on the path at the wedding, she would do so at the home-coming. + +"Yes, she shall walk on roses this time," Bessie exclaimed; "the other +time she was married she had only cold potatoes. I mean to make up for +that." + +The idea of any one walking on cold potatoes fairly puzzled poor Janie. +"I never heard of such a thing!" she exclaimed. "I'm sure she didn't +when she came home. I was there, and ought to know." + +"You know well enough," retorted Bessie, "what a cold welcome she got. +Didn't I see you lay the supper-table? And didn't I tell you it looked +more like a meal for an errand-boy than for a bride? Don't you remember +that?" + +"Yes," meekly answered the literal Janie, "but there were no cold +potatoes messing about." + +So the roses were strewed on her path by the two young women, who though +so different in character, had both learnt to love her with a wonderful +devotion. But before Phebe trod on the roses, she stopped to kiss her +friends, and then turning round to the group of men who looked very hot +but very happy, she said: "You have done us too much honour, but may God +bless you." They could see that her face was wet with tears as well as +radiant with smiles and then another cheer went up for "the Little +Missis and her husband." + +Dear old Nanna was standing on the doorstep with Jack by her side. + +"Welcome home, dear heart!" said Nanna, kissing her and giving her a +motherly hug. + +Jack stood patiently by till he thought Nanna had had her full share, +and then gave her a gentle reminder with his hand that it was his turn +now. + +Did the sight of the loaded table and the gay, bright room bring back to +her any thoughts of the past? If they did, no shadow from the past was +allowed to linger. + +In a month's time they were all fairly settled down. Jack, Mrs. Colston +and Janie had all removed to "the house on the hill," and Aunt Lizzie +had taken up her residence at the business establishment, there to +remain, God willing, till Jack should reach his majority. + +"Nanna," said Phebe one day, "do you remember telling me that a +Christian is not perfected till death, that we have to be trained and +disciplined? And do you remember what discipline I needed?" + +"Yes, I remember it well. You see, I'm always thinking about it because +I like to watch the process." + +"I have been thinking God has ceased to do any training with me--could +it be that He is disappointed with me?--that because I have not come up +to what He expected, He has put me on one side." + +"Why, dearie, what has put that into your head?" + +"What discipline have I got now? Peace and joy and prosperity are with +me in abundance." + +"All God's training is not done by pain. Bless me, the flowers know +better than that! The cold winds and rains make them bloom right enough, +but the sunshine has a good share in the work as well. Instead of you +having no training just now, the sunshine all round you is doing it as +fast as it can. And if God sees you can stand the sunshine without +getting puffed up, or careless, or proud--I know you will forgive an old +woman's plain words--He perhaps has glorious plans of work for you in +the future. He can discipline and train you by all this wealth He has +given you." + +"Trust you," replied Phebe, laughing, "for never giving me the ghost of +a chance of being miserable. I never saw anybody like you for ruthlessly +stripping away every shred of the blues!" + +"Do you want to keep a few of the blue rags, then?" + +"No, you know I do not." + +"Dear heart," said Nanna tenderly, "there was a time when you had to +search round for your bright bits: now you are surrounded with it, take +in all you can get--rejoice and exult in it, and don't lose one bit +simply because you have got so much." + +When Phebe repeated this conversation to her husband, he added: "If God +has crowned you with joy, sweetheart--and I hope from my heart He has +done so--do not let anybody put a thorn in the crown God did not mean to +be there. I would like to crown you every day myself with joy if I +could--my queen!--my ray of glory!" + +"But, Steve, be serious." + +"I never was calmer in my life. You know I mean every word I say--say +you do!" + +"Yes, you loyal lover mine," linking her arm in his, "but you don't have +a monopoly in love for all that," looking up at him with a smile on her +sweet face. "Now, I want to ask you a very serious question." + +"Ask on, my queen." + +"But it is really serious." + +"And so am I. What is it, darling?" bending down to kiss her. He never +seemed to tire of proving to himself that she actually, after all the +weary years of waiting, belonged to him, and he to her. + +"If God were to call me home to-night," she said in a low voice, "I +should not want to go. That cannot be a right frame of mind to be in, +now, is it?" + +"Yes, it is; a perfectly right frame of mind. If you were wanting to go +home just now, it would seem to show you were not satisfied with what +God had provided for you. When the call does come you may feel very +different from what you do now. I never think we can be exactly sure +what we should do under certain conditions--supposed conditions. It is +only the present moment that we need to concern ourselves about, and I +think we can both say we are ready this minute to do God's will. Don't +you think so, sweetheart?" + +"God's will for us just now is so sweet," she answered, "that I somewhat +mistrust myself. But I can truly pray, 'Teach me to do Thy will, +O my God.'" + +"And that is everything," he exclaimed. "It is by our desires God judges +us. And, sweetheart," again bending tenderly over her, "when the call +does come, whether to you or to me, we'll clasp hands, if we can, to +the last moment, and then we'll wait patiently till we clasp them again +in the Sunny Land." + +"The Little Missis" had been toe well trained for the sunshine to spoil +her--it did but bring out still fairer beauties in her character; and no +end of work came to her, or she went to it, whichever way you prefer to +have it. + + * * * * * + +The Great Gardener had kept this flower for long years in an exposed +position, where winds and frosts had worked their will; and many a time +had He bent over it, with loving look but with firm hand, to shape it +into more perfect form and fairer beauty. + +And then He said: "I will put it into a sunny place." + +He did so. + +And there in that place of sunlight, by its very beauty it brought +praise to His Name, and the winds which once had been so rough with it, +bore its fragrance afar. + +THE END + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Little Missis, by Charlotte Skinner + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LITTLE MISSIS *** + +***** This file should be named 35383-8.txt or 35383-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/3/8/35383/ + +Produced by Delphine Lettau, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Little Missis + +Author: Charlotte Skinner + +Release Date: February 24, 2011 [EBook #35383] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LITTLE MISSIS *** + + + + +Produced by Delphine Lettau, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<h1>"The Little Missis"</h1> + +<h2>By Charlotte Skinner</h2> + +<h3><i>Author of "Doctor Phill," "The Master's Messages to Women," etc.</i></h3> + +<h3>With Six Illustrations</h3> + + +<h3>LONDON<br /> +S. W. PARTRIDGE & CO. LTD.<br /> +OLD BAILEY</h3> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus1" id="illus1"></a> +<img src="images/illus1.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>"'SEE HOW CAREFULLY HE IS HELPING HER OUT OF THE CAB.'"</h3> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. --> +<p> +<a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I. HIS PURPOSE</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II. THE HOME-COMING</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III. A GARDEN LEVÉE</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV. A TESTING TIME</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V. WILL GOD ANSWER?</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI. THE DARKNESS DEEPENS</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII. THE LAME SHEPHERD</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII. A TWOFOLD PARTNERSHIP</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX. A WOMAN'S WHIMS</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X. A GATHERED FLOWER</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI. IS GOD GOOD?</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII. THE STONE THROWN IN THE WATERS</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII. LOVE'S HOSPITAL</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV. AN UNFORTUNATE ENCOUNTER</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV. JOY-MISSIONARIES</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI. THE CALL OF DEBORAH</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII. THE GOING FORTH OF DEBORAH</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII. HER NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOUR</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX. THE NEW CLUB-ROOM</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX. A STRANGE KIND OF PREACHING</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI. PARTNERS!</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII. LIGHT ON THE PATHWAY</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII. LOYAL LOVE</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV. RECOGNISED</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV. BESSIE COMES TO THE RESCUE</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI. THE HOME-COMING</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII. RALPH STARTS ON ANOTHER JOURNEY</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII. OLIVE LEAVES AND LAUREL LEAVES</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX. CROWNED WITH JOY</a><br /> +</p> +<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. --> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + + +<p><a href="#illus1">"'See how carefully he is helping her out of the cab.'"</a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus2">"Phebe was in the shop taking a general look round"</a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus3">"'Bessie, you are to tell me right out what is troubling you'"</a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus4">"'Let us put this cold-blooded letter on the fire'"</a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus5">"She caused the cup with its contents to fall into Phebe's lap"</a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus6">"He was standing on the pavement, looking a sad, solitary figure"</a></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>"THE LITTLE MISSIS"</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>HIS PURPOSE</h3> + + +<p>Creak—creak—creak! went the old mangle—one of the box sort, weighted +with stones.</p> + +<p>"Are you dreadfully busy, Mrs. Colston?" called out a clear, young +voice.</p> + +<p>"Bless me, is that you, Miss Phebe?" and the mangle was suddenly silent. +"No, I'm not dreadfully busy, and in two minutes I was going to make +myself some tea; and if you——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, won't I, rather! I should just think I will, you dearie; and I'll +get it ready, too, while you play your last tune on your old organ."</p> + +<p>Creak, creak, went the mangle, clatter went the cups, and in less than +ten minutes the two were seated at a little round three-legged table +enjoying tea and talk.</p> + +<p>"Can't think what's the matter with you to-day, Miss Phebe. Have you got +a new dress on, or have you been doing something to your complexion, or +what is it?" asked Mrs. Colston, looking very intently across the table.</p> + +<p>"I have got my old dress on, and have not even washed my face in dew."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, what is it?—Ah, I know! you've fallen in love."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I fell in love with you a long time ago," answered her visitor +demurely; "but I see you've guessed my secret, you are so clever. The +fact is, I have got two secrets to tell you. I wonder which I should +bring out first!"</p> + +<p>The old mangle woman got up from her arm-chair, and, going to where the +girl was sitting, took the fair young face into her hands and kissed the +right cheek, saying, as the tears started to her eyes: "There, my dear; +that's in place of your mother's kiss, and," kissing the other cheek, +"that's for myself."</p> + +<p>Resuming her seat there was silence for a minute or two, and then Mrs. +Colston, said: "I think I can guess both your secrets. The first is, you +have given yourself to Jesus; and the second is, you have promised to +marry Stephen Collins."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear, no," exclaimed the girl, rising from her seat. "Why, he has +never asked me. Besides—no, I have promised to marry Ralph Waring."</p> + +<p>"Ralph Waring!" repeated the old woman, and then there was an awkward +silence.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear Mrs. Colston, you do not think I have done wrong, do you?" +exclaimed the girl, sinking on her knees in front of her old friend, +"say you do not!"</p> + +<p>"No, no, dearie; I don't exactly, but it's took me by surprise," and +putting both her arms round her neck she kissed her again. "No, dearie, +don't think that. Ralph is a very good young man, but I know very well +how much Steve loves you."</p> + +<p>"It is strange," mused the girl; "Ralph asked me if I loved him more +than I did Stephen, and I said of course I did." Then, rising to her +feet, she said with a ring of pride in her voice, "You know Ralph is so +clever; you should hear him give some of his lectures! He is a great +favourite at several men's meetings. His great ambition is to be a +Member of Parliament. He is sure to be mayor some day."</p> + +<p>"He does a good business, doesn't he?"</p> + +<p>"Just fancy, now, you thinking about that; I see, after all, you have an +eye to money. I never thought it of you," and then Miss Phebe laughed +quite naturally, and the little cloud which seemed to have risen between +them cleared away and the sun shone again.</p> + +<p>"Why shouldn't I? We can't live without it—but bless me, your cup is +empty: what can I be thinking of?"</p> + +<p>Phebe commenced drinking her second cup, never noticing that her +companion had not touched the first one yet. "Now tell me all about the +other secret: that's more interesting to me, you know, for it's so long +since I fell in love I forget what it's like."</p> + +<p>"But it is a long time since you first loved Jesus, and you don't forget +what that is like."</p> + +<p>"Ah! that's different, you see. He never changes; men and women do. But +never you mind about my love affairs: tell me yours."</p> + +<p>Phebe rose and went and stood in front of the window, looking into the +little bricked yard through which she had entered the house. There were +some scarlet geraniums in the window doing duty in place of a curtain, +and her cheeks seemed to have caught the hue of the blossoms.</p> + +<p>"You know for a long time I have wanted to be a Christian."</p> + +<p>"Yes;" and Mrs. Colston poked the fire during the pause. It was strange +for Miss Phebe to continue the conversation while her back was towards +her friend; many people can speak openly about earthly love matters, but +are shy when the Great Lover is concerned.</p> + +<p>"All at once I seemed to understand wishing was not sufficient, that a +definite act was needed. So the night before last I got out of bed and +knelt down by my old easy-chair, and told Jesus I gave myself entirely +to Him, that He should be my dear Master, and that I would be willing to +do all He wished."</p> + +<p>How well the old friend could see the scene! She knew the room so well. +The old chair was covered with brown leather, and it was the chair the +girl's mother had died in. By its side stood a little writing-table, and +on the wall above were portraits—mostly cut from newspapers and +magazines—of some eminent men and women whom the girl regarded as +heroes and heroines. An old apple-tree grew close by the window, and in +the summer-time little could be seen of the outside world but its green +leaves and greener fruit. When the wind blew the boughs tapped, tapped +at the window-panes, but Phebe would not have them cut. "I like to +think," said she, "they are messengers come to tell me the old tree's +secrets."</p> + +<p>"Since then," the girl continued, "I have been so happy; and is it not +funny," turning now towards the fire, "that the very next day Ralph +should ask me to be his wife? So I have given myself away twice since I +last saw you."</p> + +<p>"I wonder if there is anything left of you for me?" Mrs. Colston asked, +with a twinkling smile.</p> + +<p>"Yes; I'm still yours. I could never forget how you loved me when I was +a little crying mite. You gave me two kisses; I'll give you two—one for +being good to me when I was a troublesome juvenile, and one for being +good to me now I am a proper grown-up. But I have not finished my story, +and if you interrupt me again I shall turn the mangle instead of talking +to you. I think I told you a long time ago how much I wanted to write a +book—indeed, I have tried, and sent little chapters of it to editors in +London, but they have always been returned with thanks. Now you see +Jesus has opened up my way to serve Him. I am going to help Ralph with +his lectures and speeches—he says I shall—and I shall go with him to +all his engagements. He says those who ask him must ask me, too; and, +after all, to live a life for Jesus is better than writing a book for +Him."</p> + +<p>"Comes to about the same thing, I should think."</p> + +<p>"I am sure you will be happy now I am a Christian"—this with a coaxing +voice.</p> + +<p>"But you are a very young Christian."</p> + +<p>"A young Christian! Whatever do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"My dear child, you have only just started. Why, even the daisies don't +come up all at once: flowers and fruits that do, don't come to much."</p> + +<p>"If that is what you mean," Phebe replied, with a sigh of relief, "I +don't mind."</p> + +<p>"Why, you think of my work," the old woman continued; "I often do. The +clothes are not finished when the dirt's out, and you are not a finished +Christian as soon as your sin's forgiven. The clothes have to be +bleached and dried, and then there comes the getting out of the creases, +and so I mangle them and mangle them."</p> + +<p>"But look here," said Phebe, laughing, "you don't mean to say I have got +to be mangled?"</p> + +<p>"You need not laugh, my dear, for I am quite sure if Jesus was to speak +just now He'd use my old mangle for a text. I know He would; and why +shouldn't He, just as well as using the woman's candle and yeast, and +the man's fishing-net and pruning-knife."</p> + +<p>"I should not like to think I had to be mangled."</p> + +<p>"It's more than mangling, Miss Phebe, for if we want to put a nice +polish on the clothes we use a hot iron to them. You are used to the +thought of being like gold in the fire, and a lump of clay in the +potter's hand: why not think of yourself as under my roller? I often and +often think, as I smoothes out the marks, and stretches the corners, and +turns, and turns, that is just how Jesus is doing with me."</p> + +<p>"H'm," mused Phebe, "I suppose it's another way of describing +tribulation. But do you suppose everybody has tribulation?"</p> + +<p>"I do; there isn't a plant in my little garden I haven't used the +scissors to."</p> + +<p>"Ah, well, I suppose we must submit."</p> + +<p>"Yes, dearie; and we must look beyond to the afterwards. When we see +what the Lord has made us we shall thank Him. Why, the things that I +carefully pack in the baskets are hardly like the same things I take +out, they look that nice."</p> + +<p>"Do you think I shall have much tribulation, dear Mrs. Colston?" asked +Phebe anxiously, placing her hand on her old friend's shoulder.</p> + +<p>"I don't know for certain; the Lord only can tell that. But," looking up +lovingly into the face of her favourite, "don't you worry, He'll help +you right through, sure enough."</p> + +<p>When Miss Phebe had taken her departure and the mangle had started again +its painful song, the old woman said to herself: "Strikes me she will +have a good deal; but it will be because the Lord wants her to be extra +polished. She's real damask, she is; worth taking a good deal of trouble +with. Some folks are only like dusters, and if the Lord was like me He'd +not take much trouble with them. But, bless me, it's a good thing the +Lord is not like me, it 'ud be a poor look-out for some folks if He +was."</p> + +<p>As Miss Phebe walked home she said to herself: "I thought it was all +settled, but it would seem I have only just commenced." That night she +again knelt by the old arm-chair. It had always seemed she could pray +best there, for it recalled the time when she had knelt at her mother's +knees, and had first learnt to talk to Jesus. "Dear Lord," she prayed, +"make me a true Christian; and help me to be perfectly willing to let +Thee do it in whatever way you think will be best for me."</p> + +<p>A mile away, in a farmhouse on a height over-looking the little town of +Hadley, another earnest soul knelt in prayer: "Lord, help me to put her +out of my thoughts. If this is allowed by Thee as discipline, make me +willing to bear it. Lord, help me, but Thou knowest how much I loved +her!" and a sob, which would have broken his mother's heart if she had +heard it, escaped from Stephen Collins as he looked forward into the +future.</p> + +<p>At the foot of the same hill, in the back parlour of a thriving shop, a +young fellow was counting his day's takings, and when he had finished, +he drew his chair up to the fire to think things over. "Steve Collins +thought he was sure of her, I know he did; but I got the start of him +for once. I wonder if Phebe's father is really well off! I have got on +very well so far, but it is slow work in this sleepy place."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The gardener pegs some of his plants down to the ground: some he places +by a south wall, some in open spaces where the north wind has free +access. He has a purpose with each, and whatever he does is for their +"making."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>THE HOME-COMING</h3> + + +<p>"I say, mother, they've come!"</p> + +<p>"Well, let them. What do I care?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, but just come and look a minute. See how carefully he is helping +her out of the cab. She's a sight too good for him. There! I've got a +brilliant idea. I'll go and give them a tune. She shall enter her bridal +home to the strains of music," and away downstairs Miss Bessie Marchant +rushed. She was the daughter of Mr. Marchant, chemist, Ralph Waring's +neighbour.</p> + +<p>"What is that girl playing?" exclaimed Mrs. Marchant a few minutes +afterwards, as she was preparing supper in the kitchen.</p> + +<p>Phill Marchant was sitting at the table working out a sum on his slate. +"Why, it's the 'Dead March.' Is her kitten dead?"</p> + +<p>"That girl will be the death of me. Bessie, do you hear, stop that +noise, will you? Haven't you one spark of human kindness left?"</p> + +<p>"No, mother," still going on playing, "I gave all the sparks to Phill."</p> + +<p>"Stop playing, will you? or I'll box your ears! It's perfectly cruel. +The poor thing will have enough to put up with, without you worrying her +with that bad omen."</p> + +<p>Bessie suddenly stopped, not because she was afraid of her ears being +boxed, but deep down in her heart, where a good big piece of human +kindness was thriving splendidly, in spite of her mother's fears, +questionings had arisen lest she might not be defeating her own object.</p> + +<p>"I don't want to worry her; you know that. It is a funny world to live +in if you cannot play the 'Dead March' when you like!"</p> + +<p>"You just march off and water the plants in the greenhouse, and don't +interfere with what isn't your business."</p> + +<p>"All right, but I'll——" What exactly Miss Bessie was going still +further to do, her mother did not catch, and it was not Miss Bessie's +intention that she should.</p> + +<p>It was a drizzling wet night when Phebe Waring arrived at her new home. +According to strict economical household arrangements, there was no +bright fire in the back parlour to make the room look cosy, because it +was near the end of June. The floor was covered with oil-cloth, no rug +anywhere, and a table, small sideboard, and six small chairs with +American leather cushions made up the whole of the furniture.</p> + +<p>"Not very homelike," Phebe thought, "but there, how could I expect +bachelor's quarters to look anything different?"</p> + +<p>For supper the little maid had placed on the table a large white jug of +lemon water, a piece of cheese, and some bread and butter.</p> + +<p>"There's a hamper for you, ma'am, from your father's: came about an hour +ago."</p> + +<p>Quickly taking off her hat and jacket Phebe opened the hamper, and when +she looked inside the tears came into her eyes; it was the first glimpse +of anything homelike she had seen for a fortnight.</p> + +<p>A bunch of wallflowers came first, then a large pat of butter, a +home-made cake, a roasted chicken, a piece of ham, and a large box of +little gooseberry pies. "Dear old Sis, how thoughtful of her!" Soon the +table was spread with the feast the loving sister in the old home had +prepared, and to make the room look still further homelike Phebe got +Janie, the maid, to light a fire in the empty, rusty grate.</p> + +<p>"It was quite fortunate I did not order anything further into the +house," said Ralph.</p> + +<p>In the morning the room looked as cheerless as it did the night before, +and Phebe's heart seemed to shrink as she noticed that the window looked +into a yard, surrounded with high walls, and that nothing was growing +in it but grass and dandelions. How different from the outlook over the +well-kept garden at home! "But I'll soon make it look different," said +the hopeful Phebe to herself.</p> + +<p>The only bright spot in the room was a bunch of beautiful pansies lying +on the table; the wallflowers had been taken upstairs. As Phebe picked +them up she noticed a slip of paper pushed beneath the string with which +they were tied, and on it was written:</p> + +<p>"From Neighbour Bessie. I do hope you will be my friend."</p> + +<p>"Ah, that must be Mrs. Marchant's daughter, next door," thought Phebe, +"I have heard Ralph speak of her. Of course we shall be friends. What +beautiful flowers! Pansies—see, they mean 'heart's ease.' Did Bessie +think—but of course she did not. She would not know their meaning."</p> + +<p>During breakfast Ralph put into her hand a black-edged envelope, saying, +"See what I have had sent me. A funny sort of congratulation!"</p> + +<p>Inside the envelope was a card, bordered with ink lines, and in the +centre, in letters to imitate printing, were the words:</p> + + +<h4>"Sacred to the Memory of<br /> +SWEET LIBERTY,<br /> +Who ceased to be on June 10th, 18—,<br /> +And was interred in the residence of<br /> +<span class="smcap">Ralph Waring</span>, Draper, etc., Hadley."</h4> + + +<p>"Somebody thinks I'm going to be a poor martyr," said Ralph, putting on +a very solemn look. Phebe also looked solemn, but her solemnity seemed +real.</p> + +<p>"I don't know about that," she replied, "it seems to me it is my liberty +which is referred to. If your liberty is interred in your house it is +still yours."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear, no; everybody knows women always have their own way—they +never lose their liberty," and a slight tone of anger was in the voice, +which made Phebe look up in surprise. "But there, it is only somebody's +stupid joke; not worth thinking about," and he tore the card into +shreds, feeling a trifle sorry he had spoken in the way he had done.</p> + +<p>Breakfast over, Ralph said: "And now, dearest, I should like a little +business talk with you, if you can spare the time. You know we have had +so much lovemaking to do we have had no opportunity of talking together +about our business."</p> + +<p>"'Our business,'" thought Phebe, "that sounds nice."</p> + +<p>"The fact is," said Ralph, when the breakfast table had been cleared and +they were alone, "I want to enlarge the business. I want to throw this +room into the shop, take the house next door, which is to let, and start +a grocery trade, too. Then my idea is to have a horse and cart and go +into the villages for orders—many of them are growing considerably, and +I think I could work up a splendid connection. Later on I should try to +sell the whole affair, and start somewhere different from this sleepy +place."</p> + +<p>"Somewhere different! I should never like to leave Hadley."</p> + +<p>"Of course not, women are never ambitious."</p> + +<p>"But I am very ambitious, and should like you to have a large business. +How could you possibly leave all your public work here? and I could +never leave Hadley while my poor old sick father lives."</p> + +<p>"We'll not worry about that," said Ralph, fearing he had gone too far. +"We need not discuss that for years. I am glad to hear you say you would +like me to have a big business; but how, without more capital, am I +going to manage it?"</p> + +<p>"That certainly is a very difficult question."</p> + +<p>There was silence for a minute, and then Ralph, evidently disappointed +she had not said more, asked: "Can you not suggest anything?"</p> + +<p>"No, I cannot; but if it is God's will He will show you how it can be +done."</p> + +<p>"God won't do for us what we can do for ourselves," he answered a little +impatiently. "I hardly like mentioning it, but haven't you some money in +the bank?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"How much?"</p> + +<p>"Three hundred pounds. It was my mother's money; and the interest has +helped to buy my clothes, because father could not afford to give us +much pocket-money."</p> + +<p>"Couldn't I have that money? Of course, I shall give you pocket-money +enough."</p> + +<p>"You can have some of it, most certainly."</p> + +<p>"Not all?"</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't half do?"</p> + +<p>Ralph got up from his chair, went to the window, and then said slowly, +"Yes, that will do."</p> + +<p>"We will go and draw it out next week," said Phebe, "if you like."</p> + +<p>"Yes; and of course you had better change the name, had you not? And it +will seem more businesslike if you draw the whole of it and then put the +half of it back in my name. It will be yours all the same."</p> + +<p>"I don't mind," said Phebe, "if that will please you."</p> + +<p>"Please me! I'm not a child." Fortunately, just then he was called into +the shop.</p> + +<p>"Am I selfish?" questioned Phebe anxiously to herself. "Have I done +wrong? Ought I to let him have the whole? But I am sure father would be +cross if I did."</p> + +<p>All that day there was sunshine without, but very little within. Phebe +worked hard to make the house more homelike; some rugs were laid on the +parlour floor, two arm-chairs established each side the table, ferns +arranged in the grate, vases of flowers put on the chimney-piece, +pictures hung up, curtains placed at the window—and yet it seemed +dreary. But how can there be sunshine in a room when there's a shadow on +the spirit?</p> + +<p>After tea Ralph said: "I am going to Sunbury to a meeting this evening."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I am glad; I shall enjoy that."</p> + +<p>"But, dearest, I am sorry to disappoint you. I have promised to walk +with old Mr. Cope, and it is too far for you. Besides, if you don't +mind, I should like you to attend to the shop a little, just to check +bills and take cash, for I am a young man short to-day. Will you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," replied Phebe gaily, trying hard to let the feeling of pride +that Ralph thought her capable of doing this conquer the feeling of +disappointment. "I shall be delighted to do it for your sake." And after +that sweet little speech Ralph kissed her.</p> + +<p>The young man who was left in charge of the shop, being of a rather +fiery disposition, and having resented somewhat Phebe's advent into the +establishment, thought he would take this opportunity of having a little +revenge.</p> + +<p>"Do you like business, Mrs. Waring?" he asked, when they were alone.</p> + +<p>"I hardly know, having had no experience."</p> + +<p>"Well, I suppose it is with you as with me, it is all the same whether +we like it or not—we have got to do it."</p> + +<p>"I don't think the cases are quite parallel," she said, with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I thought they were, for when the governor gave Dick Forbes +notice—he left to-day, you know—he said he should not require his +services any longer, for when you came you would see after the business +when he was away. It must be nice to have a wife to look after things +while you are away enjoying yourself."</p> + +<p>"Your master is away doing God's business," she replied with dignity, +and straightway walked into the parlour.</p> + +<p>The dignity all vanished when she laid her head on her hands on the +table and had a little cry to herself. Things were all so different from +what she had expected, and such a loneliness seemed to have crept into +her heart! When she lifted up her tearful face she saw the bunch of +pansies quite close to her, and their faces seemed to look into hers and +whisper, "Heart's ease!" "What a comfort!" she whispered to herself. +"'Heart's ease,' yes, I know where to get it from. I know I feel +disappointed, but ought I not to ask: Is Ralph disappointed in me? and +is Jesus disappointed in me?"</p> + +<p>"What a mean hound I've been!" thought the young shopman, as he caught +sight afterwards of her swollen eyes. "It would have served me right if +she had boxed my ears. She'll have enough to put up with without me +adding to it." And that same night he walked two miles to beg a bunch of +roses for her, saying as he gave them to her: "Please forgive me for +having been rude to you."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>When a king had chosen the design for the gold work of his signet and +selected the stone, carefully studying its hue and markings, then came +the <i>making</i> of the signet: the gold was put in the fire, and the gem +under the lapidary's hammer.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>A GARDEN LEVÉE</h3> + + +<p>In a little over a year great alterations had been made in Ralph +Waring's establishment. The shop next door had been duly taken, the +partition wall broken down, and the grocery business started. The only +part of Ralph's plan which had not come about was the throwing in of the +back parlour into the business portion. "No," said Phebe firmly, "in +this department I mean to come first. I am not going to vote for +everything being sacrificed to the business; to have a dining-room +upstairs means a great deal of extra work. I must also have the parlour +of the other shop to convert into a decent kitchen. How can we expect +Janie to be bright and happy with nothing better than a scullery to sit +in? I mean my kitchen to be as bright and cheery as any room in the +house."</p> + +<p>"I wonder who's master here!" said Ralph, with a snap.</p> + +<p>"We are partners—at least, that is what you have said, and you rule in +one department and I in the other. I have no objection to you having +one of the front rooms upstairs for a show-room." Ralph had never +thought of that, and as it sounded rather "big," it pleased him, and so +the dispute ended.</p> + +<p>But if changes had been effected in the front premises, a greater change +had come about in the back garden, which at first had only looked like a +walled-in yard. Where the dandelions had grown was a trim little lawn, +with a flower-stand in the centre nearly covered with pink ivy +geraniums; there was no space for any elaboration of design, so a narrow +bed of flowers round the lawn touched the surrounding walls, which were +already nearly covered with shoots of ivy, climbing roses, and that +industrious plant, Virginia creeper. In one corner a little arbour had +been erected, and, till the climbing plants had completed the covering, +a gay red-striped awning had been fixed up, adding still more colour to +the scene.</p> + +<p>Here one sunny August day Neighbour Bessie found her friend, Mrs. +Waring, nursing her baby.</p> + +<p>"Well, you do make a pretty picture! Talk of gold pictures in silver +frames, you are a picture of love in a frame of flowers."</p> + +<p>"Now, no more flattery, neighbour, for a week, or I'll send you to +Coventry."</p> + +<p>Bessie at once sat down on the grass at Phebe's feet. She was never so +happy as when resting on "Nature's bottom shelf." Her mother said this +was a sign of laziness; Bessie said it was a sign of economy, because +she did not wear out the chair-cushions, and also the sign of a cautious +nature, because there was no fear of falling.</p> + +<p>"You haven't kissed the baby."</p> + +<p>"I don't much care if I do or not, so long as I can kiss you." After the +process was over, she added, "If it had been a boy, I just wouldn't have +kissed it, so I tell you." Knowing this was a very saucy little speech +to make, she did not give Phebe a chance to reply, but hurried on, "It's +fairly wonderful the change you have made in this place, and fancy you +doing it all yourself! I used to call it 'Dandelion Farm.'"</p> + +<p>"What do you call it now?"</p> + +<p>"I haven't thought; let me see," leaning her head on her hands and +puckering up her brow as though to press the thought in, "it's just like +a patch of sunlight; yes, that would do, something out of the +usual—Sunshine Patch."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that will do," said Phebe, laughing, "but it reminds me how much I +disliked the place when first I had a peep of it; these walls fairly +made me shudder, and now I wouldn't have them one brick lower, because +they give privacy; and see how refreshing they will be to look at when +covered with greenery; and look at that lovely laburnum of our +neighbour's drooping over the wall; and in the spring that high +lilac-tree was a perfect picture. This little patch, as you call it, +Bessie, dear, has taught me a lesson I hope I shall remember all my +life."</p> + +<p>"Whatever is that, teacher?" Bessie asked, looking up with mock wonder.</p> + +<p>"But I am serious, Bessie; it is that most of our dark patches we could +turn into sunshine patches if only we had the will."</p> + +<p>"Do you know," said Bessie, with a real sigh, "my mother is my dark +patch, and she walls me round like anything. I wonder if I could plant +ivy slips round her!"</p> + +<p>"You are a naughty girl," said Phebe, trying hard not to laugh, "I think +she has more need to plant them round you."</p> + +<p>"Phebe, where are you?" Ralph called out.</p> + +<p>"Oh," said Bessie, suddenly springing up, "I'll go at once and consult +the gardening book," but Phebe knew this was only a pretence to avoid +having to talk to Ralph.</p> + +<p>"It is fine to be you," said her husband, "to be able to sit in this +retreat doing nothing this broiling hot day. How cool you look! but +there, everything goes peacefully with you, while everything goes cross +with me."</p> + +<p>"Can I put anything right for you?"</p> + +<p>"Of course you can't. I've been thinking," sitting down by her side, +"what a stupid I am to put myself to so much trouble for people. You +know I went last night to Hawtree Hall; I've been going there now for +three years, and I haven't one customer in the place."</p> + +<p>"But, Ralph, dear, you have a higher aim surely than to get customers."</p> + +<p>"Of course I have; dear me, how you do misunderstand me! But surely +decent, common gratitude would lead some of the people to deal with me, +if they had any. They don't pay for my services!"</p> + +<p>"Of course not."</p> + +<p>"And why, pray, 'of course not'? The more I get, the more good I can do. +Do you think I want money for any special, selfish gratification? God +has called me to make money as well as to make speeches, and I can serve +Him equally well in both ways."</p> + +<p>"Certainly, but I think we all have to watch lest we cloak our ambitions +with the appearance of doing God's service, and so deceive ourselves."</p> + +<p>"A very nice way of calling me a hypocrite."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Ralph, Ralph, it is nothing of the sort! I have often had to watch +against that sort of thing."</p> + +<p>"Well, don't measure my corn with your bushel, that's all. We'll change +the subject. I see you opened that letter of Deason's, asking for that +money. I am not going to pay him yet. I want that money for buying a +'new line' with. I am going to try another experiment this winter."</p> + +<p>"But, Ralph, that man needs his money, he is poor."</p> + +<p>"You can leave all those matters to me. You talk like a—but there, what +do women know about business?" And he got up and walked towards the +house, but before entering turned round and said, "I shall not be home +till late; when it gets cooler perhaps you will be able to make me out a +few bills."</p> + +<p>She felt inclined to answer, "I don't know enough about business to do +that," but wisely kept silence. She had been taking lessons of late in +the right use of the lips, and was getting them pretty well under +control.</p> + +<p>When the cool of the evening came she was again sitting in Sunshine +Patch, from whence she got just a little peep of the sunset sky. The +baby was asleep; Janie was reading; Phebe had already spent two hours in +bill-making and thought she might now conscientiously take the luxury of +sitting and doing nothing, except having a good think. All day long +there had been in her mind old Mrs. Colston's words about the process a +Christian has to go through. "I think," she sighed, "instead of the +creases getting out of my character, more creases get in. See how I seem +to aggravate Ralph. Then to think of Bessie; I thought I might do real +missionary work with her, and she's just as naughty as ever, and Janie +is just as dull," and the tears began to come.</p> + +<p>"Please, ma'am, here's Mrs. Colston." It was Janie's voice, and Mrs. +Colston herself immediately appeared. The old lady at once noticed the +tear marks, and exclaimed, "I can see you are quite tired out; you must +come in and lie down on the couch, and Janie shall get you +something—no, I'll get it myself," and after half carrying Phebe +indoors, she bustled away to the kitchen.</p> + +<p>"Now, Janie, get some milk, a saucepan, and an egg." While she was +watching the milk lest it should boil over, she went on talking. "Look +here, Janie, you are to look well after your mistress, or she'll slip +through your fingers."</p> + +<p>"You don't mean to say she's going to die!" exclaimed Janie, in horror. +"Oh, dear, what should I do! You don't know how different this place has +been since she's been here, and you don't know what she's done for me."</p> + + +<p>"No, I don't, but I can guess. You mustn't speak so loud or she will +hear, and mind you don't go and tell her what I've said. Just shake +yourself together a bit, my girl, and look well after her; be sure and +feed her well, and see that she rests."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Colston having seen to her favourite's bodily wants, sat down to +have a talk. "I suppose you've tired yourself with writing lectures and +speeches."</p> + +<p>"'Lectures and speeches'!" exclaimed Phebe, trying to laugh, "whatever +made you think I'd been doing that?"</p> + +<p>"You told me yourself you were going to help Ralph write his lectures +and speeches."</p> + +<p>"Oh no, I do nothing of that sort," and try as she might the tone of +disappointment would not be kept down, and the old friend caught it and +guessed something of its meaning.</p> + +<p>"You've never told me baby's name yet."</p> + +<p>"She has two names."</p> + +<p>"That's right; that's one for each of you."</p> + +<p>"My name, I mean the one I chose for her, is Mary. I did not want to +call her Phebe, because I don't see why married women should lose their +Christian name, and they always do if they have a daughter called after +them. I think no name can be so beautiful as Mary, because it was the +name of the mother of Jesus. Ralph chose the other name; he said, +simply Mary Waring would sound mean."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps so; Phebe Mary go well together, and it was only natural he +would like her named after you."</p> + +<p>"It is not Phebe. Baby's name is Victoria Mary."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Colston had long ago commenced the training of her lips, and for a +moment did not speak.</p> + +<p>"And may the little dear always have the victory. That's my wish for +her."</p> + +<p>"And you don't think it sounds ridiculous then?" asked Phebe, raising +herself up on her elbow, "I mean for a draper's daughter?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly not; why shouldn't a draper's daughter have as good a name as +anybody else? I hope she will grow up a real queenie."</p> + +<p>"I was thinking, dear Mrs. Colston, as you came into the garden, that +the process of Christian-making is slow work with me. Indeed, sometimes +I am afraid it has stopped altogether."</p> + +<p>"Not it, my dear; not a wee bit of it," stroking her hair. "If you had +said, 'I'm getting on fine—shall soon be a saint,' I should have said +it was pretty nigh all up with you. But, bless you, my dear, you've got +that feeling just now because the Lord's been dealing with you. I +watched old Robert in the spring cutting his vine; my, there was a +slaughtering! I fancy the poor old vine thought it was almost done for, +but you should just see it now!"</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>As Mrs. Colston stepped out of the shop door that evening she nearly +fell into the arms of Neighbour Bessie, as Phebe loved to call her. "How +is Mrs. Waring?" Bessie asked anxiously. "Do you think she is all +right?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, she'll get on with care."</p> + +<p>"Oh, she is a dumpling!" said the girl, with all her impulsive +enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>"Well then, take care and keep her warm, for cold dumplings aren't up to +much! She needs a lot of warmth—love, that's what I mean."</p> + +<p>"I'll see she has that," exclaimed Bessie, "if my sort is any good."</p> + +<p>"All real love is good, my dear, you may be sure of that."</p> + +<p>That night as the old mangle started its tune again, these were the +words that went along with it. "There, bless me, how that dear Miss +Phebe of mine has won those two girls! Why, she'll win them for Jesus +yet. I know she will! Yes, I dare say she thinks she's done nothing. How +little we can judge of our own work, or, come to that, of anybody +else's, either. It's only our dear heavenly Father, who gets such a high +view of things, seeing all over and into all the corners, that can +really know how we're getting along."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>A TESTING TIME</h3> + + +<p>Two years went by, each day filled for Phebe, except the Sundays, with +housework, care of the child, and looking after the business. From +Monday till Saturday she hardly ever crossed the outer doorstep. "It +will not be always like this," she said to her sister, who remonstrated +with her. "When Ralph has got the business well established he will be +able to afford more help."</p> + +<p>She often smiled somewhat bitterly to herself over the old dream of +helping Ralph in his high endeavours to influence the souls of his +fellows, and how she was to accompany him when he went forth to deliver +his messages. "Never mind," she would say to herself. "I sell the people +tea instead." She often called to mind the memorial-card of "Sweet +Liberty," and saw how clearly it had proved prophetic of something she +had truly lost. Long ago she guessed who the sender was, for she had +found out what a keen reader of character Neighbour Bessie was, and what +keen intuitive powers she possessed. Phebe never referred to the card, +but she once said to Bessie, "I think you ought to be called 'Prophet +Bessie.'"</p> + +<p>"If you spell that word 'p-r-o-f-i-t,'" replied Bessie, "mother would +say you were out of your reckoning entirely. She would say it would be +nearer the truth to call me 'Dead-loss Bessie.'"</p> + +<p>"Nay, nay, that would never do, but 'dear-loved Bessie' might." The girl +looked at her with hungry eyes, but did not answer.</p> + +<p>To be so shut in, so entirely engrossed with affairs purely selfish, +would to an ordinary woman have been both narrowing and depressing. "An +old woman once lived in the Isle of Wight who had never seen the sea, +and there are women living in Swiss valleys who have never watched a +sunset. How little such women can know of what the world is like! How +narrow their sympathies, and how small their ideas! I am something like +them," thought Phebe, "but I'll do my best to get a wider outlook, +somehow." So by her chair in a corner of the shop parlour you might +always find some paper, magazine, or book she was interested in. During +the early months of their marriage Ralph had read aloud to her in the +evenings, or she to him, but lately he was far too much engrossed in +other things.</p> + +<p>No one guessed the bitter sorrow Phebe suffered in thus burying her +dreams. Alas, for the graves that are not found where willows grow +within cemetery gates! for the flowerless graves we often weep over in +our daily life! Yet deep in Phebe's heart was the hope that from this +grave would blossom, some sunny morn, a husband's love such as she had +dreamt of in her girlhood dreams. It seemed as if Ralph's love was +sleeping, but surely some day it would waken. Oh, that God would teach +her how to waken it!</p> + +<p>By this time Victoria Mary had a companion in the person of a little +brother. "I should like him to be called Ralph," said Phebe.</p> + +<p>"I don't care for children to be made gravestones of," replied her +husband. "You certainly shall choose one name and I the other, and you +can choose anything you like but Ralph."</p> + +<p>The young arrival a few days later was described on his +birth-certificate as "John Washington."</p> + +<p>These two young folks were ever afterwards known as "Queenie" and +"Jack." What a lot of bother it would save if parents named their +children what they intend afterwards to call them!</p> + +<p>"Phebe," said Ralph one evening, "just put your book down and talk to +me."</p> + +<p>"That will be nice," said Phebe, with a choke in her voice, brought +there by a sudden hope.</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't you like to travel?"</p> + +<p>"I should rather think I would."</p> + +<p>"Well then, don't you think the time has come when we might sell this +business and start somewhere else? I should dearly like to go to +Australia. Will you consent?"</p> + +<p>"If you will only wait till father is taken home, I will willingly go +wherever you choose."</p> + +<p>"But why should we wait till then? The Bible says 'a man shall leave his +father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife.'"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Phebe, trying to laugh, "but it does not say a woman shall +leave her father and cleave unto her husband." Then, more seriously, "Do +you think it is right for marriage to break every family tie? Don't you +think a child has duties to its parents, however old it may become? +Think how lovingly Jesus thought of His mother, providing as far as +possible against her feeling lonely."</p> + +<p>"If you are going to preach, I'm done."</p> + +<p>"I am not preaching, but I do always like to see if there is anything in +the life of Jesus that fits in with my life, so that it will guide me."</p> + +<p>"Well, I cannot 'fit in' with this humdrum life much longer, so I tell +you that plainly, and I don't mean to, either. If God calls you to stay +here, God calls me to go elsewhere; so how can you reconcile those two +things?"</p> + +<p>"But why do you think God calls you elsewhere?"</p> + +<p>"I am not going to be cross-examined like a prisoner," he replied, +almost fiercely, and walked away. So the conference came to an end.</p> + +<p>About two months afterwards Phebe received a note one dinner-time +purporting to come from her sister, saying she wanted to see her at +once. As the note was not in her sister's handwriting, and was so +strangely worded, she was rather puzzled.</p> + +<p>"Who has brought the note?" she inquired of the shopman.</p> + +<p>"Some boy, but he has gone now."</p> + +<p>"It is strange," thought Phebe; "father must be worse, and she had not +time to write herself; yet that is not at all like her."</p> + +<p>As quickly as possible Phebe hurried away, to find on her arrival her +sister had not sent for her. "It must have been a trick of your +neighbour, Bessie, to get you out for a change." And Phebe, thinking +that idea was quite likely to be correct, made herself comfortable for +the afternoon, knowing that Janie would be sure to keep faithful guard +over the children.</p> + +<p>It was quite dark when she arrived home, for autumn was fast merging +into winter. Ralph was out, but that was no uncommon occurrence. The +evening was a very busy one, as the afternoon leisure had caused work to +accumulate. When ten o'clock came, and the shopmen had both gone up to +their bedroom, and Janie was preparing to retire also, Phebe began to +think it was strange Ralph was so late. Going out on to the front +pavement she gazed anxiously up and down the road. Very few people were +about, for it was anything but a pleasant night for a stroll—true the +moon was shining, but hurrying dark clouds were constantly passing in +front of it, and a sighing wind seemed to prophesy the near approach of +bad weather.</p> + +<p>At eleven o'clock she went out again: the clouds had grown larger, the +intervals of moonlight were briefer. The wind sighed in a more mournful +tone than before, and Phebe shivered, but more through apprehension than +cold.</p> + +<p>At twelve o'clock she was on the watch again. The night was quite dark. +"He must have missed the last train," she said to herself. "I will go to +bed now."</p> + +<p>She must have slept for about two hours when she woke up with a sudden +start. "Could there be any connection between that note and her +husband's absence?"—that was the haunting question with which her mind +was filled. "But how could there be?" she reasoned with herself. Sleep +was wooed again, but all in vain. Rising and getting a light, she opened +a drawer where Ralph kept some of his clothes. It was empty. Another +drawer was opened; it also was empty. Then she looked in the cupboard, +where his travelling-bag was kept; it was gone.</p> + +<p>She sat down to think: then, with startling suddenness, his words came +to her mind, "I cannot fit in to this humdrum life much longer."</p> + +<p>For the next hour it seemed as if she was utterly alone. It was +impossible even to think. She was fast becoming petrified, her very +blood was freezing, when her baby woke up crying—and that cry saved +her! She picked the baby up and strained it passionately to her, the hot +tears raining on its little head. The child soon nestled to sleep again +in its mother's arms; and then, still grasping her little one, she knelt +down to pray. "O Jesus, take care of Ralph! O Jesus, take care of me and +my little ones!" That was all she could say. After a moment or so of +waiting, as though listening for the answer, she prayed again, and then +came the sweet feeling of God's arms being round her, and she said, in a +whisper to herself, "He will! He will!"</p> + +<p>She had been out in a dark wild storm, but had found the hiding-place.</p> + +<p>The next morning, while sending off some telegrams to places where she +thought she could make inquiries without causing alarm, her sister +called at the chemist's next door for some medicine for her father, and +seeing Bessie just near the parlour-door, thought she would have it out +with her.</p> + +<p>"Ah! I have found you out this time, young lady."</p> + +<p>"I don't know what you mean."</p> + +<p>"What has she been up to now?" asked her mother, who happened to be +near.</p> + +<p>"Oh, nothing to be cross about," she hurried to explain, fearing lest +she should get the girl into trouble. "Indeed, it was a little act of +kindness she did."</p> + +<p>"I really don't know what you mean," said Bessie. "I know I've been up +to no tricks, for I've been as good this last week as they're made. It's +almost been the death of me, I've been so—"</p> + +<p>"But what about that note you sent my sister yesterday?"</p> + +<p>"Never sent her one."</p> + +<p>"Never sent her one!"</p> + +<p>"No, never wrote her, nor saw her all yesterday."</p> + +<p>"Well, that is very strange."</p> + +<p>"What note was it?" asked Mrs. Marchant.</p> + +<p>"A note saying her sister wanted very much to see her. Of course I did; +I always do, so it was not untrue; but I did not send it. We thought +Bessie sent it as a kind little plan to get her out a bit."</p> + +<p>"No, I know nothing about it."</p> + +<p>Just then Janie came in on an errand, and seeing her mistress's sister, +came up hurriedly to her, saying, "Please come in; mistress is looking +so bad, and master's not been home all night."</p> + +<p>"There!" exclaimed Bessie, as Phebe's sister hurried away, "you may +depend that handsome man next door sent that note himself."</p> + +<p>"Why should you think that? You are so quick to judge people, and think +yourself so mighty clever over it," said Mrs. Marchant.</p> + +<p>Instead of the usual saucy answer, Bessie was silent. Was she learning +the same lesson Phebe had been learning?</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>WILL GOD ANSWER?</h3> + + +<p>Miss Lizzie Lawson soon found that the trouble which had befallen her +sister Phebe was one which, at least for a time, could not be talked +about.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter with you, Phebe?" she asked anxiously, as she caught +sight of the weary-looking face.</p> + +<p>"I have had a very bad night."</p> + +<p>"Where is Ralph?"</p> + +<p>"I do not know." Then suddenly throwing her arms round her sister's neck +and kissing her, Phebe said, "Lizzie, dear, I'll tell you all in a day +or two, but I cannot now. You'll trust me, won't you? And do not say +anything to father."</p> + +<p>"God bless and help you, Sis, darling."</p> + +<p>Of course the only conclusion the sister could come to was that husband +and wife had quarrelled. "He will soon get over his sulks and come +back," she said to herself.</p> + +<p>All that day Phebe watched minute by minute for postman or telegraph +boy, but no message came. Even the shopmen went about on tip-toe, +feeling that something strange was in the atmosphere, but the white set +face of the mistress kept them from asking any questions.</p> + +<p>Sharp-witted Bessie for once was at a loss to know what to do. Should +she show any sympathy? Should she go in, or stay away? Should she seem +to know nothing, or all? These were the questions she weighed over and +over. At last this little note was sent:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Mrs. Waring</span>,</p> + +<p>"Please ask me to come in to tea, or I shall go perfectly blue and +never get a right colour again.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Neighbour Bessie</span>."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Just a wee bit of a smile crept into Phebe's face as she read it, and +the thought came, "What would she do if she had troubles like mine to +face?"</p> + +<p>Bessie's blueness seemed to have quite vanished by tea-time. During the +meal she kept up a lively chatter, and Phebe came to the conclusion that +Bessie was not aware that anything unusual had happened. I don't know if +Bessie had ever read that the way to cheer people who are down is not by +bidding them count the blessings still remaining, for they are sure to +sink still lower if you do that, but by counting up to them the +blessings they have conferred on others. It has certainly a wonderful +effect; and that was just what Bessie did.</p> + +<p>After she had helped Janie to clear the table she sat down for a minute +or two on the rug at Phebe's feet, and then said, "When I began to write +you that cheeky little note this morning I wanted to say something—I've +wanted to say something for weeks, but don't know how."</p> + +<p>"Just tell me straight out," said Phebe gently, stroking her tangled +hair, thinking it was some confession she wanted to make or to ask +advice how to get out of a scrape.</p> + +<p>"It's only that I wanted to tell you how much I love you and what a help +you have been to me. Do you remember telling me that story Jesus told +about the woman who would have her way, and how it taught us how to +pray? Well, last night, for the first time in my life, I really prayed. +I felt quite sure Jesus was listening. Things have been so different +since you have been here. I never had anybody to talk to as I can to +you; you understand me, and don't scold me."</p> + +<p>"But I think I often scold you."</p> + +<p>"Bless you, that's not scolding."</p> + +<p>Phebe bent down and kissed her, saying in a low voice, "God bless you, +Bessie, darling. I cannot tell you how your words have comforted me, +just as though an angel had helped you to say them. Perhaps some day you +will understand what I mean." Bessie thought she understood even now, +but did not say so.</p> + +<p>"And I may love you just as much as ever I like, may I not?"</p> + +<p>"Of course you may, there is room in my life for a lot of love," and +Phebe had suddenly to rise and go into the shop, but Bessie knew it was +only that she might not see her tears.</p> + +<p>Next morning came, still no message. The day passed to Phebe as the +previous one had done—she had been ever on the watch, a feeling of dumb +despair taking possession of her. In the evening she had a visitor; no +other than Stephen Collins, who asked if he might see her alone.</p> + +<p>After the first greetings were over there was an awkward silence, and +then Stephen said, "Mrs. Waring, you are in trouble. I cannot tell you +exactly now how I know, but will you not as an old friend confide in +me?"</p> + +<p>No answer. Poor Phebe could not think what to say; she could only look +up into his kind face and as suddenly let her glance fall again to hide +her tears.</p> + +<p>But the look gave Stephen courage to go on. "Ralph has left you, has he +not? Did he leave no message behind?"</p> + +<p>"I can find none," she replied frankly, "and I have searched +everywhere." Quite unconsciously she thus for the first time revealed +the secret trouble which was so crushing her.</p> + +<p>"Do not think me rude or interfering, dear Mrs. Waring" (how the name +seemed to choke him!), "but are you left in difficulties?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think so—besides, he will come back soon. But why do you ask? +Have you any reason?"</p> + +<p>"I am afraid people will think it is business difficulties that have +made him go."</p> + +<p>"But the business is prospering."</p> + +<p>"Still you need some capital to go on with."</p> + +<p>"The business, I am sure, is all right, besides if I were pressed I have +a little of my own." That morning she had found the key of Ralph's desk +in her pocket. It had startled her at the time, for Ralph must have +placed it there; and now, taking it from her pocket, she rose, went to +the high desk standing in the corner, and unlocking it produced the bank +book. She opened it quickly, took one glance and then closed it with a +sob. Ralph had drawn the whole of the money out as recently as the +previous Monday. She put the book from her with a shudder; it was like +the death certificate of her husband's honour.</p> + +<p>A paper had fallen out of the desk, and mechanically she stooped to pick +it up, praying as she did so for strength to appear calm.</p> + +<p>Stephen was watching her closely, a struggle going on in his own heart +too.</p> + +<p>"Is the account all right?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"No," then another sob. Oh, for strength! Why could she not make herself +be calm? She looked at the paper in her hand, and more because she +thought it might give her time to master her feelings than for anything +else, she said, "Can you tell me what all these figures are about?"</p> + +<p>Stephen took the paper and looked at it for a long time and then said, +in a strained voice, "It is a statement Ralph has drawn out showing +exactly how the business stands, with a list of all debtors and +creditors. If you could get most of the debts in you would still need +three hundred pounds to keep affairs going."</p> + +<p>"I cannot tell how it is; everything is so dark."</p> + +<p>"But if you will let me help you," he pleaded, "all will come right. I +can easily lend you what you need."</p> + +<p>For an instant, like a vision, there came to her a feeling of +restfulness, and she looked up to his face, bending over her, with eager +trustfulness. What a safe strong arm his would be to lean on! But +instantly she put the temptation from her; it would not be right to +accept his help remembering what Mrs. Colston had said, and the sweet +light which had arisen went suddenly out, leaving the darkness deeper +than before.</p> + +<p>"No," she said firmly, "I cannot accept your help."</p> + +<p>"But what will you do?"</p> + +<p>"I cannot tell, but in some way God will help me. And surely Ralph will +come back soon!"</p> + +<p>"I do not think so."</p> + +<p>"Why?" It was Stephen's turn to be silent this time; how could he tell +her all he knew? How could he explain how evident it was that Ralph had +drained all the money he possibly could from the business?</p> + +<p>"Do you know where Ralph is?" she asked suddenly.</p> + +<p>"No, I do not."</p> + +<p>After another pause Stephen said, "Perhaps I had better leave you now. +When you have had time to think things over, you will trust me more."</p> + +<p>A minute ago she would have urged it was not for want of trust, but now +her mind, all so confused, could not rid itself of the idea that he knew +something about Ralph which he had not told her. When he had gone the +idea gave rise to two questions, "What had first made Stephen think +Ralph had left her when not even Bessie knew how he had gone away?" and +"What had given him the idea Ralph had left her in difficulties when the +success of the business had been so widely talked about?" But though she +asked the questions over and over again, no answer would come. "Could +Stephen have had any share in persuading Ralph to go away? had he +tempted him away?" But the remembrance of the tender, true face made +such thoughts seem wicked.</p> + +<p>Going to the desk for the paper which Stephen had replaced there she +took it out to study it for herself, and with it, lying just beneath, +she drew out a folded paper, and opening it found it to be—a letter +from Ralph! How had it got there? Had Stephen placed it there?—but she +was in too much of a hurry to read it to pause to reply.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"<span class="smcap">My Dear Wife</span>,</p> + +<p>"I know this letter will pain you, it cannot help but do so, and for +this I am very sorry. I would not willingly grieve you, but it all +arises from the painful fact that you have always failed to understand +me. You know that for a long time I have had a great desire for a larger +sphere. You thought this was because my love to God had grown cold and +the love of the world crept into my heart. I assured you this was not +so, but that it was only a leading into other service. If I can make +money and devote it to God's work, am I not still one of God's servants? +I am now with my face set towards a foreign land, where I hope to win a +fortune. I feel no remorse at the step I have taken, since I asked you +to agree to emigrate and you would not. I know you will get on pretty +well without me, because, if you fail in the business you can return to +your father. The sale of the business will cover all liabilities and +more. I shall let you know from time to time how I get on: it will +always be a great pleasure to report progress to you. Never doubt but +that all I make, which I do not return to God, I shall hasten home with +one day to lay at your feet. Tell my dear children their father heard a +call like Abraham did, and has gone out to seek a name and a fortune to +enrich them with. I know I have no need to assure you that I shall +always remain,</p> + +<p>"Your own faithful, loving husband,</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Ralph Waring</span>."</p> + +<p>"P.S.—I did not say 'good-bye' to you for fear you should succeed in +persuading me to stay with you. Some day soon, I will send you an +address where you can write to, as I shall be anxious to hear how you +are getting on."</p></blockquote> + +<p>It was strange, but the reading of that letter gave her the calm she had +been struggling to obtain. After reading it a second time, she went out +into the garden, named in the summer-time "Sunshine Patch." How long ago +that seemed! Where was the sunshine now? But the stars shone down on it +if the sun did not, and it was refreshing to feel the cool breezes on +her face, and to be alone under the pitying skies.</p> + +<p>Now that she had read this letter a burden of uncertainty had gone; she +knew now something of what she had to face.</p> + +<p>Surely Stephen had not been the bearer of that open letter; it must have +been in the desk before! But the very doubt about it made it more easy +to resist Stephen's offer.</p> + +<p>It was impossible for her to return to her father; how could she burden +him with herself and two children when even now he could only just +manage comfortably? But how could she get the three hundred pounds +Stephen said she would need? She had no earthly friend she could go to +and had nothing she could sell or mortgage. But, ah, there was always +one source of help she could go to! There was one way still open—the +upward way! Sitting down in the desolate little arbour, she buried her +face in her hands and prayed, "Dear Lord, I have no one to help me but +Thee. Please open up my way! Show me how I can continue the business. +Give me also business ability. Show me my way very clearly. I know Thou +art listening to me. I feel sure of it, just as Bessie did. And now I +am going to carefully watch for the sign that Thou art going to help me. +Oh, strengthen me; I feel so lonely!" A flood of tears came, but she +could let them flow unhindered now.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>THE DARKNESS DEEPENS</h3> + + +<p>Early the next morning, as soon as the shutters were down, Phebe was in +the shop taking a general look round, and examining the stock. With the +help of Reynolds, the shopman who gave her the roses, she got a very +good grasp of the state of things. "The stock is very low indeed," said +Reynolds; "some things we are out of altogether. It's not my fault, for +I told master a fortnight ago, and again last week, but he took no +notice—said it was not my business."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus2" id="illus2"></a> +<img src="images/illus2.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>"PHEBE WAS IN THE SHOP TAKING A GENERAL LOOK ROUND."</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Phebe only replied, "We must see to these things as soon as possible; +thank you for helping me," and then went in to breakfast.</p> + +<p>She had got a clear view of the situation as far as the business was +concerned, but all else was in a mist. When she tried to analyse her own +feelings with regard to Ralph's conduct, what exactly it was that had +prompted him to such a course, how it would appear to outsiders, what +steps she was to take to secure capital to work the business, all seemed +chaos.</p> + +<p>Breakfast over, she picked up a little Revised Bible from her +book-corner, and went out into the arbour for a few minutes' quiet, +hoping she might gain a little light. She had only just bought this +Revised Bible, indeed it had not been out long. Opening it at random, +her eyes fell on these words, from the prayer of Asa, "We rely on Thee." +A feeling of awe crept over her. Surely an angel must have opened the +Book! The sign she had prayed for last night had come. Scanning the page +to find out all the story, the leaf was turned over, and then she caught +sight of this description: "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro +throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in the behalf of them +whose heart is perfect towards Him."</p> + +<p>"I must pray for the perfect heart," she said to herself, "and I shall +just rely on God, and I am now going to watch how He will show Himself +strong for me. I feel sure He will, for He knows I am relying on Him."</p> + +<p>But the angel's work was not over yet. Just then there dropped out of +the Bible a little New Year's card which she had never carefully read as +yet. Picking it up she looked at it in an absent sort of way, and then +feeling that it was in some way specially meant for her she read:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"An inner light, an inner calm,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Have they who trust God's mighty arm,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">And hearing, do His will."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<blockquote><p>"For He hath said, 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.' +I took it as His word of honour."—David Livingstone.</p></blockquote> + +<p>"And so will I," she said fervently. Just then there was a call from the +shop, and all at once, with hardly a moment's warning, she went from the +golden gate to the busy mart.</p> + +<p>A commercial traveller was waiting to see her, presenting an account for +twenty-five pounds.</p> + +<p>With all a woman's wits about her she stood where her face was in the +shadow. "I am sorry that Mr. Waring is not at home," she answered, "he +is out of town. Can the account stand over till your next visit?" Her +voice was quite steady. The traveller looked fixedly at her, but was +quite unrewarded for his trouble, through her face being in the shadow. +She however saw his uncertainty, but he answered suavely, "Certainly, +madam, Mr. Waring's credit has always been good." Then added, after +another moment's reflection, "Can I have another order to-day? I have +some very cheap lines."</p> + +<p>Turning to Reynolds, she said, "You know better than I do what we are +wanting; just make a list of what we usually have from this gentleman's +firm," and she stood quietly by while this was done.</p> + +<p>"I hope Mr. Waring is well," remarked the traveller.</p> + +<p>"He was quite well when he left home."</p> + +<p>"I hope I shall have the pleasure of meeting him the next time I call."</p> + +<p>"I hope so, but, if possible, your cheque shall be sent on before then."</p> + +<p>When he had gone she said to the shopman, "Reynolds, I think I can trust +you." The man nodded; he wanted to say "Yes," but could not for a lump +in his throat. "I do not know where Mr. Waring is, except that he has +gone abroad. If anybody asks you where he is, you had better say frankly +you do not know." It was hard work to keep the voice steady.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Waring," said Reynolds, huskily, "I'll stand by you to the best of +my ability," and he put out his hand, which she took in both of hers.</p> + +<p>"I feel sure you will," she said with a choking sob.</p> + +<p>The thought which was uppermost in her mind that day was how she could +explain her position to any one. Some report must be given to the +outside world—what should that report be?—what could it be? If she did +not give one the world would soon make one. She determined to go that +evening and seek her sister's advice.</p> + +<p>The first thing on arriving at the old home was to show her sister +Ralph's letter. They were alone in the sister's bedroom. After it had +been read twice over the sister threw her arms round Phebe's neck, +exclaiming, "You poor child! you poor child!" and then they sobbed +together as they had never done since the time when they were first +motherless.</p> + +<p>"What am I to do? What am I to tell people?" asked the deserted young +wife.</p> + +<p>"I don't know; I must think," was the sister's answer, who was usually +so clearbrained. "Will you come home to live? I wish you would. Father +wouldn't object to it if I coax him."</p> + +<p>"No, I am not coming to be a burden on him. I must work for the +children. But, oh, Lizzie, you don't know all. He has left me deeply in +debt, and taken all my own money, and the stock is so low. But don't +tell father!"</p> + +<p>"Left you in debt!—the rascal!"</p> + +<p>"No, no, don't say that; he asked me to go with him two months ago, and +I would not consent. So you see it's partly my own fault. But I never +thought he would go without me."</p> + +<p>"Well, you will just have to tell anybody that asks that he has gone to +start a business abroad, and that you may be joining him later. It will +be best to be straight about it."</p> + +<p>"If he sent for me, should I have to go?"</p> + +<p>"I expect you would. You had better tell father all about it, or he +will be dreadfully angry if he hears of it from anybody else."</p> + +<p>The old father was sitting by the fire reading his paper. He was good at +heart, and thought no end of his "girls," but he had always considered +it would never do to let them know this, that it was a parent's duty to +do a certain amount of scolding.</p> + +<p>"How's Ralph?" was his first question. "He's not been to see me for an +age."</p> + +<p>"He was quite well when I saw him last."</p> + +<p>"Saw him last? Why, is he away from home?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Where has he gone?"</p> + +<p>"Abroad," in a very low voice.</p> + +<p>"What did you say?" wheeling his chair round towards her in quite a +fierce way. "Why can't you speak out properly?"</p> + +<p>"Ralph has gone abroad."</p> + +<p>"Gone abroad! Whatever for?"</p> + +<p>"To start a business, I suppose."</p> + +<p>"Well, you do astonish me. I think he might have come up to bid me +'good-bye,' that I do. And what part has he gone to?"</p> + +<p>"To Australia, I think."</p> + +<p>"You 'think'! Really, Phebe, you are most exasperating. What are you +keeping back?"</p> + +<p>"Look here, father," put in Lizzie, "it is like this: Ralph wanted Phebe +to go to Australia and she objected. She didn't want to leave you, for +one thing, so he's gone without her, and the worst of it is, he did not +tell her he was going."</p> + +<p>"Didn't want to leave <i>me</i>! that's all fiddle-sticks. She ought to have +gone with him. It serves her just right he has left her. Look here, +Phebe," putting his hand sharply on her knee, "I consider you have +brought disgrace upon me. A wife's place is by her husband's side. A +nice talk the town will make of it."</p> + +<p>"Father! father!" exclaimed Lizzie, "do not be so hard on Phebe. You +know very well you wouldn't let anybody else say a word against her. Of +course it is the way of the world to put all the blame upon the woman, +but it is rather hard if her own friends do not stand up for her."</p> + +<p>"If she had got any fault to find with Ralph she should have come up and +told me all about it."</p> + +<p>"What! get a wife to tell tales about her husband!"</p> + +<p>"Well, it is no good talking anything more about it at present. It came +so suddenly upon me. It's a good thing, Phebe, my girl, he's left the +business behind him, he couldn't take that with him very well. Of course +he could have sold it, but then if he had done so the cat would have +been out of the bag. You must just tackle things with a brave hand."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I mean to do so, father," was all Phebe could manage to say.</p> + +<p>Presently she bade him "good-bye" in her usual manner, though her heart +was very full.</p> + +<p>It was getting late, and there was a lonely bit of road to traverse, but +the two sisters lingered at the garden gate, each loth to part from the +other.</p> + +<p>"You said, Phebe, darling," the elder sister whispered, "your stock was +low and there were debts. What are you going to do for money?"</p> + +<p>"I do not know. But I feel sure God will help me in some way or other. I +am relying on Him."</p> + +<p>"Bless you! you were always a good girl. I wish I had your faith."</p> + +<p>"Don't say that, for you don't know how often my faith fails me. I am +often ashamed of myself. But I feel sure the business will go on right +enough." Just now the monetary difficulty seemed a very small one +compared with the fresh shadow which had just fallen on her.</p> + +<p>"Well, look here, dearie, let me help you. Take my money and put it in +the business. You know how welcome you are to it. And if I never have it +back, it will not matter; I should not make any trouble of it."</p> + +<p>"You are good, but you know father would not like that, and we should be +obliged to tell him;" then she added, as her sister was about to +remonstrate, "I'll tell you what I'll do: if no other way is shown me, I +will accept your loving offer."</p> + +<p>"That's right, darling. And now good-night, and may God bless and +comfort you."</p> + +<p>All the way home her sister's words kept ringing in her ears, "It is the +way of the world to put all the blame upon the woman." She had thought +the world would wonder, and would doubtless pity her, but it had never +dawned upon her before that the world might throw the blame of the +present position upon her. Considering how she had suffered and +patiently endured it was a bitter, galling thought. And how could she +overcome it? how could she vindicate herself in the eyes of the world? +What a stain would rest on the lives of her children! She had thought it +would be a hard battle to shield them from poverty. Now she had in some +way or other to fight a still harder battle—to shield them from +dishonour.</p> + +<p>Did Stephen Collins think she was to blame? He surely could not have +done so, or he would not have looked so pityingly at her.</p> + +<p>Neighbour Bessie was waiting when she arrived home. "I am so glad you +have come," exclaimed the impetuous girl; "you have just saved me from +such a sad fate."</p> + +<p>"Whatever do you mean?" and Phebe, in spite of her heartache, was +obliged to smile at Bessie's dramatic attitude.</p> + +<p>"Mother thinks I am soundly asleep under the blankets by now. But how +could I sleep without one sight of you?—haven't caught a glimpse of you +all day. Mother will lock the door at ten o'clock, and if I am not in +before then I shall have to sleep on the clothes line in the back yard. +It is all up ready."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>THE LAME SHEPHERD</h3> + + +<p>Late the next evening Stephen Collins called on Phebe again, still +hoping his offer of help would be accepted.</p> + +<p>They were alone together in the back parlour. "I do hope, Mrs. Waring, +you will not think me too interfering, but for old friendship's sake I +could not keep from coming. It grieves me so to think you are placed as +you are and that you will not allow me to help you." He looked her +steadily in the face, and she returned his gaze long enough to be quite +sure he was not one of those who condemned her. Yet, in spite of that, +her woman's heart craved for the assurance of word as well as look.</p> + +<p>"But why should you trouble, Mr. Collins? There are plenty of people who +will say it serves me right, and that I must have been to blame"—the +words seemed as if they would not come—"that I was not—that it was not +an easy thing to live with me—to get on with me."</p> + +<p>Stephen Collins rose from his chair with an impetuous movement, and went +and stood by the fire with his elbow on the mantelpiece. "Of course," he +exclaimed, "the world will talk, but any one who knows you would fling +back that accusation as a lie!"</p> + +<p>They wore both silent for a minute. Phebe was feeling a relief and +gladness no words she could think of would match. At last she said: "It +makes a difference, too, if it is known that I could have gone with him +if I had chosen. Ralph spoke to me about going two months ago."</p> + +<p>"It would have been very difficult for Ralph to have taken you and the +children with him, seeing he had no home prepared to take you to."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is so; but still he wanted us to go."</p> + +<p>Stephen was looking intently into the fire, evidently weighing some +thought over.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I had better tell you, Ralph secured his berth to Sydney three +months ago."</p> + +<p>"One berth?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"May I ask how you know?"</p> + +<p>"I made inquiries, as I thought it would rest your mind to know exactly +where he had gone."</p> + +<p>"And you think——" began Phebe.</p> + +<p>"I think," interrupted Stephen, anxious to save her all the pain he +could, "that it was not his intention to take you with him." Only God +knew what it cost that man to say those words; it seemed to him that he +was giving this crushed woman an extra stab, but it was only to save her +all he could of future pain. He wanted to keep her from building on the +hope that her husband would send for her, for he believed in his heart +that Ralph was only too glad to be relieved from the responsibility of +providing for wife and children.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it was much better he should go with a free hand," was all +Phebe said. She wanted very much to ask Stephen to tell her all he knew, +all he thought, but dared not do so; something held her back—something +which told her there was a wound in that man's heart she might not touch +nor look upon.</p> + +<p>"He will send for me some day," she said, after another pause; but still +Stephen did not answer. It was such a hard struggle to keep himself well +in hand—so hard to keep from cursing the man who had stolen his love +from him, and who, because she had not brought him the dowry he had +hoped for, had basely deserted her!</p> + +<p>Phebe thought he was busy turning over ways and means as to how she was +to run the business; instead of that he was praying for strength and +calmness.</p> + +<p>She got up from her seat and, standing by him, put her hand on his arm +and said gently, "Stephen!"—that was how she used to call him—"you +must not trouble about me. I shall battle through all right. God will +help me. See these beautiful words I came across yesterday," and she +picked up the Bible and read the words over again.</p> + +<p>He took the Bible and looked at the page, but the words were all in a +mist. "There is not the slightest doubt but that He will help you," he +managed to say.</p> + +<p>"My heart is not perfect," she continued, "but He knows I want it to +be."</p> + +<p>"But don't forget, Phebe—Mrs. Waring," he said, turning towards her, as +they both stood facing the fire, "that God works through human +agents—very often does so."</p> + +<p>"I know He does," she replied, "and I think He prompted my sister last +night to offer me the use of her money. I would have said 'Yes' at once, +only I know it would vex father. Still, if no other way opens I shall +accept her kind offer. So you see things will shape themselves—no, be +shapened—all right. Reynolds is such a good 'stay-by' for me, and a +commercial this morning let me order a lot of things, although I could +not pay his account."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," he answered; "I know very well you will be a downright +successful woman of business. Only, you know," with a smile, "I wanted +to have a share in the success!"</p> + +<p>"And so you will have," she exclaimed. "Do you think it can ever go for +nothing to have a friend like you—some one who believes in me?"</p> + +<p>He took her hand in both of his, and, in a voice full of emotion, said: +"Phebe, you were always wise and far-sighted—that was why you always +won in the games we played together. Your plan is the wise one. It would +not do for us to be in any way connected—not even in business matters. +But promise me if ever you should want my help you will send for me!"</p> + +<p>"I promise," she said, in a low voice; and then they parted: he to go +right out, apparently, from her life for years; and yet, though she was +long in learning it, never a week passed by but in some way or other his +life touched hers.</p> + +<p>After he had gone it came upon the lonely woman with overwhelming force +the sense of what she had lost, but with a bravery only a pure heart +could know she put the thought of it from her and turned resolutely to +her ledgers.</p> + +<p>Stephen Collins' way home led past Mrs. Colston's cottage. It was the +desire for a little bit of human sympathy which led him to knock at her +door. He could not unburden his heart to his mother—not that she would +be unable or unwilling to understand and comfort, but because he was too +chivalrous to burden her with any fresh trouble. He hardly realised it +was sympathy he was wanting. Perhaps he might have resented such an idea +if it had been presented to him in words, feeling that such a sorrow as +his was too sacred for human sympathy; but at least there was the desire +to talk over some of it with somebody, and to feel the nearness of +sympathy. It surely was this same desire which bade Jesus so earnestly +to request the three disciples to watch with him under the shadow of the +olives!</p> + +<p>Mrs. Colston was busy at her work as usual. A big lad was turning the +handle of the mangle, but she sent him home when she saw who her visitor +was. Work at once entirely ceased, and the two sat together by the fire, +each strangely silent. Mrs. Colston seemed to feel that there was +something on his mind which he wished to unburden to her, but knew no +way in which she could help him to begin. At last she hit upon an idea.</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose, Mr. Collins, you have had your supper," she exclaimed, +rising from her chair with a kind of jump. "The idea of me not thinking +of that before! and I've got the loveliest pork pie you ever tasted," +and in a few minutes there was the refreshing fragrance of coffee in the +room and a dainty supper laid on the little round table. Mrs. Colston +had always a strong belief in keeping the body well nourished because of +its great influence on the mind and heart. "So had the Lord Jesus," she +often used to say; "don't you remember how He gave the plain hint to +those parents that the girl would need food, and to the disciples about +the crowd! And it was just lovely what He said to those fishermen on +that early morning when they were cold and wet: 'Come and have something +to eat.' Why, when the Lord wanted to give us a bright bit about Heaven +He had to bring in a supper party."</p> + +<p>For all that, Stephen did not eat much, though there is no doubt the +fact of a meal being about does help conversation, and to a certain +extent raises the spirits.</p> + +<p>At last Stephen got near the secret of his visit. "Mrs. Colston"—his +face was turned towards the fire—"suppose a shepherd out walking, who +had become lame—could only walk on crutches—should come across on a +dark night a lost lamb—a lamb he had loved dearly. What could he do? If +he put the crutches down he could not carry it to its home? If you met a +man like that what would you tell him to do?"</p> + +<p>"I should tell him to speak a few love-words to the lamb, and then hurry +away to the nearest cottage and ask the man there to return with him to +the lamb and get the man to carry it home." The answer was given +straight off, with all a woman's ready tact.</p> + +<p>"And if he came to your house?" Stephen turned towards her eagerly.</p> + +<p>"I might not be able to carry the lamb," she said, with a little laugh, +"but I would certainly help the poor man all I could, and, at least, I'd +try to carry it." Then she added: "Mr. Collins, you are the shepherd; +but I don't know who the lamb is. Tell me all about it. I know you trust +me or you wouldn't have come to me; and you know I'll do all I can for +you."</p> + +<p>"I know you will," and for the second time that evening he stretched out +his hand to grasp another in a close grip. "The lamb is not on any +hillside, but in a back parlour."</p> + +<p>"Whose parlour?"</p> + +<p>"A draper's."</p> + +<p>"You don't mean to say it's my Miss Phebe?" bending anxiously towards +him, trying to read all she could from his face.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Is she ill?—I must go to her at once."</p> + +<p>"Not ill in body, but heartsick, and in monetary difficulties."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear, dear, what can have caused it all? And me not to know a word +of it!"</p> + +<p>"She has told no one but her father and sister. I got to know of it in +another way; but do not ask me how—some day I may tell you, but not +now."</p> + +<p>"Where is her husband?"</p> + +<p>"On his way to Australia."</p> + +<p>"Poor lamb! poor stricken lamb!"—the tears would not keep back, and +something like a sob came from Stephen as he rose to his feet to go.</p> + +<p>"Stay, stay," said Mrs. Colston, putting a detaining hand upon him, "the +shepherd would be sure to give some particulars as to the lamb's +whereabouts and what help it needed. Tell me how it is she is in +difficulties about money, and what you would advise her to do."</p> + +<p>"You can guess how it is she is in difficulties; the worst reason you +can think of will be the right one. What I want her to do is to accept +my help, but that she refuses to do. If no other way opens up she will +accept her sister's help, but she is rather afraid that would anger her +father."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he has rather close ways. How much does she require?"</p> + +<p>"Three hundred pounds with care would set her upon her feet."</p> + +<p>In another five minutes the two had parted company outside in the +road—Stephen to go home to the lonely farmhouse; Mrs. Colston to go and +do shepherd-work.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>A TWOFOLD PARTNERSHIP</h3> + + +<p>Mrs. Colston found Phebe seated at her books, where she had been ever +since Stephen had left. A brighter look came into her face when she saw +her old friend than had been there since Ralph's disappearance, but it +was the brightness of the rainbow, for in a minute or two she was seated +on a stool at Mrs. Colston's feet sobbing bitterly.</p> + +<p>"Poor lamb! You precious dear!" murmured the old friend, gently stroking +the brown bowed head and putting her arm lovingly round her neck. She +never sought to check the tears, knowing what a safety-valve they are. +And who can say tears are either weak or wicked, since "Jesus wept"?</p> + +<p>"I am so glad to see you; I did so want you to come, but did not like to +send for you," Phebe managed at length to say.</p> + +<p>"I came off the first minute I knew you were in trouble. I only wish I +had known before," and she put both arms round her then, and kissed +her—just like a mother would have done.</p> + +<p>"Stephen Collins told me, so I may as well tell you. Do you see these +hands?" spreading them out before her. "There's a good deal of strength +in them yet. No harm shall come near you that I can keep off. You're not +alone in the world, thank God; there's one friend who'll stand by you if +no one else does, and her name's Susan Colston!"</p> + +<p>Phebe looked up with quite a smiling face. "That does sound nice!" she +exclaimed. "You are a dear. I cannot tell you how lonely I have been +since Ralph went—just as if I were living in a desert; but such a load +seems gone now you have come."</p> + +<p>Then Phebe told her story. Sometimes the words would hardly come for a +choking sob; but at last it was spread out before her childhood's friend +in all its grim, unromantic baldness.</p> + +<p>When it was finished Mrs. Colston said: "Well, dearie, I'm not going to +say one word against Ralph; I hope I never shall. We will pray for him, +that is all: he must just be left to God's dealings."</p> + +<p>"But he could not have loved me, could he?" sighed Phebe. Mrs. Colston +wisely did not answer. Then Phebe spoke of her fresh trouble: "The world +will blame me, won't it? People will say I was a dreadful sort of woman +that Ralph could not live with."</p> + +<p>"I dare say they will, but what will that matter? Lots of people are +wrongly judged and wrongly punished. All this goes into the making of a +Christian. You know Job stood the trials of loss and bereavement, but he +could not stand the trial of the loss of his good name. It was then he +opened his mouth and used bad language. Up to that time he had blessed +the Lord—a pretty good difference. Suppose they do take away your good +name, the Lord will give it back to you again. Don't try to vindicate +yourself: you just leave all that to Him, and He'll make all come out +clear. People think it was the washing of those men's feet that showed +how humble Jesus was. I don't think so. I think it was when He 'made +Himself of no reputation'—just calmly let people take His character +away. Don't you see, Miss Phebe, dear, that your life is getting a +little bit more like the life of Jesus. Just a little step more, and, +like Paul, you'll glory in tribulation."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid I'm a long way from doing that."</p> + +<p>"No doubt you think so. But there now, I'm afraid my tongue is going on +too fast. What I particularly want to know is how you are going to +manage this business?"</p> + +<p>"I think I can manage very well if I have a little more capital, and if +no other way opens up I can have my sister's money."</p> + +<p>"Will you let me ask a favour?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I will. You know that."</p> + +<p>"And won't be offended?"</p> + +<p>"How could I be?"</p> + +<p>"I want you to let me open the way for you. You have asked God to open +up the way for you, let God answer your prayer through me."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean it?" in great astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Perhaps you think a poor old mangle-woman could not have a +banking-account, but I have"—this with a pleasant ring of laughter. +"There now, what do you think of that? I've just got three hundred +pounds in the savings bank. Will that be enough?"</p> + +<p><i>Three hundred pounds!</i>—just the amount Stephen said she would need. +Phebe stood speechless.</p> + +<p>"Say, dear, won't you?" repeated Mrs. Colston.</p> + +<p>"Why, of course I will; am only too delighted. It is the wonder of it +that made me quiet. You are good—so very good—and I'll see to it you +shall never lose the money," lifting up a face full of love-light.</p> + +<p>"You are not to trouble about that. If it is lost it is lost; I shall +not mind so long as we're partners. But there is something else I want +to ask you, and this you may not grant because it is asking so much."</p> + +<p>"I am sure you cannot ask anything I should not be only too happy to +grant."</p> + +<p>"If you are going to manage the business, who is going to look after the +housekeeping and the children? You cannot do all."</p> + +<p>"No, I cannot." Then after a pause: "God, who has helped me thus far so +wondrously, in such an unexpected way, will certainly make that clear +also."</p> + +<p>"So He will!" jubilantly exclaimed the dear old body. "So He will, only +He will let me do it for Him. It's just splendid to be on errands like +this!"</p> + +<p>"Whatever do you mean?" Phebe was bewildered.</p> + +<p>"I mean this: let me come and live with you and be your housekeeper and +nurse! I am tired of living alone, tired of my musical-box, and tired of +having no one to show bits of love to when I've a mind to. Will you let +me? I'll be so good if you will."</p> + +<p>"Let you! Why, it fairly takes away my breath. But I don't know if I +ought to let you. It is taking too much from you. You would have to give +up your own little home, and then there's the children——"</p> + +<p>"I know what you are going to say: that old folks don't want to be +bothered with children. Perhaps some don't, but what would my life be +worth now if I'd never had anything to do with children?"</p> + +<p>"Ah! but that was when you were younger."</p> + +<p>"I'm not old yet," drawing herself up with laughable dignity; "no, not +yet, thank you. But now to business. As far as you yourself are +concerned, have you any objection to my plan?"</p> + +<p>"None whatever, none. There's nothing you could have thought of that +would give me greater joy."</p> + +<p>"Then it's settled," and a kiss—no, it was more than one—sealed the +bargain. And then those two women involuntarily knelt down, and the +elder one in a quavering voice prayed: "Father, I have followed Your +directions, which You whispered to me as I came along the road to-night. +Miss Phebe and I love each other, we are going to help each other; do +bless us both. Let us feel just now You are blessing us." A pause. +"Thank You. The peace in our hearts is the token. We love each other. +Tighten with Your own hand, dear Father, the knot. From this moment may +this business prosper. May the business be altogether Yours. And bless +the two dear bairns. Help me to be another Hannah."</p> + +<p>When they rose from their feet Mrs. Colston said: "Before I go I must +just have a peep at my charges."</p> + +<p>"Of course you shall," said Phebe, beginning at once to lead the way. +"How I wish you were not going away from me to-night. I wish you could +stay right off."</p> + +<p>"I must go to-night, dearie; but I shall not be very long before I'm +back, bag and baggage. Janie won't mind me coming, I know."</p> + +<p>"She will be delighted."</p> + +<p>The two children were in Phebe's bedroom, Queenie in a little cot to +herself. They were both asleep. The sight of a sleeping infant always +suggests the thought of angels. It is not always the fear of waking a +sleeping child that makes the heaviest feet go on tip-toe, but the awe +which comes from the near presence of heavenly visitants. To be near a +sleeping child is to be near Heaven.</p> + +<p>Jack was a fair-haired, rosy-cheeked, chubby child. One little arm lay +under his head, and a smile seemed playing round his lips. He seemed +almost like a picture of sunshine asleep. Mrs. Colston stooped down and +kissed him—what woman could have helped doing so? She had once said she +believed Jesus kissed His disciples, because Mark used the words, "When +He had taken leave of them"—and Easterns took leave by kissing.</p> + +<p>Then she went to look at Queenie. Poor little Queenie! A dark-haired, +sad-faced darling. Mrs. Colston could hardly have explained how it was +she turned so quickly away from the little crib after ever such a +hurried kiss. Perhaps it was because she had seen a mark on the child. +Her father had been a forester, and often when out walking with him +along the forest pathways she had seen a mark on some of the trees and +knew by that sign they would soon be lying prostrate, stripped of all +their green grandeur. It was not so much of the child she was thinking +as of the child's mother.</p> + +<p>But when she reached the little parlour again, her face was as bright as +ever. "I want you," she said to Phebe, "to let me teach the children to +call me 'Nanna.' I had a friend once who was called 'Nanna.' Nothing +could make me more proud than to think I was a second 'Nanna.'"</p> + +<p>"On certain conditions," said Phebe. "You are having it all your own way +to-night. Now it is my turn."</p> + +<p>"What are they?"</p> + +<p>"That you call me Phebe, and that I call you 'Nanna,' too. I do so want +to be mothered, and no one can do it but you." The little speech began +with a laugh, but ended with something like a sob. How many there are +who want "mothering," and how many could do "mothering" if they chose!</p> + +<p>"That's another bargain."</p> + +<p>"May I come in?" It was Neighbour Bessie's voice.</p> + +<p>"Bessie comes in each night to bid me good-night," explained Phebe. "You +couldn't guess what good news I have to tell you," she continued, +turning to Bessie.</p> + +<p>"Not that——" stammered Bessie.</p> + +<p>"Nothing about Mr. Waring!" quickly put in Phebe; and then Bessie was +told the whole story. She was sitting on a little stool near the fire by +the side of Mrs. Colston.</p> + +<p>"I am downright glad for your sake, Mrs. Waring," she exclaimed +heartily. "It's just what you were wanting; but, oh dear," resting her +chin on her hands, "there's lots of good times a-going, but I'm never in +them."</p> + +<p>"Why, my dear child, you are always in them," exclaimed Mrs. Colston, +patting her head.</p> + +<p>"Well, I should like very much to know how you reckon that sum up."</p> + +<p>"I reckon it up out of the Bible. You are one of those who have a +continual feast."</p> + +<p>"A continual pickle, you should say, to be correct."</p> + +<p>"No, 'feast.' I know one riddle—and only one. Can you guess it? What is +the longest feast mentioned in the Bible?"</p> + +<p>"I know," answered Bessie, laughing, "because you've done as good as +tell it already: 'A merry heart is a continual feast.' But I haven't got +the merry heart, you see. Now, why couldn't it have been arranged for me +to be Mrs. Waring's partner?"</p> + +<p>"That I cannot tell. That's the Sunshine Patch meant for me. Your +Sunshine Patch is all round you already, only you are given to looking +too much over the fence."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Thus, without any pillar of cloud, or shining light, or glittering gems, +guidance came.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>A WOMAN'S WHIMS</h3> + + +<p>It did not take Mrs. Colston long to sell up some of her furniture and +the goodwill of her mangle, and settle down in her new quarters and to +her new duties. By that time the three hundred pounds had not only been +drawn out, but used, partly in paying debts and partly in adding to +stock. On one point Phebe was very firm, and that was that a legal +document be drawn up acknowledging the loan and agreeing to pay interest +at five per cent. Not that Phebe considered that would cover all her +liability. "As I prosper—if I do prosper," she said to Mrs. Colston, +"you shall prosper too. We will be real partners."</p> + +<p>"I don't want any of that lawyer's writing. Your word is sufficient," +said Mrs. Colston.</p> + +<p>"That may be, but I might be taken away, or some one else might step +in," replied Phebe quietly.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Colston quickly saw what was in Phebe's mind, and wisely forbore +saying anything further. When Nanna had been duly installed, not only by +mistress Phebe and Janie but also by their majesties, Queenie and Jack, +Phebe took hold of the business reins in true-going style.</p> + +<p>The first thing was to institute several reforms. One class of goods +which had usually been sold under different prices received one fixed +price; charges to different customers were made uniform.</p> + +<p>Reynolds was shocked.</p> + +<p>"So-and-so," said he, "will think the things are common if you don't put +the price on."</p> + +<p>"Then shall we level up, instead of levelling down?" asked the shrewd +mistress.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear, no; for Mrs. Dash will deal somewhere else if she doesn't +think she's having things extra cheap."</p> + +<p>"I cannot help all these little peculiarities," said Phebe. "I mean to +run this business on true, straight lines, whatever happens."</p> + +<p>Reynolds wanted to say something about it being a woman's whim, but +somehow or other the words would not come out. But a climax was reached +when he felt that to keep silence longer would be guilty; this was when +Phebe announced that in future the entire establishment would be closed +every Saturday evening at eight o'clock.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Waring!" he exclaimed; "you have no idea what sacrifice you are +making. If it is your assistants you are considering, why not close +earlier on Wednesdays?"</p> + +<p>"I intend to do that as well," she replied graciously; "but I may as +well be frank with you and say it is <i>not</i> out of consideration to my +assistants I am closing earlier on Saturdays."</p> + +<p>"Then why do it? I want the business to be a success, and I am sure you +do; but this plan, you will excuse me saying so, will be a dead loss. +Why, we take as much sometimes on a Saturday evening as we do all day on +Wednesday! And folks will say if we are so independent of their custom, +they'll see we do without it altogether."</p> + +<p>"Thank you most sincerely, Reynolds, for so unselfishly studying my +interests. But your reasoning is a little at fault," she added, with a +laugh. "If people think we can afford to be independent, that is the +very best advertisement we could have, for you know the old saying, +'Nothing succeeds like success.' But neither success nor non-success +weighs with me in this matter."</p> + +<p>"May I ask, then, what does?" asked Reynolds, feeling quite in a fog. +The question was put in a most respectful manner.</p> + +<p>The answer was given in one word, "God," and when it was spoken both +felt no inclination to pursue the subject further. But to Mrs. Colston, +Reynold's felt he might explode to his heart's content.</p> + +<p>"What's the good of trying to push things on, I should like to know? The +mistress, with all these new-fangled ideas, will just ruin the business. +What's God to do with a draper's shop, or a grocer's shop either?"</p> + +<p>"Keep cool, my dear boy, keep cool. If God's got nothing to do with +these shops then they'd better be closed."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to say God troubles Himself about sugar and calico?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I do, and with everything that goes on under this roof."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't, then; but if even He does, what has shutting up early on +Saturday evenings to do with it?—that's what I want to know! I tell you +it's only a woman's whim"—and he felt ever so much better after that +expression had come out.</p> + +<p>"To give herself and her friends proper time to prepare for the +Sabbath."</p> + +<p>"But she's not a Jewess."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Colston could not keep from laughing. "The idea that only Jews want +preparation-time! Why, Reynolds, I'm ashamed of you. To think that a +grown-up Sunday School boy like you should be so dense! How can anybody +keep the Sabbath properly who is toiling up to midnight on Saturday? And +look how mean it seems, as though you said to the Lord, 'I'll take +precious good care You don't get five minutes more time than I can +help.' I tell you, Reynolds, your mistress won't lose a penny by +honouring God. You mark my words, God has said, 'Them that honour Me, I +will honour.' And if even she did lose some customers, she won't lose in +the end, I tell you. You watch, but don't take short views of things."</p> + +<p>"Well, you're a queer pair, that's all I can say." But it was not all +he thought.</p> + +<p>Phebe had received no business training whatever; even when a child a +book had more fascination for her than a pair of scales, and to dream +dreams was more in her line than playing at shop, or even dressing +dolls. But she was one of those women who, when they once realise what +the work is they are shut up to, quickly master all the details, and +with zest determine to become master of it. She saw plainly there was no +path before her but what led behind counters. For her children's sake, +and for God's sake, she determined to make the business "go"; the zeal +she put into it acted as balm to her wounded heart; her industry kept +away the feeling of desolation, giving her no time to brood over the +hardness of her lot. Indeed, the business was a "godsend," but for it +she might have sunk into a spiritless, listless life; instead of that, +faculties were developed in her that her nearest and dearest never +dreamed she possessed. Of course her father warned her against all +unwomanly ways, constantly reminding her that the duty of every member +of her sex was to be like a flower and "blush unseen"; but to others he +daily sung her praises.</p> + +<p>Reynolds by degrees became reconciled to her reforms, and after +watching the conflagration of a box of valuable feathers, doomed to +destruction on account of the cruelty by which they were obtained, he +decided that nothing which might happen in the future as to the conduct +of the business would ever surprise him.</p> + +<p>Away in Texas there is a little plant called the compass plant, and the +Indians, even in the night, can tell by feeling its leaves the direction +in which they are going. The top leaves, weighted by dew or dust, +sometimes lose their power to point in the right direction, but the +young leaves, standing edgewise to the earth, are always true, ever +pointing north and south. To Reynolds Phebe was as a compass plant by +which he learned to measure right and wrong, but, best of all, she +pointed him to God. Of all this she was unconscious, and it was better +so; but would she always point true? Would the world's dust ever cause +her to lose that charm?</p> + +<p>In spite of Reynolds' fears, all these reforms did not affect the +business adversely; there were some losses, but the gains outnumbered +them. A good many customers came out of curiosity, and gossip was pretty +rife in the town, but all the information they got was that Mr. Waring +had gone abroad with the idea of starting a business. Some even +questioned Phebe herself and Mrs. Colston, but gained no further +information.</p> + +<p>No other letter had been received from Ralph, but Stephen Collins sent a +note one day saying that the ship which Ralph had sailed in had safely +arrived after a pleasant journey, and all were well on board. Phebe +supposed Stephen had gathered this information from the newspapers, but +asked no questions.</p> + +<p>One day Reynolds startled his mistress by saying, "Don't you think we +might begin to enlarge our borders?"</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?—do you want us to take in a third shop?"</p> + +<p>"No; but a long time ago master spoke of starting a village trade, and I +don't see why we should not start it now." And then he went on to give +the names of some villages which were quite growing localities through +becoming small manufacturing centres, but where shops had not increased +accordingly. By canvassing these and lonely farmhouses which lay +between, he thought a good bit of business might be done.</p> + +<p>"It could not be done without a horse and cart, and I could not afford +to buy those just now," said Phebe, shaking her head.</p> + +<p>"I have thought of that, but Higgins, the laundry people, have a horse +and light van they use only three days a week; there's no doubt they +would be willing to let us hire them."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps so; the plan is worth thinking over; but what should I do here +while you were away? I should be obliged to engage another assistant."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you would; but I think you would find it pay."</p> + +<p>Phebe promised she would give the subject serious consideration—"and we +must both pray about it," she added. It took quite an effort to bring +the words out, but she wanted in every possible way to show Reynolds +that God was to be consulted in all business details.</p> + +<p>The very next day Phebe had a visit from a young man seeking a +situation. She liked his appearance very much, he had a frank expression +on his face which touched her heart, and, besides that, she knew his +mother very well and had a great respect for her.</p> + +<p>"Have you a reference from your last situation?"</p> + +<p>The young fellow's face darkened. "No, Mrs. Waring, I have not," he +answered. "If I tell you all my trouble, will you promise not to tell my +mother? It would break her heart if she knew all."</p> + +<p>"I promise," she replied. "Come into the parlour, and tell me all," and +the young fellow did so—how he had been tempted to speculate, how he +had used some of his master's money, and had been found out before he +had time to withdraw money from the Post Office Savings Bank to refund +it. "I have paid it all now," he added, "but the master said I need +never ask him for a character. If you will trust me, Mrs. Waring, I +promise you I will serve you faithfully. You shall never regret having +me. Oh, for my mother's sake, do give me a chance!"</p> + +<p>"Just wait a minute," and then she went to consult Mrs. Colston, whom +she had previously spoken to about Reynolds' suggestion.</p> + +<p>"Is this God's answer, Nanna? Or would it be unwise to engage a young +man who had made such a mistake? I feel strongly inclined to give him a +chance, if even we did not start a village trade."</p> + +<p>"I should take it as God's answer, dearie, you are to extend your trade. +And, bless me, why shouldn't you give the young fellow a chance? God +gives us plenty! But don't start him with a rope round his neck."</p> + +<p>"Whatever do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Don't show any mistrust, that is all." Afterwards she said to herself, +"Reynolds would call that another 'whim' if he knew about it. She +wouldn't have engaged that young fellow as quickly as this before her +trouble came, not she; it's just wonderful how trouble softens the +heart. It's only them that's received mercy which show mercy."</p> + +<p>The young fellow's name was Jones—D. Jones—the "D." standing for +David. Neighbour Bessie came in just afterwards on what she called her +ginger-beer cork visits—a pop and go visit, and, of course, she was +told of the new "hand" and the new scheme—but no hint as to the young +man's past was given.</p> + +<p>"D. Jones," she exclaimed, clapping her hands, "makes me think of an old +man in America my aunt knew, who had once been a soldier; he was 'D. +Jones,' but you'd never guess what the 'D.' stood for, that you never +would, but it is what I shall call your Mr. Jones."</p> + +<p>"Well, tell us what it was, Miss Smarty, or I'll shake you," said Nanna, +trying to look fierce.</p> + +<p>"It's what I wish somebody would call me; it was 'Darling Jones.' It's a +fact; I'm not making it up. Isn't it lovely! Just fancy, if my name was +'Darling,' what a fix mother would be in! She couldn't scold me and call +me 'Darling' at the same time, now could she? Wouldn't it be rich to +hear her call out 'Darling, you are a wretched girl!' It would be +scrumptious, just!"</p> + +<p>"You're a naughty darling, that's what you are," said Mrs. Colston, +solemnly shaking her head. "It's a pity you can't put all your fun and +energy to some good purpose."</p> + +<p>"Well, I shall always call your Jones 'Darling,' you see if I don't."</p> + +<p>That same evening Reynolds was informed that the extension scheme was to +be tried at once.</p> + +<p>"And may I ask," in a very quiet voice, looking earnestly into Phebe's +face, "what led you to this decision?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, certainly. A young man came and asked me to give him employment. I +had not advertised, nor spoken of the matter to any one but Mrs. +Colston. I liked his manner very much. I took that as a guidance, and +have engaged him. I am sending to-night to printers to have circulars +prepared, and next week I will help you to get out samples. Perhaps you +would not mind seeing Mr. Higgins for me."</p> + +<p>"Well, well," said Reynolds to himself, "the idea that God had anything +to do with that young man coming here. We shall hear of angels serving +the customers next."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>A GATHERED FLOWER</h3> + + +<p>The printed circulars were issued in Phebe's own name. Whether she had +the legal right to do this or not she did not know, but knew well enough +the moral right was hers.</p> + +<p>The very first trial of the new scheme showed that it would prove a +success. This was largely attributable to two things; first, to +Reynolds' "push": the scheme being largely his own he felt the +responsibility of it, and for his own credit's sake determined it should +"go"; the other thing was Phebe's good sense; the grocery department she +conducted from a housewife's standpoint, the drapery department from a +Christian woman's standpoint, and thus in both had a considerable +advantage over her husband.</p> + +<p>Fellow tradespeople marvelled that in the absence of the husband there +should be an extension of the business. Woman is supposed to be +conservative, yet at the same time it is acknowledged she quickly sees a +point and seizes it while the man is still thinking about it. Each +cannot be fully true. Love may make her at times conservative; but if +roused to devoted service she cannot be anything but progressive.</p> + +<p>But if sunlight was growing in the business department the shadows were +deepening in the home department. Sturdy little Jack had been elevated +to sleeping in the crib, while frail little Queenie nestled each night +to sleep in the mother's arms. Nanna could see that the child was a +fading flower, soon to be transplanted to a fairer region, but, strange +to say, the mother's eyes only saw the still brilliant tints of the +sweet blossom. Very early every morning the child would sit up and +stroke the mother's face till she wakened, such a glad light coming into +her eyes when she had succeeded. A little later on she did not attempt +to sit up, but stretched up her arms to her mother's face. Then came a +morning when the mother woke without the touch of the little fingers; +the child was awake, the love-light as usual in the soft, grey eyes, but +with not strength enough left to show its love in the old way.</p> + +<p>Then it was Phebe grew alarmed, and the doctor was sent for. But all +that human aid could do Nanna had already done. And then came a day when +even the shopmen stole about on tip-toe. (The Potter was about to put +His cup into the furnace again. There was high work designed for it, for +which it needed great preparation.)</p> + +<p>All day long Phebe sat by the fire nursing her dying child on her knee.</p> + +<p>The angels must have bent very closely round Mary of Nazareth as she +nursed her Babe; but surely they gather just as closely round a mother +whose child they are about to conduct to their King!</p> + +<p>There was still the love-light in the little one's eyes. Nanna was +standing at the window watching the sunlight fade from the sky; Phebe +was watching the light slowly fade from her child's eyes.</p> + +<p>The angels were bending still closer.</p> + +<p>For one moment the little hand was once more raised to stroke the loving +face bending over it. It was a last effort, and then the light was gone.</p> + +<p>The angels had gone.</p> + +<p>"It is time she had some more milk," said Nanna, coming near.</p> + +<p>"She is asleep," said Phebe, in a strained voice, "let her alone just +now," and quite hastily she put her arm over the child, drawing the +shawl partly over its face.</p> + +<p>Nanna did not feel she had the heart to press her point, and left the +room for a few minutes. On her return she said, "Phebe, dear, you must +wake Queenie, she must have her milk; it will never do to neglect any +effort. Let me have her for a few moments. I'll promise to wake her +gently," and she held out her arms beseechingly.</p> + +<p>Phebe's answer was to strain the little form passionately to her breast.</p> + +<p>"Come, come," said Nanna, more firmly, "let me take her."</p> + +<p>"To wake her?" asked Phebe, looking at her with wild eyes.</p> + +<p>"Yes, there's a dear. You will be quite worn out."</p> + +<p>"She will never wake again," wailed Phebe, and then tears came to her +relief, tears which in the first moments of her agony seemed to be +freezing her life's blood.</p> + +<p>"Phebe! Phebe! Why did you not tell me before? Did you know that she was +gone when I spoke to you before?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I could not let you have her, and I cannot let you have her +now." She rose to go upstairs, still carrying the little cold form.</p> + +<p>"But I must have her, Phebe, dear," said Nanna, planting herself firmly +in Phebe's way.</p> + +<p>"Surely, you will not take her from me yet! I cannot, oh, I cannot part +with her. It is so hard! Oh, so hard!"</p> + +<p>"It is hard just now, darling, I know. Sit down again, and let us look +at the sweet little face." Phebe did so. "And won't you really let me +have her at all?" Nanna continued; "surely, you will!" and Phebe, +pressing a passionate kiss on the cold brow, yielded, knowing that never +again in this life would she hold that little form in her arms. Was it +any wonder she was loth to part with it, when, however much her arms +might ache for it in the future, she could never again press it to her +heart!</p> + +<p>And then came days of darkness. Why had God allowed her child to be +taken? He could not have prevented her husband's desertion without +taking away his free will, but the child did not wish to leave her; why +did not God touch her with His healing hand? Was not her lot hard enough +without this last trial? Why did not God, to make up for the loss of +husband, allow the child to remain? Would not an earthly loving father +have done as much? These questionings would come, and her heart could +find no answers—yet.</p> + +<p>And Nanna, who knew all about them, never chided. She just waited, +knowing that ere long comfort <i>would</i> come. "It was the sight of sorrow +such as yours that made Jesus shed tears," she said one day. "It fair +broke the blessed Lord down to see that woman Mary cry so, and to see +the trouble death brings."</p> + +<p>"Then you don't think He's cross with me for fretting so?" asked Phebe, +with some excitement.</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it, dearie. He knows right well what a blow it has been to +you, and sympathises with you; rest on that."</p> + +<p>"That is a comfort, but then, Nanna, why did He not prevent it? He is +all-powerful, and could have prevented it if He had chosen!" It was the +old cry from a broken heart, "Why! Why!"</p> + +<p>"Because He wished for your child exactly the same as you do." She spoke +very emphatically.</p> + +<p>"What is that?" Phebe asked, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"The greatest good. Be sure of this, if it had been for the child's good +she would have stayed. God can judge so much better than we can what is +the best, so He decided she was to go. You do believe, don't you, +dearie, that God knows best?—He must do!"</p> + +<p>"Yes." But the voice had no ringing tone in it.</p> + +<p>"And there's another thing I want you to rest on, though you cannot work +it out yet in your own mind, but it's true, for all that, and it's this, +that God will make all this trouble work for good in your own life, +quite apart from dear little Queenie's, or, even for your sake, He would +not have permitted it."</p> + +<p>"I believe it all, Nanna, and yet it seems so hard to live out the +belief."</p> + +<p>"Yes, dearie, I know, but that's just because the trouble has kind of +stunned you. Just you wait awhile, and you will be able not only to rest +on the fact of God's wisdom and goodness, but <i>cheerfully</i> to rest."</p> + +<p>"I wish I could!"</p> + +<p>How strange it is that there is never a wounded heart but there's +somebody close by to put in some extra drop of bitterness. A friend +called in one day with the express intention of showing sympathy, but +succeeded in doing just the opposite, by remarking she was sure it was +not the will of God any little child should die, and what a pity it was +we had not more faith. All this Phebe told to Nanna, and, for a wonder, +Nanna was near to exploding.</p> + +<p>"I do wish folk would have more sense! Why, it seems to me, some folks +think they know better than God Himself. If you had prayed, 'My child is +not going to die, my faith will keep her here,' wouldn't that have been +dictating to God! Then, think of all the holy men and women who have +died young! Do you think God allowed them to die before their time +simply because they didn't know they might have healing through faith! +Don't trouble your head about that. Why, God, perhaps, has some work up +yonder to do that only an innocent child-spirit like Queenie could do, +or He may have taken her to shield her from some evil. If your faith +could have saved that child you would have had the faith. God knew right +enough you didn't want to part with her." Then when the dear old soul +had taken breath, she started off again. "What is a sign? It's something +out of the ordinary way to teach you some special lesson. Well, Jesus +said the sick were to be cured by faith, as a sign, not as a rule. +Nobody can get over that, so there now," and off she went to give Jack +his supper.</p> + +<p>It was not long before Phebe herself realised at least one blessing +which had come into her life since the child's departure, and that was +the sense of the nearness of the spirit world. It seemed as if a line of +light connected her world with the beyond, and the line of light was the +pathway Queenie had trod. When she had lost her mother her grief was +great, but it was the grief of a child, her soul had not the conscious +power then to reach after her loved one as now she reached after her +child.</p> + +<p>The whole of her life seemed made up of strips of light and shade, and +just as this gleam from the golden land dawned upon her, the old +darkness seemed all to come back again. The following letter was +received from Ralph:—</p> + +<blockquote> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"<i>Queen's Hotel, Adelaide.</i><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"<span class="smcap">My Dear Phebe</span>,<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"I dare say you have been wondering what part of the globe I +have travelled to. This letter will set your mind at rest on +that score. I do not suppose I shall stay here long, but any +letters you send will be sure to be forwarded to me. I have +already found several friends here and have good prospects. No +doubt my sudden departure was a shock to you, but I did it out +of regard for you, and you must think of it in that way. And +you cannot say I did not leave you well provided for. The +goodwill of the business and the stock are worth a great deal. +You are in a much better position now than before you were +married. As soon as ever I am permanently settled we will +discuss future plans. Of course I miss you and the children +very much, and no doubt you miss me. This is a splendid +country, with room to breathe in. I only wish I had come years +ago. I mean to make my mark here; no more small pettifogging +ways for me. My friends tell me I am just the man to succeed +here. It is nice to be appreciated.</p> + +<p>"Write soon and tell me how you all are.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"I am,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Your affectionate husband,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"<span class="smcap">Ralph Waring</span>."<br /></span> +</div></div></blockquote> + +<p>It was not long before Phebe noticed that though the letter was in a +foreign envelope, it had neither stamp nor postmark of any description.</p> + +<p>By what means the letter had reached her seemed too great a mystery for +her to attempt to unravel, so the thought of it was put right away, the +change in Ralph's affections being quite sufficient for her to cope with +just then.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>IS GOD GOOD?</h3> + + +<p>During these dark days Neighbour Bessie was a constant visitor, and she +never came without seeking to bring some brightness, though mostly it +was in the form of fun. Sometimes it jarred on Phebe when she first came +in, but invariably Phebe was found enjoying the fun before Bessie left.</p> + +<p>Bessie was in high feather when Phebe told her in neighbourly confidence +that an old great-uncle, recently deceased, had left her the freehold of +a meadow at Edenholme, a place four miles from Hadley.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to say you are a landed proprietress?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, if you care to put it in that grand style."</p> + +<p>"Of course I do—style is everything. But really to be serious, I should +like to see this estate of yours!"</p> + +<p>"Estate! Just one field, with one solitary donkey, perhaps, in it."</p> + +<p>"Well, let's make the dear donkey's acquaintance, anyhow. Could we not +drive there? Couldn't Darling Jones drive you and me, and let's have +half-a-day's holiday? Now, do, there's a dear! I'm sure I'm losing all +my complexion because I never get an outing."</p> + +<p>"I do wish you wouldn't call that young man by that foolish name. +Suppose he should overhear you?"</p> + +<p>"That would be perfectly lovely! He'd put his hand on his heart, and say +'Somebody loves me!'" and Bessie put herself in the supposed tragic +attitude.</p> + +<p>"You are a dreadful girl. Now, just for a punishment Reynolds shall +drive us."</p> + +<p>"Then you consent to go?" and Bessie's eagerness confirmed Phebe in her +suspicion that it was simply a ruse to get her out.</p> + +<p>However, the drive was taken and enjoyed. Instead of the donkey being +found in the meadow, there was a blind child groping about on hands and +knees for flowers and grasses. "Just look there!" exclaimed Bessie, +quite philosophically; "and yet with two eyes of quite the proper sort +and power, most of us miss heaps of flowers we might gather."</p> + +<p>The meadow was close by a small railway station soon to become an +important junction, a new line being under construction which would run +into it from quite an opposite direction.</p> + +<p>Reynolds drove them to the other side of the line, where some hundreds +of men were at work on a long tunnel. The curious little wooden houses +in which some of the men lived were inspected, and Phebe had quite a +long chat with one of the "gangers."</p> + +<p>On their return home Bessie informed Mrs. Colston that the "estate" had +some "park-like stretches," and was quite "a suitable site for a summer +holiday with the help of a tent." "But it is a shame," she went on, +"that it is not on the other side of the railway. Why, if that meadow +had only been near that tunnel the railway folks would have given ever +so much for it. Don't you think it is too bad?"</p> + +<p>"No, I don't."</p> + +<p>"You don't! Wouldn't you like Mrs. Waring to make an honest bit of +money?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I should. But if it would have been better for the meadow to +have been where you wished it, it would have been there, no doubt about +that."</p> + +<p>"Do you think, then, that whatever is, is best? But I don't see how you +can. I didn't have any breakfast this morning. Mother said I was in one +of my tantrums. Suppose I was; but I can tell you it wasn't the best +thing for me."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it just was; but I cannot say positively about your affairs, +because I don't know that you come under the same list as mistress +does."</p> + +<p>"What list is that?"</p> + +<p>"The list of Christians. You know 'whatever is <i>is</i> best' for them. +Perhaps it doesn't seem so at the first, but God makes it so sooner or +later."</p> + +<p>"He doesn't do so, then, for everybody?"</p> + +<p>"No, I don't think so; I can't see how they can expect Him to."</p> + +<p>"It's a bad look-out for me, then, Mrs. Colston," and the girl looked +her frankly in the face. "I often wish I were a Christian; but there, I +never shall be."</p> + +<p>"Why not, Bessie, dear? Tell me what is your difficulty."</p> + +<p>"I can't give up my nonsense and fun; it's no good, I couldn't be +serious like Mrs. Waring is for anything. And then," dropping her voice, +"mother would never believe I was trying to be good, no, not if I tried +like an archangel."</p> + +<p>"What your mother believes, or doesn't believe, shouldn't come into the +question, dear. It's the Lord's opinion of us we've got to trouble +about. But you make a great mistake if you think you've got to give up +fun, so long as it's innocent fun. Why, I believe God is often +disappointed in His children because they're such a long-faced, sour +lot; I do indeed."</p> + +<p>But just then Mrs. Marchant sent in a message that Bessie was wanted at +once.</p> + +<p>That same evening Phebe was called into the grocery department to see a +woman who particularly wished to speak to her. She was a very +forlorn-looking being, and seeing the marks of tears upon her face Phebe +invited her into the parlour, placing a chair for her by the fire, for +the evening was chilly.</p> + +<p>"I've come to ask you, Mrs. Waring, if you will come and see my husband. +I do believe he is dying."</p> + +<p>"But why do you want me to see him?" Phebe was feeling very bewildered. +"Why not get a doctor? I'm not even a nurse."</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's not that. I've got a doctor for him; he wants to talk to you. +It's him that sent me to ask you."</p> + +<p>"But why does he want to see me?"</p> + +<p>"I asked him if I should get anybody to come and pray to him, and he +said as how he didn't want no parsons a-bothering of him, but he would +like Mrs. Waring to come, for," in quite a whisper, "he's mortal afeared +of dying."</p> + +<p>"He wants me to come in place of a minister?" said Phebe with a gasp. +"How does he know me? How did he come to ask for me?"</p> + +<p>"Why, you know he used to go a good deal to 'The Rose in June,' and they +was a-talking about you there one night—he told me so when he came +home—as how you shut your shops early on Saturday 'cause you were +particular about Sunday. One of your shopfolks said so to somebody. And +my Jim said as how you must be one of the right sort, for your religion +cost you summat. That's how it is. He's talked about it a lot of times; +and one night some of the men that goes to 'The Rose in June' came to +have a look at you."</p> + +<p>Phebe smiled. "I should like to help your husband all I could," she +said, "but I am quite unfit to talk to a dying man. Why not let me send +for one of our good ministers? Or, I will ask my friend if she will go."</p> + +<p>"I'm sure he won't see anybody else," the woman exclaimed, but Phebe was +out of hearing. Presently she returned, saying in a very quiet voice +that she would accompany her home at once. Nanna had firmly refused to +go, saying it was a distinct call from God to Phebe herself, and that it +would be wicked to disobey.</p> + +<p>So in great fear and trembling Phebe went.</p> + +<p>The man was lying on a wretched bed, evidently very weak, but with no +signs of death about him. After inquiring as to how he felt Phebe +started straightway by telling him how unfit she was to help anybody, +being only a learner herself, and her very simple straightforwardness +drew the sick man all the more to her.</p> + +<p>"But, look here, missis," he said, turning on his elbow eagerly towards +her. "You can help me all I want, and I'd rather have you than one of +them preaching chaps as is paid to do it. What I wants to know is this: +Do you think as how God is good and only does good things?"</p> + +<p>Phebe paused for a moment, and while she hesitated the man was keenly +watching her, with great hungry-looking eyes.</p> + +<p>"I want my answer to be perfectly true," she replied, "that is why I +waited."</p> + +<p>"I know it'll be true," said the man.</p> + +<p>Is God good? What about the taking away of her child! Could she say to +this hungry, seeking soul He was not good? A thousand times, <i>No</i>—that +she could never do. "I have been in great trouble lately—for more than +a year the way has been very dark"—there was a choke in her voice.</p> + +<p>"I guessed so," said the man softly.</p> + +<p>"But God <i>is</i> good," her voice was clear and firm again. "Yes, He is +good; I have found Him so over and over again. We judge Him too quickly +so often, and so often blame Him for what comes through the sins of +other."</p> + +<p>"There's so many queer things in the world," said the man, "that it +seemed to me there couldn't be a good God."</p> + +<p>"It's the men and women who are queer."</p> + +<p>"But, look here, if He's really good, will He take pity on a poor chap +like me, who's been such a wicked 'un, and only comes to Him when he's +not got nobody else to go to?" There was a depth of yearning in the +voice.</p> + +<p>"Before I answer that question I should like you to answer me one, +because I cannot know your heart as God does. Suppose, now, God was to +give you back health, how would you treat God then?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, now, missis, I must take time to think, as you did." Then, after a +pause: "I'd stand by Him, blest if I wouldn't!"</p> + +<p>"And leave off going to the public-house and lead a straight, clean +life?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I would, if only He'd make me downright sure He wiped off all old +scores agen me. Will you ask Him to?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I will."</p> + +<p>"But I mean here—now!"</p> + +<p>To pray in public! She had never done such a thing in her life! Again +came the feeling of fear, but again it was conquered. Kneeling down by +the side of the bed, with the man's hand in hers, and the man's wife +kneeling by her side, she slowly, in short sentences, asked for just +what the man needed, and under his breath he repeated every word she +said. If the man had never heard of Jesus, and what Jesus had done for +him, he learnt it from that prayer, and grasped the truth for himself.</p> + +<p>"Now," said she, as she rose from her knees, "I believe you are going to +get better."</p> + +<p>All the way home her thoughts dwelt on the fact that she had publicly +testified to the goodness of God. "After that," she said to herself, "I +must not grieve any more after my darling. It must have been right for +her to go, since God is good. To doubt that will make me a liar, and my +life, too, must show I do not doubt it; but, oh, that I might catch a +glimpse of her just for a minute!"</p> + +<p>It was a trembling Phebe who left home—a radiant Phebe returned. Nanna +could not understand the change, but when she heard the story she +exclaimed: "There now, that's always the way! If ever you want help, go +and help somebody else. I do declare it was the Lord Himself who got you +to commit yourself in that way. He just cornered you for your own +deliverance."</p> + +<p>It was a hard, strenuous life that Phebe Waring led day by day. An hour +was spent in the business every morning before breakfast, and till the +last shutter was up at night she was still at her post. But never a day +passed without some portion of it being entirely given up to +sunny-haired little Jack. There was no piece of work done in which she +did not lend a hand, and not only was there in every department every +evidence of fair and honest dealing, but the utmost economy was also +studied, down to the tying of string and the folding up of paper. +Economy is not the sign of a small mind, but waste the sign of a mind +with empty corners.</p> + +<p>As the new year approached Reynolds asked if there was to be any +stocktaking, and, if so, on what lines it should be done? The truth was +Phebe had not thought of this, but did not think it necessary to say +so. After due deliberation the whole affair was arranged, and when she +cast up her accounts, to her great astonishment she found there had been +considerable advance made—and this in spite of the extra help employed, +the purchase of a horse and cart, and several improvements which had +been made in the premises. "Is not that splendid!" she said to Nanna, as +all the figures were explained. "I shall give a good bonus to Reynolds, +for he deserves it; and Jones must have something, too. If I go on at +this rate I shall some day be a rich woman! Think of that! God is indeed +good!"</p> + +<p>"Ah, dearie, it's easy to say 'God is good!' when the balance is on the +right side, but what must please Him best is when we can say it just as +trustfully when the purse is empty."</p> + +<p>The truth was, Nanna was just a wee bit afraid lest her darling should +not stand the test of wealth. She remembered an old story about a play +which used to be enacted at country fairs in the days when the Quakers +were so bitterly persecuted. Among the <i>dramatis personæ</i> came the evil +one, who, in the course of a speech, made these remarks: "Let these +Quakers alone; it's no good hunting them down. This is my plan: God is +sure to prosper them in basket and in store, because they serve Him +faithfully; then when they are rich, that will be my time. I shall be +sure to get them then."</p> + +<p>"God keep her from the snare of riches!" was the old woman's fervent +prayer.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>THE STONE THROWN IN THE WATERS</h3> + + +<p>Neighbour Bessie had got a new thought!</p> + +<p>Not that this was an unusual occurrence, her brain being pretty +prolific, but this was of special importance and gave her special +delight.</p> + +<p>She was a member of a certain young woman's Bible class which happened +just then to be without a teacher. The inspiring thought was, "Why +should not Mrs. Waring become the teacher?" Hurrah! And she <i>should</i> +become the teacher, too, if Bessie could by any possible manœuvres +bring it about.</p> + +<p>That her own personal invitation was not sufficient she knew well +enough, and was quite sure Mrs. Waring would never offer her services, +though "coaxed like anything." "I know what I'll do!" she exclaimed to +herself. "I'll get up a petition. See if I don't;" and she did, for when +once Bessie willed she did, and there was "an end on't," as the +Lancashire women say.</p> + +<p>She drew up the heading herself, one sentence being, "And we shall ever +be grateful," which she thought would be especially "fetching." "None of +your 'Kathleen Mavourneen' style about that: 'may be for years or may be +for ever.'" Truth to tell, there was never much of the "Kathleen +Mavourneen style" about any of Bessie's doings, her character being cast +in too decided a mould for that.</p> + +<p>The following Sunday twelve out of twenty members were present, and all +willingly signed the petition, somewhat tickled with the fun of it and +Bessie's tragic manner. The other eight she visited at their homes, and +thus the full number of signatures was obtained.</p> + +<p>Then came the formidable task of presenting the petition. "When a +subject presents a petition to the Queen"—that was how she began her +speech on the very first opportunity—"I suppose the proper thing is to +drop down on the knees something like this," straightway kneeling down +in front of Phebe.</p> + +<p>"Are you thinking of interviewing the Queen yourself, then? Is that your +next adventure?"</p> + +<p>"I am already interviewing the queen of my heart, and would beseech her +gracious majesty to carefully read this petition," spreading the paper +out on Phebe's knee.</p> + +<p>"What nonsense are you up to now, Bessie?" asked Nanna, coming into the +room just at that minute.</p> + +<p>"No nonsense at all, but real serious business, such as you would +delight in yourself. Come and help me to persuade Mrs. Waring to say +'Yes.'"</p> + +<p>"But ought she to say 'Yes'?"</p> + +<p>"I am sure you will say so when you know all about it."</p> + +<p>Phebe at once, with a smile, handed Nanna the paper, and Nanna, with +spectacles on nose, began to read with a face as solemn as the +countenances of two judges photographed on to one negative. But sunshine +soon conquered solemnity.</p> + +<p>"Well done, Bessie! It does you credit," was the instantaneous verdict. +"I can see it's you that's been at the top and bottom of it all. Of +course you'll say 'Yes'?" turning to Phebe.</p> + +<p>"It's very good of the girls, and it is just what I should like to do; +but there is one thing they have forgotten to do."</p> + +<p>"What is that?" quickly questioned Bessie.</p> + +<p>"You have never asked the permission of the superintendent."</p> + +<p>"Never thought of that," exclaimed Bessie; "but there will be no +difficulty in that quarter. Why should there be? Then you do really say +'Yes'?"</p> + +<p>"I will certainly try what I can do, but understand, the invitation must +also come from the superintendent."</p> + +<p>"You are a dear," and impulsive Bessie flung her arms round her neck and +kissed her. "Do you know I feel so good and virtuous I don't think I +shall sleep to-night."</p> + +<p>Certainly Phebe did not go to sleep quickly that night, the idea of +partly mothering twenty girls quite taking possession of her. If only +she could get them to rise up to the full dignity of Christian womanhood +what a splendid piece of work that would be! And there and then she +began shaping her introductory talk to them. She looked upon Bessie's +scheme as another means sent by God to fill the void left in her heart +and life.</p> + +<p>The following Sunday afternoon she quite expected that Bessie would come +in to tea, bringing with her the more formal invitation. The meal was +even kept waiting, but no Bessie came.</p> + +<p>"She will come in after tea," said Phebe—still no Bessie.</p> + +<p>"She will be here at supper-time, sure enough," said Mrs. Colston. +Supper-time came, but no Bessie.</p> + +<p>"She must be unwell, surely," thought Phebe; but Bessie's high voice +overheard on Monday morning proved that to be quite a mistake.</p> + +<p>All Monday passed, but no Bessie came. On Tuesday morning Mrs. Colston +sent her a message: "Why do you not come in? Have you forgotten what we +are expecting?" To Phebe she said: "No doubt the superintendent was not +present on Sunday, but at least she ought to have come in and told us +so. I don't hold with girls being so thoughtless."</p> + +<p>Bessie's answer was: "I'll come in this evening."</p> + +<p>Poor Bessie! When she did come—and she made it as late as ever she +could—she looked as if she had just made the acquaintance of the +ducking-stool.</p> + +<p>"I know you wanted to hear what that superintendent said, and that's +just why I didn't want to come in," she blurted out.</p> + +<p>"Poor old Bessie!" said Phebe, quite pained to see the change in her, +"but don't fret about it, whatever it was."</p> + +<p>"But I can't help it! It is a downright big shame."</p> + +<p>"What dreadful thing did he say?"</p> + +<p>"He's going to take the class himself, but I can't stay any longer, +mother will want me."</p> + +<p>"Bessie," said Phebe, laying her hand firmly on her arm, "there is +something else troubling you."</p> + +<p>"The girls don't want a man to teach them—but I really must be going."</p> + +<p>"Bessie," Phebe forced her into a chair, and stood over her, "you are to +tell me right out what is troubling you. Surely there are to be no +secrets between us! Tell me just what the superintendent said."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus3" id="illus3"></a> +<img src="images/illus3.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>"'BESSIE, YOU ARE TO TELL ME RIGHT OUT WHAT IS TROUBLING YOU.'"</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<p>"That he should take it himself"—putting her hands over her face to +hide the tears.</p> + +<p>"What else?"</p> + +<p>"That you were not suitable."</p> + +<p>"And what else? Why was I not suitable?"</p> + +<p>But Bessie could not answer for crying.</p> + +<p>"Tell me this"—and Phebe's voice was very strained—"was it because my +husband had left me?"</p> + +<p>Bessie looked up at her with her tear-stained face; words would not +come, but a little nod told all that was needed.</p> + +<p>The blow Phebe had feared so long had come. It was a fact, then, that +her good name was tarnished. She went over to the fire, standing with +her back to Bessie, to try to calm herself, to pray for strength to bear +such a cruel blow. The sound of Bessie's sobbing was very painful to +hear, but at last the girl roused herself, and coming and standing by +Phebe she whispered, "I would have given anything to have kept it from +you. You do believe me, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I do. Do not fret, dear; all will come right"—her breath was +caught—"in time."</p> + +<p>"To think that I should have brought this on you."</p> + +<p>"But you did not—it is better for me to know how—people regard me. +Now, go home, dear, and do what you have to do. I shall be feeling all +right in the morning."</p> + +<p>It was a comfort when Phebe reached her own room to be alone, save for +the sleeping child—and the unseen angels.</p> + +<p>And Bessie, too, was glad to be alone. She was thankful the whole affair +had come out, having felt assured it was bound to do so, but her whole +being was filled with indignation at the thought of the indignity her +friend had been made to suffer. "If only I had never asked her till it +was all settled it wouldn't have been so bad! What can I tell the girls? +<i>I</i> shan't let out all the reason, but <i>he</i> will, I dare say. Wish I +could be upsides down with him, that I do! What a mess I do make of +everything, to be sure. If mother knew she'd say it was just like me. I +feel perfectly wretched. I wonder how I could pay that man out for his +meanness!"</p> + +<p>And then another bright idea struck Neighbour Bessie, and by the time +she had worked her plan out she was fast asleep.</p> + +<p>The next day, during the minutes she could snatch from work, twenty +dainty little notes were written, addressed to the twenty girls who had +signed the petition. Each was supposed to be a private note, inviting +the receiver to accompany Bessie next Sunday afternoon to some special +meeting going on in the town, and to meet her at 2.45 by the +market-pump.</p> + +<p>Not being very flush with pocket-money—she never was—the notes could +not be posted, but during the next three evenings were all delivered by +hand. Twelve favourable replies were received, some of the girls +expressing appreciation of this marked token of Bessie's favour, Bessie +being really a very popular member; four declined on the plea of colds +or previous engagements; and four were blanks, but Bessie found out, in +some way or other, that these were away from home.</p> + +<p>"That's just splendid," she said to herself, surveying the pile of +assorted notepaper, "perfect."</p> + +<p>"I say, Bess, are you going to give a party?" asked her brother, +happening to catch sight of the notes.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"When?"</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you when it's all over."</p> + +<p>At 2.45 on Sunday afternoon twelve girls met round the market-pump, each +greatly surprised to see all the others.</p> + +<p>"I came here to meet Bessie Marchant," said one.</p> + +<p>"And so did I," said another.</p> + +<p>"And so did I," said they all; and then they all laughed, for they were +a good-natured set of girls.</p> + +<p>"We'll make her answer for this when she turns up," said some of them.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by this, Miss Bessie Marchant?" three or four called +out all at once when at last she made her appearance puffing and blowing +through hurrying.</p> + +<p>"Dreadfully sorry, girls, to be so late; really couldn't help it. Mean?" +looking ever so solemnly sweet, "mean? You were all such dears I +couldn't leave one of you out," and taking hold of the two girls she had +the least confidence in marched off, all the others following.</p> + +<p>She told the whole story the same evening to Nanna, alone. "You would +have died of laughing if you'd seen the faces of those girls as they +cuddled round that pump, that you would. Some were hanging on to the +handle, they felt that took back like. But I got them all to the +meeting."</p> + +<p>"But what did you do it for?"</p> + +<p>"That's just what they wanted to know, and not one guessed. I told them +after they came out, though."</p> + +<p>"Well, what was your reason?"</p> + +<p>"To pay that man out, of course. He pretended he wanted the class for +himself, and I thought at least for one Sunday he shouldn't have that +pleasure. It was splendid fun just to picture how he would look when he +went into the room and found no one there. It did tickle the girls, I +can tell you."</p> + +<p>"But you don't mean to say you told them all that!"</p> + +<p>"Of course I did. I was obliged to tell them how he had refused Mrs. +Waring's offer, and so I explained to them how just for once I had paid +him out."</p> + +<p>"And don't you suppose they will go and tell him what you have said?"</p> + +<p>"Some will, no doubt; but others are as cross as I am about it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Bessie, Bessie, when will you learn wisdom!" exclaimed Mrs. +Colston, in a very troubled voice.</p> + +<p>"What have I done wrong now, I should like to know? You don't mean to +say you're cross with me?"</p> + +<p>"You have made that man more than ever the mistress's enemy. You have +thrown a stone into the waters; you can never tell where its ripples +will reach to. He may be a Christian. I don't know, but after the trick +you have paid him he will dislike and mistrust Mrs. Waring more than +ever. You may have done your dear friend a great unkindness, for if he's +got any unsubdued malice in him he'll show it some day towards her; +you'll see."</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Colston!" exclaimed Bessie, "you fairly take away my breath. I +declare life is too much for me!"</p> + +<p>"It's too much for any of us—alone. With all your fun and nonsense you +need a lot of prayer, that the Lord would keep you from doing anything +that's against the Golden Rule."</p> + +<p>"I don't know what'll become of me, I'm sure. It's always my luck to do +the wrong thing. There, I wish I were dead, that I do! But don't you go +and tell Mrs. Waring what I've done, will you?"</p> + +<p>"No, I'll not tell her. Trust me for that."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>LOVE'S HOSPITAL</h3> + + +<p>There often came back to Phebe's mind the prayer she offered just after +her engagement, "Dear Lord, make me a true Christian, and help me to be +perfectly willing to let Thee do it in whatever way Thou thinkest will +be best for me." It was one of the few-remembered prayers; they are but +few in anybody's experience. Our prayers are too often to us but as +yesterday's faded rose-petals.</p> + +<p>She was not quite so sure to-day she could pray that prayer truthfully +as when it was first framed. But there was this comfort, she had no +desire to take herself from beneath the moulding Hands.</p> + +<p>Nanna was inwardly very indignant at the treatment Phebe had received, +not that her teaching and her own private experiences did not agree, but +she was one of those women who have to do a certain amount of boiling +over and exploding before a calm level is obtained. She was, however, +mostly wise enough to let this exciting process be carried on in +private. She was a perfect tower of strength to Phebe; indeed, it would +be impossible to reckon up all Phebe owed to her, and Phebe was quite +aware of this, often saying that Nanna was the clever one who made the +plans, while she was only the humble one who carried them out.</p> + +<p>"Look here, dearie," Nanna said, when she could trust herself to speak +with calmness, "I say, and say it with all deliberateness, it was wicked +to shut that door on you like that. If that man thought you were unfit +to mix with those girls he should have first been quite sure of the +grounds he was acting on. But, never you mind; mark this, and mark it +well, man never shuts one door, but God opens another, and a bigger one, +too. Men shut the door of the Ephesus Church against John, but look what +a mighty big one God opened for him into Heaven! And it's the same +to-day. So, you be on the look-out—I mean to—and see who sees it +first. I told Bessie this, and she says she'll buy a spy-glass for one +eye and a telescope for the other. I wonder if that girl will ever sober +down!"</p> + +<p>"She will make a fine woman some day."</p> + +<p>"There's the making of a fine woman in her, and she's certainly on the +mend."</p> + +<p>Bessie overheard Phebe one day referring to Mrs. Colston's leadership, +whereupon that young lady remarked she ought to be called "teacher," and +all the others in the house "disciples."</p> + +<p>It was at the tea-table. David Jones quietly observed, "You never hear +of women disciples."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you do," snapped Bessie; "if you had ever read Grecian history, +you would never have made that remark. Besides, women deserved the name +of 'disciple' more than those men did who followed Jesus; they saw to +His wants, if they did nothing more; it only mentions once that the men +ever did so, and then it took the whole twelve of them to go and buy a +meal, leaving the tired Jesus all alone, not even one there to get a +drink for Him."</p> + +<p>"Better take care, Jones," said Reynolds, "you'll be sure to get the +worst of it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, of course you will," said Mrs. Colston; "there are too many nasty +little things said now-a-days about women. The other day I heard some +one say he wished Satan had gone for Job's wife, but he knew better. I +felt like calling out."</p> + +<p>"But then she was really a bad one," said Jones.</p> + +<p>"Indeed, she was not. That's just it; so often wrong judgments are +passed on women." (Nanna had wanted to bring out this little speech for +some time, and quite blessed Bessie for the opportunity she had made.) +"That poor woman bore without a word being recorded against her, the +loss of children and property, and it was only when she saw her husband +stricken that she rebelled, and then she didn't say half the bad things +as Job did a bit further on. Yet Job's held up for admiration, and the +poor wife for execration. I tell you it's not fair."</p> + +<p>"I should think not, indeed," chimed in Bessie.</p> + +<p>"Now, is it?" asked Mrs. Colston, turning to the young men. They both +agreed it was not. "Then do be careful," she continued, "both of you, +whenever you are tempted to say sneering things about women." Phebe had +left the table at the commencement of the conversation, which made it +still more easy for Nanna to send home her message. There was one +splendid thing about her: however cutting her rebukes might be, she +always gave them in a bright, nice manner; as Bessie said, she always +used the biggest spoon she could get—inferring that the pill was nearly +lost in the amount of jam she used.</p> + +<p>Both the young fellows knew her words had a special significance; they +were not at all offended, but rather, on the contrary, a fresh feeling +of chivalry was stirred in their hearts towards their young mistress, +"The Little Missis," as she was so often called. David Jones was even +beginning to think there was a halo round everybody's head in that +establishment, except his own, and a double halo round Bessie's, in +spite of her snaps. If he had known all that took place in that little +homestead he would have had a still more brilliant vision of glory—if +even he had known the significance of the silver stars, one of which was +found in a conspicuous place in every room, he would have felt like +taking off his boots, for he was both impressionable and by nature +devout. But not even Nanna knew till long afterwards what those stars +meant, though she had a pretty shrewd guess about them.</p> + +<p>As can be easily imagined, Phebe's life was a lonely one. The fact of +her husband cutting himself off from her in such an abrupt fashion was +quite enough to bring about this loneliness. There was not even +companionship through the pen; she had answered both Ralph's letters, +and still continued to write, giving him all particulars of the +business, trying to put as much love into the letters as she could truly +find echo in her heart, but no further replies came. All was a blank. +And then there was the further loneliness all souls find the nearer they +get to God. True, she had her sister, and Nanna, and sunny Jack, and +Bessie; but these only touched the outer part of her being. We stand as +units before God, and the more we understand our relationship to God the +more we realise the soul's loneliness from the human side—a loneliness +which draws us nearer and nearer to God.</p> + +<p>Phebe often wished she could constantly remember the presence of God +with her, but sometimes for a whole day she would forget Him, and she +knew that was the reason why so often she failed, and the peace was +broken. Prayer came very naturally to her when anything was wanted, but +she felt that was not sufficient.</p> + +<p>"What do people do who have bad memories?" she asked herself. Then came +thoughts of strings round fingers and knots in handkerchiefs, but these +seemed childish. One day the words, "When they saw His star," were very +much with her, and the thought came, "I wish I could always see His +star!" and this was followed by what she thought a bright idea. She +would make a number of silver stars and place one in each room, shops +and sale-room included, where she could not fail to see them; no one but +herself need know their meaning, and they would continually remind her +of His presence until she had trained herself to do without their help.</p> + +<p>The plan was carried out. There was nothing in it anybody could object +to; there was nothing of the fetish, nor crucifix, nor altar about it. +Many an eye was raised up to those stars; the children were especially +fascinated by them, and the shop was even spoken of by some as "The shop +of the silver star," but none guessed their meaning. Reynolds was quite +in the dark; though he often watched his mistress fix her eyes on them, +he never came near the secret. Most people thought they were only in the +nature of decoration. How often we draw near to holy places without even +a thrill or look of wonder!</p> + +<p>And the stars helped her greatly. I do not say she never forgot, but +every little help we can secure along life's way to bind us to the +Divine we should make the most of and rejoice over.</p> + +<p>Even sharp-eyed, sharp-witted Bessie, who was now a real member of the +circle, did not guess their meaning. Perhaps this was because she was so +full of her own good-fortune that she was not keen on anything else just +then, and when her first joy had cooled somewhat, the sight of the stars +had become too familiar to excite comment.</p> + +<p>For a long time Mrs. Colston and Phebe had been of the opinion that +Bessie would never make much progress while under her mother's roof. +Both mother and daughter loved each other (there was no doubt about +that), but they did not rest each other. Mrs. Marchant was a fretful +woman; family cares had shattered her nerves; Bessie was all +alive—"life in every limb" was intensely true about her three times +over—and so they constantly irritated each other.</p> + +<p>As Bessie was washing up the tea-things one day, feeling very +down-hearted, even dropping a tear now and again, she thought she would +banish her gloom with a little song, and so piped up on her loudest key:</p> + + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"I'm sweeping through the gates;"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>not remembering more than one verse, the chorus was repeated several +times.</p> + +<p>"Sakes alive!" screamed out the mother from the kitchen, "do stop that. +Do, for goodness' sake, finish your sweeping, girl, and get through the +gates and stop there!"</p> + +<p>"I only wish I could," replied Bessie, but not loud enough for the +mother to hear.</p> + +<p>Soon after that she noticed her brother's jacket had slipped off a chair +in the kitchen, where he had thrown it, and while she was sitting +mending some stockings, she saw something moving on it. For a minute or +two she kept a most careful watch, then cautiously picked the coat up +and hung it at the back of the door. When her brother came to put it on +she gave a nervous little wriggle on her chair, but said nothing.</p> + +<p>At supper-time there was quite an explosion, the brother declaring she +had put a black-beetle in his pocket, in spite of knowing how much he +dreaded them; he had drawn it out with his handkerchief at a +choir-practice, right in front of all the boys.</p> + +<p>"I never did!" protested Bessie.</p> + +<p>"You had something to do with it, I'm sure; else why did you so +carefully hang my jacket up, without a word of fault-finding?"</p> + +<p>"I saw it walk into your pocket; that's a very different thing from +putting it in," the girl frankly explained.</p> + +<p>Instead of the mother seeing any fun in the situation, and quietly +pointing out where fun ends and unkindness begins, and forgetting the +many practical jokes Bessie herself had good-naturedly endured at the +hands of her brother, she literally stormed at Bessie, declaring she +should leave home at once and be put to some business.</p> + +<p>Phebe hearing of all this, offered to take Bessie, to which the mother +readily agreed. So it was a very short journey indeed Bessie took from +home.</p> + +<p>Deep down in her heart the girl was very grieved at the way she had left +home, but outwardly kept her usual brightness, and was indeed truly +delighted at now really being "one of the company."</p> + +<p>"If ever I get rich," she exclaimed, "and have a coat-of-arms, I shall +have a black-beetle on my quarterings, for it was a black-beetle which +carried me here; a fine old ebony coachman! Oh, Mrs. Waring," and a sad +note came into the girl's voice just then, "life often seems to me such +a tangle and jingle!"</p> + +<p>"Does it, dear? It has often seemed the same to me." Just then she +caught sight of the star—she must not lose an opportunity—"but we must +do our best to turn it into a song. We'll try together, won't we?"</p> + +<p>A squeeze of the hand was all the answer Bessie was able to give.</p> + +<p>It is strange that though we stand as units before God, the soul's +progress can only be definitely marked by its relationship to others. By +the way Phebe treated those who came under her influence was one test of +her advance.</p> + +<p>The only objection Nanna raised to this addition to the family was the +fear lest Bessie and Jones should be thrown too much together.</p> + +<p>"You must have noticed how she has ceased calling him 'Darling.'"</p> + +<p>"They are less likely to come together if they are constantly in each +other's society than if they only saw each other occasionally," was all +Phebe said.</p> + +<p>"I really think," remarked Nanna, "this house ought to be called a +hospital for sick souls. First of all, you take this lonely soul in——"</p> + +<p>"Why, it was you who took me in," interrupted Phebe.</p> + +<p>"All lonely and forlorn," calmly continued Nanna, unheeding the +interruption; "then Jones comes along, sore wounded in the battle, and +now there's this poor young thing taken in with a broken wing. It's +really nothing short of a hospital."</p> + +<p>"Well, then," replied Phebe, "we'll call it Love's Hospital."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>AN UNFORTUNATE ENCOUNTER</h3> + + +<p>Jim Coates, the sick man whom Phebe Waring was called to visit, did not +die; on the contrary, from the hour of her first visit he began to mend. +Very often of an afternoon, when business was slack, she would go and +have a talk with him, and nothing pleased him better than for her, +instead of reading the Bible to him, to tell the stories out in her own +words and with her own comments. No child ever drank in fairy stories +more eagerly, and Phebe even discussed some infidel notions he had got +hold of, overcoming many of his difficulties. If she had been told two +months before that she could even attempt such things the firm answer +would have been "Impossible!"</p> + +<p>After Jim had regained strength to a certain measure, came the difficult +question of getting work for him. Phebe at once thought of the ganger at +the railway-works, and drove over to enlist his sympathies on behalf of +Jim, frankly telling him all the story. The man listened respectfully, +and then said, "Yes, I'll put him on; but he'd better keep his mouth +shut as to how he got here, or the men will give him a lively time, I +bet. And if he keeps true blue among this crew, then he's a Briton, I +can tell yer, for they're the rummiest lot I've ever had. I go to chapel +myself with the missis, but I don't let on to them I do."</p> + +<p>"Do you think then, it is impossible to be a Christian and work with +these men?" asked Phebe anxiously.</p> + +<p>"I don't say as much as that," answered the man, nervously grinding his +heel into the soil as he spoke, "only you have to keep your religion to +yourself."</p> + +<p>"Do you think that is possible?"</p> + +<p>The talk was getting a little too personal, and the ganger, with an +extra red face and a muttered "Don't know," turned away.</p> + +<p>Jim Coates was delighted when Phebe took him the news. The distance from +the town was no obstacle, he being the happy possessor of a +"bone-shaker" bicycle.</p> + +<p>"But," said Mrs. Waring, in a serious tone, "the ganger says you must +keep your religion to yourself. Are you going to do that?"</p> + +<p>"Not I; why should I?"</p> + +<p>"Because they will give you a lively time."</p> + +<p>"Well, let them; I'm not made of sugar."</p> + +<p>"That's splendidly said; and you'll show your colours from the very +first, won't you?"</p> + +<p>"I should be a sneak if I didn't."</p> + +<p>That same day at the tea-table Phebe gave an account of her day's +mission. Meal-times were always made as interesting as possible. Nanna +remarked that she wondered what the men camped out there did with +themselves on Sundays.</p> + +<p>Bessie suggested it would be a splendid thing if Mrs. Waring went over +there on Sunday afternoons and talked to the men, adding, "I am sure she +could do it splendidly, and they'd listen to her like anything; but +there, that will never come to pass, because the Bible says women +mustn't do that sort of thing."</p> + +<p>Nanna was on the war-path instantly. "In what part of the Bible do you +find that, I should like to know? That's nothing but the teaching of the +evil one, just to hinder the Lord's work. I'd think twice, if I were +you, before I'd do that sort of dirty work."</p> + +<p>"It says women are not to speak in church; I'm sure it does," stammered +Bessie, getting red and feeling uncomfortable.</p> + +<p>"It says they are not to chatter in the church, and nothing more; and +that's what they still do in the east, so they say, both men and women. +You forget that the Bible gives particulars as to how women should dress +when they pray or prophesy, that Jesus Himself told women to spread the +news about Him, that God told Joel his daughters should prophesy, that +Phillip's daughters were prophets and Deaconess Phebe a foreign +missionary! You forget all that; but there, you are no worse than lots +of other women. Women run women down just as much as men do. Often and +often when women might have done a good piece of work for God they got +behind that bit of bad translation, and, like dying ducks, gurgle +something about it 'not being modest.' It's a good deal more immodest to +aid Satan in his work! I've no patience with the majority of women, and +I do hope, Bessie, you won't become one of the brainless sort that +think a good deal more about the fit of a skirt and the cut of a sleeve +than they do about God's Kingdom!"</p> + +<p>Poor Bessie did not know what to answer. Fortunately the group broke up +just then, and she followed Phebe out into Sunshine Patch, where little +Jack was rolling in the grass, and where there was quite a show of +spring's yellow and violet tints.</p> + +<p>"Life doesn't seem to get any easier," said Bessie, as they seated +themselves in the little arbour; "seems impossible to know sometimes +what is exactly right to do. But Mrs. Colston never seems at a loss, +everything seems pretty straightforward to her."</p> + +<p>Phebe had been wondering how much of Nanna's speech had been intended +for her own benefit. "You see," she answered, "Nanna is so much older +than we are; her longer experience enables her to see more quickly +through things, and on so many points she has fought her way to clear +conclusions. We must not get discouraged. If we are willing to be +trained by God all will come right in the end."</p> + +<p>"Yes; but I want things to come right now, and I want to be always able +to know at once what is right."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid we all do, Bessie, dear; but we have to learn to curb our +impatience. If we more constantly remembered that this life is only a +training-time we should become more patient, and I find if I give myself +time for a few moments of prayerful waiting I am taught which is the +right thing to do."</p> + +<p>"Ah, you're sweet and patient, that's it, and I am not."</p> + +<p>"If it was a question of sweetness, dear heart, I think you'd gain the +prize. I think it is more a question of being perfectly willing to let +God train us."</p> + +<p>"And do you think Mrs. Colston is right about women doing things just +like men?"</p> + +<p>"I think she is, though I never heard it put so forcibly before. You +know it says we are 'all one in Christ Jesus.'"</p> + +<p>"I love to hear you talk, and I love to hear Mrs. Colston, too. I do +believe I shall be real good some day; but I must rush in now, or +Reynolds will be up a tree and it will take me a whole day to get him +down again," and off the impulsive Bessie ran.</p> + +<p>If Bessie found it difficult to know what was the right thing to do Jim +Coates did not. Right from the very first he had a plan ready, and +carried it successfully through. The first thing he did was to write out +the following notice with a pencil on a piece of tea-paper, and during +the first dinner-hour he tacked it on to the end of one of the sheds.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"This is to give notice that Jim Coates, who is a Christian, +has come here to work, and he thinks it would be so much easier +for him to keep straight if he had a mate going the same way as +he's trying to go. If there is another Christian in any of the +gangs do find me out and give me a word. You'll know me by a +piece of red ribbon in my waistcoat-buttonhole.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Jim Coates.</span>"</p></blockquote> + +<p>At first it passed unnoticed, but the second day a man tore it down to +read it more readily. After he had spelt the words out he called out in +a loud voice: "I say, chaps, here's a lark! Do you just listen: it's as +good as a play," and then in quite an affected tone of voice he read out +poor Jim's brave notice.</p> + +<p>"There he is!" exclaimed quite a score of voices, while as many derisive +fingers were pointed in his direction, "there's the red ribbon," and +then they gathered round their victim, and began giving him a warm time. +One took away his ribbon, another tried to dry up imaginary tears from +his face, and, last of all, they decided to carry him away to some pond +and give him a ducking. Jim prayed as he never prayed before. It was so +hard to keep down "swear words," but just as these rough fellows were +about to carry their threat into execution the ganger, whose +acquaintance Phebe had made, came along.</p> + +<p>"What are you up to, lads?" seeing Jim on the ground in their midst. +"None of your larks, I tell you, or it'll be the worse for some of you."</p> + +<p>The words acted like magic. With a few sulky expressions, and a sly kick +or two, they all moved on. The man who had taken the notice down tacked +it up again—not through any spirit of restitution, but in the hope it +would bring Jim further trouble.</p> + +<p>"Better keep yourself to yourself," was the ganger's advice, "or they'll +make this too hot for you."</p> + +<p>The news of the "red ribbon man" and "the advertisement for a mate" +spread all through the company, and men even came to have a look at Jim +as a kind of curiosity.</p> + +<p>Two days passed, but no mate turned up, though he had put up a second +notice in another place. The ganger's advice did not deter or frighten +him in the least. But on the third day, just as he was mounting his +machine, a very big, lanky fellow came up behind him and said: "I'm the +fellow you're looking for, if you've found no one better."</p> + +<p>Jim grasped him heartily by the hand: "Bless God; I am so glad you've +come. Now there are two of us we may find some more, and we might start +a little prayer in the dinner-hour—a friend of mine (Mrs. Waring) says +the railway-men do that in some places."</p> + +<p>"But I'm a poor sort of a Christian," said the man; "bless you, I +couldn't pray in a meeting; and as for doing what you've done, I should +never have had the courage in a whole blue moon. Why, I've stared at +that paper two whole blessed days before I was man enough to come up to +speak to you. I was afraid the fellows would see me."</p> + +<p>"What's your name?" asked Jim.</p> + +<p>"Dick—Dick Witherson."</p> + +<p>"Well, Dick, don't you go worrying 'cause you didn't speak to me sooner. +I'm only too thankful you've come now. And you know the bravest disciple +of all was the one that was at first the biggest coward, so don't you +lose heart. Where shall we meet to-morrow in the dinner-hour?" The place +was agreed on, and then they parted.</p> + +<p>The very next day a third mate was found, and this gave wonderful +courage to Dick, almost transforming him into another sort of man.</p> + +<p>The following day was Saturday. Work was knocked off at twelve; so there +was no time for meeting together again till Monday.</p> + +<p>Early that Saturday afternoon Mrs. Coates, breathless and agitated, came +into Mrs. Waring's shop and, seeing Phebe behind the counter, went up to +her at once, exclaiming, "Oh, Mrs. Waring, can you help me! Jim's never +come home; he's quite an hour late. I know they often have to wait a +good while to be paid, but that's not all. A lad as plays with my +Freddie says he saw him go into 'The Rose in June' about half-an-hour +ago. O God, help me; it's all over with him if he's gone in there!"</p> + +<p>"It cannot be true."</p> + +<p>"The lad says he was sure it was him. Oh, Mrs. Waring, would you mind +going in to see if he's there, and try to get him to come home? I +daren't go in by myself; he'd give me such a time afterwards if I did."</p> + +<p>"Do you want me to go into the public-house?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, if you would; we might get him out then before he had spent all +his money and was quite drunk. Do you mind? I know it is asking a great +deal."</p> + +<p>Phebe paused for a moment; but when she looked up at the star she at +once answered: "Yes, I will come with you."</p> + +<p>It was a very busy time, she could ill be spared, but what was all that +compared with the rescue of a soul!</p> + +<p>A few minutes afterwards these two women had passed through the +swing-doors of "The Rose in June"—the first time Phebe had ever entered +a public-house.</p> + +<p>No sooner had the doors swung to behind them than they were face to face +with Jim! To say that a straw would have knocked the man down is but a +faint description of his utter astonishment.</p> + +<p>"What—what—is the matter!" he gasped. There was not the slightest +smell of drink about him.</p> + +<p>"Oh, come outside! Come outside, do!" exclaimed Mrs. Coates, bursting +into tears.</p> + +<p>It did not take the three long to get the other side of the doors, and +then, standing on the doorstep, Mrs. Waring began to explain: "You must +forgive us; we were afraid——"</p> + +<p>"I understand it all, Mrs. Waring," broke in Jim. "Don't you make any +trouble of it. You thought I'd come in to have a drink; but I hadn't. I +only came in after some of my mates to keep them straight, if I could."</p> + +<p>"But, ought you to put yourself in the way of temptation?"</p> + +<p>"Bless you, the drink's no snare to me now. I hate even the smell of +it. I thought——" and then he faltered.</p> + +<p>"I am so sorry," said Phebe Waring, putting her hand on Jim's arm.</p> + +<p>Just then who should go by but Stephen Collins and Bessie's +superintendent. The former raised his hat and gave Phebe a smile; but +the latter passed on without any recognition, except for an extra look +of grimness on his face.</p> + +<p>"No, you're not to say you're sorry," said Jim, magnanimously. "It was +only natural you should think it queer. As for my old woman here, no +wonder she was nervous, after all she's suffered. And I thank you with +all my heart, Mrs. Waring, for coming here, for it shows that if I had +indeed gone crooked you wouldn't have given a fellow up."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>"A very strange place for a woman who wishes to be thought respectable +to be found in!" said the superintendent to Stephen. "Those three had +just come out of that public-house."</p> + +<p>"Just the very place Jesus would have been found in," answered Stephen +drily.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>JOY-MISSIONARIES</h3> + + +<p>No flower ever comes up to perfection through one single influence; many +powers and companionships, great and tiny, unite to complete its +beauty. The winds rock it, the rains wash it, the breezes fan it, the +dew kisses it, the sun smiles on it, the clouds give rest to it, the +soil feeds it, neighbouring shrubs shelter it, its leaves protect it, +the insects enrich it—and over all is the Great Gardener.</p> + +<p>Thus groweth to perfect grace a little earthly flower.</p> + +<p>Flowers of the Kingdom grow in like manner.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>If Bessie was not a success amid dishes and brooms she certainly was +behind the counter; many a customer came again and again, attracted by +the bright, sunny assistant, and would even patiently wait till she was +disengaged rather than be served by any one else.</p> + +<p>In the home circle she was a constant source of pure merriment and joy; +very seldom, indeed, was there anything like a cloud upon her spirits as +there used so often to be, and this was largely owing to the fact that +she was appreciated, that there was now-a-days no fear of being snubbed +and scolded. Nanna certainly occasionally "sat upon her," but then it +was always done with a smile, and Bessie knew right well every word of +"the dear lecture" was uttered because Nanna wished her to be "a right +sort of a woman." And then there was the daily inspiration of being with +Mrs. Waring, who never lectured; sometimes she would give a look, but +that was all, and then there was always love in the look. The girl often +wondered why there could not have been the same state of matters at +home, and never hesitated to take the most of the blame to herself. She +went in home every other day, always with the same determination to be +on her good behaviour, but never met with anything like success. It was +a long time before she found out the reason of this—it was because the +atmosphere of the homes was different. Some flowers can only bloom under +certain conditions. One home was Bethany, the other was Gadara.</p> + +<p>All the fun and merriment Bessie went in for was not purely spontaneous; +knowing the weight of trouble her friend had to carry, she, on set +purpose, planned to bring the sparkle to Phebe's eye and the laugh to +her lips. Her keen sense of the ludicrous and her ready wit always made +her efforts appear natural. One day an old man—an old bachelor—came +into the shop, and complained that so many people owed him money, +mentioning one, a widow woman, but he added, "I shall stand it no +longer, I shall 'court' her." Of course, he meant the county court. When +Bessie retailed this at dinner, she described his look of blank wonder +when she offered to be bridesmaid! "And do you know, that poor old dear +never grasped what I meant, and I do believe he went away thinking I had +made him an offer of marriage. I do indeed. I must not do any more +adumbrations again."</p> + +<p>"What!" exclaimed Mrs. Colston, nearly choking.</p> + +<p>"I thought you'd think that was a good sort of a word. I only got hold +of it to-day, and I had to turn the dictionary up myself to know what it +means. It means 'to shadow forth.' I must not speak in shadow +henceforth, but in plain English. Yes, I like that word. I mean to make +up a list of nice-sounding words to bring out on special occasions."</p> + +<p>"Mind they fit in properly," said Reynolds.</p> + +<p>"I shan't trouble much about that," said the irrepressible Bessie, "a +misfit often gives piquancy to a sentence. Only yesterday old Mrs. +Bennett told me that the doctor had told her as how 'her calculation was +that slow she was in a very bad state indeed.' I didn't tell the poor +old dear she meant circulation, because I thought it would hurt her +feelings. But I just thought that word delicious, and told her she'd +have to hurry up with her figures."</p> + +<p>Had any one asked Bessie just then if she was a Christian, her answer +might have been a "No," but that she was not far from the Kingdom is +certain from the fact that she was constantly trying to frame her life +to "high issues." "If I can do nothing else to please Jesus," she said +to herself, "I can try to let folks have a bright time." If Bessie +gained inspiration from Mrs. Waring, it is equally true Phebe gained the +same from her. It was largely owing to Bessie's brightness that hope was +still strong within her, that she went often to her work with a true +zest, and that the sunny aspect of things took first place with her.</p> + +<p>Bessie had a gift which singers, orators and philosophers might envy, +but it was Phebe who had first given the girl the idea that she could +use it to the glory of God. One old woman, whose blood was thin and +cold, declared that to be with Bessie for a quarter of an hour was "like +sitting in a sunny garden a-smelling of roses." Phebe's enjoyment was +something similar, but she had herself placed the seat and planted the +roses, though it never struck her like that.</p> + +<p>Very often Phebe chided herself for being what she thought too gleesome +in her ways, and one night after supper she had a talk with Nanna about +it, when all the others had retired to bed. "Do you think I am getting +too frivolous, Nanna? I often find myself laughing and even joking, and +then I think how unbecoming it is for a matron like me, with all the +responsibilities of a business resting upon me, and"—a sigh and a +pause—"with such a shadow on my life, to be acting like that."</p> + +<p>"How do you think you ought to act, then, dearie?" lovingly stroking +Phebe's hair. They were sitting in the old fashion, close by the fire, +Phebe on a low stool, leaning on Nanna's knee.</p> + +<p>"Why, with something of a calm, quiet dignity," looking up with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Do you think that quite fits in with the idea of rejoicing ever more?"</p> + +<p>"Hardly."</p> + +<p>"Or with, that 'your joy may be full'?"</p> + +<p>"No. But, Nanna, dear, I don't want you to ask me questions. I want to +know what you think yourself. And I want you to remember that mine is a +sort of special case, that might not come under general rules."</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, I don't think yours is a special case; there's many women +with sorer troubles than yours. Besides, if no one was joyful except +those who had no burdens, I wonder who'd be joyful! Not many, if any, +for burdens come to everybody."</p> + +<p>Phebe was silent, for we all, somehow or other, cling to the idea our +burden is a specially heavy one.</p> + +<p>Then Nanna went on: "You want me to say what I think. Well, you must not +scold if you don't like what I am going to say, seeing you would have +it; but I've been thinking instead of you being too frisky, you're not +joyful enough. You've got five young folks immediately under your +control, not to speak of others, and for their sakes—if no other +reason—you've got to be joyful. And then there's another reason—you +profess to be a Christian, and they're shams and nothing else who don't +go in for delight-work—delighting themselves in God. The idea that your +trouble should be a sort of black veil to you is ridiculous. If you let +your trouble shadow your life it's as good as saying God is not able to +take care of you, and if you let it hinder you in your life it gives the +victory to Satan, and seems to say trouble has more power over you than +God's peace. No, our dear Heavenly Father knows what it is to be merry, +and He expects His children to be merry too. So mind you are."</p> + +<p>"You dear, sunny preacher," said Phebe, reaching up and kissing her.</p> + +<p>"Ah, I do wish folks would go in for more joy. I do believe we could do +with joy-missions and joy-missionaries."</p> + +<p>"You are one already."</p> + +<p>Again there was silence, and then Phebe said: "Of course, it's not as +though I had no hope at all. Ralph may come back; sometimes I think that +loneliness will waken up his love again, for they say love never dies."</p> + +<p>"No love dies," replied Nanna, "but it changes. There are a good many +sorts of love. But even, dearie, if that hope never comes about, you've +got God and Jack to hope in. Now, I may ask a question, mayn't I?"</p> + +<p>"You know you may, you old darling Nanna."</p> + +<p>"Are you going in for that 'calm, quiet dignity' affair, or are you +going to be the Lord's happy-hearted Phebe?"</p> + +<p>"The latter, God helping me," in a quiet whisper.</p> + +<p>The next evening there was another conference, but this time it was a +conference of three, Jim Coates having come to report progress.</p> + +<p>There was now a little band of four Christians among the navvies. They +had held two meetings, at which a chapter had been read, and two had +prayed. Their mates had not yet learnt the secret of these gatherings; +lively times were expected when they did.</p> + +<p>Then Jim went on to say how he and Dick had visited the camp on Sunday +and found a dreadful state of matters. "Talk o' heathen folks, they're +not in it, not a bit of it, and never anybody comes along to say a word +to 'em; not even to give 'em a tract. And you should hear 'em talk about +religious folks, it 'ud fair make your hair stand on end, that it would. +I've been thinking, Mrs. Waring——" and then poor Jim came to a +standstill, and sat nervously twirling his hat in his hands. "I've been +thinking," he started again, and again there came a pause.</p> + +<p>"You needn't be afraid of us, Mr. Coates," said Nanna, "we're only two +poor lone women that a mouse would scare out of our wits."</p> + +<p>"I don't know about that," said Jim, with a laugh. The bit of fun set +him quite at his ease. "I've been thinking that if only we could get the +use of a shed we might hold a meeting there on Sundays."</p> + +<p>"I'm sure my friend the ganger would arrange that all right for you," +put in Phebe.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think he would," replied Jim; "it wasn't on that point I wasn't +sure, but on something else."</p> + +<p>"And what is that?" inquired Phebe, feeling quite curious as to what +could be making Jim shy.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's this. I've been thinking if only you'd come and talk to the +men as you've talked to me, it might be the making of some of 'em."</p> + +<p>"That is impossible!" said Phebe, rising up from her chair in her +agitation, "impossible."</p> + +<p>The star was forgotten.</p> + +<p>Nanna was darning some towels. As Phebe uttered the last word, she let +the work drop and looked up, then instantly picked it up again and went +on, without uttering a word. Phebe instinctively knew Nanna did not +agree with her, and just a little feeling of resentment took possession +of her. Nanna ought to have sympathised with her, and protected her from +such an overwhelming request.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry," said Jim; "p'raps you'll think better of it a little later +on. I can't tell you how sorry I am."</p> + +<p>"I cannot help it. I am altogether unequal and unfitted for such a work. +But that does not say I will not help you in some other way, for I do +admire your earnestness so much. I will do my very best to find some one +who would undertake it."</p> + +<p>"Well, that certainly is the next best thing," said Jim, feeling +considerably relieved, and with that understanding they parted.</p> + +<p>Nanna still went on with her darning.</p> + + +<p>"You do not think I have done right, Nanna?"</p> + +<p>"No, I do not."</p> + +<p>"But it would not be possible for me to do such a thing."</p> + +<p>"God has opened a door for you, and you have put out your hand to close +it."</p> + +<p>"Don't say that. You cannot be sure the door was meant for me; perhaps +it is that I am to find some one; that is to be my share of the work."</p> + +<p>"Child, I have more faith in you than that, and I do not think that is +the way God works."</p> + +<p>It struck Phebe just then how unfair she had been to Nanna in her +thoughts; instead of feeling aggrieved she ought to have felt flattered +that her old friend had such confidence in her abilities. It would not +do to make any confession, but she put her arms round Nanna's neck and +kissed her as though to atone for the wrong she had done.</p> + +<p>"Ah, dearie, you've stood to-night, I'm thinking," Nanna continued, +"where Moses stood and where Jeremiah stood, and you've made the same +excuses they did."</p> + +<p>Just then Phebe caught sight of the star.</p> + +<p>Did she hear over again the old command, "On whatsoever errand I shall +send thee, thou shalt go"? If she did, she certainly made no answer.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>THE CALL OF DEBORAH</h3> + + +<p>It was a long time that night before Phebe got to sleep. She had even +found it difficult to pray; this she tried to attribute to the unrest +Nanna had caused her. Over and over again did she return to Jim's +request, and each time seemed to find a fresh obstacle; the distance was +surely one great obstacle.</p> + +<p>She tried her level best to rest on the firm conviction the work was not +hers, and then to consider how she was to make good her promise to find +some one who <i>would</i> feel called to do it.</p> + +<p>Would it be any good to appeal to the church? She shrank from that, +remembering her late experience.</p> + +<p>What could she do! Did God intend to convince her the call was hers by +making it impossible for her to find a substitute?</p> + +<p>All at once she remembered a committee had recently been formed in the +town consisting of representatives from various bodies, to attend to +certain social and religious wants of the district—the very thing +needed! The first thing she would do when morning light appeared, would +be to write to that committee, and with that restful thought she fell +asleep.</p> + +<p>The letter was written and posted directly after breakfast, but not a +word to Nanna did she say about it. What a delight it would be when she +could all at once announce the fact that this important committee had +received her suggestion with grateful thanks and were commencing work at +once!</p> + +<p>This said committee happened to meet on the following day. Stephen +Collins was a member of it. Mr. Bell, Bessie's superintendent, was the +honorary secretary.</p> + +<p>Phebe's letter was the first to be read when the item "Correspondence" +on the agenda was reached.</p> + +<p>In a very pompous voice the letter was read aloud. It had taken the +writer more than half-an-hour to frame, but it did not take many seconds +to read. This is a copy of it:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Sirs</span>,</p> + +<p>"My attention has lately been drawn to the sad state of matters +among the men working at the railway-works at ——, especially +on Sundays. I believe the use of a shed could be obtained if +workers could be found to conduct a service there. I need +hardly say that for such men it would need to be a bright one, +and conducted on as fresh lines as possible. It is four miles +from Hadley, not too far for a strong man to walk. If you would +take up this work, I am sure it would be fulfilling the object +for which you were called together, and would bring honour to +God. It seems certainly very discreditable to the Christians of +this town that no hand has yet been stretched out to help these +men. Will you not retrieve our good name? If I can be of any +assistance or give any suggestions, I shall only be too happy +to do so.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Yours, in Christian service,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"<span class="smcap">Phebe Waring</span>."<br /></span> +</div></div></blockquote> + +<p>"There are your marching orders, gentlemen, and a captain ready provided +for you," said the honorary secretary sarcastically.</p> + +<p>"I do not think that letter calls for any such remark," said Stephen +Collins. He was rather aghast at Mr. Bell's words, knowing nothing of +the stone Bessie had thrown into the waters. Mr. Bell gave him a very +fixed stare, causing Stephen Collins' face to grow very red. "I think it +is a splendid piece of work she points out, and one that we should in no +wise pass by."</p> + +<p>"I think we have quite enough work upon our hands already," remarked the +chairman.</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, sir," said Stephen, "I thought our duty was first to +ascertain how much needed to be done, and then to confer how best it is +to be accomplished. We are not here to do so much and no more."</p> + +<p>"No one said we were," was the testy answer.</p> + +<p>"It's a fine state of matters," remarked one member who always acted as +echo to the secretary, "if we are to be told our duty by a woman."</p> + +<p>"And by such a woman," remarked the secretary.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean, sir?" demanded Stephen.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I forgot she was a special friend of yours; I am very sorry if I +offend"—this more blandly—"but I mean this: a woman whose husband was +obliged to leave her, even forfeiting thereby a profitable business, and +who is seen standing talking at the door of a low public-house, is not +the kind of woman to do the Deborah act for us. That's what I mean," +bringing his hand forcibly down upon the table. "Indeed, I know it for a +fact that she was refused admittance as teacher to a certain Sunday +School in the town, where she had offered her services."</p> + +<p>"That is a libel upon a good Christian woman," protested Stephen.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen, I think we had better pass on to the next business," said +the chairman.</p> + +<p>"No, sir," said Stephen, restraining himself with great effort, "I am +about to move a resolution, and it is that an answer be sent to Mrs. +Waring, thanking her for drawing our attention to this call for service, +and assuring her it shall at once be considered how it can be met."</p> + +<p>This was seconded by a special friend Stephen happened to have sitting +next to him.</p> + +<p>"And I beg to move an amendment, Mr. Chairman," said the echo; "it is +that a reply be sent to Mrs. Waring to this effect:" and then he read a +letter which all knew Mr. Bell had previously written and passed on to +him.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"'<span class="smcap">Dear Madam</span>,</p> + +<p>"'Your esteemed communication to hand. It is strange, whoever +your informant was, that we were not the first to be put in +possession of the facts. We are obliged to you for your kind +offer, but it is not work at all suitable for women, and indeed +the workers would have to be very carefully chosen. At present +we have sufficient work in Hadley to occupy us. Perhaps at some +future time, when our committee is enlarged, we may be able to +take in both Hadley and district. We are, madam, yours +faithfully, on behalf of the committee, etc., etc.'"</p></blockquote> + +<p>The amendment was carried with only three dissentients out of fifteen.</p> + +<p>One of the members remarked that no doubt the application would have met +with a different reception if it had come from some other quarter.</p> + +<p>"Mark my words, gentlemen," said Mr. Bell, "Mrs. Waring will commence +the work herself. What she wanted was to be able to do so under our +auspices."</p> + +<p>"And now," said the echo, with a drawl, "she will put it about that she +was obliged to do so because those dreadful men were too lazy and +indifferent. Trust a woman to make her side right."</p> + +<p>Stephen said nothing; he prayed to be quiet, and the prayer was +answered. Love urged him to vindicate the honour of this defenceless +woman, but wisdom said, "If you love her, you will be silent."</p> + +<p>All this part of the committee's business was duly retailed afterwards +by Mr. Bell to Mrs. and Miss Bell.</p> + +<p>From that time, although Phebe never knew the reason why exactly, she +lost four good weekly customers. How many more these influenced could +not be reckoned, and in addition to this several people who had been in +the habit of saying "Good-day" to her as she met them in the street, now +passed her by with the coolest of nods.</p> + +<p>The circle in the waters was spreading.</p> + +<p>When the committee's letter was received Phebe was more than +disappointed; it was like a stab to the heart. For a little while the +keen pain was followed by a dazed feeling. It was some time before she +recovered sufficiently to fully understand the letter; then two +conclusions were arrived at: the first was the committee had no sympathy +with woman's work (it was entirely composed of men, although more than +half the work they had under consideration had to do with women and +children), and the other was that they had the same prejudice against +her that Bessie's superintendent had.</p> + +<p>Then came three anxious questions. Should she show the letter to Nanna? +Having failed to find a substitute, had she now to consider the call a +personal one? How far was she justified in allowing men's prejudices to +hinder her?</p> + +<p>The first was soon answered. It would be a poor return for all Nanna's +love to keep this fresh trouble from her; besides, Nanna would be sure +to supply answers quickly to the other questions.</p> + +<p>"But shall I be ready to accept her answers?" Phebe asked herself. "I'll +wait and see; I am sure about nothing that concerns myself just now."</p> + +<p>That evening, at their usual time of confidences, and in their usual +attitude, Phebe handed the letter to Nanna, giving no word of +explanation. Nanna got her glasses, and began at once to read. It took +her a minute or so to grasp whom the letter was from, and she turned +more than once to the heading of the paper.</p> + +<p>"My poor child! You dear Phebe! But never mind; let us put this +cold-blooded letter on the fire. Think of it no more, and let us go back +to where we were the night Coates came. See, shall I?" holding the +letter over the fire.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus4" id="illus4"></a> +<img src="images/illus4.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>"'LET US PUT THIS COLD-BLOODED LETTER ON THE FIRE.'"</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Phebe nodded, and they both watched it curl up into a black mass, and +then sink down into the heart of the fire.</p> + +<p>"Shall we go back, Phebe, dear?"</p> + +<p>"What does that mean, Nanna?"</p> + +<p>"That you give God your answer."</p> + +<p>"That I am willing to do that work myself?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"And do you really think I could?" looking up into the strong, brave +face bending over her.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I do; it is God's call, and He is sure to give you all you need. +Will you?"</p> + +<p>There was a pause, and then a faint "Yes," but Nanna knew, though faint, +it was meant. And there and then, without altering their position, Nanna +prayed: "I thank Thee, dear Father, for this honour Thou art putting on +my dear Phebe. Perhaps it is in some way to make up for the dishonour +some have put upon her. Through the delay in answering Thee she has +brought fresh pain to herself, but forgive her and comfort her, dear +Father. Open up the way for her in this piece of work, everything going +so smoothly that thereby she may see Thy dear hand in all, and be +assured Thou art with her. Give her, dear Lord, to-morrow, if Thou seest +it will be good, some extra bit of comfort to make up for what has +wounded her so sorely to-day. May she be another of Thy brave Deborahs. +We are in Thy hands; never let us even wish to be anywhere else, and do +let us each feel the touch of those blessed hands."</p> + +<p>The next day at dinner, to everybody's surprise, Mrs. Colston announced +that in all probability Mrs. Waring was going next Sunday afternoon to +hold a meeting among the navvies.</p> + +<p>"You don't say so!" exclaimed Bessie; "then I shall go, too. It wouldn't +be the proper thing, you know, to let her go alone."</p> + +<p>"And couldn't you sing a bit?" asked Nanna.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I would if Mrs. Waring would like me to do so." Bessie had a very +nice voice, but was never very confident of herself as a singer.</p> + +<p>Phebe only smiled an answer. She was still feeling too nervous to talk +much about the plan. Later on, Reynolds said: "I have been thinking, +Mrs. Waring, they are rather a rough sort you are going among; if you've +no objection, I should like to accompany you."</p> + +<p>And a little later, when Jones heard all about these arrangements, he +exclaimed: "I'm not going to be left out, I'm sure. I'm coming, too; and +if you've no portable organ or anything of that kind lent you, I could +bring my concertina." He had a beautiful English concertina, and was +really a very good player.</p> + +<p>"Splendid!" exclaimed Bessie, "we'll all gather round 'The Little +Missis,'—that we will!"</p> + +<p>"I am sure you are all too good to me," said Phebe, with tears in her +eyes, for she realised that all these offers were made out of pure +devotion towards her, no higher motive as yet being apparent.</p> + +<p>"There, dear heart!" exclaimed Nanna, "there's the answer straightway."</p> + +<p>"What answer?" forgetting for the moment to what she referred.</p> + +<p>"Don't you remember what I asked the Lord for last night? A special bit +of comfort to come to you to-day, and there it is straightway in the +offer of these loving young hearts!"</p> + +<p>It struck Reynolds as a rather new idea that anything he did should be +described as an answer to prayer. If that were so, God must often be +very near to him, influencing him. The thought made him feel very quiet.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>THE GOING FORTH OF DEBORAH</h3> + + +<p>Nanna lost no time in sending Jim Coates a verbal message as to Mrs. +Waring's promise. This was followed later on by a note from that +individual herself, asking Jim to see her friend the ganger, and +ascertain if the use of one of the sheds would be granted for a Bible +meeting on Sunday afternoons.</p> + +<p>The very next evening Jim paid another visit to Mrs. Waring's +establishment, this time to give report number two. He little thought +the night he came with some of his drinking companions to have a look at +the woman whose religion "cost her summat," that he would ever be a +welcome guest in her parlour, or even wish to be.</p> + +<p>Jim had already enlisted the sympathies of his three Christian mates in +his scheme. Dick was especially taken up with it, and the two had lost +no time in making all the arrangements they could.</p> + +<p>The ganger had done all in his power to help, but had not hesitated in +uttering most doleful prophecies. "She's a little brick, that she is; +but they'll either send her to Coventry or Bedlam." Jim repeated all the +ganger had said, feeling it only right that Mrs. Waring should know the +risks she was running.</p> + +<p>But Phebe only laughed, quietly remarking: "We shall have more on our +side than those that are against us." Jim wondered very much at her +reckoning up, but said nothing. He had not learnt yet to include the +angels in his calculations.</p> + +<p>The whole company joined in discussing the plans—the two young men, +Bessie and Nanna.</p> + +<p>"I don't see how you are going to walk those four miles," said Bessie; +"it is that which troubles me, for you are not a good walker at any +time."</p> + +<p>"I did think of that myself," said Phebe, "but if it is right for me to +go God will give me the strength."</p> + +<p>"Hear, hear," said Nanna, clapping her rough little hands; "that's what +I call the right note."</p> + +<p>"You stop a bit," said Jim mysteriously. "Dick and me have thought about +that; you wait and you'll see."</p> + +<p>Then he went on to describe how they were going to fit the shed up and +erect temporary seats. "But Dick and me want to know, Mrs. Waring, if it +was a fine day, if you'd be willing to have the meeting out of doors? +More of the men would listen if you would. Dick says if you sat with +your back to the shed it would be a sounding-board for you, like as they +have in churches."</p> + +<p>"That would be a good deal better than a stuffy old shed," put in +Bessie, to which opinion Phebe also agreed.</p> + +<p>Punctually at a quarter to two on the next Sunday afternoon the little +party was ready to start on its expedition. Nanna whispered to Phebe: +"'Fear thou not, for I am with thee: be not dismayed, for I am thy God; +I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee +with the right hand of My righteousness.'"</p> + +<p>Nanna, with little Jack in her arms, and Janie by her side, stood at +the street-door to wave their farewells. Prompted by Nanna, Jack +screamed out: "Bye-bye, mummy; come back happy."</p> + +<p>Jim Coates, all radiant in a new black-and-white check suit, and hair +well oiled, met them at the bottom of the street to act as conductor.</p> + +<p>"I say, Mr. Coates," exclaimed Bessie, "where's that carriage and pair +of greys you promised Mrs. Waring? I wonder you are so forgetful."</p> + +<p>"You wait a while, miss, and you'll see I'm not so forgetful as you +think," with a comically solemn look on his face.</p> + +<p>"Did you ever see such a swell—a real Beau Brummel, if you like!" +whispered Bessie to Phebe. "He looks like 'a peacock with a wooden leg,' +if you like. But he's 'a dear' for all that."</p> + +<p>When they had got less than half-way, lo! there, in the centre of the +road, stood Dick, holding a tricycle.</p> + +<p>"There!" exclaimed Jim, with a triumphant smile, "there's the carriage +and here's the greys," pointing to himself and Dick.</p> + +<p>A Bible was strapped on the handle-bar, on which also was hung a large +motto-card, bearing the words "God is Love."</p> + +<p>"I thought," explained Jim, "these 'ud show as how you weren't riding +for pleasure on Sunday."</p> + +<p>"You are quite right," said Phebe, feeling deeply touched by this +exhibition, not only of thoughtful love, but of loyalty to God, "but I +have never learnt to ride!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, that don't matter, ma'am," said Dick, coming to the help of his +mate. "Jim an' me's a-going' to push you—at least one of us is, but we +hasn't fought it out yet which is a-going to do it." These men were real +heroes—truer than any who have ever trod a battlefield: they knew right +well the pushing of that machine meant months of ill-natured chaff and +persecution.</p> + +<p>As they neared the end of their journey, one of the men, who had been on +the look-out for them, quickly took the word to the camp: "Gentleman +Dick and Red Ribbon and their swells are coming along. Come on, I say, +and let's have a fine old spree!"</p> + +<p>Quite a little crowd gathered close by the shed to witness the arrival. +Jim and Dick were greeted with some very rude gibes, but the other +members of the party escaped any personal remarks.</p> + +<p>With the same quickness and tact Phebe had shown in the management of +her business, she set about this new work. Taking their seats in front +of the shed, Phebe and Bessie began to sing, Reynolds and Jones +standing close by, while Dick and Jim stood on each side as a kind of +defence. The concertina was a great help, and when Bessie sang alone it +formed a nice soft accompaniment. The men were quite taken off their +guard, and thoroughly enjoyed it. "Give us some more, missis," they +called out more than once.</p> + +<p>A little later on Phebe said: "If you don't mind, friends, sitting down +on the grass, I'll tell you a story while my friend has a rest," and a +good number of them did so. They hadn't the slightest idea, some of +them, that they were attending "a meeting." First, with a story from her +own girlhood, and then one told in her own words, from the life of +Jesus, she got their closest attention. When one at the close called +out, "How much are you paid for this, missis?" more than one tuft of +grass was thrown at him, with several unparliamentary bits of advice as +to what he was to do with his mouth.</p> + +<p>After more singing they asked her to talk to them again, and she did so, +this time pressing home one or two truths, and then she prayed. Many of +the men had never heard a prayer since they prayed at their mother's +knee. Not many eyes were closed, but a wonderful silence fell upon that +group of rough fellows as they listened to that "little woman" talking +to God.</p> + +<p>"Will you come again, missis?" asked one.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I will, if you will let me. And please tell your wives, those of +you who have them living here—will you?—how much I should like to see +them, too. If it rains we should have to go into the shed—would you +mind that?"</p> + +<p>"No, why should we?" they answered. "Not if the singing girl comes too."</p> + +<p>The four visitors went into the shed before starting home, just to see +what it was like, and there a surprise met them. On a stool stood four +cups and saucers, a jug of milk, a packet of sugar, and some biscuits. +Presently Dick came in, carrying a teapot. This was all his own +particular bit of work. He had made a fire at the back of the shed and +boiled his kettle there, giving a boy a penny to stand guard over it.</p> + +<p>The journey home was accomplished in the same manner as the outward had +been, and all four had to tell Nanna that they had really had a very +enjoyable time. The most enjoyable part to Phebe had been a talk she had +with a young fellow who had walked part of the way back with them.</p> + +<p>"I was the only useless one there, Mrs. Colston," said Reynolds. "My +manly protecting strength was not required at all."</p> + +<p>Just like a woman with a dear old motherly heart, Mrs. Colston had ready +for them a specially nice tea.</p> + +<p>"Is you tum home happy, mummy?" asked dear little Jack, as he gave his +mother some welcome hugs.</p> + +<p>"Yes, darling, very happy."</p> + +<p>"Why is you vevy happy, mummy?"</p> + +<p>"Because, darling, I've tried to be obedient."</p> + +<p>But the thought of why his mother had to be obedient was too perplexing +for him, so he turned to the easier task of counting the gooseberries in +his little pie.</p> + +<p>Just before entering the town the little party had been met by Stephen +Collins, who again passed by with a bow and a smile. But no smile was in +his heart. "Others can stand by her and help her, but I must do +nothing—not even defend her as she ought to be defended. God help me!"</p> + +<p>The following Sunday afternoon the same programme was carried out, with +just a few additions. A few women were present, some of the men learnt a +chorus; two women forcibly took the tea arrangements out of Dick's +hands, the remark being, "What's a great yardstick like you know about +making tea!" and instead of one man accompanying the little party on its +way homewards there were four. The result of all this was that Bessie +informed Nanna that "things were humming more than ever."</p> + +<p>If the men had been asked to attend a service there would have been +nothing short of a mutiny; as it was they had done so unawares, and got +accustomed to it before awaking to the fact. When they did a few +rebelled, but the majority submitted to fate. After that second Sunday +the feeling of extreme nervousness which had at first taken possession +of Phebe passed away. She was able now to look upon the work as really +hers, given by God, and began to study it in that light. It was +imperative that she should look ahead. The railway-works would continue +quite another twelve months. It was all very well to hold the meetings +out-of-doors during the fine weather, but what about the winter-time! +Would the men be really willing to come into the shed, and if even they +were willing to endure the discomfort, what about heating and lighting +arrangements?</p> + +<p>What was really needed, she told herself, was an iron room, which the +men could use as a club-room during the week. How much would such a room +cost?</p> + +<p>Advertisements were scanned. Yes, a second-hand one could be obtained, +with all necessary fittings, for a hundred pounds.</p> + +<p>Could she afford to spend that amount just then? Would it be a wise +expenditure? Just then she was about to open a branch business in which +Jones was to be put as manager, and from which it was hoped to still +further enlarge the country trade. This, of course, meant a considerable +strain upon the exchequer, and it would only be with difficulty, in +spite of her success, that a hundred pounds could be spared.</p> + +<p>"Well," she said to herself, "I must just leave the matter for a while, +and wait and watch for the pointing Finger."</p> + +<p>On that first Sunday afternoon, unknown to Phebe and her little company, +only excepting Dick, the ganger had been an attentive listener, standing +at the back of the shed, close by Dick's fire, and with him, equally +attentive, was one of the contractors, a gentlemanly-looking man.</p> + +<p>It was the ganger who had told the contractor of the meeting, and he was +there partly out of curiosity and partly out of fear lest there might be +some rather rough "horse-play."</p> + +<p>He had taken a house in the neighbourhood for two years, furnishing it +with every comfort. He was by no means a Christian, having for the last +few years been given over body and soul to just two things—money-making +and pleasure.</p> + +<p>Lunch over, it suddenly occurred to him he might as well go to the works +as sit by the fire reading a newspaper. Maybe there was a little hope +somewhere in his heart that he might get a spice of enjoyment out of the +fun going on.</p> + +<p>But in all that gathering there was no more attentive listener than Hugh +Black, the contractor. He stayed till the little party started on its +homeward journey, and then stood where he could watch them.</p> + +<p>"I say, Greaves," turning to the ganger, "yonder little woman is plucky, +if you like. There's not many who would have won that lot of fellows as +she has done this afternoon. And didn't she hold them! I never heard or +saw anything like it in my life before. What brought her here, do you +suppose?"</p> + +<p>Greaves muttered something about not knowing.</p> + +<p>"There's no money in it, that's certain; and it cannot be for popularity +among her set, for I should think a good many folks would blame her for +it."</p> + +<p>"I know what my missis would say there was in it," the ganger plucked up +courage enough to say.</p> + +<p>"And what's that?" still with eyes fixed on the tricycle, held on either +side the handle-bar by Dick and the fresh addition to the party.</p> + +<p>"She'd say as how it was to please God."</p> + +<p>"H'm." Then turning sharply round to the ganger, he exclaimed, "I say, +Greaves; do you profess to be religious?"</p> + +<p>The ganger grew very red. "Not like she is," pointing towards Phebe.</p> + +<p>"I thought not. If you had, it would have come out before now. Well, I +shall not soon forget that little woman."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>As an earthly flower grows towards perfection its progress is of no help +whatever to any other blossom. Even its fragrance, scattered so lavishly +on the air, adds nothing to the perfume of another. Flowers of the +Kingdom know nothing of this isolation—can know nothing. The growth of +each in grace aids the growth of others.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>HER NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOUR</h3> + + +<p>Late one night Bessie took her favourite low seat close by the fire, and +closer still to Phebe, occupying the same position Phebe did in her +confidences with Nanna.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter, Bessie, dear?" Phebe was very quick to note any +change in Bessie's manner, and try as she might Bessie never could hide +her feelings.</p> + +<p>"I don't know how it is," said Bessie, with a sigh, "but try as I may I +can't get on with mother," and then there came something like a sob.</p> + +<p>"Is there any fresh trouble?"</p> + +<p>"Yesterday was mother's birthday," went on Bessie, in a low voice, "so I +thought I would give her a little present; it's ever so long since I've +done so. I bought a brooch—I could not afford a gold one—and when I +gave it her—she said she never wore sham jewellery——" Bessie's voice +was too choked to go on any further.</p> + +<p>"Poor old girl!" said Phebe tenderly, taking hold of her hand; "never +mind, you must keep on trying; love-work often goes slowly at first. +You'll see, she will wear that brooch on Sunday, mark my words."</p> + +<p>"But that was not all she said," went on Bessie; "she said I was getting +far too much of a saint for her; she wondered I had anything to do with +such a wicked woman as she was,—but she believed it was only some +clever trick I was up to,—mother even said I could act a sham to you, +but she was not so easily gulled."</p> + +<p>"Something had surely been worrying her."</p> + +<p>"No, I don't suppose so, that's just mother. What is the good of me +trying! I feel as if I'd never go in home again, that I do!"</p> + +<p>"Do you think that would be acting a daughter's part?"</p> + +<p>"No,"—very faintly.</p> + +<p>"Then your course is very clear, dearie."</p> + +<p>"Yes," with a deep sigh.</p> + +<p>"Don't despair, Bessie, darling," said Phebe, stooping down and kissing +the girl's brow. "It's a difficult piece of work you have to do, but +there'll be all the more joy when it is completed."</p> + +<p>There was a long silence between them, and the subject was not referred +to again that evening. But Phebe sat long after Bessie had retired for +the night thinking things over. The thought uppermost in her mind was +this:</p> + +<p>"I plead for visitors to go to zenanas in India, but what is my duty to +Mrs. Marchant? All the years she has been my neighbour I have never even +prayed for her, or tried to pass on to her any helpful message! Fancy +that! And I call myself a Christian!"</p> + +<p>When Nanna came into the room to bid her good-night, she said: "I wonder +what her majesty is turning over so seriously in her mind!"</p> + +<p>"Her majesty's subject," with special emphasis on the last word, "is +thinking sadly of a neglected duty."</p> + +<p>"Well!" exclaimed Nanna, laughing, "if the late lamented Mrs. Caudle +had an eye for a bloater, my Phebe certainly has an eye for duties!"</p> + +<p>"But, Nanna, when I tell you what it is, you will not laugh."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I shall. I belong to the Guild of Gladness, and there's something +to be glad about in everything,—if you look for it. If even this duty +is a very solemn one, I am glad you have at last thought of it."</p> + +<p>"I know I can never get you in a corner." And then she told Nanna her +thoughts.</p> + +<p>"You are quite right," was Nanna's reply, "we have both been to blame; +we have thought so much of winning Bessie, we have lost sight of the +mother."</p> + +<p>"I shall make 'a dash for it,' as Bessie says, to-morrow. And trust for +guidance, at the moment as to the right thing to say."</p> + +<p>So the very next afternoon she went in to see her neighbour, and found +her, of course, as busy—not as a bee, but, rather, as a cloud of dust.</p> + +<p>"I wish I had your easy life, Mrs. Waring! I am never done," she +exclaimed, sinking down into a chair with a load of freshly mangled +towels in her arms. "And as for troubles,—it seems as if my life was +made up of them."</p> + +<p>"But I think you will acknowledge that I have had a few troubles lately, +Mrs. Marchant, don't you think so?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; but then troubles slip off some people like rain off a +cabbage-leaf, but it soaks into me like it does into a sponge. I can't +shake it off nohow. I don't know how it is, I'm sure," and she put her +bundle down on her lap and began to smooth the towels with her hands.</p> + +<p>"You are very highly strung," began Phebe.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know that, but you're about the first one that has said so; +everybody seems to think I ought to be made of cast-iron. I'm sure the +trouble that Bessie of mine's been to me nobody knows. And then to think +she can be such an angel to you while to her own mother she can never be +anything but a worry!—it's exasperating! It makes me wild when I think +of it."</p> + +<p>"I am sorry you feel like that. I know Bessie loves you dearly, and she +is gaining so much more control that I thought you would have noticed a +real improvement in her. Of course I know she is rather thoughtless—but +there, you are proud of her for all that, and she is a girl any mother +might be proud of!"</p> + +<p>"I don't know about that," but a little pleasanter look came on to her +face which seemed to contradict her words.</p> + +<p>"But I did not come in to talk about Bessie," went on Phebe, "I came in +to speak to you about yourself. I was saying to Nanna last night I did +not think I had acted the neighbour's part to you; I have seldom ever +been in even to ask how you were."</p> + +<p>"I am sure it is very kind of you," put in Mrs. Marchant, and she really +meant it. We all like to be made of some importance.</p> + +<p>"I think housewives need all the cheer and sunshine they can +get,"—Phebe suddenly paused, for Phill just at that moment came into +the room, and Phebe then noticed, what she had not done before, that +dinner for one was laid at the end of the table. Evidently Phill had +come in with the intention of sitting down there; if so, it was +"good-bye" to all private talk with his mother. After a few scattered +remarks Phebe departed.</p> + +<p>"You have not been long," remarked Nanna; "what success have you had?"</p> + +<p>"Not any," answered Phebe; "just as I was drawing near to say something +helpful Phill came in, and then my opportunity had gone. His arrival on +the scene quite spoilt my little plan."</p> + +<p>But had it? If Phebe had known a little more of the Unseen Hand which +shapes our lives, she would not have been quite so sure her little plan +was spoilt.</p> + +<p>The sight of Mrs. Waring brought to Phill Marchant's mind a little train +of thought he had been cogitating over lately, and as soon as she left +he remarked to his mother: "Mrs. Waring has got something you haven't +got, mother."</p> + +<p>"What's that?" snapped the mother. "I'm as well off as she is any day. +She's got no jewellery to speak of, and goodness knows, her house is +poor enough!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't mean that sort of thing."</p> + +<p>"Well, what do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"She never seems to get into flusters like you do, she seems to have +something that steadies her, somehow; I hardly know how to put it." +Phill saw from the look on his mother's face he was getting on to +dangerous ground, and that made it all the more difficult to clothe his +thoughts in words.</p> + +<p>"Flusters, indeed! She'd be flustered right enough if she had the +worries I have."</p> + +<p>"I should think she has more to worry her than you have," Phill ventured +to remark.</p> + +<p>"That shows all you know about it! Why, she came in this afternoon to +try and cheer me up a bit—she as good as said so just before you came +in."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's just it!" put in Phill eagerly, "she's got the knack of +brightening things up for folks as well as for herself. She makes a +fellow feel cheery like to be with her."</p> + +<p>"You'd better go and live with her then, like your sister's done. It's a +fine thing when children take to lecturing their mother! It would be far +more becoming of you to try to lessen your mother's worries than to make +out she is so much worse than her neighbours!"</p> + +<p>After that Phill ate his dinner in silence, and took his departure as +quickly as possible. But the thought of the difference between his +mother and Mrs. Waring had taken still deeper root in his mind.</p> + +<p>The next time he met Bessie he was specially gracious to her. Bessie did +not know what to make of it.</p> + +<p>"It is wretchedly dull at home now you're away, Bess. I do wish you +would come back!"</p> + +<p>"Not if I know it!" answered that young lady. "I know when I'm well off. +Besides, I thought you would get on like the steam out of Watts' kettle +with me away!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's just it, I'm always in hot water," he replied in a doleful +voice.</p> + +<p>"Well, what if you are? Isn't hot water better than black beetles? Hot +water is a splendid thing to drink, but it would give you the creeps to +have to eat beetles! Ugh!"</p> + +<p>"What a stupid you are, Bess, and just when a fellow wants to be +serious!"</p> + +<p>Bessie had it on her lips to say, "Wonders will never cease!"—she had +already raised her hands in a tragic style, but something in Phill's +manner checked her. "What was it you wanted to say, Phill?" she asked +quite kindly, suddenly dropping her hands.</p> + +<p>The lad looked up at her, struck with the change in her voice, and was +silent for a moment or so. "Tell me, Bessie, what it is that makes Mrs. +Waring so different to mother?" The sentence was quite shot out.</p> + +<p>"How did you find out there was any difference?"</p> + +<p>"Find out? It don't take long to find that out! Mrs. Waring don't worry +and fluster like mother does, and yet I should think she's got more to +worry about."</p> + +<p>"You're right there."</p> + +<p>"Well, what is the difference? I can hear you all laughing like anything +sometimes."</p> + +<p>Bessie knew well enough what the difference was, but did not like to put +it into words.</p> + +<p>"I wish I could come into Mrs. Waring's of an evening!" went on Phill.</p> + +<p>"Well, do," assented Bessie eagerly, "and then you can find out for +yourself what the difference is. I am sure Mrs. Waring will be pleased +for you to come. I'll ask her." Bessie was quite relieved by this way +of avoiding the explanation of "the difference."</p> + +<p>Thus it came to pass that another member was added to "Love's Hospital." +Many a bright, merry hour did the lad spend there.</p> + +<p>"Have you found it out?" Bessie ventured to ask him after a while.</p> + +<p>"Of course I have, and you are pretty dense if <i>you</i> haven't! Why, a +mole could see it!"</p> + +<p>"Well, what is it?"</p> + +<p>"I believe you know as well as I do."</p> + +<p>"Of course I do; I haven't lived with her all these months for nothing."</p> + +<p>"Then you tell me," said Phill.</p> + +<p>"It is that God counts for something in Mrs. Waring's life," was the +girl's straight answer.</p> + +<p>"H'm," said Phill, "I suppose that's it."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Bessie, now quite brave once she had started, "and what she +can't do, she leaves to Him, and knows it will be all right. You see, +when once you get to that point, there's no need of flusters and +worries."</p> + +<p>The boy did not answer, but turned thoughtfully away.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Marchant was not able to forget Phill's words; even when her +resentment had worn off a little, they were there with haunting power.</p> + +<p>"I'd give a good deal to know what it is she has that I haven't!" she +kept saying to herself, "for, oh dear, life at times seems unbearable! +It can't be her religion exactly, for lots of religious people are just +as worried as I am. What can it be, I wonder! I have a good mind to ask +her straight out the next time I see her."</p> + +<p>She had not long to wait, for Phebe was on the look-out for another +opportunity of getting close to her neighbour, and Mrs. Marchant, true +to her resolution, put the question to her.</p> + +<p>Phebe's heart bounded with joy. How splendidly her way was being opened +up! when,—was it of the Evil One, or was it of God?—that just at that +moment Mr. Marchant should come into the room!</p> + +<p>There was no help for it but to again beat a retreat, but before doing +so, she said: "Do come in some afternoon and have a cup of tea with me. +You have never been in yet."</p> + +<p>"No, I have no time for visiting," was the abrupt answer. But when she +got to the door with her visitor, she added, "Yes, I'll come."</p> + +<p>When Phebe reported progress to Nanna, that dear old body exclaimed: +"Well, that's something to be thankful for! When a woman's got out of +conceit with herself, and has an idea she'd like to be different to what +she is, she is certainly on her way to Joseph's garden!"</p> + +<p>"Joseph's garden!" exclaimed Phebe; "you funny, old dear, what is that?"</p> + +<p>"Why, don't you know? Mary while at Bethany only listened to the Lord's +message, and gave Him something; but when she got to Joseph's garden, +she said, 'Master!'</p> + +<p>"But she had to go by the cross to get there!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>THE NEW CLUB-ROOM</h3> + + +<p>Autumn was drawing near, and still the pointing Finger had not been +recognised. A few of the meetings had been held in the shed, and, +although most of the men had been loyal to their promise, they had been +anything but comfortable times.</p> + +<p>Nanna thought the matter had not been made a subject of united prayer +enough. So at morning prayer, which Phebe had lately established, it was +mentioned, and she also spoke of it to some of the men, asking them to +pray about it too.</p> + +<p>Hugh Black had attended most of the meetings, taking up the same place +behind the shed. The men had got to know of this, but said nothing, and +once Phebe had caught sight of him herself. His presence brought back a +little of the old nervousness, but when she told Nanna, that old Amazon +said: "Toots, child, what difference should an extra quality in cloth +make to you! I should say he needs your help as much as anybody."</p> + +<p>To Phebe's great astonishment he walked into the shop one morning.</p> + +<p>"Can I have a word with you alone, Mrs. Waring?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Most certainly," and the two entered the parlour.</p> + +<p>Phebe's heart was going pit-a-pat at a very unusual rate. Could it be he +had come to put any difficulties in the way—to make any complaints! How +is it in any moment of excitement we are sure to jump to the most +doleful conjectures?</p> + +<p>"Pray be seated, Mr. Black," she managed to say, in a tolerably steady +voice.</p> + +<p>"Thank you. I have often wanted to come to see you, Mrs. Waring, and +this morning I thought I'd just make a rush for it. Perhaps you wouldn't +believe it, but I felt quite nervous at the thought of coming."</p> + +<p>"That is very strange; I am sure you are given to inspire more terror +than I am. To tell you the truth I felt nervous when I saw you come in," +and then they both laughed. There is nothing like a laugh for putting +people at their ease.</p> + +<p>"Well, Mrs. Waring, I'd better go straight to the point at once. I like +what you say to those men—indeed, I take most of it to myself, too. But +that's not what I wanted to say. What are you going to do when the bad +weather comes on?"</p> + +<p>"Wear a macintosh," was the simple answer. How could she be so dense! +Surely here was the pointing Finger, yet she did not recognise it.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes; but that's not it. Where are you going to hold the meetings?"</p> + +<p>Phebe grasped the arms of her chair to steady herself. She had caught +sight of the Finger now. She lifted her eyes to the star—God was near!</p> + +<p>Then, with her usual simple straightforwardness, she told him all that +had been in her mind and how she had been waiting for guidance to know +if it was right to spend the hundred pounds. "I can afford to do so +now," she added, "much better than I could at the beginning of the +summer."</p> + +<p>"It would not be right to let you do it. I came here with the +determination to offer you fifty pounds, if that would help you in any +way, but I'll make it a hundred."</p> + +<p>"Sir!" gasped Phebe, her breath fairly taken away.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's no more than I ought to do. I'm making a profit out of the +men, and ought to do it; besides, I want to help you, too."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Black," she said earnestly, putting her hand on his arm, "I'll +accept fifty pounds thankfully, but no more. I must do some of it +myself. And do you know, you are here as God's servant! We have prayed +so much about this, and God has sent you with the answer."</p> + +<p>"I'm not a religious man, Mrs. Waring. I don't want to sail under any +false colours. I'm what you'd call 'a black sheep.'"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps so, but for all that you are doing some of God's work, and some +day you'll do it for God's sake."</p> + +<p>"Do you think I shall?" and the man had quite a yearning look on his +face.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I do."</p> + +<p>Then they talked of the best means of securing a second-hand iron +building and the best place to put it. When they parted Hugh Black said: +"Well, Mrs. Waring, if you will not accept more than the fifty for the +building, I mean to help you in some other way."</p> + +<p>"So you shall, if God opens up the way."</p> + +<p>"Do you think that God wants me to do anything for Him?"</p> + +<p>"I am sure of it. The very fact that you were led to make that offer +proves it. Do believe it, Mr. Black, for it will help you to get near to +God."</p> + +<p>"I'll try." Then he shook hands with her, and, just as he was opening +the door, turned round and said in a shaky voice: "Pray for me, Mrs. +Waring, will you? I was not always what I am now."</p> + +<p>"I will, and God will answer." With another hearty shake of the hand he +was gone.</p> + +<p>How the sun did shine that day! The sunbeams did not glance from the +fifty sovereigns, but from this signal proof of God-partnership in the +work. There is a little bit of the Thomas spirit in us all. We do so +like to see!</p> + +<p>That day at dinner-time Phebe arranged that Bessie and Reynolds should +be in at the same time. While Nanna was carving Phebe told her startling +piece of news.</p> + +<p>Nanna put down her knife and fork, and, starting to her feet, exclaimed, +clasping her hands: "Praise the Lord! it's worth more than fifty pounds +to feel Him so near."</p> + +<p>"Glorious!" exclaimed Bessie; "let's sing the doxology."</p> + +<p>And they did so, Reynolds as heartily as anybody, and Janie coming to +the door to join in, though she knew nothing of what the praise was +specially for.</p> + +<p>"And another thing which is so fine," said Nanna, when they were quietly +seated again, "is that all this proves God is working in that man's +heart. We must all pray for him; we'll just pray him into the Kingdom." +Reynolds wanted very much to ask if he was going to enter that way too. +Nanna had certainly looked at him very significantly but said nothing.</p> + +<p>After dinner was over, Nanna whispered to Phebe: "Dear heart, wasn't it +worth the pain that letter brought you to have all this?"</p> + +<p>"I should think so, a hundred times over."</p> + +<p>"We must not forget another time a shadow falls that God never lets +Satan have the victory in the end. It only means a little waiting, a +little enduring."</p> + +<p>The next Sunday afternoon Phebe startled the hearers by saying: "I want +to correct a mistake which some of you have fallen into. You think I am +not paid for my services here, but I am."</p> + +<p>"Whew!" went from more than one pair of lips.</p> + +<p>"I have had fifty pounds given me, and I have had other payments +besides."</p> + +<p>"Share round, missis, and then we don't mind," said one voice.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am going to share round, but perhaps not in the way you mean," +and then she told them the whole of the story, of what her hopes had +been, her difficulty, the watching for the Finger, and the gift of the +fifty pounds. "Now," she exclaimed, joy lighting up her face, "who will +say God is not watching over our little meeting?"</p> + +<p>"Hip, hip, hurrah!" shouted one of the men, which was quite equal, in +his mind, to "Hallelujah!"</p> + +<p>The story had a splendid effect upon the men. The idea of a club-room +all their own, of money being given for their special benefit, gave a +decided impetus to the work, and the signal proof of God's near +connection with them certainly led many a heart closer to God.</p> + +<p>"I say, missis," one man exclaimed, "let us have some share in the +paying for this room, won't you? Gentleman Dick," turning towards that +individual, "hand round yer hat for a collection. You lazy fellow, stir +yourself, do."</p> + +<p>And before Phebe had time to say "Yes" or "No," twenty-one shillings +were collected.</p> + +<p>"This must be spent in something extra," said she, when she had +collected her thoughts together, "so I propose you appoint Mr. Dick your +treasurer." To which they all agreed.</p> + +<p>It did not take long to secure the iron room, and before the autumn days +had begun to show the touch of winter it was up, the floor was covered +with linoleum, pictures were on the walls, and there were as many wooden +arm-chairs as could be conveniently got in. Phebe's idea was that the +room should be made as attractive as possible. The men's money was put +to the chair fund.</p> + +<p>Arrangements were made for the room to be open every dinner-hour and +every evening. Dick was appointed custodian, and one of the women paid +to give it a good cleaning every Saturday. Dick thought he was quite +equal to this latter duty, but Phebe was not quite so sure on that +point.</p> + +<p>There were about fifty women in the camp, living in the long rows of +little wooden houses specially built for them, just like married +quarters in some military camps. Phebe wanted specially to get into +touch with these women.</p> + +<p>In consulting with Mr. Black as to the best site for the room, Phebe +happened to mention her ownership of the meadow on the other side of the +line, wondering if that would be too far away. It was agreed that the +room had better be as near the camp as possible, Mr. Black guaranteeing +to be at the expense of its removal should it be found at any time +necessary to do so, owing to any development of the railway work.</p> + +<p>The opening meeting was made a special one. Bessie had got a special +solo, with a very taking chorus, and then some of the men gave little +testimonies. To Phebe's great surprise and intense joy, after a little +pause when she had asked if any one else would like to speak, Reynolds +stepped forward. "Friends, I think it is high time I opened my mouth." +His voice trembled very much when he first began, but gradually got +steadier. "I've made up my mind to be a Christian. I gave myself to +Jesus three weeks ago, and I made up my mind on the Sunday the room was +opened to let this be known. It gave me a little courage to put it off a +while. I was tempted this afternoon to put it off still longer, but I +did not give in." ("Hear, hear!" said Dick, once the secret Christian +himself.) "What I owe to my mistress here I can never tell you; she has +made God so real to me." ("God bless her!" said Red Ribbon.) "That's all +I have to say, as I am no speaker, but I thought I must let you know +this."</p> + +<p>Emboldened by Reynolds' example three other men made a like confession, +and then they all stood up and sang the doxology. "For," said Phebe, "if +you cannot all praise God for yourselves you can for others."</p> + +<p>On the way home she grasped Reynolds firmly by the hand. "God bless you, +Reynolds! This is a happy day. But always remember I am as much your +debtor as you are mine. So, please, never praise me again. God only +knows how much you have helped me, and what I owe to you. I should not +be in the position I am to-day but for you."</p> + +<p>And what effect do you suppose that little speech had upon the young +fellow? To make him proud and expect a bigger bonus than ever at +Christmas? Not a bit of it; he was more than ever her willing slave. If +masters knew the value of praise, there would be more "love-unions" than +"trades-unions."</p> + +<p>Every dinner-hour in a small corner of Sunshine Hall—that was its +formal name—a little group of men gathered together, either for prayer +or to talk over any difficulties, and it was astonishing the knotty +points they got hold of, and the difficult questions they afterwards +propounded to their leader. In prayer they mostly spoke of her as "The +Little Missis," "The Missis" being too cold and "Mrs. Waring" too +formal.</p> + +<p>But, in spite of all this sunshine there were still deep shadows. Public +opinion in Hadley passed very hard sentences on "The Little Missis," +though fortunately she did not always hear them. "Unwomanly," "Forward," +"Did not know her place," "Eager for popularity," "Fond of men's +company," "Hand in glove with the world," "Knew how to advertise her +business"—these were some of the comments. There was one good thing, +however, about this state of matters—there was clearly no danger to be +feared such as comes when all men speak well of you. How Satan must +rejoice when he can get God's workers paralysed through the criticisms +of Christians!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>A STRANGE KIND OF PREACHING</h3> + + +<p>The afternoon Mrs. Marchant came into "Love's Hospital," Bessie was very +excited. Mrs. Marchant had previously sent word of her intended visit.</p> + +<p>"Are you pleased your mother is coming?" whispered Nanna to Bessie as +they met on the stairs.</p> + +<p>"Of course,—but you might as well ask a magpie if it liked black and +white feathers."</p> + +<p>"Well, don't act like a magpie, if you can help it, there's a dear," and +Nanna patted the girl's cheek lovingly.</p> + +<p>Nanna saw to it that it was a specially grand tea, being anxious that +their neighbour should realise they were desirous of doing her honour. +To grace the occasion still further Nanna wore her Sunday gown and black +silk apron; and Phebe, catching the contagion, put on a light coloured +cashmere dress which Nanna had presented her with, having specially +commissioned a traveller to buy it while on a visit to Paris.</p> + +<p>Bessie did not dare to do anything extra in the way of smartening +herself up, except putting a red flower in her dress, for fear her +mother should openly chide her for her extravagance. And that would be +dreadful, if she did it before Reynolds—or—D.J.!</p> + +<p>"Do you think there is any chance that Mrs. Marchant will think we are +trying to show off?" Phebe asked Nanna. "I should be so sorry if she +did."</p> + +<p>"She will take it as a compliment, I am sure," replied Nanna.</p> + +<p>The fact was Phebe was not quite at home in her new dress, though she +had a great liking for it, not only because it was Nanna's love-gift, +but also because of its restful colour. She called it her "hope dress." +It was a pale heliotrope colour, with silk flowers on it of the same +shade, and to Phebe it seemed to speak of the hopefulness and gladness +of the springtime. As a girl she had often gathered the wild crocuses in +the meadows, and her dress was of the same hue; and the gladness of her +girlhood days seemed to shine out at her from its folds. Though her +dress was always of the simplest kind, she had a great liking for dashes +of colour—not splashes. Nanna shared with her this love of colour, +going in as she did for everything that increased true cheeriness. One +of Phebe's favourite ideas was that there could not possibly be a "glum" +mealtime if a red geranium in full blossom was on the table.</p> + +<p>Nanna presided at the tea-table; Phebe sat at the foot of the table, +with Mrs. Marchant and Jack on her left, and Bessie and Reynolds on her +right.</p> + +<p>Both Phebe and Nanna did their best to keep up a bright conversation. At +first Bessie was very quiet, but when she did wake up all lost time was +more than atoned for; indeed, Phebe had to give her several quiet +touches under the table.</p> + +<p>When once Bessie started she always found it difficult to "slow up." +Phebe could see that her mother was looking at her in a rather ominous +manner, and feared there might be trouble.</p> + +<p>Reynolds happened to refer to some comical customer they had just had, +and Bessie at once began a humorous description of the whole scene.</p> + +<p>"But, Bessie," said Phebe, "it is not kind, when you know the poor thing +cannot help her singular ways."</p> + +<p>But it was too rich a bit of description for Bessie to let drop quickly, +and she went on waving her arms in a dramatic manner.</p> + +<p>Just at the moment Phebe was taking a cup of tea from Mrs. Marchant, +Bessie was exclaiming, "She perfectly waltzed up to Reynolds," when, lo! +with a backward wave of her hand, she caused the cup with its contents +to fall into Phebe's lap.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus5" id="illus5"></a> +<img src="images/illus5.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>"SHE CAUSED THE CUP, WITH ITS CONTENTS, TO FALL INTO PHEBE'S LAP."</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>In a moment there seemed a tempest in the room.</p> + +<p>Reynolds exclaimed, "Now you've done something!"</p> + +<p>Nanna screwed her lips up so tightly that only a little "Oh" came out.</p> + +<p>"Oh, mummy, your French dress!" cried out young Jack.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Marchant sprang to her feet and made a dash over the table as +though she was going to box Bessie's ears. The table, however, being too +broad she sank back into her chair, exclaiming: "There never, never was +such a provoking girl, never! You may thank your stars, young madam, +this did not happen in your own home!"</p> + +<p>Phebe was the only quiet one in the company. She had placed the empty +cup-and-saucer on the table, and as she stood up, the tea streaming down +the front of her dress on to the floor, she said, in a calm, low voice, +"Pray, Mrs. Marchant, do not trouble about it, I can soon change my +dress," but before moving away she bent down and kissed Bessie, who was +sitting gazing fixedly at the havoc she had made. The kiss seemed to +waken her, and she exclaimed, as the tears streamed down her face, "What +shall I do? What shall I do?"</p> + +<p>"Do!" exclaimed Mrs. Marchant—"get some more sense into your head, +that's what you should do, and drop all your wretched, nonsensical +ways."</p> + +<p>When Phebe returned Nanna had wisely arranged that she and Mrs. Marchant +should finish their tea alone.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Marchant's first words were: "Now I know that what our Phill said +was true."</p> + +<p>"What was that, Mrs. Marchant?"</p> + +<p>"That you possess something I don't. If I had had a dress like that +spoilt I should have gone into a towering passion, I know I should. But +to see you taking it all so calmly, fairly staggered me. Tell me what it +is that makes this difference between us?" Mrs. Marchant's voice was +quite eager, and she looked beseechingly into Phebe's face.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps several things," said Phebe, after a moment's hesitation; "I +have trained myself not to get into flurries if I can help it, for they +never accomplish anything. Then I knew Bessie was grieved enough without +me adding one word more. But the chief thing is—shall I tell you?—do +you really want to know?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I do, for I long to be like you." There was a catch in her voice +that quite went to Phebe's heart.</p> + +<p>"My first thought was, Jesus is here, and He would not like to see me +agitated over such a little thing."</p> + +<p>"Jesus!"</p> + +<p>"Yes,—Jesus."</p> + +<p>"Oh." There was a world of meaning in that one word.</p> + +<p>"I think the difference between us is this," said Phebe, taking Mrs. +Marchant's bony hand and gently stroking it: "I have put my life +entirely into God's hands, and knowing He rules over everything, I can +well afford to take things restfully."</p> + +<p>"Then it is your religion that makes the difference?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, if you like to put it that way."</p> + +<p>"And would it make the same difference to me?"</p> + +<p>"Of course it would."</p> + +<p>"Well, I shall never forget the sight of your face when that tea went +over. That sight was worth all the sermons I ever heard!"</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't Bessie be glad if she knew! I'm not a bit sorry she spilt the +tea, now. It would be worth the spoiling of all my dresses if it makes +you want—<i>Him!</i>"—the last word very softly. Her eyes were on the +silver star, but the secret of the star was too sacred to speak of.</p> + +<p>"But," added Phebe, "you must not give me one bit of praise for keeping +calm; I should have been as mad as anybody,—<i>but for Him</i>."</p> + +<p>"And do you think of Him as always with you?"</p> + +<p>"Sometimes I forget, and it is then that things go wrong."</p> + +<p>That evening Phebe found Bessie busily engaged in unpicking the skirt of +the unfortunate dress.</p> + +<p>"I'll buy stuff to match it," exclaimed Bessie, "if I have to walk all +the way to Paris!"</p> + +<p>"Well, my dear, you cannot do that, because of the English Channel, but +I want you to thank God you spilt that tea."</p> + +<p>"Thank God I spilt that tea! What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>And then Phebe told her story.</p> + +<p>"Ah, it was not the tea, it was the blessed peace in your dear face that +did it! It's just like your dear loving ways to want to give me a share +in it! I tell you, mother is quite correct, I am the most exasperating +girl that ever was! But"—and she looked up with a tender little +smile—"I've caught a little bit of your secret to-day. As you stood up +there with the tea all trickling down your dress, I fancied I saw Jesus +just behind you! It was that which kept me from answering mother back."</p> + +<p>"That was just splendid, Bessie, I am proud of you!"</p> + +<p>"What, in spite of this!" holding up the stained breadth.</p> + +<p>"Yes, in spite of that and a dozen like it! What is that worth compared +with my Bessie? And Nanna would say just the same."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>PARTNERS!</h3> + + +<p>One December evening, after the opening of Sunshine Hall, Janie was +telling little Jack wonderful stories about what people did at +Christmas.</p> + +<p>"Nearly always when people go away for a long time, they come back at +Christmas, and bring such lots of nice things with them."</p> + +<p>"My daddy's gone away," said the child, "mummy said so."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know he has," said the slow-witted Janie.</p> + +<p>"Will he come back at Kiss-mus?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he will."</p> + +<p>"And will he bring Jacky nice things?"</p> + +<p>"Of course he will, when he comes."</p> + +<p>That expectation quite took root in the little brain, and when +"Kiss-mus" morning came, his first words were "Has my daddy come? I want +my daddy!"</p> + +<p>The mother was quite startled, and wondered what had given the child +this idea. Janie explained it afterwards, when a considerable amount of +brain-searching had been done. It took a wooden horse on wheels, a box +of chocolate and a box of bricks to get the little fellow to dry his +tears.</p> + +<p>The next Christmas, strange to say, there was the same expectation and +the same disappointment, but with added sorrow. The child was older, and +if it could appreciate good things more, also felt sorrow more. He had +mingled with other children, whose fathers made much of them. "Perhaps +daddy will come at Christmas," he would say to himself.</p> + +<p>Christmas morning came, but again no daddy.</p> + +<p>"Why doesn't daddy come?" he sobbed out on his mother's breast.</p> + +<p>"I don't know, darling."</p> + +<p>"Has he forgotten me?" he asked, turning up his tear-stained face to +hers.</p> + +<p>"I do not know." The words had to be uttered. There was no way in which +she could truthfully cover up the silence of years. To the sensitive +child the words were like a cruel blow; after building upon the father's +return to be told that father might have forgotten him was more than he +could bear, and in his grief, to his little mind, the doubt became a +certainty—his father had forgotten him! It was the child-soul's first +knowledge of Gethsemane.</p> + +<p>The mother strained him passionately to her, showering both tears and +kisses upon the little tear-stained face. "But mummy has not forgotten! +Mummy never will forget!" she wailed over him.</p> + +<p>From that hour a new feeling took possession of little Jack. If his +father had forgotten him, it was very likely the mother was also +forgotten. Mummy must feel lonely too, but he would not forget her, and +when he was a man he would work for her. He would be her champion and +defender—not that he used these words to himself, they were rather too +long for him, but the idea they expressed was in his brave, loyal little +heart. Nanna often wondered at the quaint little ways in which he showed +himself his mother's protector, but never knew the heart-sorrow which +had given birth to them.</p> + +<p>The child's grief was an added weight to the mother's heart. She saw +that her burden was no longer one which she had to bear alone, but that +her child, her innocent, sunny-haired child, with the face of an angel, +and brother to an angel, had to feel some of its weight also.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Away in Holland a gardener will patiently labour for even twenty years +to bring one hyacinth to perfection. Its soil is often changed, and the +hand, though moved by a heart which dearly loves the flower, does not +hesitate to even use the knife to the sensitive root.</p> + +<p>With still greater patience bends the Great Gardener over the flowers of +the Kingdom.</p> + +<p>And still there was no letter from Ralph. She had left off writing now, +not knowing into whose hands her letters might fall. At last she +ventured to write to Stephen Collins, asking if he thought there was +anything more she could do. He at once replied that he was scanning +several Australian papers every week, but had not come across any +mention of Ralph, and that he could think of nothing further she could +do. It did not seem to him to be at all necessary to seek police aid, +though he did not say so in his note. Later on, he sent word that he had +written to the proprietor of the hotel to which her letters had been +addressed, and he had replied that for a long time six letters had been +waiting for Mr. Waring, but a little while ago Mr. Waring had sent a +messenger for them. Should that same messenger call again he would do +his best to obtain Mr. Waring's address.</p> + +<p>This gave Phebe courage to write again, but after some months the hotel +proprietor returned the letter, saying that nothing had been heard of +Mr. Waring, but that if at any time he did receive news of him it should +be forwarded instantly.</p> + +<p>After that all was a dark blank. Years passed, but not the faintest +report of his doings was ever received. "Do you think he is dead, +Nanna?" Phebe would often ask, but the old friend could only shake her +head and say, "Dear heart, I do not know, but he's somewhere where the +Lord knows all about him. We must rest on that."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h3>LIGHT ON THE PATHWAY</h3> + + +<p>One Friday morning Mrs. Waring received a note from Mr. Hugh Black +asking her to call, if possible, and see him at his house that morning, +as he wished to consult her on important business.</p> + +<p>It was next to impossible for her to do so, as two travellers were +expected, but, thinking the visit had to do with the hall or meeting, +she sent Bessie in her place, and a note to Mr. Black, saying the +bearer was her special friend with whom he could safely talk over any +point, or trust with any number of messages.</p> + +<p>Reaching the house Bessie was shown into a conservatory where Mr. Black +was writing some letters. He received her very courteously, and, as +politely as he could do so, gave her to understand the business he +wished to discuss with Mrs. Waring had nothing to do with the work among +the men, but was quite private. He would, however, explain it all in a +letter to Mrs. Waring, if Bessie would be kind enough to wait while he +wrote it, and he would himself call on Mrs. Waring the next day. On a +little table near by was some fruit and biscuits to which he asked her +to help herself. But a fit of shyness seemed to have come over Miss +Bessie, and though she looked wistfully at the tempting fruit, she only +nibbled away at a biscuit while the letter was being written. It was an +innocent-looking little missive Bessie carried home, but not nearly so +unimportant as it looked. It did not contain exactly a bomb, but it +certainly gave Phebe a shock. Both Nanna and Bessie noticed her +excitement, but said nothing, as they were both quite sure they would +hear all about it in due course.</p> + +<p>Mr. Black paid the promised visit, and remained talking a long time, but +there was still the same kind of subdued excitement about Phebe when he +had gone; indeed, the interview had even deepened it.</p> + +<p>At supper-time that day—Saturday—Bessie made a confession. There were +some nice pears on the table, which Nanna informed the company were +Bessie's gift. "Yes," said Bessie, "but I'd better tell you why I bought +them. When I went to Mr. Black's yesterday he asked me to have some +fruit. There was a tray with a nice white cloth on it and some plates, +and on one plate a silver knife-and-fork and some parings. And on the +tray, besides other things, a beautiful dish of pears, and another +knife-and-fork. Oh, I did want one of those pears so badly; you can't +tell how much I wanted one!"</p> + +<p>"Well, bless me," said Nanna, "why didn't you take one, then! Didn't he +ask you to take one?"</p> + +<p>"You so often ask me to bless you, and I really haven't any blessings to +spare. So please excuse me."</p> + +<p>"Your very presence is a blessing," put in Phebe.</p> + +<p>"That does sound nice, but really if you interrupt me so much I shall +never get through my little story. Of course Mr. Black asked me, and +that made me want one all the more. But the sight of that knife-and-fork +made me feel I could not dream of having one—yes, I did dream of it, +but I couldn't really take one! Just fancy me taking a pear with a knife +and fork! I should have been as awkward as an elephant in a china-shop."</p> + +<p>"What did you do, then?" asked Reynolds.</p> + +<p>"Do? Why, I went without, of course. I wasn't going to show off my bad +training. So to prevent such a display of self-sacrifice again I bought +some pears this morning, and I had a downright good practice in the +kitchen with Janie. We can both do it in high style now."</p> + +<p>And then everybody round the table, except David Jones, who usually +spent week-ends at Hadley, and had arrived just in time to hear Bessie's +story, began eating pears with a knife-and-fork, only the knives were +steel ones.</p> + +<p>After supper David asked Bessie if she would take a little walk with him +for a few minutes. It was not the first time he had done so. Both Phebe +and Nanna had seen the growing nearness between these two, but had made +no remark, for the friendship had certainly been helpful to both.</p> + +<p>"I could quite sympathise with you about that pear," said David as they +reached a quiet road away from the usual Saturday night scenes. He did +not always reach Hadley so early, but had made a special effort this +night for a special purpose. There was something on his heart he wanted +to say very much, and had hardly known how to introduce it. The story of +the coveted pear seemed quite like "a godsend" to him. "Yes, I have +felt like that myself."</p> + +<p>"Have you?" said Bessie. "Shouldn't have thought it; it isn't like a man +to hesitate at a trifle like that."</p> + +<p>"Do you think I should have eaten it straight away out of my hand?"</p> + +<p>"Something like that."</p> + +<p>"Would you have blamed me if I had done so?"</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't have blamed you, most certainly not; but smart folks +might."</p> + +<p>"I don't care for smart folks, do you?"</p> + +<p>"Can't say I don't, seeing I should like to be smart myself."</p> + +<p>There was a little pause, and then David said: "But you would advise me, +if there was something I wanted very much, to take it the best way I +could?"</p> + +<p>Bessie seemed to hesitate; perhaps she guessed what it was the young +fellow wanted! "Certainly," she answered in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"Bessie," and he turned eagerly towards her, "it's a flower I want, a +flower to wear for ever on my heart."</p> + +<p>"I think you're growing sentimental, and it's getting late; we had +better turn back."</p> + +<p>"No, Bessie, now I've once started you must let me finish. It's you I +want." And then he told her the old story which has had so many +different endings, yet always beautiful when coming from lips sincere. +That same night David told his mistress all about it. "And what did +Bessie say?" asked Phebe, greatly interested and pleased at the +confidence he showed in her.</p> + +<p>"Well, she didn't say much, but I think it will be all right."</p> + +<p>"You may rest assured if she had meant to refuse you she would have said +so right out. But, David," and here she put her hand on his arm, and her +voice took on a low, tender note "have you told her how you came to be +in my employ?"</p> + +<p>"No, Mrs. Waring," all the joy suddenly dying out of his face; "do you +think I need do so?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I do; I think it is your plain duty to do so."</p> + +<p>"If I did she would throw me over as she would toss away one of her +pears that was bad."</p> + +<p>"I don't think so; it is only your fear makes you have that thought."</p> + +<p>"But why should I tell her? That is all past and gone."</p> + +<p>"You would be starting life together with something withheld from her; +there would be no thorough trust in each other. And, suppose some one +told her of the occurrence? Such a thing would not be impossible. Better +lose her now than lose her respect when you are tied together for life."</p> + +<p>There was a tender pleading in her voice which quite broke David down. +"I believe you're right. I'll do it," he said in a broken voice.</p> + +<p>The next morning he was unusually quiet; during the walk to the meeting +in the afternoon he was still as absorbed. Bessie did not know what to +make of matters, trying in vain to read the secret of the gloom on his +face. "I never knew he was of a sulky turn before," she said to herself; +"if this is having a lover it's a mighty queer business. I wonder if +it's something I've done wrong! I wonder if he expected I should have +gone down on my knees in ecstasy last night!" But wonder as she might +there came no answer.</p> + +<p>On the journey home David made a desperate effort to get the unpleasant +task over.</p> + +<p>"Bessie, there's something I want to tell you which I ought to have told +you last night, but did not like to."</p> + +<p>There was such a ring of pain in the voice that Bessie's heart was +touched at once, and for the first time, and of her own accord, she +slipped her hand into his arm. The little action was like balm of Gilead +to David.</p> + +<p>"When Mrs. Waring engaged me, she took me without a character," he went +on.</p> + +<p>"She did me, too," said Bessie, "so we're in the same boat."</p> + +<p>"I had used some of my master's money, and before I could pay him back +he found it out. I was going to return it, for I had money in the +savings bank."</p> + +<p>"Did you pay him back?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, every penny; but he would give me no reference, and I was +dreadfully afraid mother would find it out. It would have broken her +heart."</p> + +<p>"Well, that's all done with now, so forget it. You've good character +enough now for the two of us."</p> + +<p>"And you don't think any the less of me?" he asked, bending anxiously +towards her.</p> + +<p>"I think all the more of you," she said, looking up frankly into his +face and pressing her hand upon his arm more firmly, "only it's made me +feel rather queer, for I shall now be obliged to tell you not simply one +bad thing I've done, but heaps. In fact, I don't know where to begin."</p> + +<p>"That's all nonsense," he said. "I know you are trying to cheer me, and +I bless you for it, but there's still another thing I must say, for I +want that there should never be a shadow between us. I did not want to +tell you of my slip. I don't want you to think I was frank enough to +tell you all this of my own accord. It was Mrs. Waring who pressed me to +tell you."</p> + +<p>"That's just like her; she is a dear."</p> + +<p>"So she is; she's been the making of me."</p> + +<p>"So she has of me. Leastways," added Bessie in her characteristic +manner, "she is making me. The business is not near finished yet."</p> + +<p>"It's all right," whispered David to Mrs. Waring as they went into tea.</p> + +<p>"I'm so glad," was her reply, "doubly glad."</p> + +<p>There was really no need for him to tell her this; his face told the +story so plainly—so very plainly—that when tea was over, and they were +standing in Sunshine Patch, Mrs. Colston went up to them and said:</p> + +<p>"And so you young folks have made each other happy."</p> + +<p>"Why, how do you know? Who told you?" exclaimed Bessie.</p> + +<p>"Know! Who told me? There was no need for anybody to tell me. Your faces +tell the tale. Well, do you think you'll get on together all right?"</p> + +<p>"I can get on with anybody," sang out Bessie, "if they only let me have +my own way."</p> + +<p>"Do you think we shall, Mrs. Colston?" asked David.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I've watched you, and I do think you will; but you must neither +try to get in front of the other. It must be side by side." Taking a +hand of each, she said in a sweet, serious way: "May the Lord bless you +both; may you not only be strength to each other but to many besides."</p> + +<p>"You dear!" exclaimed Bessie, flinging her arms round her neck, and +kissing her, while the tears streamed down her face; "if I'm only half +as good as you, I'll do."</p> + +<p>"Nay, nay, child, you must not take any measurement by a mortal; Jesus +is our measure. But look here, dears, you've both got to go in and tell +your story to mother next door. Don't leave her in the cold. But, mark +you, you'll have no silver forks to eat your pears with."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, she shall," exclaimed David as they both went away laughing.</p> + +<p>That same evening Phebe and Nanna talked this courtship over, and +concluded that things were going on all right. Then Phebe started a +fresh subject. "Perhaps you have wondered, Nanna, dear, what Mr. Black +came about. I felt I could not tell you about it all in a hurry; it was +too exciting, and I have not had a quiet moment till now."</p> + +<p>"It's all right, dearie; I knew you would tell me at the proper time."</p> + +<p>"Ah, my dear, I wish I always had your calmness."</p> + +<p>"I wonder how it is so many folks seem to envy me! I have nothing +everybody cannot have as well as me."</p> + +<p>"Tell me in a word what you think your secret is, could you?"</p> + +<p>"How like I am to Mrs. Marchant!" she thought to herself. "How much we +all lean upon one another!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think I could; but then it's your secret as well as mine."</p> + +<p>"Never mind whose else it is, tell it me, there's a dear."</p> + +<p>"It's only this—that I know the Lord is always with me, and that in His +hands things are sure to come right—could not help but be, He's so +clever and good. So why shouldn't I be calm?"</p> + +<p>"You say 'in His hand things are sure to be right,' but so often I say +to myself, 'How can He make my tangle right?' He cannot make sin come +right."</p> + +<p>"There's your mistake, dear heart," exclaimed Nanna. "He can! He can! He +can make the wrong you've suffered work out splendid things in your +character, and help you to do things you would never have force enough +to do if you'd had a smooth life. And He's doing it now, now! So rest on +that, you poor, tired child. Now tell me about Mr. Black, will you?"</p> + +<p>Phebe gave a little sigh of relief. "I had almost forgotten about it. It +will almost take away your breath, so be prepared."</p> + +<p>"Stop one minute," said Nanna, "let me ask one question. Is it something +you approve of?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, quite."</p> + +<p>"All right, then, nothing whatever can take away my breath now."</p> + +<p>"Don't be quite so sure about it. What do you say to him showing me how +I can have two thousand pounds paid to me this week?"</p> + +<p>"I should simply say he couldn't."</p> + +<p>"But he has, and when I tell you how, you will advise me to take it, I +am quite sure. Now, doesn't this take away your breath?"</p> + +<p>"No, I've still got a few gasps left."</p> + +<p>"You know that meadow of mine? It has a long frontage to the main road. +Some men have been buying up the land all round the new railway-station. +They expect it will be quite a busy centre owing to the junction of +rails. Mr. Black knew I owned that meadow. I told him so when I thought +the hall might go up there, and he has negotiated with these men for the +sale of it. But for him I should have thought I was doing well if I had +sold it for five hundred. He is trying to see if he can get a little +more when I told him what I should use it for."</p> + +<p>"What is that?" a sudden fear again taking possession of Nanna lest +money should become a snare to her darling.</p> + +<p>"To build or buy a house for a cottage hospital here in Hadley. I have +long wanted to do it, and now, without any trouble, God is sending me +the money."</p> + +<p>"God bless you, my dear one," said Nanna, her heart full of rejoicing.</p> + +<p>"And what do you think of this plan?" continued Phebe. "I should like to +give the money to Stephen Collins, and let him do all the business, my +name never to be mentioned. He need simply say a friend had entrusted +him with it. Mr. Black, I know, will keep my secret. I thought two +thousand would provide the building, and the town might be willing to +pay for its upkeep. I should like it called 'Love's Hospital.'"</p> + +<p>"There! Didn't I tell you the Lord would help you to do big things? +Can't you see if you'd never gone to the railway-men you would never +have known Mr. Black!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I can see it, and if I had never visited Jim Coates, I shouldn't +have gone to the railway-men. It is all the Lord's doing. I have got +another scheme I want to work out, but have not the money for it yet, +and I don't see where it is to come from either. Still, after this +wonder I shall not give up hope."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Stephen Collins accepted the task, called together a town's meeting; a +committee was appointed, Bessie's old superintendent, Mr. Bell, being +one of the number. An old-fashioned house, with a large garden was +bought, and in less than twelve months "Love's Hospital" was in working +order.</p> + +<p>Bessie, Reynolds and David knew Mrs. Waring had sold her meadow at a +very good figure. They knew also of the anonymous donor of the hospital, +and, as shrewd young people will, put two and two together; but the +townsfolk, in spite of a good deal of curiosity, were not so wise.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h3>LOYAL LOVE</h3> + + +<p>When little Jack was nearly nine years old he came home from school one +afternoon in a sorry plight. Not only was his face tear-stained, but +his jacket was torn. There was every evidence that he had been in a +battle, and had not come off victor, either. Fortunately, his mother was +away spending the afternoon with her father and sister.</p> + +<p>"My dear boy!" exclaimed Nanna; "what ever have you been doing!"</p> + +<p>"Don't be cross with me, Nanna," cried out Jack, literally throwing +himself into her arms, "I couldn't help myself. You would have done the +same yourself." His arms were round her neck, and he was hugging her so +tightly that she found it rather difficult to get her words out. The +hugging really seemed to comfort him. Nanna felt alarmed, for it was so +unusual for Jack to shed a tear or to be so demonstrative. Trying with +one hand to loosen his grasp, and with the other stroking his tangled +hair, she said: "You surely could never imagine your old Nanna mixed up +with a fight, now could you? A pretty figure I should cut, shouldn't I?"</p> + +<p>"Well, you would have done something; I know you would," sobbed out the +little fellow, who could no longer keep the tears back.</p> + +<p>"Ah, no doubt I should have done something; you're right there. But tell +me what it's all about? Whatever will mummy say about it! And what do +you suppose your little angel-sister thinks of you if she is looking at +you now?"</p> + +<p>The thought of the "little angel-sister" did not distress him much; but +at the mention of "mummy" his grief broke out afresh.</p> + +<p>"But you won't tell her, will you? And you'll mend my jacket for me, +won't you?" taking his arms down from her neck to show the ugly rent by +the pocket.</p> + +<p>"Not tell mummy? Keep anything from mummy? Why, Jack, what can you be +thinking about? She would not like her boy to have any trouble she did +not share. And if you have done wrong all that she will do will be to +give you advice that might help you another time."</p> + +<p>"I know, I know," and the voice was a little fretful, an unusual thing +for Jack, "but you don't understand: it's because it would make mummy +cry I don't want her to know."</p> + +<p>"Well, tell me all about it, and then I shall understand."</p> + +<p>"And you won't tell her?"</p> + +<p>Nanna felt to be in a difficulty, and had to think. Jack saw the +difficulty she was in, and, like the chivalrous little fellow he was, +helped her out of it by saying, "I'll tell you first, and then I know +you'll say she mustn't know, and Janie must not know," getting down from +her knee and shutting the door—"nobody must know."</p> + +<p>Resuming his seat, and with one arm round her neck, he told out his +little tale of woe, the tale that was so big to him. A fresh boy had +come to his school whose displeasure he had won by obstinately keeping +at the top of the class, a position keenly coveted by the new boy, whose +name was Frank Bell.</p> + +<p>Knowing of no other invective he could hurl at his rival, Frank tried +this one: "You're no good; you've no business among respectable boys. +Your mother's a wicked woman, and that's why your father can't live with +her. My ma says so; I heard her."</p> + +<p>"I told him she was as good as good could be, better than his mother, +for my mother held meetings and his mother didn't. So he said he'd pay +me out for calling his mother names, and after school he hit me in the +face, and I hit him back."</p> + +<p>"And you got the worst of it?"</p> + +<p>"He's ever so much bigger than I am. My mother is good, isn't she?" +lifting up his tear-stained face to look steadfastly at Nanna. There was +no doubt in the loyal little heart of the mother's goodness, but there +was one big mystery in his life he could not solve, and he wondered if +Nanna could help him—or, would help him.</p> + +<p>"Of course she is good; we both of us know that."</p> + +<p>"If only daddy would come home! If he would, then Frank couldn't say +anything." He watched her face attentively—the face that had always had +truth written on it, that had never kept a secret from him.</p> + +<p>"I wish he would, too; but I don't know why he doesn't, and mummy +doesn't know either. Perhaps—but you must not speak of this—perhaps he +is dead. Sometimes we think he must be."</p> + +<p>"Poor daddy!" murmured the child, and then turned to look at his photo +hanging over the mantelpiece.</p> + +<p>"But, Jack, dear, I want to show you where you have done wrong and how +you must be wiser another time. It does not matter what any number of +boys say about your mother; it could not alter the fact of her goodness. +You need only have said he was making a mistake. Then you should not +have questioned his mother's goodness; it is quite right for him to +think his mother better than yours—every boy should think his mother +the best that ever was. And then, when he struck you, you should not +have struck back—that's what cowards do, heroes quietly walk away. You +remember what our dear Jesus said, that when anybody strikes us on one +cheek, we are to let them do it on the other side, too, if they like."</p> + +<p>Jack sighed. Life to him just then was indeed an "unsunned space," and +it seemed getting darker. It was bad enough to have had his dear mummy +so wickedly spoken about, but to be struck and not retaliate! And now +Nanna was disappointed in him. There came another deep sigh.</p> + +<p>"Don't sigh, little man. It is by these mistakes we learn. You will be +wiser next time, so cheer up. Let us ask Jesus to forgive us all our +mistakes. We can afford to forget all about them then."</p> + +<p>In the most natural way possible the two knelt down and made their +request of the invisible Master, whose presence in that room was always +acknowledged. It was by no means the first time these two had done so. +Jack was not at all surprised or confused.</p> + +<p>Prayer over, Nanna set about preparing tea, and Jack, still +disconsolate, sat by the fire. His own share of the pain was forgotten, +but he could not feel happy about his "mummy." He did not want her to +know, and yet he longed to hear from her own dear lips that she did not +mind.</p> + +<p>"You won't tell mummy, will you?" he pleaded before going to bed, and +the promise was given. "Not till you say I may," said wise, far-seeing +Nanna. The burden of having a secret from mummy was a heavy one, and +Nanna felt sure it would not be long before it all came out, and that +the loving little heart would only find peace in the mother's arms.</p> + +<p>Phebe that night went in as usual to give Jack his "good-night" kiss. He +had cried himself to sleep. He had even laughed at supper-time, and +forgotten all his sorrow, but in the darkness of the bedroom it had come +back again with full force.</p> + +<p>The mother bent to kiss her boy—the face was damp—Jack had been +crying! Nanna had said nothing about any trouble, yet she was always +Jack's confidante. What could it be? She bent again to kiss him. Yes, it +was quite damp—the pillow even was damp. Her sunny-faced, earnest, +eager-hearted Jack, crying! The boy sighed in his sleep, tossed about, +and then, the light of the lamp falling on his face, he woke up.</p> + +<p>"Oh, mummy! dear mummy!" The lamp was quickly put down, and in an +instant the two were locked in each other's arms.</p> + +<p>"Jack, darling, you've been crying. You must tell me all about it."</p> + +<p>"But I can't—no—you are not to ask me."</p> + +<p>And then straightway he told her, though not in words. He smoothed her +face, he examined her, then he hugged her, and whispered:</p> + +<p>"It is my <i>good</i> mummy!"</p> + +<p>"Has somebody been telling you I'm not good?"</p> + +<p>"Did Nanna tell you?" he exclaimed. "Oh, dear, she promised she +wouldn't!"</p> + +<p>"No, darling; Nanna did not tell me. She would not break her promise to +you."</p> + +<p>"Then how did you know?"</p> + +<p>She could hardly explain. "I guessed it," she said. "I saw you had been +crying. Who was it that was finding fault with me?"</p> + +<p>"Frank Bell; he's a new scholar." The name was not familiar.</p> + +<p>"See here, darling, you must never trouble about me. You know I do +things differently from some mothers, and they think it is wrong, but I +think it is God's wish; so it does not much matter. You understand?"</p> + +<p>"Yes." Then, after a pause: "And it has not anything to do with daddy +not coming home?"</p> + +<p>There is a sisterhood of Mary found the wide world over—women who have +felt the sword pierce the soul, and in that instant Phebe felt afresh +what membership with that sisterhood meant. But her child, at all costs, +must not know of it.</p> + +<p>"No, nothing at all," was her calm answer.</p> + +<p>And then came the story of the fight and the torn jacket. It was so nice +to be able to tell her everything, and to know she was not hurt at all.</p> + +<p>"What, my Jack been in a battle!" trying hard to laugh.</p> + +<p>"Yes; but Nanna has mended my jacket, you'd never know it was torn, and +I'm never going to fight again. Nanna says heroes walk away, and that +must be so, 'cause it's harder."</p> + +<p>"Nanna's right, you dear little champion!"</p> + +<p>"When I am a man, nobody will dare to say you're not good."</p> + +<p>"Yes, they will, dear. You know Jesus told us to beware if everybody +spoke well of us. That would show we were not quite brave enough."</p> + +<p>But the child spoke truer than she knew.</p> + +<p>The next morning Phebe sent Frank Bell a box of chocolate, which Jack +willingly delivered.</p> + +<p>To say that Frank was mystified is putting it very mildly.</p> + +<p>"For me?" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Yes, mother sent it you."</p> + +<p>"Does she know what I said about her?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I didn't tell her. I had to tell Nanna because of my jacket."</p> + +<p>Frank thought Nanna was the servant. He wanted very much to "round on" +Jack for telling, but did not know how fairly to do it.</p> + +<p>"She knew what I said about her, and yet sent me this chocolate!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, you see she's a real Christian—Nanna says she's one of the right +sort."</p> + +<p>"Well, she must be; my father's a Christian, but I don't speck he'd +send anybody chocolates that snubbed <i>him</i>," and the very idea made the +boy laugh.</p> + +<p>"You'll never say she's wicked again, will you?" pleaded Jack wistfully.</p> + +<p>"That I won't, I'll say she's a stunner, and she is, too!" And from that +moment Phebe Waring had no more brave defender than chubby-faced Frank +Bell.</p> + +<p>That same morning Phebe got a few minutes' talk with Nanna: "Jack told +me last night you knew all about his little battle and what occasioned +it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he did," said Nanna, turning round to look at her carefully. She +was not quite sure how much Phebe knew, nor how she would take it. The +look satisfied her.</p> + +<p>"I only want to say," said Phebe, "that you need not worry about it for +my sake. I have been so happy lately that I can afford to have a little +drawback like that. Perhaps God saw I needed something to keep me +humble."</p> + +<p>But she could not have spoken in that brave tone twelve hours before. +She knew that, and Nanna guessed it too.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said Nanna, "it wouldn't do for us any more than for the trees to +have all sunshine and never have a storm."</p> + +<p>Yes, Phebe had been very blessed lately, and she not only knew it, but +had drunk in all the joy of it. The railway-works had long since been +completed, and the hall had been taken down and stored. Most of the men +had been scattered all over the country, many of them taking with them +the precious secret learnt from a woman's lips, but some still remained +in Hadley and the neighbourhood, and these had persuaded Phebe to +continue the meetings in the public hall. She had done so, and very +happy gatherings they had proved to be.</p> + +<p>Every week the further scheme she had in her mind took deeper root: the +more she saw of working-men, of their hard life and colourless +existence, the more she pitied them. The scheme was often talked over +with faithful Nanna, whose brain was as keen as ever, though her body +was more bent. More than once she advised Phebe to consult Stephen +Collins, but Phebe could not trust herself to do that, knowing too well +that temptation lay in that direction.</p> + +<p>"Besides," she would add, "I have not money enough yet. Love's Hospital +was not my gift—the money simply was passed on by me. This time God +seems to show that I have to work for the money, storing it up little by +little. When I have enough and have got my plans all settled, I'll ask +Stephen to carry them out for me. I don't mind doing that; it would not +take long."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<h3>RECOGNISED</h3> + + +<p>Bessie's marriage passed off in high style,—the change that had come +over her mother being most marked—and after a fortnight of "doing the +grand" at Bournemouth she and her "Darling" Jones settled down to +business with the firm determination of making it "hum." And "hum" it +did. Bessie had been a treasure in the business at Hadley, but she was a +far smarter business woman now that she shared some responsibility. +Every morning the shutters were down at eight o'clock, every corner +thoroughly swept by nine, every order attended to promptly, supplies +well seen to. It was like taking in a breath of Swiss air to go into +that shop. Many a sleepy country-woman rubbed her eyes and pulled +herself together after an interview with Bessie. It was not simply done +for the money it brought, though of course the more business done the +more it was to the advantage of the managers, but the main impetus was +in the thought that she was helping Mrs. Waring. Bessie's highest +delight was to win her "Well done!"—to know she was hastening the +development of her scheme, for Phebe had taken both Reynolds and Jones +into her confidence.</p> + +<p>Bessie's mother marvelled at the change which had come over her, and +wondered if it could possibly be the same girl who used to be always in +hot water! If there was anything "hot" now-a-days it was more of the +nature of milk than water.</p> + +<p>The money for Phebe's scheme was gradually accumulating. One or two +special agencies had helped in this, but it had mostly been won by hard +and constant application to work. And all the time the sum in the bank +had been growing Phebe's influence had grown too. There was never a +town's meeting called to discuss any forward movement, or to right any +wrong, but she was invited, mostly accompanied by her boy. But, as +nearly always happens, alongside with this growing influence was a +growing disfavour with well-to-do, rut-bound people, especially with +those who had class prejudices and believed that woman was simply the +chattel of a man. This was very much accentuated when she was called in +as an arbitrator in a dispute between some men and their master, and was +still further manifested when she publicly exposed the wrongs of some +laundry girls. Whenever she saw wrongs or injustice she was bound to +speak out. She even once spoke out at a church-meeting against the +custom of relegating the poorest members to the top seats in the church +gallery. That was a shocking offence, and almost won for her +church-discipline. But she calmly went on her way, her eyes still fixed +on the silver stars, and more and more became the confidante and helper +of the poor.</p> + +<p>The day at last arrived—the day she had looked forward to for months, +even years—on which she paid into the bank to her "scheme account" the +last needed amount before commencing operations, bringing the grand +total up to five hundred pounds!</p> + +<p>The following day arrangements were made for an interview with Stephen +Collins. Both Nanna and she agreed it had better take place at her +sister's house, her old home. It would be quieter, and there would be +less chance for gossip to make anything out of it.</p> + +<p>The father was dead, but the sister was still staying on in the old +house. Phebe frankly told her she wanted a business talk with Stephen, +and asked if she would mind inviting him.</p> + +<p>"I shall be only too pleased," was the reply. "The wonder to me is you +manage to get along so much by yourself as you do. Who would have +imagined our dreamy Phebe turning into an enterprising business woman, +and quite a public character, too! How things change! I used to be the +go-ahead, and now I'm as good as a recluse."</p> + +<p>"You've done the hardest piece of work, after all, dear," was Phebe's +answer; "one that God won't forget. And, besides, you have the +opportunity of coming out into the world and its work now father is at +rest."</p> + +<p>Stephen Collins accepted the invitation, and on a dreary Friday +afternoon at the end of October the three gathered round a cheerful fire +in the old-fashioned parlour.</p> + +<p>For a minute or so Phebe thought they were girls and boy together again, +and that the door would open presently and "mother" would come in with +her cheery voice, "Girls, it's time for tea, and you'd better get Steve +to help you!" How many a romp they had had together, especially when +"father" was away at market! The fire crackled and the old clock ticked +just as they had done then, but a glance at Stephen's iron-grey hair and +his sad, earnest face gave proof enough that the old merry days had gone +by for ever.</p> + +<p>They talked about the weather, about the new tenant in the next +farm—all three seemed anxious to talk, and yet there were awkward +pauses, and Phebe could not bring herself to mention her scheme. The +Spirit of the Past seemed to hold them.</p> + +<p>The sister must have known Phebe's thoughts, for all at once she said: +"It's no use waiting for mother to announce tea to-day. I must get it +ready myself."</p> + +<p>"Let me help you," said Phebe.</p> + +<p>"No, you sit and talk with Stephen." She still called him by his +Christian name.</p> + +<p>Phebe poked the fire, and swept some dust from the hearth, conscious all +the time that Stephen was watching her closely. When she took her seat +again they were both silent, till at last Stephen said:</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Waring, I have not the slightest idea what it is you wish me to do +for you, but rest assured whatever it is I will do my utmost to fulfil +your wish. Please do not hesitate. Trust me."</p> + +<p>"Trust you! There is no need to tell me to do that. I do not hesitate +because of any thought of unwillingness or mistrust—never that." For +the first time their eyes met and she could not resist putting her hand +on his, just for an instant. "Why I hesitate is because I am going to +ask so much, and you may not think my plan a wise one."</p> + +<p>"You need not hesitate on either of those points. I have plenty of time +at my disposal, and I should not put my judgment before yours."</p> + +<p>"I don't think for a minute my sister will agree to my scheme."</p> + +<p>"Then we must try to convert her."</p> + +<p>It was not till the tea had been cleared away and the trio had gathered +round the fire again that the scheme was unfolded. Phebe introduced it +by saying: "You must please both of you let me tell my tale without +interruptions, for I really feel nervous talking to two such critics. +When I have quite finished, then you can talk. I must first of all tell +you I have saved up five hundred pounds, and I want to buy Farmer +Green's big meadow in Haystone Lane; he wants a thousand pounds for it."</p> + +<p>"How can you buy a thousand-pound meadow for five hundred pounds? Folks +will say that's like a woman," interrupted the sister.</p> + +<p>"Will they? But you must please let me finish my story. I propose for +the present getting a mortgage of five hundred. I want to put this +meadow in trust of Mr. Collins, Mr. Black, Jim Coates, and my two +assistants, Reynolds and Jones, with Mr. Collins as chairman, or +something of that sort. Then I want this meadow turned into garden +allotments. I think it will make forty. One of these I want to reserve +for a plot for our railway-hall to stand on, to be used as a club-room. +These thirty-nine allotments I want let out to working-men, or women, +too, if they felt equal to spade-work. These would bring in a rental of +thirty-nine pounds; twenty of this would be needed for interest and the +remainder to be spent in prizes for the best things grown in the +gardens. For the club I should propose that a small quarterly +subscription be charged, which would be sufficient to keep the place +going. I hope by the time the scheme is started to have saved another +fifty pounds, which I should like spent in the purchase of plants and +trees to start the gardens with." Phebe paused. The sister held up her +hand like the children do at school: "Have you finished! Please may I +talk?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I have finished."</p> + +<p>"Well, I think you are a very foolish woman to squander your money in +such a fashion! You've got your old age to think of, and your child to +provide for. Let your working-men provide gardens for themselves—they +can spend plenty of money in the public-house. You stint yourself to +help them, and not one in twenty will give you a 'Thank you' for it. No, +I say you are not called upon to do such a thing as this. What do you +say, Stephen?"</p> + +<p>"I say, it's just like her."</p> + +<p>"That may be, but that doesn't say it's wise."</p> + +<p>"You are too hard on these men, Lizzie. They can afford no luxuries, no +hobbies, and there is little wonder they go to the public-house. I often +think if I had a home like they have I should do the same myself; there +is nowhere else that is bright and attractive for them to go. As for +their thanks, I don't want them; besides, my name is not to be mentioned +in connection with the scheme. But before I die I hope to be able to +clear off the mortgage. As for my boy he can always get a living out of +the business. I have no need to provide further than that for him." +Turning to Stephen: "Will you do this for me, Mr. Collins?"</p> + +<p>"I will." No marriage-vow was given with more earnestness.</p> + +<p>"Well, you are the funniest woman that ever God made," exclaimed the +sister.</p> + +<p>When the time came to separate, Phebe would not hear of either her +sister or Stephen accompanying her, though the night was dark. They went +as far as the garden-gate with her, and as they stood there after she +had left them, Stephen said in a choked voice: "You call her the +funniest woman God made: I call her the best and the bravest."</p> + +<p>"So she is," the sister replied frankly; "but then it doesn't do to tell +her so, does it?"</p> + +<p>"I only wish I might," was his low response.</p> + +<p>As the sister walked up the path again to the silent old home she +whispered to herself: "Poor old Steve! Dear old fellow! What a queer +world this is!"</p> + +<p>While Phebe was away from home that evening Nanna sat for a while in the +desk in the grocery department; she often did so when a quiet time was +expected. "I shall write a book some day," she used to say, "and the +title will be 'From the Mangle to the Desk.'" Certainly she looked +wonderfully wise there with her spectacles on her nose.</p> + +<p>All at once she was attracted by the sound of a voice. Her memory for +faces was very defective, but for voices very acute. Where had she heard +that voice before? Looking up she saw a tall, elderly, shabby-looking +man, who every now and again gave a little hacking cough. She watched +him as he bought half an ounce of tea, a rasher of bacon, one egg, and +half a pound of sugar. Then she heard him say to Reynolds, who was +serving him:</p> + +<p>"Who owns this shop?"</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Waring."</p> + +<p>"I wondered who 'P. Waring' was: it used to be 'R. Waring.'"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Where is Ralph Waring now?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know—he went abroad on business."</p> + +<p>A little stifled laugh: "Oh, did he?"</p> + +<p>Nanna saw that Reynolds suddenly looked up and gave the man a searching +look. When he had gone Reynolds went up to the desk. He was too agitated +to speak, and Nanna was feeling just the same. At last she managed to +say:</p> + +<p>"Follow him!" pointing to the door.</p> + +<p>Just as he was Reynolds rushed to the door; he looked to the right, he +looked to the left, but the questioning customer with his cough and his +laugh was out of sight, for the gathering gloom of the chilly autumn +night made escape easy.</p> + +<p>It might have been a December night the way Reynolds was shivering. "Was +it——?" he asked in a hoarse whisper as he returned to the desk.</p> + +<p>"Yes," was all her answer. Then, "I must go at once and meet the +mistress."</p> + +<p>"Let me go."</p> + +<p>"No, that would never do. She would wonder what was the matter, and as +long as possible we must keep it from her."</p> + +<p>As fast as she could the dear old lady hurried along the lonely country +road. The little, stifled sarcastic laugh was still sounding in her +ears, a laugh that spoke of a heart unchanged except as trouble had +soured it.</p> + +<p>At last she heard footsteps—light ones—she could see a woman's form! +Yes, it was her dear Phebe, and, thank God, she was alone!</p> + +<p>"Why, Nanna!" exclaimed Phebe, as soon as she recognised her; "whatever +brought you out a night like this?"—kissing her on the cheek and taking +hold of her arm.</p> + +<p>"To take care of you, dearie, to be sure; and, besides, I wanted a +walk."</p> + +<p>"On a night like this?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I felt stifled like," which was quite true.</p> + +<p>Phebe's suspicions were aroused, but finding all well at home, concluded +it was just some whim of the dear old soul's, or else she had suddenly +been seized with some unaccountable fear, as is sometimes the case even +with young folks.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV</h2> + +<h3>BESSIE COMES TO THE RESCUE</h3> + + +<p>For nearly ten years Ralph Waring had been a homeless wanderer, getting +a living in a variety of ways. Of course things had gone well with him +while he had money in his pocket, but when that had melted away his +appreciative friends suddenly disappeared. Like other folks in that new +country he had plenty of opportunities of getting on, but like so many +others he wanted the top rung of the ladder first, and found that such a +leap did not come within the bounds of possibility. Every bottom rung he +was compelled to try proved too prosaic, and years were spent in +becoming familiar with a whole series of bottom rungs.</p> + +<p>All the letters he had sent to Phebe had been under cover to Stephen +Collins; even the one Stephen Collins had himself placed in the desk had +been directed to him. Why Ralph had done this it would be difficult to +say. His motive may have been the wish to provide Phebe during his +absence with a reliable helper, but it was very questionable if he had +really sufficient regard for either of them to do that.</p> + +<p>The letters ceased just as soon as his "castles in the air" came to +grief. He could never bring himself to write to Phebe of defeat. He was +once tempted to make up a story of good fortune, but had sufficient good +sense left to know that should Fortune continue to frown upon him this +would only add to his annoyance. No, it was better she should think him +dead than poor.</p> + +<p>It was three years since his illness came upon him. He struggled against +it with a heroism that would have placed him on the top rung if it had +been shown earlier and in other ways. Then a feeling of home-sickness +came over him; or perhaps it was that he missed the tender ministry of +loving hands.</p> + +<p>But how was he to get home? There was no other way than to work his +passage over, and that he must do at once before he got too weak to do +so. A berth as assistant-steward was secured, and in a few hours after +setting foot on English soil he found himself in the old country town of +Hadley.</p> + +<p>His first impulse was to go straight to Phebe and pour out his heart to +her, with all its bitter disappointments. Then his usual cautious habit +reasserted itself—he would first of all make inquiries.</p> + +<p>After taking a very humble lodging he soon found out the position Phebe +held in the town, and then his chagrin knew no bounds. He wished himself +back again a hundred times over in the land of strangers—what a fool he +had been! However, she should never have an opportunity of lording over +him. "R. W." would stand for "Richard Wood" equally well as "Ralph +Waring." A very old school-fellow had failed to recognise him, so it was +not likely Phebe would. It was this strong belief in his changed +appearance rendering his identity impossible that made him enter the +shop. He quite chuckled over the way in which he had "done" Reynolds, +and tried the experiment a second time. Reynolds was in the shop and +again served him. As soon as he left the stolid look disappeared from +Reynolds' face, and quick as lightning he despatched a shop-boy to +follow "the tall, thin man with a cough" to see where he went. "Don't +show yourself, though," was his parting injunction.</p> + +<p>The lad did his "shadowing" in quite a professional manner, and +returned with the answer: "63 Dutton Street."</p> + +<p>"63 Dutton Street!" repeated Reynolds to himself. "Well, I never! Things +get worse and worse! I mustn't tell Mrs. Colston that, the poor old +dear! I won't let out he's been in again."</p> + +<p>After Ralph Waring had made his second lot of purchases and paid his +lodgings a week in advance, he had one solitary half-crown left. He had +no watch or anything with him he could sell or pawn; possessing +absolutely nothing but the thin, shabby clothes he stood up in. He +turned the silver coin over in his hand, and muttered: "Only that +between me and the workhouse!"</p> + +<p>Day after day Nanna kept her secret from Phebe. How could she tell her! +How could she bring such a double fold of gloom over her! And day after +day she prayed for God's clear guidance.</p> + +<p>At every opportunity she kept a stealthy watch over every customer who +came into the shop, and all the day she was for ever listening for that +hollow, rasping cough.</p> + +<p>All this tension told upon her considerably. Phebe was quite certain +she was not well, and she knew herself it was taking away her joy and +breaking her peace. At last she pulled herself together, and decided she +must carry the burden no longer. "It is too difficult a piece of work +for me to do," she said to herself, "I must leave it all to God. If He +wanted me to help in it He would have shown me the way. I'll just watch +and see how He does it," and the joy and peace came back again.</p> + +<p>If she had known of "63 Dutton Street," she would have seen the +beginning of God's plans.</p> + +<p>The knowledge soon came.</p> + +<p>She was in the business early one morning, when all at once she felt +impelled to whisper to Reynolds—</p> + +<p>"Have you seen Ralph Waring again?"</p> + +<p>Reynolds had no alternative but to answer "Yes."</p> + +<p>"Did he come into the shop?"</p> + +<p>Reynolds gave a solemn nod.</p> + +<p>"Tell me all you know, Reynolds," she said, fixing her clear grey eyes +on him; "don't keep anything back. I am quite prepared, for I feel sure +all will come right."</p> + +<p>And then Reynolds told her, first of all looking round to see if any one +should be listening.</p> + +<p>"He is staying at 63 Dutton Street," he whispered.</p> + +<p>"63 Dutton Street!" she exclaimed, and then checked herself. "Why, that +is where Mrs. Coates lives!" in a lower voice.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he is lodging with her."</p> + +<p>"Well! well!" She hardly knew what to say. Surely God had led Ralph +there—but why?—why?</p> + +<p>"Why? Why?" kept repeating through her brain as she went about her work.</p> + +<p>That morning she received a letter from Bessie, in which that young lady +said: "When are you coming to see me? Couldn't you come this afternoon?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I will," she said to herself. "Bessie's brain is younger than +mine, and quicker. Perhaps she can tell me what I ought to do."</p> + +<p>When Phebe knew of the intended visit, she said: "Well, I am glad! I do +believe you are improving in your old age. Be sure and tell Bessie she +has my permission to give you a good scolding for not going sooner."</p> + +<p>"How little she dreams of what my real errand is!" whispered Nanna to +herself. "I wonder if I am doing right in not telling her! But surely if +I can keep trouble from her that is right! Surely she has suffered +enough through Ralph Waring already without having any more! She thinks +he is dead—'tis better so." And with that assurance she started on her +journey.</p> + +<p>"You blessed one!" exclaimed the excitable Bessie; "I have a good mind +now you are here to lock you up like lavender, and never let you back +again. Now I am going to get a high-style tea ready. If only I had been +quite sure you were coming I would have bought a whole red-herring—they +are the most economical things going, you only need one; you hand it all +round the table, and each guest rubs his, or her, bread with it, and +each one has all the delight of seeming to eat a whole bloater. However, +as it is, we must stretch to sardines this time. David!"—peeping into +the shop—"I'm not coming into the shop any more to-day, so if you can't +manage to scrape along without me, you can put up the shutters at once."</p> + +<p>"You see, Mrs. Colston," said David, "she is just the same Bessie as +ever."</p> + +<p>"Well, I never!" exclaimed Bessie, "if that isn't rich! Did you expect I +should turn into somebody else?—say Polly Spriggs, or the Duchess of +Marlborough!—which would you have preferred?"</p> + +<p>But David had fled back into the shop.</p> + +<p>It was during tea Nanna told her story—always the time for +confidences.</p> + +<p>"We had such a strange customer in the other day, Bessie. Guess who it +was!"</p> + +<p>"Was it one of the high levellers, or one of the low levellers?"</p> + +<p>"He looked like one of the low levellers, as you call them; but he used +to be——" Nanna's hands trembled so much she almost dropped her cup.</p> + +<p>Bessie was quick to notice this. "Dear Mrs. Colston," she exclaimed, +"you have some bad news to tell me! What is it?—Do tell me quickly!"</p> + +<p>"The customer was Ralph Waring."</p> + +<p>"Ralph Waring! And does the Little Missis know—did she see him?" and +Bessie started up from her chair in her excitement.</p> + +<p>"No; I want your advice. Reynolds has found out that he is lodging at 63 +Dutton Street. Just fancy that!"</p> + +<p>"63 Dutton Street!" repeated Bessie, quite bewildered.</p> + +<p>"Yes; with Mrs. Coates. You know Mrs. Coates. Do you think I ought to +tell her?"</p> + +<p>"Tell Mrs. Coates?"</p> + +<p>"No—the Little Missis, as you call her."</p> + +<p>"Of course not. If his lordship does not choose to make himself known, +why should you trouble her about him? She has had enough trouble with +him already—at least, I think so."</p> + +<p>"That is just how I have been thinking."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear, dear! Whatever in the world did he need to turn up again for! +I wish to goodness I could run away with him, that I do!"</p> + +<p>"What is that you are saying?" exclaimed David, looking in from the +shop, with quite a dramatic expression on his face. "Who is it you are +wanting to elope with now? I really must know!"</p> + +<p>Amid both laughter and tears Nanna explained the situation.</p> + +<p>"Well, if she can manage to run away with him," said David +magnanimously, "I am quite willing. But how can you work it, my sweet +queen Bess?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, that's the difficulty," she sighed. "I shall have to put my +thinking cap on."</p> + +<p>"There is no doubt he is very ill," said pitying Nanna; "he has a +dreadful cough."</p> + +<p>"A consumptive cough?" asked David.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Then may God help him! I know what that means. My father died of +consumption in Warley Hospital."</p> + +<p>"I have it!" exclaimed Bessie, "let's get him into Warley Hospital! At +least he would be some distance away, and would be better treated than +in lodgings. Oh, yes, I'll manage to run away with him after all, you +see if I don't! I'll call and see Mrs. Coates, and if I hear her lodger +cough, I'll offer to get him an indoor letter for Warley Hospital. I'll +not show myself at all, of course. Mrs. Coates shall do the real +elopement work; I'll only superintend."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI</h2> + +<h3>THE HOME-COMING</h3> + + +<p>True to her word Bessie paid her visit to Mrs. Coates the next day. She +had not been long in the house before the hollow cough was heard.</p> + +<p>"Good gracious!" exclaimed Bessie; though really listening for it, the +sound had quite startled her. "What a dreadful cough!"</p> + +<p>"That it is. It's our lodger, poor fellow! I'm afraid he's not long for +this world."</p> + +<p>"What is his name?"</p> + +<p>"Richard Wood."</p> + +<p>"H'm." If Mrs. Coates had been at all a sharp sort of woman she might +have detected something peculiar in that expression.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid he's very poor," continued Mrs. Coates. "He's paid me all +right, but I don't think he's much left. I took him up some hot supper +last night, and my! didn't he eat it up ravenously!"</p> + +<p>"Has he any friends?"</p> + +<p>"Doesn't seem to have any."</p> + +<p>"The best thing he could do would be to get into a hospital."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I suppose so. I really wish he would, for that cough quite wears +on me."</p> + +<p>"I know some one who subscribes to the Warley Hospital: I could get him +an in-letter for there, I feel sure, if he would care to go."</p> + +<p>"Do you really!"—quite eagerly. "I should be glad if he could be got +there! I shouldn't like to tell him to go, it would seem cruel, but I'm +sure I can't stand that cough much longer."</p> + +<p>"Well, go up at once and ask him," suggested Bessie.</p> + +<p>"I will, there can be no harm in that," and away Mrs. Coates went.</p> + +<p>There was quite a different look on her face when she returned.</p> + +<p>"No, he won't go," shaking her head, "couldn't move him!—says that when +his money's all gone, he'll go into the workhouse; I needn't be +frightened about being kept out of my money—as if I was thinking of +that! But there, that's all I get for all my trouble! You might give +your life for some folks, and they wouldn't give you even a nod in +return, not they!" Mrs. Coates was evidently feeling very annoyed.</p> + +<p>"Yes," exclaimed Bessie, "he's just one of that sort"—and then suddenly +added, "at least, I should think so, from what you say."</p> + +<p>Bessie could think of no other suggestion to make, but went away +determined to think out some other plan for getting Mrs. Coates' lodger +out of Hadley.</p> + +<p>The next time Mrs. Coates had an interview with her lodger, he suddenly +asked: "Who was that woman who wanted to get me packed off to Warley?"</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Jones," was the curt answer.</p> + +<p>"And who's Mrs. Jones?"</p> + +<p>"A very nice woman," turning round quite fiercely towards him, "a very +nice young woman indeed, and I can't see why you shouldn't be willing to +let her do you a kindness—that I can't!"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not," he replied, "but you haven't told me yet who she is. +There are heaps of Mrs. Jones."</p> + +<p>"She used to live with Mrs. Waring; she's the daughter of Mr. Marchant, +the chemist. I wish you'd let me ask Mrs. Waring to come and see you," +exclaimed Mrs. Coates, not giving "Richard Wood" time to reply, the very +mention of Phebe's name bringing, what she thought, a bright idea into +her head; "she would be sure to know what was the best thing for you to +do! I always take all my troubles to her."</p> + +<p>"Look here, woman!" exclaimed the lodger angrily, "don't bring that +friend of yours here, for I will not see her. Please remember that."</p> + +<p>"But she is a good woman."</p> + +<p>"Is she!"—with a sneer.</p> + +<p>"Yes, she is—a very good woman!"</p> + +<p>"Then why did her husband have to leave her?—Yes, I know her just as +well as you do, perhaps better."</p> + +<p>"You know nothing bad about her, that I'm certain," replied Mrs. Coates, +raising her voice to quite an angry pitch; "you should ask, 'What sort +of a sneak was her husband to leave such a woman?'—that's what you +should ask."</p> + +<p>"So that is how she talks about her husband, is it?"</p> + +<p>"No, it isn't. I've never heard her mention him, so there. But I won't +have you say one word against my Mrs. Waring. So I tell you!" And Mrs. +Coates left the room for fear her tears should be seen.</p> + +<p>"The horrid man!" she said to herself. "I suppose God sees something in +him to love, at least that's what Mrs. Waring would say, so I suppose I +must search for it till I find it. But for that he should go out of this +house this very day, that he should! Wouldn't Jim be riled if he knew +what he said about Mrs. Waring! I'd better not tell him."</p> + +<p>Late one evening Phebe paid a visit to Jim Coates to explain to him her +garden scheme and to secure his help for it.</p> + +<p>What a change there was in that home from what it was on her first +visit! The whole family this evening was in a state of great excitement +over the arrival of a new couch, and each member had been taking turns +to lie down on it. Jim had also got a special and personal bit of news +which considerably added to the excitement; he had just seen Mr. Black, +who had offered him a good position as foreman on some fresh works quite +near, and when Mrs. Waring added her news there was a state of matters +in that little home difficult to describe.</p> + +<p>Jim clapped his hands and shouted: "If this isn't like being in Heaven +afore the time! It beats everything I ever knowed!"</p> + +<p>"Don't make quite so much noise, then," put in Mrs. Coates. "You see," +turning to Mrs. Waring, "we've got a lodger in bed upstairs, and he's +that bad, poor fellow, I don't know what will become of him."</p> + +<p>"Bless you! he can't hear us," exclaimed Jim; "and if he did, it 'ud do +him good. It does you good to laugh, and it does you good to hear a +laugh, too."</p> + +<p>"Ah, but Mr. Wood is a good deal too bad for that."</p> + +<p>"Poor fellow!" said their visitor, "if I can help him in any way please +let me know."</p> + +<p>"Look here, Mrs. Waring," put in Jim. "I wish you'd do us the honour of +having a bit of supper with us. I'm of the same mind as your Mrs. +Colston, when you're extra happy it seems like as if you ought to eat +together. On the strength of my new job I've bought a tin of coffee and +some new-laid eggs."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Waring felt it would be very ungracious if she did not accept the +invitation, though just then time was very precious.</p> + +<p>"Don't you think I'm a lucky man, Mrs. Waring?" exclaimed Jim, as he +stood with his watch in his hand, counting the minutes while the eggs +were boiling, "and it's all come through you."</p> + +<p>"No, through God," was her correction.</p> + +<p>"Well, God used you, anyhow. And what a change there is in Mr. Black, +too——"</p> + +<p>"Who is that!" suddenly exclaimed Phebe, springing to her feet. Mrs. +Coates had just gone upstairs, leaving two doors open behind her. It was +the lodger's cough she had heard.</p> + +<p>"It's only Mr. Wood coughing," explained Jim, and Phebe took her seat +again feeling strangely tired.</p> + +<p>Again the cough was heard. It had a strange little moan at the end of +it, almost like a suppressed cry.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" exclaimed Phebe, this time feeling powerless to rise, but +stretching out her hands to Jim Coates, "<i>that is my husband coughing</i>!"</p> + +<p>Jim almost dashed his watch on the table and rushed towards her, taking +hold of both of her hands.</p> + +<p>"It's our lodger, Mrs. Waring, don't be skeered. Come up and see him, if +you like, and then your mind will be easy."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes," whispered Phebe faintly, "in a minute I will."</p> + +<p>She would have fallen on the stairs if Jim had not put his strong arm +round her, but when she reached the sick man's room she was herself +again, only that her breath seemed very short.</p> + +<p>Just for an instant she stood at the foot of the bed, and then going to +the side she took up one of his thin hands, and said gently: "Ralph, +dear, why did you not come home?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't want any fine folks about me."</p> + +<p>"But I am not fine, I am your wife. You will come home now, won't +you?"—the voice was full of pleading. "It is your home, I've kept the +business on—it's yours, too."</p> + +<p>"Of course it is." There was not one loving tone in the voice, but he +was stroking her hand gently. He was glad she had come, glad of her +gentle welcome, but he did not want to show it.</p> + +<p>Jim Coates and his wife were dumb with surprise. When the meaning of it +all dawned upon them, with the instinct of true gentle-people they crept +quietly downstairs.</p> + +<p>Phebe bent and kissed Ralph on the brow. "I'll leave you now, dear," she +said, "just for a little while. I must go home and arrange for your +coming. I will not be long, and if we roll you up well in blankets and +drive in a closed cab the journey will not harm you." His only answer +was a nod, but that was better than a refusal.</p> + +<p>She walked home like one in a dream. Stephen was there waiting to ask +her some question about the garden scheme. He was talking to Nanna.</p> + +<p>Almost abruptly Phebe broke in upon them. Her face was very white, she +was trembling all over, and could scarcely speak. Nanna rushed to her, +thinking she would fall before she reached a chair. It was Stephen who +gently placed a seat near, and held his arm round her as Nanna stooped +to loosen her boots.</p> + +<p>"Poor dearie, you're quite done up!" said Nanna, but she knew all the +time the shadow had fallen.</p> + +<p>"I've found Ralph," she whispered. "I want you to light a fire +upstairs—I am going to fetch him home in a cab."</p> + +<p>Stephen withdrew his arm and caught hold of the chair-back to steady +himself; the room seemed to swim before him.</p> + +<p>"Yes," was all Nanna answered.</p> + +<p>"Did you know?" gasped Phebe.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"And you?" turning to Stephen.</p> + +<p>He could only shake his head.</p> + +<p>The sight of Stephen's struggle gave her fresh strength.</p> + +<p>"Why did you not tell me, Nanna?"</p> + +<p>"It was too difficult—I did not know." The words came with great +effort.</p> + +<p>Phebe stroked her hair with a comforting touch; they had exchanged +places.</p> + +<p>It was Stephen who fetched the cab, and when it drove up again and the +limp figure with the incessant cough stepped out, he was standing on the +pavement, looking a sad, solitary figure.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus6" id="illus6"></a> +<img src="images/illus6.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>"HE WAS STANDING ON THE PAVEMENT LOOKING A SAD, SOLITARY FIGURE."</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>It was very late. The shop had long been closed. Jack was safely in bed. +Only Nanna and Janie knew of Ralph's arrival.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII</h2> + +<h3>RALPH STARTS ON ANOTHER JOURNEY</h3> + + +<p>As soon as their lodger had been removed, Mrs. Coates told her husband +what he had said about Mrs. Waring. "And to think," she exclaimed, "that +he should talk like that about his very own wife! I didn't tell you +before 'cause I knew it 'ud rile you so."</p> + +<p>"I should think so," Jim cried out, "the good-for-nothing fellow. I +should have been tempted to have picked him up and carried him straight +off to the workhouse whether he wanted to go or whether he didn't."</p> + +<p>"Do you suppose Mrs. Waring knows how he's talked about her?"</p> + +<p>"No; shouldn't think so."</p> + +<p>"If she did, do you suppose she would have taken him home?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; that would make no difference to her. She's got too big a heart to +hold spite against any one."</p> + +<p>"Did you know that she nursed Topsy Scarves for six weeks when she had +the smallpox?"</p> + +<p>Jim shook his head. "No, but it's just like her if she did."</p> + +<p>"She did. Topsy wouldn't let no one else touch her, but she was like a +lamb with Mrs. Waring; so Mrs. Waring stayed six weeks and let her +business get on as well as it could without her. And when Mrs. Scarves +wanted to thank her, she said she wasn't to, for it had been a real +happy time for her. Mrs. Scarves says she did everything for Topsy, and +wasn't frightened a wee bit. I told you Mrs. Bessie Jones offered to get +Mr. Wood,—no, Mr. Waring,—into Warley Hospital. Do you think she knew +who he was?"</p> + +<p>"Did she see him?"</p> + +<p>"No, she only heard him cough."</p> + +<p>"I wish to goodness she'd succeeded, and that it shouldn't have been in +our house the Little Missis got such a blow! My! it was a staggerer for +her when she heard him cough! I never saw any one look as she did! I +wish we could help her in some way or other, that I do. I wonder God +lets such a good woman like she is have so much trouble."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it's trouble that's made her good," wisely remarked Mrs. +Coates.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps so, it does some people."</p> + +<p>As soon as Ralph was safely in bed Janie was despatched for a doctor. +His appearance alarmed Phebe more than ever. The cough was incessant, +and occasionally thin streaks of blood were seen on the handkerchief.</p> + +<p>"I wish you'd get me a red handkerchief," he said, in an irritable +voice.</p> + +<p>"A red handkerchief! Why? I haven't got one."</p> + +<p>"Yes, a red handkerchief. And if you don't possess such a thing, you +could get one, couldn't you? I shouldn't see that blood if I had a red +handkerchief."</p> + +<p>"I did not know exactly what you meant. I'll get you one at once out of +the shop." It was the same old Ralph, always wanting to cover up +trouble, never able to fairly and boldly face consequences.</p> + +<p>The doctor pronounced him in a dangerous condition, promised to send +something at once to ease the cough, and in the morning would examine +him more thoroughly. "But I am afraid he is not long for this world, +Mrs. Waring," he said, as he bade her good-night; "he has had a very +hard life lately, that is very evident."</p> + +<p>Yes, she saw it all; Ralph had come back with a wrecked life—had come +home to die!—the man who had gone forth to win a fortune to lay at her +feet. How bitterly disappointed he must be! This thought gave an added +tenderness to her voice, and made her still more patient. All the night +long she watched by his side. Sometimes he slept a little, but when +awake lay gloomily staring at the wall. He never uttered a word of +tenderness or pleasure at being home. Only once did he refer to the +past, and then it was to rip open the old wound.</p> + +<p>"You've been very successful, Phebe."</p> + +<p>"Yes; God has greatly helped me."</p> + +<p>"No doubt; but still it was I who started you. I left you a good +business, and in addition"—he had to pause to cough—"and in addition I +had trained you well, so, after all, the success is mine as much as +yours."</p> + +<p>How could she contradict him? If he found comfort in this thought would +it not be cruel to put forward any doubts? So after a pause she +answered: "Yes."</p> + +<p>"You don't seem very sure about it," with as much "snap" in the words as +his breath would allow.</p> + +<p>"I should not be where I am now, but for you," she answered gently, and +that answer seemed to please him.</p> + +<p>Then in a little while: "I must see the books in the morning. I shall +soon be able to pick up the threads. There's a country branch, isn't +there?"</p> + +<p>"Two."</p> + +<p>"Ah, that's good; I gave you that idea." Another fit of coughing. "I +shall soon be all right; it's only an extra cold I've got. I'll soon be +able to take the reins, and then——" But he was too weak to finish the +sentence.</p> + +<p>Early in the morning Phebe went to break the news to Jack. He was +sitting up in bed rubbing his eyes. She sat down by his side putting her +arm round his neck, bringing his sunny head to nestle on her shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Jack, darling, I've something very particular to tell you."</p> + +<p>"Have you, mummy? What is it? Has Janie got a sweetheart?"</p> + +<p>"No, it is something very serious. You must not joke."</p> + +<p>"Is it?"—lifting his head to look at her. "Are you in trouble? Who's +been hurting you?" in his impetuous way.</p> + +<p>"No one. Jack, your father has come home."</p> + +<p>"Father!—come home!" in a bewildered voice. "Father come home! I say," +and he began to get excited, "I must get up at once. Then he wasn't dead +after all?"</p> + +<p>"Stay a bit, Jack; he is very ill—and very poor." She knew the dreams +the lad had cherished, of how his father would return, of the grand +treasures he was to bring his boy.</p> + +<p>"Poor!" he exclaimed; "then why didn't he write and tell you so? Why did +he leave us all this time!"</p> + +<p>"Jack," she answered gently, "I expect it was because he was so +disappointed at not finding the fortune," and then she told him all the +story of how she had found Ralph.</p> + +<p>"Has he asked after me?"</p> + +<p>"No, not yet. You see he is very ill."</p> + +<p>"Not asked after me! And been here all night!" He was rather glad to +have this fresh reason for anger.</p> + +<p>"You must not take any notice of that. Remember how ill he is. Sick +people cannot be expected to be thoughtful. Get dressed now, and then +come and tell him you are glad he has come home."</p> + +<p>"But I'm not glad—and I don't want to see him."</p> + +<p>"Jack!"</p> + +<p>"No, I don't; and I won't see him," bursting into angry tears. "What's +the good of a father like that! To stay away from us and never write us +a letter, and only come back 'cause he's ill!"</p> + +<p>"It was I who brought him back, you must remember."</p> + +<p>"What will all the fellows say! I've told them——"</p> + +<p>"Never mind all that. You can tell them your father has had +disappointments, and they will be sorry for him."</p> + +<p>"Not they, they'll sneer. Oh, mummy, I am so wretched!"</p> + +<p>She tried to soothe him, but the angry spirit had got hold of him too +much. "Come and see him, there's a dear Jack. You will be sorry for him +when you see how ill he is."</p> + +<p>"No, I won't. He's been cruel to you—cruel!"</p> + +<p>"Jack," standing straight up and speaking very firmly, "I am grieved, +deeply grieved, at your unloving spirit. You had better get dressed and +go at once to your aunt's and remain there till you have a more +forgiving spirit. How could I tell your father that you refuse to see +him!"</p> + +<p>It was the first time there had been a cloud between them. Each felt it +keenly. Phebe went away with a heavy heart. The burden had more than +doubled during that quarter of an hour. How gladly she would have +entered the Golden Gate just then! It seemed as if now both husband and +son had failed her. Entering the sick-room her eyes fell on the silver +star, and the old motto came again to mind: "We rely on Thee." "I do," +she murmured, "God is with me; He is working all things right."</p> + +<p>"Nanna," exclaimed Jack, when he got downstairs, "I can't find my cap." +His eyes were too full of tears to see it.</p> + +<p>"Well, you don't want your cap before you have your breakfast."</p> + +<p>"I don't want any breakfast."</p> + +<p>"Don't want any breakfast! What nonsense! Where are you off to?"</p> + +<p>"To aunty's; mummy said I must go at once."</p> + +<p>"Mummy did not mean you to go without your breakfast. Of course she will +want your aunty to know quickly of your father's return; but there's not +so much hurry you cannot have your breakfast."</p> + +<p>He had been trying hard to keep back the tears, but could not succeed. +"Oh, it's not that," he exclaimed. "Mummy is displeased with me, and is +sending me away."</p> + +<p>"Jack," said Nanna, putting her hands on his shoulders and trying to +look into his eyes, "do you mean to say you are going to desert your +mother just at one of the darkest moments of her life?"</p> + +<p>"I don't want to go—she sent me away," freeing himself from her +detaining hands.</p> + +<p>Arriving at his aunt's he was obliged to tell her the whole of the +story. She felt inclined to share the boy's anger and resentment in the +first moment of excitement, but, afterwards viewing the matter from the +mother's standpoint, her words were very similar to Nanna's.</p> + +<p>"No doubt you are disappointed, but didn't it strike you your mother +must be disappointed, too? I think you've done wrong, Jack, not to stand +by her and make things as easy as you could for her."</p> + +<p>Poor little Jack! Everybody seemed against him!</p> + +<p>"What did Mrs. Colston say to you?" the aunt continued.</p> + +<p>"Just what you do," he answered, and then sighed deeply.</p> + +<p>"Ah! I thought she would. Your mother must be as disappointed in you as +you are in your father, and I'm sure Mrs. Colston would say we +disappointed God as much as we disappoint one another."</p> + +<p>In less than an hour love for his mother had overcome all pride, +disappointment and anger, and he was back home again.</p> + +<p>Nanna met him with a smile. "Well done, Jack; you've scored a victory, I +can tell it by your face. Mummy will be delighted! Jack, dear, it will +do your heart good to see her loving patience. She makes me think of +God. Her patience and love are just like what His must be—only, of +course, His are bigger. I tell you what you must do when you go +upstairs. Don't make any note of your father's funny ways; take notice +only of how your mother's trying to win him——"</p> + +<p>"Should I go upstairs now?"</p> + +<p>"No, your father's dozing. Sit down and have some breakfast. I don't +suppose you ate much while your burden was on you. Jack, have you ever +heard of St. Bernard's Hospice?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I've seen a picture of it."</p> + +<p>"The monks go out with their dogs in the winter to see if they can come +across anybody perishing in the snow. They are love-missionaries. I +think this house is a hospice just now. Your mummy's found a poor +perishing soul, and she's brought it home to get it ready for heaven."</p> + +<p>"Is father going to die?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; I'm afraid he's not long for this world—the doctor says about a +week; so you and I have got to do all we can to help mummy."</p> + +<p>"What can I do?"</p> + +<p>"A lot. Do what mummy does; show all the love you can."</p> + +<p>It was not until Ralph had finished his breakfast that he asked: "And +how are the children?"</p> + +<p>"There's only one left down here."</p> + +<p>"Which one?"</p> + +<p>"The boy."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's a comfort it's the boy. I expect Washington is a fine lad by +now!"</p> + +<p>"Washington!"—the name slipped out involuntarily, it sounded so +strange.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Washington; that's the lad's name, and the one I mean to call him +by. You can fetch me up the books now."</p> + +<p>Going downstairs she caught sight of Jack.</p> + +<p>"Mummy," exclaimed the lad, rushing towards her, "I'm so sorry I +disappointed you! I couldn't stop away from you. I'll do what you want +me to do, and I'll stand by you through thick and thin, that I will. +You'll see if I won't," and the bargain was sealed with a hug and a +kiss.</p> + +<p>He was received back without one word of reproach. "Jack, if your +father calls you by your other name you must not express any surprise. I +can get along fine now you are with me."</p> + +<p>This little rift in the home-music had puzzled as well as troubled +Phebe, but all at once it struck her that God perhaps meant her to see a +parable in it, and that was how it was to work good for her. "Perhaps +Ralph got away from God as Jack went away from me, because things +weren't as he wanted them. But he'll get back again to God, as Jack has +got back to me." And the parable comforted her, and inspired her. For +God can take even the wayward doings of a petted child to teach His +lessons and do His work.</p> + +<p>Jack made his way upstairs at once. "Good-morning, father," he said in +his cheeriest tone, "it must be nice for you to be home again."</p> + +<p>"Yes, nicer for me than you, I suppose"—the words were snappish, but +Ralph looked at the boy with a kind of look which plainly said: "You +will do."</p> + +<p>The business books were brought, but he was far too weak to master them: +"I'll attend to them when I'm stronger," he said.</p> + +<p>But each new day found him weaker.</p> + +<p>If ever a man lived in an atmosphere of love Ralph Waring did. How much +of the old love had revived it would be difficult to say, if even any +had. But it was a love which was willing to forego self to the utmost, +and what love could be richer, more Christlike, than that?</p> + +<p>It was a true testing-time to Phebe. It was not easy to relinquish every +thread of work in which she had been so deeply interested, and it was +harder still, after being her own mistress so long, to submit patiently +to that dictatorial voice! It was as though the Great Gardener had taken +His cherished plant on to a bleak moorland to see how its blossoms would +thrive where the winds blew all around it.</p> + +<p>All the town soon knew of Ralph Waring's return, and many were the +comments on it. Some said it was "mighty good of Phebe to take the +rascal back again," and showed how loving her heart was. Others said it +showed that Ralph still loved her in spite of her having driven him from +home, and that he could not die in peace away from her.</p> + +<p>It was not till the last day came that there was any proof that love had +conquered. The doctor's prophecy had not come true, for he had lingered +week after week, and even on this last day there seemed no change, +except in manner and voice.</p> + +<p>"Phebe," the tone was even stronger than usual, but quite startling in +its tenderness, "my life has been a failure. I see it all so plainly +now."</p> + +<p>"This part may have been so, dear; but you must remember this is not +all." She had a great longing to soothe and comfort him, but the moments +were too precious and solemn to allow her to cover up the truth, however +much she might be tempted.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but the future must be a good deal according to what the past has +been."</p> + +<p>"Yes, maybe; but I love to think that out of all our tangles God can +produce a beautiful design if we turn to Him with all our hearts."</p> + +<p>Ralph sighed heavily. "It has been self all along with me. It was a good +thing God did not let me succeed. How I have fought against my failure, +what it has cost me to be here receiving all your kindness, knowing all +about your success, you can never tell—never!" and for the first time +in all her life Phebe saw tears rolling down his face.</p> + +<p>"Poor Ralph! I am grieved for you, dear!"</p> + +<p>"I know you are," taking hold of her hand and kissing it. "It has cost +me a struggle to acknowledge that God has led me right. If I had been +other than a bankrupt soul He could not have had mercy on me. He was +obliged to bring me low. But I thank Him for it. You do forgive me the +wrong I did you?" and he looked so wistfully at her.</p> + +<p>"Of course I do, a hundred times over," and she stooped to kiss him, her +hot tears mingling with his.</p> + +<p>"Dear Phebe——" But strength had gone. With one hand clasping Phebe, +and the other his boy, and with Nanna gently wiping the cold sweat from +his brow, he passed to the other land. His last words were: "Phebe, +come with—me!" But he had started on a journey he was obliged this time +to take without her.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2> + +<h3>OLIVE LEAVES AND LAUREL LEAVES</h3> + + +<p>In a very few weeks after Ralph's death the whole affair of his return +seemed but as a dream, so much had life resumed its old aspect for all +in Phebe's household. But the calm was not to last long; there was first +to be two big pieces of excitement, and then, as the young folks say in +the old game of "Family Coach," a general "change" round.</p> + +<p>One glorious spring evening Jim Coates paid Mrs. Waring an unexpected +visit.</p> + +<p>"I thought you were at Exton," exclaimed Phebe. She knew that Hugh +Black had started work there on a very large scale, and that he had +given Jim a good berth.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I was there; but I have come over specially to see you. I said to +my mates, 'If there's anybody that can help us it's the Little Missis. +And I mean to go and ask her, that I will.' So I've come."</p> + +<p>"Are you in trouble? You know I will do whatever I can for you."</p> + +<p>"I know you would, Mrs. Waring, I know you would. But, thank God, it's +not anything that is specially <i>my</i> trouble; it has to do with all the +lads. They are threatening to come out on strike. They're just mad +against Mr. Black, and I thought you might go and see him for us, he +would listen to you. It would be no good me going; the lads say now that +I'm afraid to open my mouth against him."</p> + +<p>"But I should not know what to say to him!" put in Phebe, feeling +somewhat aghast at the new <i>rôle</i> which was being thrust upon her.</p> + +<p>"I can soon tell you all about it, and then I know right well you'd know +what to say—no one better. Mr. Black's got hisself into a kind of a +corner. He's promised to have the work done by a certain date, and now +he sees he can't do it. P'raps he got the job by making out he could do +it quicker than others, I don't know about that: anyhow, he's in a fix, +and the lads say he means us to get him out of it."</p> + +<p>"But how could you?"</p> + +<p>"Well, he wants us to work an hour a day extra."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you could do that," put in Phebe again in a quick voice, feeling +relieved at this easy way out of the difficulty.</p> + +<p>"Yes; but what is he willing to pay us? We work ten hours a day now, and +a long day it is at that heavy work, and to put another hour a day on to +it without anything extra is what the lads won't stand."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to say he wants you to work that hour for nothing? There +must be some mistake!" exclaimed Phebe.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes,—don't make a mistake,—he will pay us the usual money, of +course, but the lads say that is not fair, if we work extra when we're +tired he ought to pay us extra, specially when it's to get him out of a +mess, and—my! he'll make a lot of money out of it too! And what I don't +like," continued Jim, sinking his voice, "the fellows sneer at him so; +they say he's been harder than ever since he's been a bit religious. +'That's what your religion does for a man!—makes him a bigger sneak +than ever.' That's how they talk."</p> + +<p>Phebe was silent. If the men did talk like that, then it <i>was</i> her duty +to go and speak to Hugh Black.</p> + +<p>"And there is something worse still for you to hear," continued Jim. +"Mr. Black says if the lads throw the job up, he shall put on a gang of +Irishmen, and the fellows say if he does, they will never let them do +any work, and there's sure to be bloodshed!"</p> + +<p>Another silence. Certainly if she could prevent bloodshed it was her +duty to do so! And it seemed to her, too, that the men's claim was a +just one; if they were willing to help Hugh Black out of his difficulty +he ought to be willing to pay them something extra.</p> + +<p>"Are you willing for me to tell Mr. Black all you have just said?"</p> + +<p>"Will you go, then?" asked Jim eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Why, yes; how could I refuse?" The words came but very slowly.</p> + +<p>"There now!" exclaimed Jim excitedly, slapping his hands vigorously on +his knees. "There, I said you would, and the lads bet all manner of +things you wouldn't; they even said you wouldn't because you couldn't +afford to offend Mr. Black. But I told them to wait and see."</p> + +<p>Phebe only answered: "Can you tell me exactly what the men would like +Mr. Black to do?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I could, but I wonder——"</p> + +<p>"Do not hesitate to speak out anything that is in your heart. But I +wonder if I could guess what it is you wish to ask me to do! Is it to go +and have a talk to the men first?"</p> + +<p>"It is!" exclaimed Jim, more excited than ever. "How could you know what +was in my mind?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, very easily," replied Phebe, laughing.</p> + +<p>"I know what the lads want, and you are welcome to tell Mr. Black all +I've said; but it will be a heap better if you will talk to the men +theirselves."</p> + +<p>"Would they be willing for me to be their spokesman to Mr. Black, do you +suppose?"</p> + +<p>"Why, of course I am. They'd only be too proud if you would."</p> + +<p>"When could I see them?"</p> + +<p>"They have a meeting to-night——" Again he hesitated, feeling he was +asking so much.</p> + +<p>Phebe quickly answered, "I will go with you at once," and then added, +"Ah, Mr. Coates, it is not the first time you have induced me to go on +an errand I have shrunk from!"</p> + +<p>"And this one," exclaimed Jim, his face all aglow, "is going to be as +well-ended as the other one was, you see if it isn't!"</p> + +<p>Half-an-hour's run by the train, and ten minutes' walk brought them to +the place of meeting. Many thoughts passed through Phebe's mind during +that short journey; how came it she should be led into such difficult +positions?—how could she adequately deal with subjects so far removed +from those of her everyday experience?</p> + +<p>Several of the men were on the look-out for her; evidently her visit was +expected, for a potato-basket had been turned up for her to stand on, +and a chair provided for her to sit on. The men had gathered, about +sixty of them, just at the junction of some country roads, and were +standing under the shelter of a high barn-wall, for a rather cold wind +was blowing.</p> + +<p>Many a rough hand was stretched out in welcome to her, and though she +was a stranger to some, no one seemed in the slightest to resent her +coming.</p> + +<p>"I'll speak first and set the ball a-rolling," she said, in her bright +way; "Mr. Coates has told me about the trouble you are in, and it is +very good of you to let me share it."</p> + +<p>"It does one good to hear her voice agin," said one old man in a very +audible whisper, which was followed quickly by a loud "Shut up!"</p> + +<p>Phebe went on in her calm, low, but incisive voice, commenting on what +Jim had told her, and then she asked, "Who is your spokesman here?"</p> + +<p>"Ford!" called out a score of voices, and a thick-set man came forward.</p> + +<p>"What do you wish Mr. Black to give you for the extra hour?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"A shilling."</p> + +<p>"And if he agrees to that, what would become of the Irishmen whom you +say are on their way here?"</p> + +<p>"Let them go back to their taters," some one called out.</p> + +<p>"Oirishmen are as good as ye are!" The accent was so unmistakable that a +general laugh went up. But it did good.</p> + +<p>"Of course they are," replied Phebe, "and sometimes a bit better, and it +is for them I want to plead. If I take any sides at all it will not be +for the rich"—a big cheer, and much clapping of hands—"but for the +poor and unfortunate. Those men come expecting work; if Mr. Black agrees +to your terms you ought to be willing to stretch out a willing hand to +those Irishmen. You all know Mr. Black has made an error in his +calculations"—cries of dissent—"hear me to the end and I am sure you +will agree with me."</p> + +<p>"We'll make them listen," called out a strong voice, followed by several +others. "That we will!"</p> + +<p>"No, friends," Phebe calmly answered, "I will only have a willing +audience."</p> + +<p>"You have! You have!" they all called out.</p> + +<p>"I am going to ask Mr. Black to give you fifteenpence for that extra +hour, on condition that you are willing to work 'shifts' with these +Irishmen. Couldn't you manage that?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Ford, "the days are not long enough."</p> + +<p>"Well, what could you suggest that would show that you were willing to +do the brother's part by these men, and also show Mr. Black that the +English working-man was willing to do as he would be done by?"</p> + +<p>Then there followed several little speeches of the usual Socialistic +strain, to which Phebe replied: "Yes, I sympathise with you there, but +those questions are out of order at this gathering. We must be +practical."</p> + +<p>"Tell us what you would like us to say to him," said Ford, and another +round of cheers followed this suggestion.</p> + +<p>Phebe paused for a moment to ask for guidance; the light from the +blessed stars was very clear, but just then an added glory was given to +the scene by the moon suddenly shining forth. The silver beams brought +Phebe a message. "This is what I would suggest, friends," and as she +spoke it seemed as if a sudden silence came over the men, "that instead +of working the extra hour—for I am sure your day is long enough—you +let the new men work with you, and that Mr. Black pay you a halfpenny an +hour more than the usual rate—that would mount up in the course of the +week; or, if that is not practicable, to work in 'shifts,' as I +suggested before, which could very well be done with the aid of electric +light. If he preferred the latter plan, I should still advise him to let +you work the extra hour at the increased pay I mentioned. Of course this +will greatly aid him in getting the work finished, perhaps long before +the time. I am not, however, forgetting that the plan will shorten the +job for you, but work will surely not be scarce this fine weather. Now, +what do you think of my suggestions?"</p> + +<p>"I think they'll do all right," said Ford.</p> + +<p>"Do you all agree to them, and empower me to say so to Mr. Black?"</p> + +<p>"She speaks fair enough," said one man.</p> + +<p>"He'll never cave in to all that," called out another.</p> + +<p>"But do you agree?"</p> + +<p>A great shout went up: "We all agree."</p> + +<p>"And will you go on steadily and quietly with your work till you hear +from me again?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, we all agree!" Every man of them must have joined in that shout by +the noise they made.</p> + +<p>They all wanted to shake hands with her before she left; several wished +her "luck," but one old man said solemnly: "Eh, missis, you're a clever +'un, but you'll never get anything out of Hugh Black."</p> + +<p>Before Jim started to accompany Mrs. Waring to the station he whispered +to Ford: "There now! didn't I tell you she'd manage the men all right? I +knew she'd handle them all neat enough! Trust the Little Missis for +that."</p> + +<p>"Yes," assented Ford, "she's just splendid, but she won't succeed."</p> + +<p>The visit to Hugh Black was by no means so easy an affair as the one to +the men had been. When he learnt what her errand was he could hardly +believe it. "Whatever will those men get you to do next? I expect the +next thing will be, you will represent them in Parliament. I shouldn't +wonder, though, but that you'd do it better than the fellow who is there +now. But to the point: what have those fellows talked you over to ask +me?"</p> + +<p>"I want you to understand, Mr. Black, they have not told me at all what +to say; what I am going to say to you is my own suggestion, to which +they agreed."</p> + +<p>"If that is so it will make a considerable difference."</p> + +<p>Her first endeavour was to get him to sympathise with the men in their +hard toil. She scored a good point when she expressed her surprise that +clever men like he was did not invent more machinery to save such heavy +toil. "I feel sure you could do it if you tried." From that she passed +on to the fact that the men had some time ago found out he was seeking +to live his life on a higher plane than at one time. "'A bit religious' +is the way they put it."</p> + +<p>"Well, what if they do?"</p> + +<p>"I want them to see that that bit is real," was her straight answer; +"that God has something to do with your business arrangements."</p> + +<p>He made no answer, and then she told him the two suggestions she had +made to the men, and asked him which he preferred.</p> + +<p>"You fairly take away my breath!" he exclaimed. "The last one is a +splendid idea! I had never thought of that wrinkle! The men would never +agree working side by side, but the idea of the 'shifts' and the +electric light is a dazzling one. The wonder is, I had never thought of +it myself."</p> + +<p>"You think, then, the electric light could be managed?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, easily enough. Why, do you know, I should get this contract +finished in time to take on another I was thinking I should have to +decline! I really ought to pay you for the idea—excuse me," seeing a +flush come to her face, "but I am really indebted to you!"</p> + +<p>"What may I say to the men, Mr. Black?"</p> + +<p>"That I will have the two 'shifts,' and that if they will work the extra +hour I will pay them the sum you have named to them. I could do no other +after the help you have been to me."</p> + +<p>"I wish," she said earnestly, "you had agreed to it out of sympathy with +the men, and because you thought God would have you do so."</p> + +<p>But he made her no answer.</p> + +<p>Early that evening Jim Coates came to receive the message for the men. +He lost no time in returning to his mates. They were assembled in the +same place as before.</p> + +<p>Of course the message was received with cheers. Some of the men could +hardly believe their ears.</p> + +<p>"Well, I never!" was all Ford and some others could say.</p> + +<p>"And I am to tell you," continued Jim, "that when this job is finished, +Mr. Black will have another job on hand."</p> + +<p>Another cheer.</p> + +<p>"And he couldn't have taken this job but for the Little Missis."</p> + +<p>Still a louder cheer.</p> + +<p>"But there is something else I have to tell you," went on Jim again, +"which she said I was to be sure to remember. When you asked her to say +what she would have us ask, she took just a moment to ask God for +guidance, and at that very moment the moon came out. It was the clear +moonlight which brought her the message about the electric light. She +says that was God's answer. You know it was all along of the electric +light made Mr. Black so pleased; it made the way easy for two gangs of +us to be at work, and made it possible for him to take on the other job. +So the Little Missis says we are always to remember God will work for us +if we will let Him."</p> + +<p>There was no cheering after that part of the speech, but the words, "God +will work for us if we will let Him," rang in those men's ears for many +a long day.</p> + +<p>They were repeated to Mr. Black by Jim Coates.</p> + +<p>"'God will work for us if we will let Him,'" Hugh Black repeated to +himself, "how real God is to that little woman! I wish He were as real +to me!" The moonlight never fell upon his path but the words came back +to him, and they were always followed by the simple, earnest prayer: +"Undertake for me, O my God."</p> + +<p>Hugh Black was Mayor of Hadley that year. One day Jim Coates put a +little packet into his hand in a very mysterious manner. It contained +two pounds in sixpences and threepenny bits, and this little note:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"We'd like you to do something with this that would show our +gratitude to the Little Missis.—<span class="smcap">A few rough Navvies.</span>"</p></blockquote> + +<p>He mused over it a few days, then he borrowed a photograph of "the +Little Missis" from Bessie, had a coloured enlargement taken from it, +then had it framed in carved oak, with the words in gilt beneath: "The +Little Missis. Subscribed for by a few grateful admirers."</p> + +<p>The next step was to ask permission to hang it in the Council Chamber, +which was readily granted. Thus in the very room where she had been +spoken of as "a woman whose husband had been obliged to leave her," the +portrait of "the Little Missis" had a place of honour.</p> + +<p>It was months before Phebe knew anything of this, and when she did, so +many other things had come to pass that her mind seemed too full to +either grieve or be glad over it.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX</h2> + +<h3>CROWNED WITH JOY</h3> + + +<p>Eighteen months had gone by since Ralph's death. Nothing of any unusual +nature had occurred to Phebe or her household, except the completion of +the Garden Scheme and the settling of the dispute between Hugh Black and +his men. It had been a true resting-time, without any strain, without +any need to study ways and means, and without any attempt to advance in +any direction so far as outward things were concerned. And yet Phebe did +not feel satisfied; there was something missing, life did not satisfy +her in its present outlook. During Ralph's illness all her outside work +had been given up, others had stepped in and carried it on, and she had +never got back to her old place again entirely. This was not through +any unwillingness on her part, it was simply that the way did not open +up.</p> + +<p>While Ralph was away there had always been a sense of strain and tension +which had buoyed her on and on. Now that was removed, and there was no +necessity to be on the alert, there had crept over her a weariness and +lassitude.</p> + +<p>"Nanna," she suddenly said one day, "I am going to leave you."</p> + +<p>"Going to leave me!—never!"</p> + +<p>"Not for long, you dear; you may rest on that. But I have thought I +should like to get right away for three or four weeks. I want to view my +life from a distance—that is, if I can. If I get away from my everyday +surroundings perhaps I could see it more clearly. I'm not satisfied with +it."</p> + +<p>"But you would take somebody with you? Your sister?"</p> + +<p>"No, not my sister; I should be all the time viewing <i>her</i> life if I +did."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, take Jack. I should not like you to go alone."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I might take Jack."</p> + +<p>So the two started on their journey alone, and only Nanna and Aunt +Lizzie knew whither they were bound, both of whom were strictly charged +to keep the matter secret.</p> + +<p>What the mountains are to the Swiss, the sea is to the islander. Phebe +and her boy settled down at a watering-place on the east coast, the lad +finding endless amusement and instruction among the fishermen, while the +mother sat on the green cliffs under the shadowing of blossoming trees, +watching the course of the distant river, and the great steamers passing +by bound for foreign shores, but intent mostly with the study of the +past and future. The steamers made steady progress, but the same could +not be said of the personal studies. Day followed day, but no progress +was made. She was just where she was when she first came.</p> + +<p>"Show me Thy will, O God," she prayed. "Thou knowest my heart is willing +for it."</p> + +<p>One very warm day she had her sunshade up to keep off a darting sunbeam +that would keep dancing on her book, and did not notice a gentleman +taking a seat not two yards away from her. When it was nearly time to +meet Jack for their evening stroll she suddenly became aware of her +neighbour. Both sunshade and book dropped from her hands—only one word +escaped her lips, and it was—</p> + +<p>"Stephen!"</p> + +<p>Not even in a moment's excitement would he have called her "Phebe" +unless in some way she had given him permission, but here it was, and +eagerly he grasped it. "Phebe!" and their out-stretched hands met in a +tight clasp.</p> + +<p>"What brought you here?" Phebe was the first to speak.</p> + +<p>"I may ask the same," said Stephen. "But sit down again; this is a quiet +spot, and I should like to talk to you." So they sat down again, but +close together this time. "I came here," continued Stephen, "to have a +quiet time to think things over and to know God's will. Not a creature +in Hadley knows where I am. I have long wanted to ask you to be my wife, +as I did years ago, and during all the years since then no one has taken +your place in my heart—no one ever could. Whether you accept my love, +or not, you are still, as ever, my queen." His voice had sunk to a +whisper. He knew from the pressure of her hand that it was not likely +she would refuse it. "I would have spoken to you before this, but I was +afraid—I thought you shrank from me. Forgive me, dearest, if I wronged +you."</p> + +<p>"You have nothing to forgive. I only seemed to shrink from you because I +feared"—it seemed so hard to get the words out, but he wanted to hear, +so did not help her at all—"I feared lest you might not respond to my +love."</p> + +<p>"What, after waiting all these years! Never mind, you shall not reproach +yourself. I ought to have shown you more of my heart. But, tell me, +will you have this grey-haired fellow for your very own?"</p> + +<p>They looked into each other's eyes, the answer was there plainly enough. +"You know I will," said Phebe, "but I've nothing to give that is worthy +such patient love."</p> + +<p>"That is my business," he said, with a laugh, "so don't trouble about +that."</p> + +<p>"Shall I tell you what brought me here? I was so restless, I wanted to +quietly review my life and plan something for the future. Only Nanna and +Lizzie know where we are. Jack is with me. But I have been just as +restless, and I prayed only an hour ago, 'Show me Thy will, O God.' God +must have sent you to me."</p> + +<p>"I'm sure He did, my Phebe." There was such a glad ring in the voice.</p> + +<p>"If only we could be young again!"</p> + +<p>"Look at the sky, dearest!" There were bars of light and dark in the +western sky, and above these a flock of tiny clouds. Along the edge of +the horizon ran a line of rosy light. Presently the bars merged into +dark purple clouds, the cloudlets above took on a rosy light, the glory +widened from below and from above, till the whole western sky was aflame +with radiant beauty. "That is like our life, dearest," Stephen +whispered, putting his arm round her as they sat. "All our clouds which +memory may bring or the future reveal are going to be made beautiful, +covered all over with rosy love."</p> + +<p>"But it's evening, Stephen," she whispered, "the darkness is creeping +on," and he felt that she was trembling.</p> + +<p>"But we are together. Besides, no illustration can be strained too far: +it's evening in the heavens but mid-day in our lives."</p> + +<p>"Well I never!"—it was Jack's voice. (Was there ever stranger ending to +a wooing!) "Are you two chums?" Evidently he was feeling very annoyed. +His mother having failed to meet him at the appointed time and place he +had come in search of her.</p> + +<p>Stephen jumped up at once, seized hold of the lad with loving hands, and +compelled him to sit down between them. "Yes, we're chums," said +Stephen, in his old bright manner, "and we want to tell you how it came +about."</p> + +<p>Jack's face looked rather dark, and he muttered: "This is why, then, +mummy wanted to come here so much."</p> + +<p>"No, it was not," said Stephen firmly, and then he told him of their +unexpected meeting, of how God had seemingly led them both on the path, +and of his (Stephen's) boyhood love for his mother. And all the time +Phebe said never a word, but sat looking at the two with eyes full of +love.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said Jack, with a sigh of relief, "I don't mind now. I thought +you'd been keeping it dark from me. But, I say, if you take mummy, +you'll have to take me as well! Else what will become of me?"</p> + +<p>"Of course I shall; the fact is, we'll all be chums together, won't we?"</p> + +<p>"Rather!" said Jack. "I call this spiffin," and then their hands seemed +to get all mixed up together.</p> + +<p>The next day Stephen had a particular request to make. It was that, +seeing he had waited for his love so long, they should be married at +once, and Phebe felt she could not refuse him.</p> + +<p>Nanna, Aunt Lizzie, Bessie, Reynolds and Jones were all communicated +with at once, and on a given day the three establishments were closed, +all assistants given a holiday, and the above-named individuals summoned +to the ceremony. To please Jack he was allowed to give his mother away, +and Reynolds was the bridegroom's best man.</p> + +<p>Bessie—the Bessie of old!—was delighted. "This is what I call fine! +I'm as happy as if I were being married to my dear 'Darling Jones' over +again!" Nanna was just as radiant; her old dream after all had come +true!</p> + +<p>Once more during the honeymoon Phebe referred to the past. "If only we +could have started our life together! How was it I was so blind? Why did +not my heart respond to your love as it does now? Nanna was not nearly +so blind as I was," and then she told Stephen of Mrs. Colston's guesses +that afternoon in the old kitchen where the mangle was.</p> + +<p>"I cannot answer your questions, dearest; but I am sure you are the +richer women to-day for the trials you have had."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Nanna said that day, when I told her I was a Christian, that to be +a full Christian was a matter of development, that there were many +creases in my nature God had to mangle out. I am afraid there are many +creases still left."</p> + +<p>"Yes, though we may be blameless before God our education is still going +on."</p> + +<p>"But I have been far from blameless. I have often thought if I had +entered more into Ralph's ambitions it would have been better and his +end would have been different. What if I should bring defeat into your +life too!"</p> + +<p>"Dearest! you have brought nothing but inspiration into my life. You +are not to have these sad thoughts. I was not brave enough in the past +to show my love, or you might have seen it in a plainer manner—and all +would have been different. But we neither of us acted from selfishness. +You considered at the time you acted rightly by resisting Ralph's +restlessness. God will never blame us for not acting up to any light +that was hidden from us. If we have made mistakes in the past God has +forgiven us, and therefore we should put the past entirely from us."</p> + +<p>"So we will," she answered, with a happy smile; "we are both making a +new start, and we will let nothing hinder us."</p> + +<p>When the time came for their return home, there was great excitement +among many of the Hadley people. The honeymoon had been considerably +lengthened at Stephen's request, for two reasons—first, to give Phebe +as long a rest as possible; and secondly, to give time for the +beautifying of the old farmhouse on the hill above the town. Bay-windows +and a porch had been built out, the front garden had been relaid, +several rooms refurnished, and all had been kept a grand secret from +Phebe.</p> + +<p>"I tell you what it is," said Jim Coates, "she shall have a welcome like +a duchess, that she shall!" So instead of stepping into a cab as she +expected she would do when she came out of the station, Phebe found a +carriage-and-pair waiting them, and then at a certain bend of the road a +whole body of men suddenly made their appearance, took out the horses, +attached ropes to the carriage, and drew it along in triumphant style.</p> + +<p>Just for a moment Phebe was quite startled; the idea suddenly presented +itself that they were being captured by robbers—it was but for an +instant—and then the sight of Jim Coates' face, and the triumphant look +on Stephen's, made it all clear to her, and partly laughing, partly +crying, she managed to exclaim: "It is too much—too much!—don't let +them do it, Steve!" But it would have taken more than Steve to hinder +that loyal little band of stalwarts, if even he had been willing, which +he was not.</p> + +<p>Wreaths of evergreens were stretched across the road, flags were +fluttering everywhere; close to the house was a long banner, with the +words in red letters, "Welcome home to the Little Missis and her +husband."</p> + +<p>As the men paused at the gate they had still breath enough to exclaim:</p> + +<p>"Three cheers for the Little Missis and her husband!" and great hearty +"Hip! Hip! Hurrahs!" rang out.</p> + +<p>"But, Steve——" exclaimed Phebe, as she looked up at the +unfamiliar-looking house, and then a second revelation came to her.</p> + +<p>Steve answered her questioning look with a kiss on her cheek—and then +there was another cheer.</p> + +<p>Bessie and Janie were both standing at the gate, bearing a great basket +of roses.</p> + +<p>Bessie had decided that because she had not thought of scattering roses +on the path at the wedding, she would do so at the home-coming.</p> + +<p>"Yes, she shall walk on roses this time," Bessie exclaimed; "the other +time she was married she had only cold potatoes. I mean to make up for +that."</p> + +<p>The idea of any one walking on cold potatoes fairly puzzled poor Janie. +"I never heard of such a thing!" she exclaimed. "I'm sure she didn't +when she came home. I was there, and ought to know."</p> + +<p>"You know well enough," retorted Bessie, "what a cold welcome she got. +Didn't I see you lay the supper-table? And didn't I tell you it looked +more like a meal for an errand-boy than for a bride? Don't you remember +that?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," meekly answered the literal Janie, "but there were no cold +potatoes messing about."</p> + +<p>So the roses were strewed on her path by the two young women, who though +so different in character, had both learnt to love her with a wonderful +devotion. But before Phebe trod on the roses, she stopped to kiss her +friends, and then turning round to the group of men who looked very hot +but very happy, she said: "You have done us too much honour, but may God +bless you." They could see that her face was wet with tears as well as +radiant with smiles and then another cheer went up for "the Little +Missis and her husband."</p> + +<p>Dear old Nanna was standing on the doorstep with Jack by her side.</p> + +<p>"Welcome home, dear heart!" said Nanna, kissing her and giving her a +motherly hug.</p> + +<p>Jack stood patiently by till he thought Nanna had had her full share, +and then gave her a gentle reminder with his hand that it was his turn +now.</p> + +<p>Did the sight of the loaded table and the gay, bright room bring back to +her any thoughts of the past? If they did, no shadow from the past was +allowed to linger.</p> + +<p>In a month's time they were all fairly settled down. Jack, Mrs. Colston +and Janie had all removed to "the house on the hill," and Aunt Lizzie +had taken up her residence at the business establishment, there to +remain, God willing, till Jack should reach his majority.</p> + +<p>"Nanna," said Phebe one day, "do you remember telling me that a +Christian is not perfected till death, that we have to be trained and +disciplined? And do you remember what discipline I needed?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I remember it well. You see, I'm always thinking about it because +I like to watch the process."</p> + +<p>"I have been thinking God has ceased to do any training with me—could +it be that He is disappointed with me?—that because I have not come up +to what He expected, He has put me on one side."</p> + +<p>"Why, dearie, what has put that into your head?"</p> + +<p>"What discipline have I got now? Peace and joy and prosperity are with +me in abundance."</p> + +<p>"All God's training is not done by pain. Bless me, the flowers know +better than that! The cold winds and rains make them bloom right enough, +but the sunshine has a good share in the work as well. Instead of you +having no training just now, the sunshine all round you is doing it as +fast as it can. And if God sees you can stand the sunshine without +getting puffed up, or careless, or proud—I know you will forgive an old +woman's plain words—He perhaps has glorious plans of work for you in +the future. He can discipline and train you by all this wealth He has +given you."</p> + +<p>"Trust you," replied Phebe, laughing, "for never giving me the ghost of +a chance of being miserable. I never saw anybody like you for ruthlessly +stripping away every shred of the blues!"</p> + +<p>"Do you want to keep a few of the blue rags, then?"</p> + +<p>"No, you know I do not."</p> + +<p>"Dear heart," said Nanna tenderly, "there was a time when you had to +search round for your bright bits: now you are surrounded with it, take +in all you can get—rejoice and exult in it, and don't lose one bit +simply because you have got so much."</p> + +<p>When Phebe repeated this conversation to her husband, he added: "If God +has crowned you with joy, sweetheart—and I hope from my heart He has +done so—do not let anybody put a thorn in the crown God did not mean to +be there. I would like to crown you every day myself with joy if I +could—my queen!—my ray of glory!"</p> + +<p>"But, Steve, be serious."</p> + +<p>"I never was calmer in my life. You know I mean every word I say—say +you do!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, you loyal lover mine," linking her arm in his, "but you don't have +a monopoly in love for all that," looking up at him with a smile on her +sweet face. "Now, I want to ask you a very serious question."</p> + +<p>"Ask on, my queen."</p> + +<p>"But it is really serious."</p> + +<p>"And so am I. What is it, darling?" bending down to kiss her. He never +seemed to tire of proving to himself that she actually, after all the +weary years of waiting, belonged to him, and he to her.</p> + +<p>"If God were to call me home to-night," she said in a low voice, "I +should not want to go. That cannot be a right frame of mind to be in, +now, is it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is; a perfectly right frame of mind. If you were wanting to go +home just now, it would seem to show you were not satisfied with what +God had provided for you. When the call does come you may feel very +different from what you do now. I never think we can be exactly sure +what we should do under certain conditions—supposed conditions. It is +only the present moment that we need to concern ourselves about, and I +think we can both say we are ready this minute to do God's will. Don't +you think so, sweetheart?"</p> + +<p>"God's will for us just now is so sweet," she answered, "that I somewhat +mistrust myself. But I can truly pray, 'Teach me to do Thy will, +O my God.'"</p> + +<p>"And that is everything," he exclaimed. "It is by our desires God judges +us. And, sweetheart," again bending tenderly over her, "when the call +does come, whether to you or to me, we'll clasp hands, if we can, to +the last moment, and then we'll wait patiently till we clasp them again +in the Sunny Land."</p> + +<p>"The Little Missis" had been toe well trained for the sunshine to spoil +her—it did but bring out still fairer beauties in her character; and no +end of work came to her, or she went to it, whichever way you prefer to +have it.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The Great Gardener had kept this flower for long years in an exposed +position, where winds and frosts had worked their will; and many a time +had He bent over it, with loving look but with firm hand, to shape it +into more perfect form and fairer beauty.</p> + +<p>And then He said: "I will put it into a sunny place."</p> + +<p>He did so.</p> + +<p>And there in that place of sunlight, by its very beauty it brought +praise to His Name, and the winds which once had been so rough with it, +bore its fragrance afar.</p> + +<h3>THE END</h3> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Little Missis, by Charlotte Skinner + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LITTLE MISSIS *** + +***** This file should be named 35383-h.htm or 35383-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/3/8/35383/ + +Produced by Delphine Lettau, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Little Missis + +Author: Charlotte Skinner + +Release Date: February 24, 2011 [EBook #35383] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LITTLE MISSIS *** + + + + +Produced by Delphine Lettau, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + "The Little Missis" + + By Charlotte Skinner + +_Author of "Doctor Phill," "The Master's Messages to Women," etc._ + + + With Six Illustrations + + LONDON + S. W. PARTRIDGE & CO. LTD. + OLD BAILEY + + + + +[Illustration: "'SEE HOW CAREFULLY HE IS HELPING HER OUT OF THE CAB.'"] + + + + +CONTENTS + + +I. HIS PURPOSE + +II. THE HOME-COMING + +III. A GARDEN LEVEE + +IV. A TESTING TIME + +V. WILL GOD ANSWER? + +VI. THE DARKNESS DEEPENS + +VII. THE LAME SHEPHERD + +VIII. A TWOFOLD PARTNERSHIP + +IX. A WOMAN'S WHIMS + +X. A GATHERED FLOWER + +XI. IS GOD GOOD? + +XII. THE STONE THROWN IN THE WATERS + +XIII. LOVE'S HOSPITAL + +XIV. AN UNFORTUNATE ENCOUNTER + +XV. JOY-MISSIONARIES + +XVI. THE CALL OF DEBORAH + +XVII. THE GOING FORTH OF DEBORAH + +XVIII. HER NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOUR + +XIX. THE NEW CLUB-ROOM + +XX. A STRANGE KIND OF PREACHING + +XXI. PARTNERS! + +XXII. LIGHT ON THE PATHWAY + +XXIII. LOYAL LOVE + +XXIV. RECOGNISED + +XXV. BESSIE COMES TO THE RESCUE + +XXVI. THE HOME-COMING + +XXVII. RALPH STARTS ON ANOTHER JOURNEY + +XXVIII. OLIVE LEAVES AND LAUREL LEAVES + +XXIX. CROWNED WITH JOY + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + + +"'See how carefully he is helping her out of the cab.'" + +"Phebe was in the shop taking a general look round" + +"'Bessie, you are to tell me right out what is troubling you'" + +"'Let us put this cold-blooded letter on the fire'" + +"She caused the cup with its contents to fall into Phebe's lap" + +"He was standing on the pavement, looking a sad, solitary figure" + + + + +"THE LITTLE MISSIS" + + + + +CHAPTER I + +HIS PURPOSE + + +Creak--creak--creak! went the old mangle--one of the box sort, weighted +with stones. + +"Are you dreadfully busy, Mrs. Colston?" called out a clear, young +voice. + +"Bless me, is that you, Miss Phebe?" and the mangle was suddenly silent. +"No, I'm not dreadfully busy, and in two minutes I was going to make +myself some tea; and if you----" + +"Oh, won't I, rather! I should just think I will, you dearie; and I'll +get it ready, too, while you play your last tune on your old organ." + +Creak, creak, went the mangle, clatter went the cups, and in less than +ten minutes the two were seated at a little round three-legged table +enjoying tea and talk. + +"Can't think what's the matter with you to-day, Miss Phebe. Have you got +a new dress on, or have you been doing something to your complexion, or +what is it?" asked Mrs. Colston, looking very intently across the table. + +"I have got my old dress on, and have not even washed my face in dew." + +"Well, then, what is it?--Ah, I know! you've fallen in love." + +"Yes, I fell in love with you a long time ago," answered her visitor +demurely; "but I see you've guessed my secret, you are so clever. The +fact is, I have got two secrets to tell you. I wonder which I should +bring out first!" + +The old mangle woman got up from her arm-chair, and, going to where the +girl was sitting, took the fair young face into her hands and kissed the +right cheek, saying, as the tears started to her eyes: "There, my dear; +that's in place of your mother's kiss, and," kissing the other cheek, +"that's for myself." + +Resuming her seat there was silence for a minute or two, and then Mrs. +Colston, said: "I think I can guess both your secrets. The first is, you +have given yourself to Jesus; and the second is, you have promised to +marry Stephen Collins." + +"Oh, dear, no," exclaimed the girl, rising from her seat. "Why, he has +never asked me. Besides--no, I have promised to marry Ralph Waring." + +"Ralph Waring!" repeated the old woman, and then there was an awkward +silence. + +"Oh, dear Mrs. Colston, you do not think I have done wrong, do you?" +exclaimed the girl, sinking on her knees in front of her old friend, +"say you do not!" + +"No, no, dearie; I don't exactly, but it's took me by surprise," and +putting both her arms round her neck she kissed her again. "No, dearie, +don't think that. Ralph is a very good young man, but I know very well +how much Steve loves you." + +"It is strange," mused the girl; "Ralph asked me if I loved him more +than I did Stephen, and I said of course I did." Then, rising to her +feet, she said with a ring of pride in her voice, "You know Ralph is so +clever; you should hear him give some of his lectures! He is a great +favourite at several men's meetings. His great ambition is to be a +Member of Parliament. He is sure to be mayor some day." + +"He does a good business, doesn't he?" + +"Just fancy, now, you thinking about that; I see, after all, you have an +eye to money. I never thought it of you," and then Miss Phebe laughed +quite naturally, and the little cloud which seemed to have risen between +them cleared away and the sun shone again. + +"Why shouldn't I? We can't live without it--but bless me, your cup is +empty: what can I be thinking of?" + +Phebe commenced drinking her second cup, never noticing that her +companion had not touched the first one yet. "Now tell me all about the +other secret: that's more interesting to me, you know, for it's so long +since I fell in love I forget what it's like." + +"But it is a long time since you first loved Jesus, and you don't forget +what that is like." + +"Ah! that's different, you see. He never changes; men and women do. But +never you mind about my love affairs: tell me yours." + +Phebe rose and went and stood in front of the window, looking into the +little bricked yard through which she had entered the house. There were +some scarlet geraniums in the window doing duty in place of a curtain, +and her cheeks seemed to have caught the hue of the blossoms. + +"You know for a long time I have wanted to be a Christian." + +"Yes;" and Mrs. Colston poked the fire during the pause. It was strange +for Miss Phebe to continue the conversation while her back was towards +her friend; many people can speak openly about earthly love matters, but +are shy when the Great Lover is concerned. + +"All at once I seemed to understand wishing was not sufficient, that a +definite act was needed. So the night before last I got out of bed and +knelt down by my old easy-chair, and told Jesus I gave myself entirely +to Him, that He should be my dear Master, and that I would be willing to +do all He wished." + +How well the old friend could see the scene! She knew the room so well. +The old chair was covered with brown leather, and it was the chair the +girl's mother had died in. By its side stood a little writing-table, and +on the wall above were portraits--mostly cut from newspapers and +magazines--of some eminent men and women whom the girl regarded as +heroes and heroines. An old apple-tree grew close by the window, and in +the summer-time little could be seen of the outside world but its green +leaves and greener fruit. When the wind blew the boughs tapped, tapped +at the window-panes, but Phebe would not have them cut. "I like to +think," said she, "they are messengers come to tell me the old tree's +secrets." + +"Since then," the girl continued, "I have been so happy; and is it not +funny," turning now towards the fire, "that the very next day Ralph +should ask me to be his wife? So I have given myself away twice since I +last saw you." + +"I wonder if there is anything left of you for me?" Mrs. Colston asked, +with a twinkling smile. + +"Yes; I'm still yours. I could never forget how you loved me when I was +a little crying mite. You gave me two kisses; I'll give you two--one for +being good to me when I was a troublesome juvenile, and one for being +good to me now I am a proper grown-up. But I have not finished my story, +and if you interrupt me again I shall turn the mangle instead of talking +to you. I think I told you a long time ago how much I wanted to write a +book--indeed, I have tried, and sent little chapters of it to editors in +London, but they have always been returned with thanks. Now you see +Jesus has opened up my way to serve Him. I am going to help Ralph with +his lectures and speeches--he says I shall--and I shall go with him to +all his engagements. He says those who ask him must ask me, too; and, +after all, to live a life for Jesus is better than writing a book for +Him." + +"Comes to about the same thing, I should think." + +"I am sure you will be happy now I am a Christian"--this with a coaxing +voice. + +"But you are a very young Christian." + +"A young Christian! Whatever do you mean?" + +"My dear child, you have only just started. Why, even the daisies don't +come up all at once: flowers and fruits that do, don't come to much." + +"If that is what you mean," Phebe replied, with a sigh of relief, "I +don't mind." + +"Why, you think of my work," the old woman continued; "I often do. The +clothes are not finished when the dirt's out, and you are not a finished +Christian as soon as your sin's forgiven. The clothes have to be +bleached and dried, and then there comes the getting out of the creases, +and so I mangle them and mangle them." + +"But look here," said Phebe, laughing, "you don't mean to say I have got +to be mangled?" + +"You need not laugh, my dear, for I am quite sure if Jesus was to speak +just now He'd use my old mangle for a text. I know He would; and why +shouldn't He, just as well as using the woman's candle and yeast, and +the man's fishing-net and pruning-knife." + +"I should not like to think I had to be mangled." + +"It's more than mangling, Miss Phebe, for if we want to put a nice +polish on the clothes we use a hot iron to them. You are used to the +thought of being like gold in the fire, and a lump of clay in the +potter's hand: why not think of yourself as under my roller? I often and +often think, as I smoothes out the marks, and stretches the corners, and +turns, and turns, that is just how Jesus is doing with me." + +"H'm," mused Phebe, "I suppose it's another way of describing +tribulation. But do you suppose everybody has tribulation?" + +"I do; there isn't a plant in my little garden I haven't used the +scissors to." + +"Ah, well, I suppose we must submit." + +"Yes, dearie; and we must look beyond to the afterwards. When we see +what the Lord has made us we shall thank Him. Why, the things that I +carefully pack in the baskets are hardly like the same things I take +out, they look that nice." + +"Do you think I shall have much tribulation, dear Mrs. Colston?" asked +Phebe anxiously, placing her hand on her old friend's shoulder. + +"I don't know for certain; the Lord only can tell that. But," looking up +lovingly into the face of her favourite, "don't you worry, He'll help +you right through, sure enough." + +When Miss Phebe had taken her departure and the mangle had started again +its painful song, the old woman said to herself: "Strikes me she will +have a good deal; but it will be because the Lord wants her to be extra +polished. She's real damask, she is; worth taking a good deal of trouble +with. Some folks are only like dusters, and if the Lord was like me He'd +not take much trouble with them. But, bless me, it's a good thing the +Lord is not like me, it 'ud be a poor look-out for some folks if He +was." + +As Miss Phebe walked home she said to herself: "I thought it was all +settled, but it would seem I have only just commenced." That night she +again knelt by the old arm-chair. It had always seemed she could pray +best there, for it recalled the time when she had knelt at her mother's +knees, and had first learnt to talk to Jesus. "Dear Lord," she prayed, +"make me a true Christian; and help me to be perfectly willing to let +Thee do it in whatever way you think will be best for me." + +A mile away, in a farmhouse on a height over-looking the little town of +Hadley, another earnest soul knelt in prayer: "Lord, help me to put her +out of my thoughts. If this is allowed by Thee as discipline, make me +willing to bear it. Lord, help me, but Thou knowest how much I loved +her!" and a sob, which would have broken his mother's heart if she had +heard it, escaped from Stephen Collins as he looked forward into the +future. + +At the foot of the same hill, in the back parlour of a thriving shop, a +young fellow was counting his day's takings, and when he had finished, +he drew his chair up to the fire to think things over. "Steve Collins +thought he was sure of her, I know he did; but I got the start of him +for once. I wonder if Phebe's father is really well off! I have got on +very well so far, but it is slow work in this sleepy place." + + * * * * * + +The gardener pegs some of his plants down to the ground: some he places +by a south wall, some in open spaces where the north wind has free +access. He has a purpose with each, and whatever he does is for their +"making." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE HOME-COMING + + +"I say, mother, they've come!" + +"Well, let them. What do I care?" + +"Oh, but just come and look a minute. See how carefully he is helping +her out of the cab. She's a sight too good for him. There! I've got a +brilliant idea. I'll go and give them a tune. She shall enter her bridal +home to the strains of music," and away downstairs Miss Bessie Marchant +rushed. She was the daughter of Mr. Marchant, chemist, Ralph Waring's +neighbour. + +"What is that girl playing?" exclaimed Mrs. Marchant a few minutes +afterwards, as she was preparing supper in the kitchen. + +Phill Marchant was sitting at the table working out a sum on his slate. +"Why, it's the 'Dead March.' Is her kitten dead?" + +"That girl will be the death of me. Bessie, do you hear, stop that +noise, will you? Haven't you one spark of human kindness left?" + +"No, mother," still going on playing, "I gave all the sparks to Phill." + +"Stop playing, will you? or I'll box your ears! It's perfectly cruel. +The poor thing will have enough to put up with, without you worrying her +with that bad omen." + +Bessie suddenly stopped, not because she was afraid of her ears being +boxed, but deep down in her heart, where a good big piece of human +kindness was thriving splendidly, in spite of her mother's fears, +questionings had arisen lest she might not be defeating her own object. + +"I don't want to worry her; you know that. It is a funny world to live +in if you cannot play the 'Dead March' when you like!" + +"You just march off and water the plants in the greenhouse, and don't +interfere with what isn't your business." + +"All right, but I'll----" What exactly Miss Bessie was going still +further to do, her mother did not catch, and it was not Miss Bessie's +intention that she should. + +It was a drizzling wet night when Phebe Waring arrived at her new home. +According to strict economical household arrangements, there was no +bright fire in the back parlour to make the room look cosy, because it +was near the end of June. The floor was covered with oil-cloth, no rug +anywhere, and a table, small sideboard, and six small chairs with +American leather cushions made up the whole of the furniture. + +"Not very homelike," Phebe thought, "but there, how could I expect +bachelor's quarters to look anything different?" + +For supper the little maid had placed on the table a large white jug of +lemon water, a piece of cheese, and some bread and butter. + +"There's a hamper for you, ma'am, from your father's: came about an hour +ago." + +Quickly taking off her hat and jacket Phebe opened the hamper, and when +she looked inside the tears came into her eyes; it was the first glimpse +of anything homelike she had seen for a fortnight. + +A bunch of wallflowers came first, then a large pat of butter, a +home-made cake, a roasted chicken, a piece of ham, and a large box of +little gooseberry pies. "Dear old Sis, how thoughtful of her!" Soon the +table was spread with the feast the loving sister in the old home had +prepared, and to make the room look still further homelike Phebe got +Janie, the maid, to light a fire in the empty, rusty grate. + +"It was quite fortunate I did not order anything further into the +house," said Ralph. + +In the morning the room looked as cheerless as it did the night before, +and Phebe's heart seemed to shrink as she noticed that the window looked +into a yard, surrounded with high walls, and that nothing was growing +in it but grass and dandelions. How different from the outlook over the +well-kept garden at home! "But I'll soon make it look different," said +the hopeful Phebe to herself. + +The only bright spot in the room was a bunch of beautiful pansies lying +on the table; the wallflowers had been taken upstairs. As Phebe picked +them up she noticed a slip of paper pushed beneath the string with which +they were tied, and on it was written: + +"From Neighbour Bessie. I do hope you will be my friend." + +"Ah, that must be Mrs. Marchant's daughter, next door," thought Phebe, +"I have heard Ralph speak of her. Of course we shall be friends. What +beautiful flowers! Pansies--see, they mean 'heart's ease.' Did Bessie +think--but of course she did not. She would not know their meaning." + +During breakfast Ralph put into her hand a black-edged envelope, saying, +"See what I have had sent me. A funny sort of congratulation!" + +Inside the envelope was a card, bordered with ink lines, and in the +centre, in letters to imitate printing, were the words: + + "Sacred to the Memory of + SWEET LIBERTY, + Who ceased to be on June 10th, 18--, + And was interred in the residence of + RALPH WARING, Draper, etc., Hadley." + +"Somebody thinks I'm going to be a poor martyr," said Ralph, putting on +a very solemn look. Phebe also looked solemn, but her solemnity seemed +real. + +"I don't know about that," she replied, "it seems to me it is my liberty +which is referred to. If your liberty is interred in your house it is +still yours." + +"Oh, dear, no; everybody knows women always have their own way--they +never lose their liberty," and a slight tone of anger was in the voice, +which made Phebe look up in surprise. "But there, it is only somebody's +stupid joke; not worth thinking about," and he tore the card into +shreds, feeling a trifle sorry he had spoken in the way he had done. + +Breakfast over, Ralph said: "And now, dearest, I should like a little +business talk with you, if you can spare the time. You know we have had +so much lovemaking to do we have had no opportunity of talking together +about our business." + +"'Our business,'" thought Phebe, "that sounds nice." + +"The fact is," said Ralph, when the breakfast table had been cleared and +they were alone, "I want to enlarge the business. I want to throw this +room into the shop, take the house next door, which is to let, and start +a grocery trade, too. Then my idea is to have a horse and cart and go +into the villages for orders--many of them are growing considerably, and +I think I could work up a splendid connection. Later on I should try to +sell the whole affair, and start somewhere different from this sleepy +place." + +"Somewhere different! I should never like to leave Hadley." + +"Of course not, women are never ambitious." + +"But I am very ambitious, and should like you to have a large business. +How could you possibly leave all your public work here? and I could +never leave Hadley while my poor old sick father lives." + +"We'll not worry about that," said Ralph, fearing he had gone too far. +"We need not discuss that for years. I am glad to hear you say you would +like me to have a big business; but how, without more capital, am I +going to manage it?" + +"That certainly is a very difficult question." + +There was silence for a minute, and then Ralph, evidently disappointed +she had not said more, asked: "Can you not suggest anything?" + +"No, I cannot; but if it is God's will He will show you how it can be +done." + +"God won't do for us what we can do for ourselves," he answered a little +impatiently. "I hardly like mentioning it, but haven't you some money in +the bank?" + +"Yes." + +"How much?" + +"Three hundred pounds. It was my mother's money; and the interest has +helped to buy my clothes, because father could not afford to give us +much pocket-money." + +"Couldn't I have that money? Of course, I shall give you pocket-money +enough." + +"You can have some of it, most certainly." + +"Not all?" + +"Wouldn't half do?" + +Ralph got up from his chair, went to the window, and then said slowly, +"Yes, that will do." + +"We will go and draw it out next week," said Phebe, "if you like." + +"Yes; and of course you had better change the name, had you not? And it +will seem more businesslike if you draw the whole of it and then put the +half of it back in my name. It will be yours all the same." + +"I don't mind," said Phebe, "if that will please you." + +"Please me! I'm not a child." Fortunately, just then he was called into +the shop. + +"Am I selfish?" questioned Phebe anxiously to herself. "Have I done +wrong? Ought I to let him have the whole? But I am sure father would be +cross if I did." + +All that day there was sunshine without, but very little within. Phebe +worked hard to make the house more homelike; some rugs were laid on the +parlour floor, two arm-chairs established each side the table, ferns +arranged in the grate, vases of flowers put on the chimney-piece, +pictures hung up, curtains placed at the window--and yet it seemed +dreary. But how can there be sunshine in a room when there's a shadow on +the spirit? + +After tea Ralph said: "I am going to Sunbury to a meeting this evening." + +"Oh, I am glad; I shall enjoy that." + +"But, dearest, I am sorry to disappoint you. I have promised to walk +with old Mr. Cope, and it is too far for you. Besides, if you don't +mind, I should like you to attend to the shop a little, just to check +bills and take cash, for I am a young man short to-day. Will you?" + +"Oh, yes," replied Phebe gaily, trying hard to let the feeling of pride +that Ralph thought her capable of doing this conquer the feeling of +disappointment. "I shall be delighted to do it for your sake." And after +that sweet little speech Ralph kissed her. + +The young man who was left in charge of the shop, being of a rather +fiery disposition, and having resented somewhat Phebe's advent into the +establishment, thought he would take this opportunity of having a little +revenge. + +"Do you like business, Mrs. Waring?" he asked, when they were alone. + +"I hardly know, having had no experience." + +"Well, I suppose it is with you as with me, it is all the same whether +we like it or not--we have got to do it." + +"I don't think the cases are quite parallel," she said, with a smile. + +"Oh, I thought they were, for when the governor gave Dick Forbes +notice--he left to-day, you know--he said he should not require his +services any longer, for when you came you would see after the business +when he was away. It must be nice to have a wife to look after things +while you are away enjoying yourself." + +"Your master is away doing God's business," she replied with dignity, +and straightway walked into the parlour. + +The dignity all vanished when she laid her head on her hands on the +table and had a little cry to herself. Things were all so different from +what she had expected, and such a loneliness seemed to have crept into +her heart! When she lifted up her tearful face she saw the bunch of +pansies quite close to her, and their faces seemed to look into hers and +whisper, "Heart's ease!" "What a comfort!" she whispered to herself. +"'Heart's ease,' yes, I know where to get it from. I know I feel +disappointed, but ought I not to ask: Is Ralph disappointed in me? and +is Jesus disappointed in me?" + +"What a mean hound I've been!" thought the young shopman, as he caught +sight afterwards of her swollen eyes. "It would have served me right if +she had boxed my ears. She'll have enough to put up with without me +adding to it." And that same night he walked two miles to beg a bunch of +roses for her, saying as he gave them to her: "Please forgive me for +having been rude to you." + + * * * * * + +When a king had chosen the design for the gold work of his signet and +selected the stone, carefully studying its hue and markings, then came +the _making_ of the signet: the gold was put in the fire, and the gem +under the lapidary's hammer. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +A GARDEN LEVEE + + +In a little over a year great alterations had been made in Ralph +Waring's establishment. The shop next door had been duly taken, the +partition wall broken down, and the grocery business started. The only +part of Ralph's plan which had not come about was the throwing in of the +back parlour into the business portion. "No," said Phebe firmly, "in +this department I mean to come first. I am not going to vote for +everything being sacrificed to the business; to have a dining-room +upstairs means a great deal of extra work. I must also have the parlour +of the other shop to convert into a decent kitchen. How can we expect +Janie to be bright and happy with nothing better than a scullery to sit +in? I mean my kitchen to be as bright and cheery as any room in the +house." + +"I wonder who's master here!" said Ralph, with a snap. + +"We are partners--at least, that is what you have said, and you rule in +one department and I in the other. I have no objection to you having +one of the front rooms upstairs for a show-room." Ralph had never +thought of that, and as it sounded rather "big," it pleased him, and so +the dispute ended. + +But if changes had been effected in the front premises, a greater change +had come about in the back garden, which at first had only looked like a +walled-in yard. Where the dandelions had grown was a trim little lawn, +with a flower-stand in the centre nearly covered with pink ivy +geraniums; there was no space for any elaboration of design, so a narrow +bed of flowers round the lawn touched the surrounding walls, which were +already nearly covered with shoots of ivy, climbing roses, and that +industrious plant, Virginia creeper. In one corner a little arbour had +been erected, and, till the climbing plants had completed the covering, +a gay red-striped awning had been fixed up, adding still more colour to +the scene. + +Here one sunny August day Neighbour Bessie found her friend, Mrs. +Waring, nursing her baby. + +"Well, you do make a pretty picture! Talk of gold pictures in silver +frames, you are a picture of love in a frame of flowers." + +"Now, no more flattery, neighbour, for a week, or I'll send you to +Coventry." + +Bessie at once sat down on the grass at Phebe's feet. She was never so +happy as when resting on "Nature's bottom shelf." Her mother said this +was a sign of laziness; Bessie said it was a sign of economy, because +she did not wear out the chair-cushions, and also the sign of a cautious +nature, because there was no fear of falling. + +"You haven't kissed the baby." + +"I don't much care if I do or not, so long as I can kiss you." After the +process was over, she added, "If it had been a boy, I just wouldn't have +kissed it, so I tell you." Knowing this was a very saucy little speech +to make, she did not give Phebe a chance to reply, but hurried on, "It's +fairly wonderful the change you have made in this place, and fancy you +doing it all yourself! I used to call it 'Dandelion Farm.'" + +"What do you call it now?" + +"I haven't thought; let me see," leaning her head on her hands and +puckering up her brow as though to press the thought in, "it's just like +a patch of sunlight; yes, that would do, something out of the +usual--Sunshine Patch." + +"Yes, that will do," said Phebe, laughing, "but it reminds me how much I +disliked the place when first I had a peep of it; these walls fairly +made me shudder, and now I wouldn't have them one brick lower, because +they give privacy; and see how refreshing they will be to look at when +covered with greenery; and look at that lovely laburnum of our +neighbour's drooping over the wall; and in the spring that high +lilac-tree was a perfect picture. This little patch, as you call it, +Bessie, dear, has taught me a lesson I hope I shall remember all my +life." + +"Whatever is that, teacher?" Bessie asked, looking up with mock wonder. + +"But I am serious, Bessie; it is that most of our dark patches we could +turn into sunshine patches if only we had the will." + +"Do you know," said Bessie, with a real sigh, "my mother is my dark +patch, and she walls me round like anything. I wonder if I could plant +ivy slips round her!" + +"You are a naughty girl," said Phebe, trying hard not to laugh, "I think +she has more need to plant them round you." + +"Phebe, where are you?" Ralph called out. + +"Oh," said Bessie, suddenly springing up, "I'll go at once and consult +the gardening book," but Phebe knew this was only a pretence to avoid +having to talk to Ralph. + +"It is fine to be you," said her husband, "to be able to sit in this +retreat doing nothing this broiling hot day. How cool you look! but +there, everything goes peacefully with you, while everything goes cross +with me." + +"Can I put anything right for you?" + +"Of course you can't. I've been thinking," sitting down by her side, +"what a stupid I am to put myself to so much trouble for people. You +know I went last night to Hawtree Hall; I've been going there now for +three years, and I haven't one customer in the place." + +"But, Ralph, dear, you have a higher aim surely than to get customers." + +"Of course I have; dear me, how you do misunderstand me! But surely +decent, common gratitude would lead some of the people to deal with me, +if they had any. They don't pay for my services!" + +"Of course not." + +"And why, pray, 'of course not'? The more I get, the more good I can do. +Do you think I want money for any special, selfish gratification? God +has called me to make money as well as to make speeches, and I can serve +Him equally well in both ways." + +"Certainly, but I think we all have to watch lest we cloak our ambitions +with the appearance of doing God's service, and so deceive ourselves." + +"A very nice way of calling me a hypocrite." + +"Oh, Ralph, Ralph, it is nothing of the sort! I have often had to watch +against that sort of thing." + +"Well, don't measure my corn with your bushel, that's all. We'll change +the subject. I see you opened that letter of Deason's, asking for that +money. I am not going to pay him yet. I want that money for buying a +'new line' with. I am going to try another experiment this winter." + +"But, Ralph, that man needs his money, he is poor." + +"You can leave all those matters to me. You talk like a--but there, what +do women know about business?" And he got up and walked towards the +house, but before entering turned round and said, "I shall not be home +till late; when it gets cooler perhaps you will be able to make me out a +few bills." + +She felt inclined to answer, "I don't know enough about business to do +that," but wisely kept silence. She had been taking lessons of late in +the right use of the lips, and was getting them pretty well under +control. + +When the cool of the evening came she was again sitting in Sunshine +Patch, from whence she got just a little peep of the sunset sky. The +baby was asleep; Janie was reading; Phebe had already spent two hours in +bill-making and thought she might now conscientiously take the luxury of +sitting and doing nothing, except having a good think. All day long +there had been in her mind old Mrs. Colston's words about the process a +Christian has to go through. "I think," she sighed, "instead of the +creases getting out of my character, more creases get in. See how I seem +to aggravate Ralph. Then to think of Bessie; I thought I might do real +missionary work with her, and she's just as naughty as ever, and Janie +is just as dull," and the tears began to come. + +"Please, ma'am, here's Mrs. Colston." It was Janie's voice, and Mrs. +Colston herself immediately appeared. The old lady at once noticed the +tear marks, and exclaimed, "I can see you are quite tired out; you must +come in and lie down on the couch, and Janie shall get you +something--no, I'll get it myself," and after half carrying Phebe +indoors, she bustled away to the kitchen. + +"Now, Janie, get some milk, a saucepan, and an egg." While she was +watching the milk lest it should boil over, she went on talking. "Look +here, Janie, you are to look well after your mistress, or she'll slip +through your fingers." + +"You don't mean to say she's going to die!" exclaimed Janie, in horror. +"Oh, dear, what should I do! You don't know how different this place has +been since she's been here, and you don't know what she's done for me." + + +"No, I don't, but I can guess. You mustn't speak so loud or she will +hear, and mind you don't go and tell her what I've said. Just shake +yourself together a bit, my girl, and look well after her; be sure and +feed her well, and see that she rests." + +Mrs. Colston having seen to her favourite's bodily wants, sat down to +have a talk. "I suppose you've tired yourself with writing lectures and +speeches." + +"'Lectures and speeches'!" exclaimed Phebe, trying to laugh, "whatever +made you think I'd been doing that?" + +"You told me yourself you were going to help Ralph write his lectures +and speeches." + +"Oh no, I do nothing of that sort," and try as she might the tone of +disappointment would not be kept down, and the old friend caught it and +guessed something of its meaning. + +"You've never told me baby's name yet." + +"She has two names." + +"That's right; that's one for each of you." + +"My name, I mean the one I chose for her, is Mary. I did not want to +call her Phebe, because I don't see why married women should lose their +Christian name, and they always do if they have a daughter called after +them. I think no name can be so beautiful as Mary, because it was the +name of the mother of Jesus. Ralph chose the other name; he said, +simply Mary Waring would sound mean." + +"Perhaps so; Phebe Mary go well together, and it was only natural he +would like her named after you." + +"It is not Phebe. Baby's name is Victoria Mary." + +Mrs. Colston had long ago commenced the training of her lips, and for a +moment did not speak. + +"And may the little dear always have the victory. That's my wish for +her." + +"And you don't think it sounds ridiculous then?" asked Phebe, raising +herself up on her elbow, "I mean for a draper's daughter?" + +"Certainly not; why shouldn't a draper's daughter have as good a name as +anybody else? I hope she will grow up a real queenie." + +"I was thinking, dear Mrs. Colston, as you came into the garden, that +the process of Christian-making is slow work with me. Indeed, sometimes +I am afraid it has stopped altogether." + +"Not it, my dear; not a wee bit of it," stroking her hair. "If you had +said, 'I'm getting on fine--shall soon be a saint,' I should have said +it was pretty nigh all up with you. But, bless you, my dear, you've got +that feeling just now because the Lord's been dealing with you. I +watched old Robert in the spring cutting his vine; my, there was a +slaughtering! I fancy the poor old vine thought it was almost done for, +but you should just see it now!" + + * * * * * + +As Mrs. Colston stepped out of the shop door that evening she nearly +fell into the arms of Neighbour Bessie, as Phebe loved to call her. "How +is Mrs. Waring?" Bessie asked anxiously. "Do you think she is all +right?" + +"Yes, she'll get on with care." + +"Oh, she is a dumpling!" said the girl, with all her impulsive +enthusiasm. + +"Well then, take care and keep her warm, for cold dumplings aren't up to +much! She needs a lot of warmth--love, that's what I mean." + +"I'll see she has that," exclaimed Bessie, "if my sort is any good." + +"All real love is good, my dear, you may be sure of that." + +That night as the old mangle started its tune again, these were the +words that went along with it. "There, bless me, how that dear Miss +Phebe of mine has won those two girls! Why, she'll win them for Jesus +yet. I know she will! Yes, I dare say she thinks she's done nothing. How +little we can judge of our own work, or, come to that, of anybody +else's, either. It's only our dear heavenly Father, who gets such a high +view of things, seeing all over and into all the corners, that can +really know how we're getting along." + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +A TESTING TIME + + +Two years went by, each day filled for Phebe, except the Sundays, with +housework, care of the child, and looking after the business. From +Monday till Saturday she hardly ever crossed the outer doorstep. "It +will not be always like this," she said to her sister, who remonstrated +with her. "When Ralph has got the business well established he will be +able to afford more help." + +She often smiled somewhat bitterly to herself over the old dream of +helping Ralph in his high endeavours to influence the souls of his +fellows, and how she was to accompany him when he went forth to deliver +his messages. "Never mind," she would say to herself. "I sell the people +tea instead." She often called to mind the memorial-card of "Sweet +Liberty," and saw how clearly it had proved prophetic of something she +had truly lost. Long ago she guessed who the sender was, for she had +found out what a keen reader of character Neighbour Bessie was, and what +keen intuitive powers she possessed. Phebe never referred to the card, +but she once said to Bessie, "I think you ought to be called 'Prophet +Bessie.'" + +"If you spell that word 'p-r-o-f-i-t,'" replied Bessie, "mother would +say you were out of your reckoning entirely. She would say it would be +nearer the truth to call me 'Dead-loss Bessie.'" + +"Nay, nay, that would never do, but 'dear-loved Bessie' might." The girl +looked at her with hungry eyes, but did not answer. + +To be so shut in, so entirely engrossed with affairs purely selfish, +would to an ordinary woman have been both narrowing and depressing. "An +old woman once lived in the Isle of Wight who had never seen the sea, +and there are women living in Swiss valleys who have never watched a +sunset. How little such women can know of what the world is like! How +narrow their sympathies, and how small their ideas! I am something like +them," thought Phebe, "but I'll do my best to get a wider outlook, +somehow." So by her chair in a corner of the shop parlour you might +always find some paper, magazine, or book she was interested in. During +the early months of their marriage Ralph had read aloud to her in the +evenings, or she to him, but lately he was far too much engrossed in +other things. + +No one guessed the bitter sorrow Phebe suffered in thus burying her +dreams. Alas, for the graves that are not found where willows grow +within cemetery gates! for the flowerless graves we often weep over in +our daily life! Yet deep in Phebe's heart was the hope that from this +grave would blossom, some sunny morn, a husband's love such as she had +dreamt of in her girlhood dreams. It seemed as if Ralph's love was +sleeping, but surely some day it would waken. Oh, that God would teach +her how to waken it! + +By this time Victoria Mary had a companion in the person of a little +brother. "I should like him to be called Ralph," said Phebe. + +"I don't care for children to be made gravestones of," replied her +husband. "You certainly shall choose one name and I the other, and you +can choose anything you like but Ralph." + +The young arrival a few days later was described on his +birth-certificate as "John Washington." + +These two young folks were ever afterwards known as "Queenie" and +"Jack." What a lot of bother it would save if parents named their +children what they intend afterwards to call them! + +"Phebe," said Ralph one evening, "just put your book down and talk to +me." + +"That will be nice," said Phebe, with a choke in her voice, brought +there by a sudden hope. + +"Wouldn't you like to travel?" + +"I should rather think I would." + +"Well then, don't you think the time has come when we might sell this +business and start somewhere else? I should dearly like to go to +Australia. Will you consent?" + +"If you will only wait till father is taken home, I will willingly go +wherever you choose." + +"But why should we wait till then? The Bible says 'a man shall leave his +father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife.'" + +"Yes," said Phebe, trying to laugh, "but it does not say a woman shall +leave her father and cleave unto her husband." Then, more seriously, "Do +you think it is right for marriage to break every family tie? Don't you +think a child has duties to its parents, however old it may become? +Think how lovingly Jesus thought of His mother, providing as far as +possible against her feeling lonely." + +"If you are going to preach, I'm done." + +"I am not preaching, but I do always like to see if there is anything in +the life of Jesus that fits in with my life, so that it will guide me." + +"Well, I cannot 'fit in' with this humdrum life much longer, so I tell +you that plainly, and I don't mean to, either. If God calls you to stay +here, God calls me to go elsewhere; so how can you reconcile those two +things?" + +"But why do you think God calls you elsewhere?" + +"I am not going to be cross-examined like a prisoner," he replied, +almost fiercely, and walked away. So the conference came to an end. + +About two months afterwards Phebe received a note one dinner-time +purporting to come from her sister, saying she wanted to see her at +once. As the note was not in her sister's handwriting, and was so +strangely worded, she was rather puzzled. + +"Who has brought the note?" she inquired of the shopman. + +"Some boy, but he has gone now." + +"It is strange," thought Phebe; "father must be worse, and she had not +time to write herself; yet that is not at all like her." + +As quickly as possible Phebe hurried away, to find on her arrival her +sister had not sent for her. "It must have been a trick of your +neighbour, Bessie, to get you out for a change." And Phebe, thinking +that idea was quite likely to be correct, made herself comfortable for +the afternoon, knowing that Janie would be sure to keep faithful guard +over the children. + +It was quite dark when she arrived home, for autumn was fast merging +into winter. Ralph was out, but that was no uncommon occurrence. The +evening was a very busy one, as the afternoon leisure had caused work to +accumulate. When ten o'clock came, and the shopmen had both gone up to +their bedroom, and Janie was preparing to retire also, Phebe began to +think it was strange Ralph was so late. Going out on to the front +pavement she gazed anxiously up and down the road. Very few people were +about, for it was anything but a pleasant night for a stroll--true the +moon was shining, but hurrying dark clouds were constantly passing in +front of it, and a sighing wind seemed to prophesy the near approach of +bad weather. + +At eleven o'clock she went out again: the clouds had grown larger, the +intervals of moonlight were briefer. The wind sighed in a more mournful +tone than before, and Phebe shivered, but more through apprehension than +cold. + +At twelve o'clock she was on the watch again. The night was quite dark. +"He must have missed the last train," she said to herself. "I will go to +bed now." + +She must have slept for about two hours when she woke up with a sudden +start. "Could there be any connection between that note and her +husband's absence?"--that was the haunting question with which her mind +was filled. "But how could there be?" she reasoned with herself. Sleep +was wooed again, but all in vain. Rising and getting a light, she opened +a drawer where Ralph kept some of his clothes. It was empty. Another +drawer was opened; it also was empty. Then she looked in the cupboard, +where his travelling-bag was kept; it was gone. + +She sat down to think: then, with startling suddenness, his words came +to her mind, "I cannot fit in to this humdrum life much longer." + +For the next hour it seemed as if she was utterly alone. It was +impossible even to think. She was fast becoming petrified, her very +blood was freezing, when her baby woke up crying--and that cry saved +her! She picked the baby up and strained it passionately to her, the hot +tears raining on its little head. The child soon nestled to sleep again +in its mother's arms; and then, still grasping her little one, she knelt +down to pray. "O Jesus, take care of Ralph! O Jesus, take care of me and +my little ones!" That was all she could say. After a moment or so of +waiting, as though listening for the answer, she prayed again, and then +came the sweet feeling of God's arms being round her, and she said, in a +whisper to herself, "He will! He will!" + +She had been out in a dark wild storm, but had found the hiding-place. + +The next morning, while sending off some telegrams to places where she +thought she could make inquiries without causing alarm, her sister +called at the chemist's next door for some medicine for her father, and +seeing Bessie just near the parlour-door, thought she would have it out +with her. + +"Ah! I have found you out this time, young lady." + +"I don't know what you mean." + +"What has she been up to now?" asked her mother, who happened to be +near. + +"Oh, nothing to be cross about," she hurried to explain, fearing lest +she should get the girl into trouble. "Indeed, it was a little act of +kindness she did." + +"I really don't know what you mean," said Bessie. "I know I've been up +to no tricks, for I've been as good this last week as they're made. It's +almost been the death of me, I've been so--" + +"But what about that note you sent my sister yesterday?" + +"Never sent her one." + +"Never sent her one!" + +"No, never wrote her, nor saw her all yesterday." + +"Well, that is very strange." + +"What note was it?" asked Mrs. Marchant. + +"A note saying her sister wanted very much to see her. Of course I did; +I always do, so it was not untrue; but I did not send it. We thought +Bessie sent it as a kind little plan to get her out a bit." + +"No, I know nothing about it." + +Just then Janie came in on an errand, and seeing her mistress's sister, +came up hurriedly to her, saying, "Please come in; mistress is looking +so bad, and master's not been home all night." + +"There!" exclaimed Bessie, as Phebe's sister hurried away, "you may +depend that handsome man next door sent that note himself." + +"Why should you think that? You are so quick to judge people, and think +yourself so mighty clever over it," said Mrs. Marchant. + +Instead of the usual saucy answer, Bessie was silent. Was she learning +the same lesson Phebe had been learning? + + + + +CHAPTER V + +WILL GOD ANSWER? + + +Miss Lizzie Lawson soon found that the trouble which had befallen her +sister Phebe was one which, at least for a time, could not be talked +about. + +"What is the matter with you, Phebe?" she asked anxiously, as she caught +sight of the weary-looking face. + +"I have had a very bad night." + +"Where is Ralph?" + +"I do not know." Then suddenly throwing her arms round her sister's neck +and kissing her, Phebe said, "Lizzie, dear, I'll tell you all in a day +or two, but I cannot now. You'll trust me, won't you? And do not say +anything to father." + +"God bless and help you, Sis, darling." + +Of course the only conclusion the sister could come to was that husband +and wife had quarrelled. "He will soon get over his sulks and come +back," she said to herself. + +All that day Phebe watched minute by minute for postman or telegraph +boy, but no message came. Even the shopmen went about on tip-toe, +feeling that something strange was in the atmosphere, but the white set +face of the mistress kept them from asking any questions. + +Sharp-witted Bessie for once was at a loss to know what to do. Should +she show any sympathy? Should she go in, or stay away? Should she seem +to know nothing, or all? These were the questions she weighed over and +over. At last this little note was sent: + + "DEAR MRS. WARING, + + "Please ask me to come in to tea, or I shall go perfectly blue and + never get a right colour again. + + "NEIGHBOUR BESSIE." + +Just a wee bit of a smile crept into Phebe's face as she read it, and +the thought came, "What would she do if she had troubles like mine to +face?" + +Bessie's blueness seemed to have quite vanished by tea-time. During the +meal she kept up a lively chatter, and Phebe came to the conclusion that +Bessie was not aware that anything unusual had happened. I don't know if +Bessie had ever read that the way to cheer people who are down is not by +bidding them count the blessings still remaining, for they are sure to +sink still lower if you do that, but by counting up to them the +blessings they have conferred on others. It has certainly a wonderful +effect; and that was just what Bessie did. + +After she had helped Janie to clear the table she sat down for a minute +or two on the rug at Phebe's feet, and then said, "When I began to write +you that cheeky little note this morning I wanted to say something--I've +wanted to say something for weeks, but don't know how." + +"Just tell me straight out," said Phebe gently, stroking her tangled +hair, thinking it was some confession she wanted to make or to ask +advice how to get out of a scrape. + +"It's only that I wanted to tell you how much I love you and what a help +you have been to me. Do you remember telling me that story Jesus told +about the woman who would have her way, and how it taught us how to +pray? Well, last night, for the first time in my life, I really prayed. +I felt quite sure Jesus was listening. Things have been so different +since you have been here. I never had anybody to talk to as I can to +you; you understand me, and don't scold me." + +"But I think I often scold you." + +"Bless you, that's not scolding." + +Phebe bent down and kissed her, saying in a low voice, "God bless you, +Bessie, darling. I cannot tell you how your words have comforted me, +just as though an angel had helped you to say them. Perhaps some day you +will understand what I mean." Bessie thought she understood even now, +but did not say so. + +"And I may love you just as much as ever I like, may I not?" + +"Of course you may, there is room in my life for a lot of love," and +Phebe had suddenly to rise and go into the shop, but Bessie knew it was +only that she might not see her tears. + +Next morning came, still no message. The day passed to Phebe as the +previous one had done--she had been ever on the watch, a feeling of dumb +despair taking possession of her. In the evening she had a visitor; no +other than Stephen Collins, who asked if he might see her alone. + +After the first greetings were over there was an awkward silence, and +then Stephen said, "Mrs. Waring, you are in trouble. I cannot tell you +exactly now how I know, but will you not as an old friend confide in +me?" + +No answer. Poor Phebe could not think what to say; she could only look +up into his kind face and as suddenly let her glance fall again to hide +her tears. + +But the look gave Stephen courage to go on. "Ralph has left you, has he +not? Did he leave no message behind?" + +"I can find none," she replied frankly, "and I have searched +everywhere." Quite unconsciously she thus for the first time revealed +the secret trouble which was so crushing her. + +"Do not think me rude or interfering, dear Mrs. Waring" (how the name +seemed to choke him!), "but are you left in difficulties?" + +"I don't think so--besides, he will come back soon. But why do you ask? +Have you any reason?" + +"I am afraid people will think it is business difficulties that have +made him go." + +"But the business is prospering." + +"Still you need some capital to go on with." + +"The business, I am sure, is all right, besides if I were pressed I have +a little of my own." That morning she had found the key of Ralph's desk +in her pocket. It had startled her at the time, for Ralph must have +placed it there; and now, taking it from her pocket, she rose, went to +the high desk standing in the corner, and unlocking it produced the bank +book. She opened it quickly, took one glance and then closed it with a +sob. Ralph had drawn the whole of the money out as recently as the +previous Monday. She put the book from her with a shudder; it was like +the death certificate of her husband's honour. + +A paper had fallen out of the desk, and mechanically she stooped to pick +it up, praying as she did so for strength to appear calm. + +Stephen was watching her closely, a struggle going on in his own heart +too. + +"Is the account all right?" he asked. + +"No," then another sob. Oh, for strength! Why could she not make herself +be calm? She looked at the paper in her hand, and more because she +thought it might give her time to master her feelings than for anything +else, she said, "Can you tell me what all these figures are about?" + +Stephen took the paper and looked at it for a long time and then said, +in a strained voice, "It is a statement Ralph has drawn out showing +exactly how the business stands, with a list of all debtors and +creditors. If you could get most of the debts in you would still need +three hundred pounds to keep affairs going." + +"I cannot tell how it is; everything is so dark." + +"But if you will let me help you," he pleaded, "all will come right. I +can easily lend you what you need." + +For an instant, like a vision, there came to her a feeling of +restfulness, and she looked up to his face, bending over her, with eager +trustfulness. What a safe strong arm his would be to lean on! But +instantly she put the temptation from her; it would not be right to +accept his help remembering what Mrs. Colston had said, and the sweet +light which had arisen went suddenly out, leaving the darkness deeper +than before. + +"No," she said firmly, "I cannot accept your help." + +"But what will you do?" + +"I cannot tell, but in some way God will help me. And surely Ralph will +come back soon!" + +"I do not think so." + +"Why?" It was Stephen's turn to be silent this time; how could he tell +her all he knew? How could he explain how evident it was that Ralph had +drained all the money he possibly could from the business? + +"Do you know where Ralph is?" she asked suddenly. + +"No, I do not." + +After another pause Stephen said, "Perhaps I had better leave you now. +When you have had time to think things over, you will trust me more." + +A minute ago she would have urged it was not for want of trust, but now +her mind, all so confused, could not rid itself of the idea that he knew +something about Ralph which he had not told her. When he had gone the +idea gave rise to two questions, "What had first made Stephen think +Ralph had left her when not even Bessie knew how he had gone away?" and +"What had given him the idea Ralph had left her in difficulties when the +success of the business had been so widely talked about?" But though she +asked the questions over and over again, no answer would come. "Could +Stephen have had any share in persuading Ralph to go away? had he +tempted him away?" But the remembrance of the tender, true face made +such thoughts seem wicked. + +Going to the desk for the paper which Stephen had replaced there she +took it out to study it for herself, and with it, lying just beneath, +she drew out a folded paper, and opening it found it to be--a letter +from Ralph! How had it got there? Had Stephen placed it there?--but she +was in too much of a hurry to read it to pause to reply. + + "MY DEAR WIFE, + + "I know this letter will pain you, it cannot help but do so, and for + this I am very sorry. I would not willingly grieve you, but it all + arises from the painful fact that you have always failed to + understand me. You know that for a long time I have had a great + desire for a larger sphere. You thought this was because my love to + God had grown cold and the love of the world crept into my heart. I + assured you this was not so, but that it was only a leading into + other service. If I can make money and devote it to God's work, am I + not still one of God's servants? I am now with my face set towards a + foreign land, where I hope to win a fortune. I feel no remorse at + the step I have taken, since I asked you to agree to emigrate and + you would not. I know you will get on pretty well without me, + because, if you fail in the business you can return to your father. + The sale of the business will cover all liabilities and more. I + shall let you know from time to time how I get on: it will always + be a great pleasure to report progress to you. Never doubt but that + all I make, which I do not return to God, I shall hasten home with + one day to lay at your feet. Tell my dear children their father + heard a call like Abraham did, and has gone out to seek a name and + a fortune to enrich them with. I know I have no need to assure you + that I shall always remain, + + "Your own faithful, loving husband, + + "RALPH WARING." + + "P.S.--I did not say 'good-bye' to you for fear you should succeed + in persuading me to stay with you. Some day soon, I will send you an + address where you can write to, as I shall be anxious to hear how + you are getting on." + +It was strange, but the reading of that letter gave her the calm she had +been struggling to obtain. After reading it a second time, she went out +into the garden, named in the summer-time "Sunshine Patch." How long ago +that seemed! Where was the sunshine now? But the stars shone down on it +if the sun did not, and it was refreshing to feel the cool breezes on +her face, and to be alone under the pitying skies. + +Now that she had read this letter a burden of uncertainty had gone; she +knew now something of what she had to face. + +Surely Stephen had not been the bearer of that open letter; it must have +been in the desk before! But the very doubt about it made it more easy +to resist Stephen's offer. + +It was impossible for her to return to her father; how could she burden +him with herself and two children when even now he could only just +manage comfortably? But how could she get the three hundred pounds +Stephen said she would need? She had no earthly friend she could go to +and had nothing she could sell or mortgage. But, ah, there was always +one source of help she could go to! There was one way still open--the +upward way! Sitting down in the desolate little arbour, she buried her +face in her hands and prayed, "Dear Lord, I have no one to help me but +Thee. Please open up my way! Show me how I can continue the business. +Give me also business ability. Show me my way very clearly. I know Thou +art listening to me. I feel sure of it, just as Bessie did. And now I +am going to carefully watch for the sign that Thou art going to help me. +Oh, strengthen me; I feel so lonely!" A flood of tears came, but she +could let them flow unhindered now. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE DARKNESS DEEPENS + + +Early the next morning, as soon as the shutters were down, Phebe was in +the shop taking a general look round, and examining the stock. With the +help of Reynolds, the shopman who gave her the roses, she got a very +good grasp of the state of things. "The stock is very low indeed," said +Reynolds; "some things we are out of altogether. It's not my fault, for +I told master a fortnight ago, and again last week, but he took no +notice--said it was not my business." + +[Illustration: "PHEBE WAS IN THE SHOP TAKING A GENERAL LOOK ROUND."] + +Phebe only replied, "We must see to these things as soon as possible; +thank you for helping me," and then went in to breakfast. + +She had got a clear view of the situation as far as the business was +concerned, but all else was in a mist. When she tried to analyse her own +feelings with regard to Ralph's conduct, what exactly it was that had +prompted him to such a course, how it would appear to outsiders, what +steps she was to take to secure capital to work the business, all seemed +chaos. + +Breakfast over, she picked up a little Revised Bible from her +book-corner, and went out into the arbour for a few minutes' quiet, +hoping she might gain a little light. She had only just bought this +Revised Bible, indeed it had not been out long. Opening it at random, +her eyes fell on these words, from the prayer of Asa, "We rely on Thee." +A feeling of awe crept over her. Surely an angel must have opened the +Book! The sign she had prayed for last night had come. Scanning the page +to find out all the story, the leaf was turned over, and then she caught +sight of this description: "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro +throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in the behalf of them +whose heart is perfect towards Him." + +"I must pray for the perfect heart," she said to herself, "and I shall +just rely on God, and I am now going to watch how He will show Himself +strong for me. I feel sure He will, for He knows I am relying on Him." + +But the angel's work was not over yet. Just then there dropped out of +the Bible a little New Year's card which she had never carefully read as +yet. Picking it up she looked at it in an absent sort of way, and then +feeling that it was in some way specially meant for her she read: + + + "An inner light, an inner calm, + Have they who trust God's mighty arm, + And hearing, do His will." + + "For He hath said, 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.' + I took it as His word of honour."--David Livingstone. + +"And so will I," she said fervently. Just then there was a call from the +shop, and all at once, with hardly a moment's warning, she went from the +golden gate to the busy mart. + +A commercial traveller was waiting to see her, presenting an account for +twenty-five pounds. + +With all a woman's wits about her she stood where her face was in the +shadow. "I am sorry that Mr. Waring is not at home," she answered, "he +is out of town. Can the account stand over till your next visit?" Her +voice was quite steady. The traveller looked fixedly at her, but was +quite unrewarded for his trouble, through her face being in the shadow. +She however saw his uncertainty, but he answered suavely, "Certainly, +madam, Mr. Waring's credit has always been good." Then added, after +another moment's reflection, "Can I have another order to-day? I have +some very cheap lines." + +Turning to Reynolds, she said, "You know better than I do what we are +wanting; just make a list of what we usually have from this gentleman's +firm," and she stood quietly by while this was done. + +"I hope Mr. Waring is well," remarked the traveller. + +"He was quite well when he left home." + +"I hope I shall have the pleasure of meeting him the next time I call." + +"I hope so, but, if possible, your cheque shall be sent on before then." + +When he had gone she said to the shopman, "Reynolds, I think I can trust +you." The man nodded; he wanted to say "Yes," but could not for a lump +in his throat. "I do not know where Mr. Waring is, except that he has +gone abroad. If anybody asks you where he is, you had better say frankly +you do not know." It was hard work to keep the voice steady. + +"Mrs. Waring," said Reynolds, huskily, "I'll stand by you to the best of +my ability," and he put out his hand, which she took in both of hers. + +"I feel sure you will," she said with a choking sob. + +The thought which was uppermost in her mind that day was how she could +explain her position to any one. Some report must be given to the +outside world--what should that report be?--what could it be? If she did +not give one the world would soon make one. She determined to go that +evening and seek her sister's advice. + +The first thing on arriving at the old home was to show her sister +Ralph's letter. They were alone in the sister's bedroom. After it had +been read twice over the sister threw her arms round Phebe's neck, +exclaiming, "You poor child! you poor child!" and then they sobbed +together as they had never done since the time when they were first +motherless. + +"What am I to do? What am I to tell people?" asked the deserted young +wife. + +"I don't know; I must think," was the sister's answer, who was usually +so clearbrained. "Will you come home to live? I wish you would. Father +wouldn't object to it if I coax him." + +"No, I am not coming to be a burden on him. I must work for the +children. But, oh, Lizzie, you don't know all. He has left me deeply in +debt, and taken all my own money, and the stock is so low. But don't +tell father!" + +"Left you in debt!--the rascal!" + +"No, no, don't say that; he asked me to go with him two months ago, and +I would not consent. So you see it's partly my own fault. But I never +thought he would go without me." + +"Well, you will just have to tell anybody that asks that he has gone to +start a business abroad, and that you may be joining him later. It will +be best to be straight about it." + +"If he sent for me, should I have to go?" + +"I expect you would. You had better tell father all about it, or he +will be dreadfully angry if he hears of it from anybody else." + +The old father was sitting by the fire reading his paper. He was good at +heart, and thought no end of his "girls," but he had always considered +it would never do to let them know this, that it was a parent's duty to +do a certain amount of scolding. + +"How's Ralph?" was his first question. "He's not been to see me for an +age." + +"He was quite well when I saw him last." + +"Saw him last? Why, is he away from home?" + +"Yes." + +"Where has he gone?" + +"Abroad," in a very low voice. + +"What did you say?" wheeling his chair round towards her in quite a +fierce way. "Why can't you speak out properly?" + +"Ralph has gone abroad." + +"Gone abroad! Whatever for?" + +"To start a business, I suppose." + +"Well, you do astonish me. I think he might have come up to bid me +'good-bye,' that I do. And what part has he gone to?" + +"To Australia, I think." + +"You 'think'! Really, Phebe, you are most exasperating. What are you +keeping back?" + +"Look here, father," put in Lizzie, "it is like this: Ralph wanted Phebe +to go to Australia and she objected. She didn't want to leave you, for +one thing, so he's gone without her, and the worst of it is, he did not +tell her he was going." + +"Didn't want to leave _me_! that's all fiddle-sticks. She ought to have +gone with him. It serves her just right he has left her. Look here, +Phebe," putting his hand sharply on her knee, "I consider you have +brought disgrace upon me. A wife's place is by her husband's side. A +nice talk the town will make of it." + +"Father! father!" exclaimed Lizzie, "do not be so hard on Phebe. You +know very well you wouldn't let anybody else say a word against her. Of +course it is the way of the world to put all the blame upon the woman, +but it is rather hard if her own friends do not stand up for her." + +"If she had got any fault to find with Ralph she should have come up and +told me all about it." + +"What! get a wife to tell tales about her husband!" + +"Well, it is no good talking anything more about it at present. It came +so suddenly upon me. It's a good thing, Phebe, my girl, he's left the +business behind him, he couldn't take that with him very well. Of course +he could have sold it, but then if he had done so the cat would have +been out of the bag. You must just tackle things with a brave hand." + +"Yes, I mean to do so, father," was all Phebe could manage to say. + +Presently she bade him "good-bye" in her usual manner, though her heart +was very full. + +It was getting late, and there was a lonely bit of road to traverse, but +the two sisters lingered at the garden gate, each loth to part from the +other. + +"You said, Phebe, darling," the elder sister whispered, "your stock was +low and there were debts. What are you going to do for money?" + +"I do not know. But I feel sure God will help me in some way or other. I +am relying on Him." + +"Bless you! you were always a good girl. I wish I had your faith." + +"Don't say that, for you don't know how often my faith fails me. I am +often ashamed of myself. But I feel sure the business will go on right +enough." Just now the monetary difficulty seemed a very small one +compared with the fresh shadow which had just fallen on her. + +"Well, look here, dearie, let me help you. Take my money and put it in +the business. You know how welcome you are to it. And if I never have it +back, it will not matter; I should not make any trouble of it." + +"You are good, but you know father would not like that, and we should be +obliged to tell him;" then she added, as her sister was about to +remonstrate, "I'll tell you what I'll do: if no other way is shown me, I +will accept your loving offer." + +"That's right, darling. And now good-night, and may God bless and +comfort you." + +All the way home her sister's words kept ringing in her ears, "It is the +way of the world to put all the blame upon the woman." She had thought +the world would wonder, and would doubtless pity her, but it had never +dawned upon her before that the world might throw the blame of the +present position upon her. Considering how she had suffered and +patiently endured it was a bitter, galling thought. And how could she +overcome it? how could she vindicate herself in the eyes of the world? +What a stain would rest on the lives of her children! She had thought it +would be a hard battle to shield them from poverty. Now she had in some +way or other to fight a still harder battle--to shield them from +dishonour. + +Did Stephen Collins think she was to blame? He surely could not have +done so, or he would not have looked so pityingly at her. + +Neighbour Bessie was waiting when she arrived home. "I am so glad you +have come," exclaimed the impetuous girl; "you have just saved me from +such a sad fate." + +"Whatever do you mean?" and Phebe, in spite of her heartache, was +obliged to smile at Bessie's dramatic attitude. + +"Mother thinks I am soundly asleep under the blankets by now. But how +could I sleep without one sight of you?--haven't caught a glimpse of you +all day. Mother will lock the door at ten o'clock, and if I am not in +before then I shall have to sleep on the clothes line in the back yard. +It is all up ready." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE LAME SHEPHERD + + +Late the next evening Stephen Collins called on Phebe again, still +hoping his offer of help would be accepted. + +They were alone together in the back parlour. "I do hope, Mrs. Waring, +you will not think me too interfering, but for old friendship's sake I +could not keep from coming. It grieves me so to think you are placed as +you are and that you will not allow me to help you." He looked her +steadily in the face, and she returned his gaze long enough to be quite +sure he was not one of those who condemned her. Yet, in spite of that, +her woman's heart craved for the assurance of word as well as look. + +"But why should you trouble, Mr. Collins? There are plenty of people who +will say it serves me right, and that I must have been to blame"--the +words seemed as if they would not come--"that I was not--that it was not +an easy thing to live with me--to get on with me." + +Stephen Collins rose from his chair with an impetuous movement, and went +and stood by the fire with his elbow on the mantelpiece. "Of course," he +exclaimed, "the world will talk, but any one who knows you would fling +back that accusation as a lie!" + +They wore both silent for a minute. Phebe was feeling a relief and +gladness no words she could think of would match. At last she said: "It +makes a difference, too, if it is known that I could have gone with him +if I had chosen. Ralph spoke to me about going two months ago." + +"It would have been very difficult for Ralph to have taken you and the +children with him, seeing he had no home prepared to take you to." + +"Yes, that is so; but still he wanted us to go." + +Stephen was looking intently into the fire, evidently weighing some +thought over. + +"Perhaps I had better tell you, Ralph secured his berth to Sydney three +months ago." + +"One berth?" + +"Yes." + +"May I ask how you know?" + +"I made inquiries, as I thought it would rest your mind to know exactly +where he had gone." + +"And you think----" began Phebe. + +"I think," interrupted Stephen, anxious to save her all the pain he +could, "that it was not his intention to take you with him." Only God +knew what it cost that man to say those words; it seemed to him that he +was giving this crushed woman an extra stab, but it was only to save her +all he could of future pain. He wanted to keep her from building on the +hope that her husband would send for her, for he believed in his heart +that Ralph was only too glad to be relieved from the responsibility of +providing for wife and children. + +"Perhaps it was much better he should go with a free hand," was all +Phebe said. She wanted very much to ask Stephen to tell her all he knew, +all he thought, but dared not do so; something held her back--something +which told her there was a wound in that man's heart she might not touch +nor look upon. + +"He will send for me some day," she said, after another pause; but still +Stephen did not answer. It was such a hard struggle to keep himself well +in hand--so hard to keep from cursing the man who had stolen his love +from him, and who, because she had not brought him the dowry he had +hoped for, had basely deserted her! + +Phebe thought he was busy turning over ways and means as to how she was +to run the business; instead of that he was praying for strength and +calmness. + +She got up from her seat and, standing by him, put her hand on his arm +and said gently, "Stephen!"--that was how she used to call him--"you +must not trouble about me. I shall battle through all right. God will +help me. See these beautiful words I came across yesterday," and she +picked up the Bible and read the words over again. + +He took the Bible and looked at the page, but the words were all in a +mist. "There is not the slightest doubt but that He will help you," he +managed to say. + +"My heart is not perfect," she continued, "but He knows I want it to +be." + +"But don't forget, Phebe--Mrs. Waring," he said, turning towards her, as +they both stood facing the fire, "that God works through human +agents--very often does so." + +"I know He does," she replied, "and I think He prompted my sister last +night to offer me the use of her money. I would have said 'Yes' at once, +only I know it would vex father. Still, if no other way opens I shall +accept her kind offer. So you see things will shape themselves--no, be +shapened--all right. Reynolds is such a good 'stay-by' for me, and a +commercial this morning let me order a lot of things, although I could +not pay his account." + +"Oh, yes," he answered; "I know very well you will be a downright +successful woman of business. Only, you know," with a smile, "I wanted +to have a share in the success!" + +"And so you will have," she exclaimed. "Do you think it can ever go for +nothing to have a friend like you--some one who believes in me?" + +He took her hand in both of his, and, in a voice full of emotion, said: +"Phebe, you were always wise and far-sighted--that was why you always +won in the games we played together. Your plan is the wise one. It would +not do for us to be in any way connected--not even in business matters. +But promise me if ever you should want my help you will send for me!" + +"I promise," she said, in a low voice; and then they parted: he to go +right out, apparently, from her life for years; and yet, though she was +long in learning it, never a week passed by but in some way or other his +life touched hers. + +After he had gone it came upon the lonely woman with overwhelming force +the sense of what she had lost, but with a bravery only a pure heart +could know she put the thought of it from her and turned resolutely to +her ledgers. + +Stephen Collins' way home led past Mrs. Colston's cottage. It was the +desire for a little bit of human sympathy which led him to knock at her +door. He could not unburden his heart to his mother--not that she would +be unable or unwilling to understand and comfort, but because he was too +chivalrous to burden her with any fresh trouble. He hardly realised it +was sympathy he was wanting. Perhaps he might have resented such an idea +if it had been presented to him in words, feeling that such a sorrow as +his was too sacred for human sympathy; but at least there was the desire +to talk over some of it with somebody, and to feel the nearness of +sympathy. It surely was this same desire which bade Jesus so earnestly +to request the three disciples to watch with him under the shadow of the +olives! + +Mrs. Colston was busy at her work as usual. A big lad was turning the +handle of the mangle, but she sent him home when she saw who her visitor +was. Work at once entirely ceased, and the two sat together by the fire, +each strangely silent. Mrs. Colston seemed to feel that there was +something on his mind which he wished to unburden to her, but knew no +way in which she could help him to begin. At last she hit upon an idea. + +"I don't suppose, Mr. Collins, you have had your supper," she exclaimed, +rising from her chair with a kind of jump. "The idea of me not thinking +of that before! and I've got the loveliest pork pie you ever tasted," +and in a few minutes there was the refreshing fragrance of coffee in the +room and a dainty supper laid on the little round table. Mrs. Colston +had always a strong belief in keeping the body well nourished because of +its great influence on the mind and heart. "So had the Lord Jesus," she +often used to say; "don't you remember how He gave the plain hint to +those parents that the girl would need food, and to the disciples about +the crowd! And it was just lovely what He said to those fishermen on +that early morning when they were cold and wet: 'Come and have something +to eat.' Why, when the Lord wanted to give us a bright bit about Heaven +He had to bring in a supper party." + +For all that, Stephen did not eat much, though there is no doubt the +fact of a meal being about does help conversation, and to a certain +extent raises the spirits. + +At last Stephen got near the secret of his visit. "Mrs. Colston"--his +face was turned towards the fire--"suppose a shepherd out walking, who +had become lame--could only walk on crutches--should come across on a +dark night a lost lamb--a lamb he had loved dearly. What could he do? If +he put the crutches down he could not carry it to its home? If you met a +man like that what would you tell him to do?" + +"I should tell him to speak a few love-words to the lamb, and then hurry +away to the nearest cottage and ask the man there to return with him to +the lamb and get the man to carry it home." The answer was given +straight off, with all a woman's ready tact. + +"And if he came to your house?" Stephen turned towards her eagerly. + +"I might not be able to carry the lamb," she said, with a little laugh, +"but I would certainly help the poor man all I could, and, at least, I'd +try to carry it." Then she added: "Mr. Collins, you are the shepherd; +but I don't know who the lamb is. Tell me all about it. I know you trust +me or you wouldn't have come to me; and you know I'll do all I can for +you." + +"I know you will," and for the second time that evening he stretched out +his hand to grasp another in a close grip. "The lamb is not on any +hillside, but in a back parlour." + +"Whose parlour?" + +"A draper's." + +"You don't mean to say it's my Miss Phebe?" bending anxiously towards +him, trying to read all she could from his face. + +"Yes." + +"Is she ill?--I must go to her at once." + +"Not ill in body, but heartsick, and in monetary difficulties." + +"Oh, dear, dear, what can have caused it all? And me not to know a word +of it!" + +"She has told no one but her father and sister. I got to know of it in +another way; but do not ask me how--some day I may tell you, but not +now." + +"Where is her husband?" + +"On his way to Australia." + +"Poor lamb! poor stricken lamb!"--the tears would not keep back, and +something like a sob came from Stephen as he rose to his feet to go. + +"Stay, stay," said Mrs. Colston, putting a detaining hand upon him, "the +shepherd would be sure to give some particulars as to the lamb's +whereabouts and what help it needed. Tell me how it is she is in +difficulties about money, and what you would advise her to do." + +"You can guess how it is she is in difficulties; the worst reason you +can think of will be the right one. What I want her to do is to accept +my help, but that she refuses to do. If no other way opens up she will +accept her sister's help, but she is rather afraid that would anger her +father." + +"Yes, he has rather close ways. How much does she require?" + +"Three hundred pounds with care would set her upon her feet." + +In another five minutes the two had parted company outside in the +road--Stephen to go home to the lonely farmhouse; Mrs. Colston to go and +do shepherd-work. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +A TWOFOLD PARTNERSHIP + + +Mrs. Colston found Phebe seated at her books, where she had been ever +since Stephen had left. A brighter look came into her face when she saw +her old friend than had been there since Ralph's disappearance, but it +was the brightness of the rainbow, for in a minute or two she was seated +on a stool at Mrs. Colston's feet sobbing bitterly. + +"Poor lamb! You precious dear!" murmured the old friend, gently stroking +the brown bowed head and putting her arm lovingly round her neck. She +never sought to check the tears, knowing what a safety-valve they are. +And who can say tears are either weak or wicked, since "Jesus wept"? + +"I am so glad to see you; I did so want you to come, but did not like to +send for you," Phebe managed at length to say. + +"I came off the first minute I knew you were in trouble. I only wish I +had known before," and she put both arms round her then, and kissed +her--just like a mother would have done. + +"Stephen Collins told me, so I may as well tell you. Do you see these +hands?" spreading them out before her. "There's a good deal of strength +in them yet. No harm shall come near you that I can keep off. You're not +alone in the world, thank God; there's one friend who'll stand by you if +no one else does, and her name's Susan Colston!" + +Phebe looked up with quite a smiling face. "That does sound nice!" she +exclaimed. "You are a dear. I cannot tell you how lonely I have been +since Ralph went--just as if I were living in a desert; but such a load +seems gone now you have come." + +Then Phebe told her story. Sometimes the words would hardly come for a +choking sob; but at last it was spread out before her childhood's friend +in all its grim, unromantic baldness. + +When it was finished Mrs. Colston said: "Well, dearie, I'm not going to +say one word against Ralph; I hope I never shall. We will pray for him, +that is all: he must just be left to God's dealings." + +"But he could not have loved me, could he?" sighed Phebe. Mrs. Colston +wisely did not answer. Then Phebe spoke of her fresh trouble: "The world +will blame me, won't it? People will say I was a dreadful sort of woman +that Ralph could not live with." + +"I dare say they will, but what will that matter? Lots of people are +wrongly judged and wrongly punished. All this goes into the making of a +Christian. You know Job stood the trials of loss and bereavement, but he +could not stand the trial of the loss of his good name. It was then he +opened his mouth and used bad language. Up to that time he had blessed +the Lord--a pretty good difference. Suppose they do take away your good +name, the Lord will give it back to you again. Don't try to vindicate +yourself: you just leave all that to Him, and He'll make all come out +clear. People think it was the washing of those men's feet that showed +how humble Jesus was. I don't think so. I think it was when He 'made +Himself of no reputation'--just calmly let people take His character +away. Don't you see, Miss Phebe, dear, that your life is getting a +little bit more like the life of Jesus. Just a little step more, and, +like Paul, you'll glory in tribulation." + +"I'm afraid I'm a long way from doing that." + +"No doubt you think so. But there now, I'm afraid my tongue is going on +too fast. What I particularly want to know is how you are going to +manage this business?" + +"I think I can manage very well if I have a little more capital, and if +no other way opens up I can have my sister's money." + +"Will you let me ask a favour?" + +"Of course I will. You know that." + +"And won't be offended?" + +"How could I be?" + +"I want you to let me open the way for you. You have asked God to open +up the way for you, let God answer your prayer through me." + +"Do you mean it?" in great astonishment. + +"Yes. Perhaps you think a poor old mangle-woman could not have a +banking-account, but I have"--this with a pleasant ring of laughter. +"There now, what do you think of that? I've just got three hundred +pounds in the savings bank. Will that be enough?" + +_Three hundred pounds!_--just the amount Stephen said she would need. +Phebe stood speechless. + +"Say, dear, won't you?" repeated Mrs. Colston. + +"Why, of course I will; am only too delighted. It is the wonder of it +that made me quiet. You are good--so very good--and I'll see to it you +shall never lose the money," lifting up a face full of love-light. + +"You are not to trouble about that. If it is lost it is lost; I shall +not mind so long as we're partners. But there is something else I want +to ask you, and this you may not grant because it is asking so much." + +"I am sure you cannot ask anything I should not be only too happy to +grant." + +"If you are going to manage the business, who is going to look after the +housekeeping and the children? You cannot do all." + +"No, I cannot." Then after a pause: "God, who has helped me thus far so +wondrously, in such an unexpected way, will certainly make that clear +also." + +"So He will!" jubilantly exclaimed the dear old body. "So He will, only +He will let me do it for Him. It's just splendid to be on errands like +this!" + +"Whatever do you mean?" Phebe was bewildered. + +"I mean this: let me come and live with you and be your housekeeper and +nurse! I am tired of living alone, tired of my musical-box, and tired of +having no one to show bits of love to when I've a mind to. Will you let +me? I'll be so good if you will." + +"Let you! Why, it fairly takes away my breath. But I don't know if I +ought to let you. It is taking too much from you. You would have to give +up your own little home, and then there's the children----" + +"I know what you are going to say: that old folks don't want to be +bothered with children. Perhaps some don't, but what would my life be +worth now if I'd never had anything to do with children?" + +"Ah! but that was when you were younger." + +"I'm not old yet," drawing herself up with laughable dignity; "no, not +yet, thank you. But now to business. As far as you yourself are +concerned, have you any objection to my plan?" + +"None whatever, none. There's nothing you could have thought of that +would give me greater joy." + +"Then it's settled," and a kiss--no, it was more than one--sealed the +bargain. And then those two women involuntarily knelt down, and the +elder one in a quavering voice prayed: "Father, I have followed Your +directions, which You whispered to me as I came along the road to-night. +Miss Phebe and I love each other, we are going to help each other; do +bless us both. Let us feel just now You are blessing us." A pause. +"Thank You. The peace in our hearts is the token. We love each other. +Tighten with Your own hand, dear Father, the knot. From this moment may +this business prosper. May the business be altogether Yours. And bless +the two dear bairns. Help me to be another Hannah." + +When they rose from their feet Mrs. Colston said: "Before I go I must +just have a peep at my charges." + +"Of course you shall," said Phebe, beginning at once to lead the way. +"How I wish you were not going away from me to-night. I wish you could +stay right off." + +"I must go to-night, dearie; but I shall not be very long before I'm +back, bag and baggage. Janie won't mind me coming, I know." + +"She will be delighted." + +The two children were in Phebe's bedroom, Queenie in a little cot to +herself. They were both asleep. The sight of a sleeping infant always +suggests the thought of angels. It is not always the fear of waking a +sleeping child that makes the heaviest feet go on tip-toe, but the awe +which comes from the near presence of heavenly visitants. To be near a +sleeping child is to be near Heaven. + +Jack was a fair-haired, rosy-cheeked, chubby child. One little arm lay +under his head, and a smile seemed playing round his lips. He seemed +almost like a picture of sunshine asleep. Mrs. Colston stooped down and +kissed him--what woman could have helped doing so? She had once said she +believed Jesus kissed His disciples, because Mark used the words, "When +He had taken leave of them"--and Easterns took leave by kissing. + +Then she went to look at Queenie. Poor little Queenie! A dark-haired, +sad-faced darling. Mrs. Colston could hardly have explained how it was +she turned so quickly away from the little crib after ever such a +hurried kiss. Perhaps it was because she had seen a mark on the child. +Her father had been a forester, and often when out walking with him +along the forest pathways she had seen a mark on some of the trees and +knew by that sign they would soon be lying prostrate, stripped of all +their green grandeur. It was not so much of the child she was thinking +as of the child's mother. + +But when she reached the little parlour again, her face was as bright as +ever. "I want you," she said to Phebe, "to let me teach the children to +call me 'Nanna.' I had a friend once who was called 'Nanna.' Nothing +could make me more proud than to think I was a second 'Nanna.'" + +"On certain conditions," said Phebe. "You are having it all your own way +to-night. Now it is my turn." + +"What are they?" + +"That you call me Phebe, and that I call you 'Nanna,' too. I do so want +to be mothered, and no one can do it but you." The little speech began +with a laugh, but ended with something like a sob. How many there are +who want "mothering," and how many could do "mothering" if they chose! + +"That's another bargain." + +"May I come in?" It was Neighbour Bessie's voice. + +"Bessie comes in each night to bid me good-night," explained Phebe. "You +couldn't guess what good news I have to tell you," she continued, +turning to Bessie. + +"Not that----" stammered Bessie. + +"Nothing about Mr. Waring!" quickly put in Phebe; and then Bessie was +told the whole story. She was sitting on a little stool near the fire by +the side of Mrs. Colston. + +"I am downright glad for your sake, Mrs. Waring," she exclaimed +heartily. "It's just what you were wanting; but, oh dear," resting her +chin on her hands, "there's lots of good times a-going, but I'm never in +them." + +"Why, my dear child, you are always in them," exclaimed Mrs. Colston, +patting her head. + +"Well, I should like very much to know how you reckon that sum up." + +"I reckon it up out of the Bible. You are one of those who have a +continual feast." + +"A continual pickle, you should say, to be correct." + +"No, 'feast.' I know one riddle--and only one. Can you guess it? What is +the longest feast mentioned in the Bible?" + +"I know," answered Bessie, laughing, "because you've done as good as +tell it already: 'A merry heart is a continual feast.' But I haven't got +the merry heart, you see. Now, why couldn't it have been arranged for me +to be Mrs. Waring's partner?" + +"That I cannot tell. That's the Sunshine Patch meant for me. Your +Sunshine Patch is all round you already, only you are given to looking +too much over the fence." + + * * * * * + +Thus, without any pillar of cloud, or shining light, or glittering gems, +guidance came. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +A WOMAN'S WHIMS + + +It did not take Mrs. Colston long to sell up some of her furniture and +the goodwill of her mangle, and settle down in her new quarters and to +her new duties. By that time the three hundred pounds had not only been +drawn out, but used, partly in paying debts and partly in adding to +stock. On one point Phebe was very firm, and that was that a legal +document be drawn up acknowledging the loan and agreeing to pay interest +at five per cent. Not that Phebe considered that would cover all her +liability. "As I prosper--if I do prosper," she said to Mrs. Colston, +"you shall prosper too. We will be real partners." + +"I don't want any of that lawyer's writing. Your word is sufficient," +said Mrs. Colston. + +"That may be, but I might be taken away, or some one else might step +in," replied Phebe quietly. + +Mrs. Colston quickly saw what was in Phebe's mind, and wisely forbore +saying anything further. When Nanna had been duly installed, not only by +mistress Phebe and Janie but also by their majesties, Queenie and Jack, +Phebe took hold of the business reins in true-going style. + +The first thing was to institute several reforms. One class of goods +which had usually been sold under different prices received one fixed +price; charges to different customers were made uniform. + +Reynolds was shocked. + +"So-and-so," said he, "will think the things are common if you don't put +the price on." + +"Then shall we level up, instead of levelling down?" asked the shrewd +mistress. + +"Oh, dear, no; for Mrs. Dash will deal somewhere else if she doesn't +think she's having things extra cheap." + +"I cannot help all these little peculiarities," said Phebe. "I mean to +run this business on true, straight lines, whatever happens." + +Reynolds wanted to say something about it being a woman's whim, but +somehow or other the words would not come out. But a climax was reached +when he felt that to keep silence longer would be guilty; this was when +Phebe announced that in future the entire establishment would be closed +every Saturday evening at eight o'clock. + +"Mrs. Waring!" he exclaimed; "you have no idea what sacrifice you are +making. If it is your assistants you are considering, why not close +earlier on Wednesdays?" + +"I intend to do that as well," she replied graciously; "but I may as +well be frank with you and say it is _not_ out of consideration to my +assistants I am closing earlier on Saturdays." + +"Then why do it? I want the business to be a success, and I am sure you +do; but this plan, you will excuse me saying so, will be a dead loss. +Why, we take as much sometimes on a Saturday evening as we do all day on +Wednesday! And folks will say if we are so independent of their custom, +they'll see we do without it altogether." + +"Thank you most sincerely, Reynolds, for so unselfishly studying my +interests. But your reasoning is a little at fault," she added, with a +laugh. "If people think we can afford to be independent, that is the +very best advertisement we could have, for you know the old saying, +'Nothing succeeds like success.' But neither success nor non-success +weighs with me in this matter." + +"May I ask, then, what does?" asked Reynolds, feeling quite in a fog. +The question was put in a most respectful manner. + +The answer was given in one word, "God," and when it was spoken both +felt no inclination to pursue the subject further. But to Mrs. Colston, +Reynold's felt he might explode to his heart's content. + +"What's the good of trying to push things on, I should like to know? The +mistress, with all these new-fangled ideas, will just ruin the business. +What's God to do with a draper's shop, or a grocer's shop either?" + +"Keep cool, my dear boy, keep cool. If God's got nothing to do with +these shops then they'd better be closed." + +"Do you mean to say God troubles Himself about sugar and calico?" + +"Yes, I do, and with everything that goes on under this roof." + +"Well, I don't, then; but if even He does, what has shutting up early on +Saturday evenings to do with it?--that's what I want to know! I tell you +it's only a woman's whim"--and he felt ever so much better after that +expression had come out. + +"To give herself and her friends proper time to prepare for the +Sabbath." + +"But she's not a Jewess." + +Mrs. Colston could not keep from laughing. "The idea that only Jews want +preparation-time! Why, Reynolds, I'm ashamed of you. To think that a +grown-up Sunday School boy like you should be so dense! How can anybody +keep the Sabbath properly who is toiling up to midnight on Saturday? And +look how mean it seems, as though you said to the Lord, 'I'll take +precious good care You don't get five minutes more time than I can +help.' I tell you, Reynolds, your mistress won't lose a penny by +honouring God. You mark my words, God has said, 'Them that honour Me, I +will honour.' And if even she did lose some customers, she won't lose in +the end, I tell you. You watch, but don't take short views of things." + +"Well, you're a queer pair, that's all I can say." But it was not all +he thought. + +Phebe had received no business training whatever; even when a child a +book had more fascination for her than a pair of scales, and to dream +dreams was more in her line than playing at shop, or even dressing +dolls. But she was one of those women who, when they once realise what +the work is they are shut up to, quickly master all the details, and +with zest determine to become master of it. She saw plainly there was no +path before her but what led behind counters. For her children's sake, +and for God's sake, she determined to make the business "go"; the zeal +she put into it acted as balm to her wounded heart; her industry kept +away the feeling of desolation, giving her no time to brood over the +hardness of her lot. Indeed, the business was a "godsend," but for it +she might have sunk into a spiritless, listless life; instead of that, +faculties were developed in her that her nearest and dearest never +dreamed she possessed. Of course her father warned her against all +unwomanly ways, constantly reminding her that the duty of every member +of her sex was to be like a flower and "blush unseen"; but to others he +daily sung her praises. + +Reynolds by degrees became reconciled to her reforms, and after +watching the conflagration of a box of valuable feathers, doomed to +destruction on account of the cruelty by which they were obtained, he +decided that nothing which might happen in the future as to the conduct +of the business would ever surprise him. + +Away in Texas there is a little plant called the compass plant, and the +Indians, even in the night, can tell by feeling its leaves the direction +in which they are going. The top leaves, weighted by dew or dust, +sometimes lose their power to point in the right direction, but the +young leaves, standing edgewise to the earth, are always true, ever +pointing north and south. To Reynolds Phebe was as a compass plant by +which he learned to measure right and wrong, but, best of all, she +pointed him to God. Of all this she was unconscious, and it was better +so; but would she always point true? Would the world's dust ever cause +her to lose that charm? + +In spite of Reynolds' fears, all these reforms did not affect the +business adversely; there were some losses, but the gains outnumbered +them. A good many customers came out of curiosity, and gossip was pretty +rife in the town, but all the information they got was that Mr. Waring +had gone abroad with the idea of starting a business. Some even +questioned Phebe herself and Mrs. Colston, but gained no further +information. + +No other letter had been received from Ralph, but Stephen Collins sent a +note one day saying that the ship which Ralph had sailed in had safely +arrived after a pleasant journey, and all were well on board. Phebe +supposed Stephen had gathered this information from the newspapers, but +asked no questions. + +One day Reynolds startled his mistress by saying, "Don't you think we +might begin to enlarge our borders?" + +"What do you mean?--do you want us to take in a third shop?" + +"No; but a long time ago master spoke of starting a village trade, and I +don't see why we should not start it now." And then he went on to give +the names of some villages which were quite growing localities through +becoming small manufacturing centres, but where shops had not increased +accordingly. By canvassing these and lonely farmhouses which lay +between, he thought a good bit of business might be done. + +"It could not be done without a horse and cart, and I could not afford +to buy those just now," said Phebe, shaking her head. + +"I have thought of that, but Higgins, the laundry people, have a horse +and light van they use only three days a week; there's no doubt they +would be willing to let us hire them." + +"Perhaps so; the plan is worth thinking over; but what should I do here +while you were away? I should be obliged to engage another assistant." + +"Yes, you would; but I think you would find it pay." + +Phebe promised she would give the subject serious consideration--"and we +must both pray about it," she added. It took quite an effort to bring +the words out, but she wanted in every possible way to show Reynolds +that God was to be consulted in all business details. + +The very next day Phebe had a visit from a young man seeking a +situation. She liked his appearance very much, he had a frank expression +on his face which touched her heart, and, besides that, she knew his +mother very well and had a great respect for her. + +"Have you a reference from your last situation?" + +The young fellow's face darkened. "No, Mrs. Waring, I have not," he +answered. "If I tell you all my trouble, will you promise not to tell my +mother? It would break her heart if she knew all." + +"I promise," she replied. "Come into the parlour, and tell me all," and +the young fellow did so--how he had been tempted to speculate, how he +had used some of his master's money, and had been found out before he +had time to withdraw money from the Post Office Savings Bank to refund +it. "I have paid it all now," he added, "but the master said I need +never ask him for a character. If you will trust me, Mrs. Waring, I +promise you I will serve you faithfully. You shall never regret having +me. Oh, for my mother's sake, do give me a chance!" + +"Just wait a minute," and then she went to consult Mrs. Colston, whom +she had previously spoken to about Reynolds' suggestion. + +"Is this God's answer, Nanna? Or would it be unwise to engage a young +man who had made such a mistake? I feel strongly inclined to give him a +chance, if even we did not start a village trade." + +"I should take it as God's answer, dearie, you are to extend your trade. +And, bless me, why shouldn't you give the young fellow a chance? God +gives us plenty! But don't start him with a rope round his neck." + +"Whatever do you mean?" + +"Don't show any mistrust, that is all." Afterwards she said to herself, +"Reynolds would call that another 'whim' if he knew about it. She +wouldn't have engaged that young fellow as quickly as this before her +trouble came, not she; it's just wonderful how trouble softens the +heart. It's only them that's received mercy which show mercy." + +The young fellow's name was Jones--D. Jones--the "D." standing for +David. Neighbour Bessie came in just afterwards on what she called her +ginger-beer cork visits--a pop and go visit, and, of course, she was +told of the new "hand" and the new scheme--but no hint as to the young +man's past was given. + +"D. Jones," she exclaimed, clapping her hands, "makes me think of an old +man in America my aunt knew, who had once been a soldier; he was 'D. +Jones,' but you'd never guess what the 'D.' stood for, that you never +would, but it is what I shall call your Mr. Jones." + +"Well, tell us what it was, Miss Smarty, or I'll shake you," said Nanna, +trying to look fierce. + +"It's what I wish somebody would call me; it was 'Darling Jones.' It's a +fact; I'm not making it up. Isn't it lovely! Just fancy, if my name was +'Darling,' what a fix mother would be in! She couldn't scold me and call +me 'Darling' at the same time, now could she? Wouldn't it be rich to +hear her call out 'Darling, you are a wretched girl!' It would be +scrumptious, just!" + +"You're a naughty darling, that's what you are," said Mrs. Colston, +solemnly shaking her head. "It's a pity you can't put all your fun and +energy to some good purpose." + +"Well, I shall always call your Jones 'Darling,' you see if I don't." + +That same evening Reynolds was informed that the extension scheme was to +be tried at once. + +"And may I ask," in a very quiet voice, looking earnestly into Phebe's +face, "what led you to this decision?" + +"Yes, certainly. A young man came and asked me to give him employment. I +had not advertised, nor spoken of the matter to any one but Mrs. +Colston. I liked his manner very much. I took that as a guidance, and +have engaged him. I am sending to-night to printers to have circulars +prepared, and next week I will help you to get out samples. Perhaps you +would not mind seeing Mr. Higgins for me." + +"Well, well," said Reynolds to himself, "the idea that God had anything +to do with that young man coming here. We shall hear of angels serving +the customers next." + + + + +CHAPTER X + +A GATHERED FLOWER + + +The printed circulars were issued in Phebe's own name. Whether she had +the legal right to do this or not she did not know, but knew well enough +the moral right was hers. + +The very first trial of the new scheme showed that it would prove a +success. This was largely attributable to two things; first, to +Reynolds' "push": the scheme being largely his own he felt the +responsibility of it, and for his own credit's sake determined it should +"go"; the other thing was Phebe's good sense; the grocery department she +conducted from a housewife's standpoint, the drapery department from a +Christian woman's standpoint, and thus in both had a considerable +advantage over her husband. + +Fellow tradespeople marvelled that in the absence of the husband there +should be an extension of the business. Woman is supposed to be +conservative, yet at the same time it is acknowledged she quickly sees a +point and seizes it while the man is still thinking about it. Each +cannot be fully true. Love may make her at times conservative; but if +roused to devoted service she cannot be anything but progressive. + +But if sunlight was growing in the business department the shadows were +deepening in the home department. Sturdy little Jack had been elevated +to sleeping in the crib, while frail little Queenie nestled each night +to sleep in the mother's arms. Nanna could see that the child was a +fading flower, soon to be transplanted to a fairer region, but, strange +to say, the mother's eyes only saw the still brilliant tints of the +sweet blossom. Very early every morning the child would sit up and +stroke the mother's face till she wakened, such a glad light coming into +her eyes when she had succeeded. A little later on she did not attempt +to sit up, but stretched up her arms to her mother's face. Then came a +morning when the mother woke without the touch of the little fingers; +the child was awake, the love-light as usual in the soft, grey eyes, but +with not strength enough left to show its love in the old way. + +Then it was Phebe grew alarmed, and the doctor was sent for. But all +that human aid could do Nanna had already done. And then came a day when +even the shopmen stole about on tip-toe. (The Potter was about to put +His cup into the furnace again. There was high work designed for it, for +which it needed great preparation.) + +All day long Phebe sat by the fire nursing her dying child on her knee. + +The angels must have bent very closely round Mary of Nazareth as she +nursed her Babe; but surely they gather just as closely round a mother +whose child they are about to conduct to their King! + +There was still the love-light in the little one's eyes. Nanna was +standing at the window watching the sunlight fade from the sky; Phebe +was watching the light slowly fade from her child's eyes. + +The angels were bending still closer. + +For one moment the little hand was once more raised to stroke the loving +face bending over it. It was a last effort, and then the light was gone. + +The angels had gone. + +"It is time she had some more milk," said Nanna, coming near. + +"She is asleep," said Phebe, in a strained voice, "let her alone just +now," and quite hastily she put her arm over the child, drawing the +shawl partly over its face. + +Nanna did not feel she had the heart to press her point, and left the +room for a few minutes. On her return she said, "Phebe, dear, you must +wake Queenie, she must have her milk; it will never do to neglect any +effort. Let me have her for a few moments. I'll promise to wake her +gently," and she held out her arms beseechingly. + +Phebe's answer was to strain the little form passionately to her breast. + +"Come, come," said Nanna, more firmly, "let me take her." + +"To wake her?" asked Phebe, looking at her with wild eyes. + +"Yes, there's a dear. You will be quite worn out." + +"She will never wake again," wailed Phebe, and then tears came to her +relief, tears which in the first moments of her agony seemed to be +freezing her life's blood. + +"Phebe! Phebe! Why did you not tell me before? Did you know that she was +gone when I spoke to you before?" + +"Yes, but I could not let you have her, and I cannot let you have her +now." She rose to go upstairs, still carrying the little cold form. + +"But I must have her, Phebe, dear," said Nanna, planting herself firmly +in Phebe's way. + +"Surely, you will not take her from me yet! I cannot, oh, I cannot part +with her. It is so hard! Oh, so hard!" + +"It is hard just now, darling, I know. Sit down again, and let us look +at the sweet little face." Phebe did so. "And won't you really let me +have her at all?" Nanna continued; "surely, you will!" and Phebe, +pressing a passionate kiss on the cold brow, yielded, knowing that never +again in this life would she hold that little form in her arms. Was it +any wonder she was loth to part with it, when, however much her arms +might ache for it in the future, she could never again press it to her +heart! + +And then came days of darkness. Why had God allowed her child to be +taken? He could not have prevented her husband's desertion without +taking away his free will, but the child did not wish to leave her; why +did not God touch her with His healing hand? Was not her lot hard enough +without this last trial? Why did not God, to make up for the loss of +husband, allow the child to remain? Would not an earthly loving father +have done as much? These questionings would come, and her heart could +find no answers--yet. + +And Nanna, who knew all about them, never chided. She just waited, +knowing that ere long comfort _would_ come. "It was the sight of sorrow +such as yours that made Jesus shed tears," she said one day. "It fair +broke the blessed Lord down to see that woman Mary cry so, and to see +the trouble death brings." + +"Then you don't think He's cross with me for fretting so?" asked Phebe, +with some excitement. + +"Not a bit of it, dearie. He knows right well what a blow it has been to +you, and sympathises with you; rest on that." + +"That is a comfort, but then, Nanna, why did He not prevent it? He is +all-powerful, and could have prevented it if He had chosen!" It was the +old cry from a broken heart, "Why! Why!" + +"Because He wished for your child exactly the same as you do." She spoke +very emphatically. + +"What is that?" Phebe asked, eagerly. + +"The greatest good. Be sure of this, if it had been for the child's good +she would have stayed. God can judge so much better than we can what is +the best, so He decided she was to go. You do believe, don't you, +dearie, that God knows best?--He must do!" + +"Yes." But the voice had no ringing tone in it. + +"And there's another thing I want you to rest on, though you cannot work +it out yet in your own mind, but it's true, for all that, and it's this, +that God will make all this trouble work for good in your own life, +quite apart from dear little Queenie's, or, even for your sake, He would +not have permitted it." + +"I believe it all, Nanna, and yet it seems so hard to live out the +belief." + +"Yes, dearie, I know, but that's just because the trouble has kind of +stunned you. Just you wait awhile, and you will be able not only to rest +on the fact of God's wisdom and goodness, but _cheerfully_ to rest." + +"I wish I could!" + +How strange it is that there is never a wounded heart but there's +somebody close by to put in some extra drop of bitterness. A friend +called in one day with the express intention of showing sympathy, but +succeeded in doing just the opposite, by remarking she was sure it was +not the will of God any little child should die, and what a pity it was +we had not more faith. All this Phebe told to Nanna, and, for a wonder, +Nanna was near to exploding. + +"I do wish folk would have more sense! Why, it seems to me, some folks +think they know better than God Himself. If you had prayed, 'My child is +not going to die, my faith will keep her here,' wouldn't that have been +dictating to God! Then, think of all the holy men and women who have +died young! Do you think God allowed them to die before their time +simply because they didn't know they might have healing through faith! +Don't trouble your head about that. Why, God, perhaps, has some work up +yonder to do that only an innocent child-spirit like Queenie could do, +or He may have taken her to shield her from some evil. If your faith +could have saved that child you would have had the faith. God knew right +enough you didn't want to part with her." Then when the dear old soul +had taken breath, she started off again. "What is a sign? It's something +out of the ordinary way to teach you some special lesson. Well, Jesus +said the sick were to be cured by faith, as a sign, not as a rule. +Nobody can get over that, so there now," and off she went to give Jack +his supper. + +It was not long before Phebe herself realised at least one blessing +which had come into her life since the child's departure, and that was +the sense of the nearness of the spirit world. It seemed as if a line of +light connected her world with the beyond, and the line of light was the +pathway Queenie had trod. When she had lost her mother her grief was +great, but it was the grief of a child, her soul had not the conscious +power then to reach after her loved one as now she reached after her +child. + +The whole of her life seemed made up of strips of light and shade, and +just as this gleam from the golden land dawned upon her, the old +darkness seemed all to come back again. The following letter was +received from Ralph:-- + + "_Queen's Hotel, Adelaide._ + + "MY DEAR PHEBE, + + "I dare say you have been wondering what part of the globe I + have travelled to. This letter will set your mind at rest on + that score. I do not suppose I shall stay here long, but any + letters you send will be sure to be forwarded to me. I have + already found several friends here and have good prospects. No + doubt my sudden departure was a shock to you, but I did it out + of regard for you, and you must think of it in that way. And + you cannot say I did not leave you well provided for. The + goodwill of the business and the stock are worth a great deal. + You are in a much better position now than before you were + married. As soon as ever I am permanently settled we will + discuss future plans. Of course I miss you and the children + very much, and no doubt you miss me. This is a splendid + country, with room to breathe in. I only wish I had come years + ago. I mean to make my mark here; no more small pettifogging + ways for me. My friends tell me I am just the man to succeed + here. It is nice to be appreciated. + + "Write soon and tell me how you all are. + + "I am, + "Your affectionate husband, + "RALPH WARING." + +It was not long before Phebe noticed that though the letter was in a +foreign envelope, it had neither stamp nor postmark of any description. + +By what means the letter had reached her seemed too great a mystery for +her to attempt to unravel, so the thought of it was put right away, the +change in Ralph's affections being quite sufficient for her to cope with +just then. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +IS GOD GOOD? + + +During these dark days Neighbour Bessie was a constant visitor, and she +never came without seeking to bring some brightness, though mostly it +was in the form of fun. Sometimes it jarred on Phebe when she first came +in, but invariably Phebe was found enjoying the fun before Bessie left. + +Bessie was in high feather when Phebe told her in neighbourly confidence +that an old great-uncle, recently deceased, had left her the freehold of +a meadow at Edenholme, a place four miles from Hadley. + +"Do you mean to say you are a landed proprietress?" + +"Yes, if you care to put it in that grand style." + +"Of course I do--style is everything. But really to be serious, I should +like to see this estate of yours!" + +"Estate! Just one field, with one solitary donkey, perhaps, in it." + +"Well, let's make the dear donkey's acquaintance, anyhow. Could we not +drive there? Couldn't Darling Jones drive you and me, and let's have +half-a-day's holiday? Now, do, there's a dear! I'm sure I'm losing all +my complexion because I never get an outing." + +"I do wish you wouldn't call that young man by that foolish name. +Suppose he should overhear you?" + +"That would be perfectly lovely! He'd put his hand on his heart, and say +'Somebody loves me!'" and Bessie put herself in the supposed tragic +attitude. + +"You are a dreadful girl. Now, just for a punishment Reynolds shall +drive us." + +"Then you consent to go?" and Bessie's eagerness confirmed Phebe in her +suspicion that it was simply a ruse to get her out. + +However, the drive was taken and enjoyed. Instead of the donkey being +found in the meadow, there was a blind child groping about on hands and +knees for flowers and grasses. "Just look there!" exclaimed Bessie, +quite philosophically; "and yet with two eyes of quite the proper sort +and power, most of us miss heaps of flowers we might gather." + +The meadow was close by a small railway station soon to become an +important junction, a new line being under construction which would run +into it from quite an opposite direction. + +Reynolds drove them to the other side of the line, where some hundreds +of men were at work on a long tunnel. The curious little wooden houses +in which some of the men lived were inspected, and Phebe had quite a +long chat with one of the "gangers." + +On their return home Bessie informed Mrs. Colston that the "estate" had +some "park-like stretches," and was quite "a suitable site for a summer +holiday with the help of a tent." "But it is a shame," she went on, +"that it is not on the other side of the railway. Why, if that meadow +had only been near that tunnel the railway folks would have given ever +so much for it. Don't you think it is too bad?" + +"No, I don't." + +"You don't! Wouldn't you like Mrs. Waring to make an honest bit of +money?" + +"Of course I should. But if it would have been better for the meadow to +have been where you wished it, it would have been there, no doubt about +that." + +"Do you think, then, that whatever is, is best? But I don't see how you +can. I didn't have any breakfast this morning. Mother said I was in one +of my tantrums. Suppose I was; but I can tell you it wasn't the best +thing for me." + +"Perhaps it just was; but I cannot say positively about your affairs, +because I don't know that you come under the same list as mistress +does." + +"What list is that?" + +"The list of Christians. You know 'whatever is _is_ best' for them. +Perhaps it doesn't seem so at the first, but God makes it so sooner or +later." + +"He doesn't do so, then, for everybody?" + +"No, I don't think so; I can't see how they can expect Him to." + +"It's a bad look-out for me, then, Mrs. Colston," and the girl looked +her frankly in the face. "I often wish I were a Christian; but there, I +never shall be." + +"Why not, Bessie, dear? Tell me what is your difficulty." + +"I can't give up my nonsense and fun; it's no good, I couldn't be +serious like Mrs. Waring is for anything. And then," dropping her voice, +"mother would never believe I was trying to be good, no, not if I tried +like an archangel." + +"What your mother believes, or doesn't believe, shouldn't come into the +question, dear. It's the Lord's opinion of us we've got to trouble +about. But you make a great mistake if you think you've got to give up +fun, so long as it's innocent fun. Why, I believe God is often +disappointed in His children because they're such a long-faced, sour +lot; I do indeed." + +But just then Mrs. Marchant sent in a message that Bessie was wanted at +once. + +That same evening Phebe was called into the grocery department to see a +woman who particularly wished to speak to her. She was a very +forlorn-looking being, and seeing the marks of tears upon her face Phebe +invited her into the parlour, placing a chair for her by the fire, for +the evening was chilly. + +"I've come to ask you, Mrs. Waring, if you will come and see my husband. +I do believe he is dying." + +"But why do you want me to see him?" Phebe was feeling very bewildered. +"Why not get a doctor? I'm not even a nurse." + +"Oh, it's not that. I've got a doctor for him; he wants to talk to you. +It's him that sent me to ask you." + +"But why does he want to see me?" + +"I asked him if I should get anybody to come and pray to him, and he +said as how he didn't want no parsons a-bothering of him, but he would +like Mrs. Waring to come, for," in quite a whisper, "he's mortal afeared +of dying." + +"He wants me to come in place of a minister?" said Phebe with a gasp. +"How does he know me? How did he come to ask for me?" + +"Why, you know he used to go a good deal to 'The Rose in June,' and they +was a-talking about you there one night--he told me so when he came +home--as how you shut your shops early on Saturday 'cause you were +particular about Sunday. One of your shopfolks said so to somebody. And +my Jim said as how you must be one of the right sort, for your religion +cost you summat. That's how it is. He's talked about it a lot of times; +and one night some of the men that goes to 'The Rose in June' came to +have a look at you." + +Phebe smiled. "I should like to help your husband all I could," she +said, "but I am quite unfit to talk to a dying man. Why not let me send +for one of our good ministers? Or, I will ask my friend if she will go." + +"I'm sure he won't see anybody else," the woman exclaimed, but Phebe was +out of hearing. Presently she returned, saying in a very quiet voice +that she would accompany her home at once. Nanna had firmly refused to +go, saying it was a distinct call from God to Phebe herself, and that it +would be wicked to disobey. + +So in great fear and trembling Phebe went. + +The man was lying on a wretched bed, evidently very weak, but with no +signs of death about him. After inquiring as to how he felt Phebe +started straightway by telling him how unfit she was to help anybody, +being only a learner herself, and her very simple straightforwardness +drew the sick man all the more to her. + +"But, look here, missis," he said, turning on his elbow eagerly towards +her. "You can help me all I want, and I'd rather have you than one of +them preaching chaps as is paid to do it. What I wants to know is this: +Do you think as how God is good and only does good things?" + +Phebe paused for a moment, and while she hesitated the man was keenly +watching her, with great hungry-looking eyes. + +"I want my answer to be perfectly true," she replied, "that is why I +waited." + +"I know it'll be true," said the man. + +Is God good? What about the taking away of her child! Could she say to +this hungry, seeking soul He was not good? A thousand times, _No_--that +she could never do. "I have been in great trouble lately--for more than +a year the way has been very dark"--there was a choke in her voice. + +"I guessed so," said the man softly. + +"But God _is_ good," her voice was clear and firm again. "Yes, He is +good; I have found Him so over and over again. We judge Him too quickly +so often, and so often blame Him for what comes through the sins of +other." + +"There's so many queer things in the world," said the man, "that it +seemed to me there couldn't be a good God." + +"It's the men and women who are queer." + +"But, look here, if He's really good, will He take pity on a poor chap +like me, who's been such a wicked 'un, and only comes to Him when he's +not got nobody else to go to?" There was a depth of yearning in the +voice. + +"Before I answer that question I should like you to answer me one, +because I cannot know your heart as God does. Suppose, now, God was to +give you back health, how would you treat God then?" + +"Ah, now, missis, I must take time to think, as you did." Then, after a +pause: "I'd stand by Him, blest if I wouldn't!" + +"And leave off going to the public-house and lead a straight, clean +life?" + +"Yes, I would, if only He'd make me downright sure He wiped off all old +scores agen me. Will you ask Him to?" + +"Yes, I will." + +"But I mean here--now!" + +To pray in public! She had never done such a thing in her life! Again +came the feeling of fear, but again it was conquered. Kneeling down by +the side of the bed, with the man's hand in hers, and the man's wife +kneeling by her side, she slowly, in short sentences, asked for just +what the man needed, and under his breath he repeated every word she +said. If the man had never heard of Jesus, and what Jesus had done for +him, he learnt it from that prayer, and grasped the truth for himself. + +"Now," said she, as she rose from her knees, "I believe you are going to +get better." + +All the way home her thoughts dwelt on the fact that she had publicly +testified to the goodness of God. "After that," she said to herself, "I +must not grieve any more after my darling. It must have been right for +her to go, since God is good. To doubt that will make me a liar, and my +life, too, must show I do not doubt it; but, oh, that I might catch a +glimpse of her just for a minute!" + +It was a trembling Phebe who left home--a radiant Phebe returned. Nanna +could not understand the change, but when she heard the story she +exclaimed: "There now, that's always the way! If ever you want help, go +and help somebody else. I do declare it was the Lord Himself who got you +to commit yourself in that way. He just cornered you for your own +deliverance." + +It was a hard, strenuous life that Phebe Waring led day by day. An hour +was spent in the business every morning before breakfast, and till the +last shutter was up at night she was still at her post. But never a day +passed without some portion of it being entirely given up to +sunny-haired little Jack. There was no piece of work done in which she +did not lend a hand, and not only was there in every department every +evidence of fair and honest dealing, but the utmost economy was also +studied, down to the tying of string and the folding up of paper. +Economy is not the sign of a small mind, but waste the sign of a mind +with empty corners. + +As the new year approached Reynolds asked if there was to be any +stocktaking, and, if so, on what lines it should be done? The truth was +Phebe had not thought of this, but did not think it necessary to say +so. After due deliberation the whole affair was arranged, and when she +cast up her accounts, to her great astonishment she found there had been +considerable advance made--and this in spite of the extra help employed, +the purchase of a horse and cart, and several improvements which had +been made in the premises. "Is not that splendid!" she said to Nanna, as +all the figures were explained. "I shall give a good bonus to Reynolds, +for he deserves it; and Jones must have something, too. If I go on at +this rate I shall some day be a rich woman! Think of that! God is indeed +good!" + +"Ah, dearie, it's easy to say 'God is good!' when the balance is on the +right side, but what must please Him best is when we can say it just as +trustfully when the purse is empty." + +The truth was, Nanna was just a wee bit afraid lest her darling should +not stand the test of wealth. She remembered an old story about a play +which used to be enacted at country fairs in the days when the Quakers +were so bitterly persecuted. Among the _dramatis personae_ came the evil +one, who, in the course of a speech, made these remarks: "Let these +Quakers alone; it's no good hunting them down. This is my plan: God is +sure to prosper them in basket and in store, because they serve Him +faithfully; then when they are rich, that will be my time. I shall be +sure to get them then." + +"God keep her from the snare of riches!" was the old woman's fervent +prayer. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +THE STONE THROWN IN THE WATERS + + +Neighbour Bessie had got a new thought! + +Not that this was an unusual occurrence, her brain being pretty +prolific, but this was of special importance and gave her special +delight. + +She was a member of a certain young woman's Bible class which happened +just then to be without a teacher. The inspiring thought was, "Why +should not Mrs. Waring become the teacher?" Hurrah! And she _should_ +become the teacher, too, if Bessie could by any possible manoeuvres +bring it about. + +That her own personal invitation was not sufficient she knew well +enough, and was quite sure Mrs. Waring would never offer her services, +though "coaxed like anything." "I know what I'll do!" she exclaimed to +herself. "I'll get up a petition. See if I don't;" and she did, for when +once Bessie willed she did, and there was "an end on't," as the +Lancashire women say. + +She drew up the heading herself, one sentence being, "And we shall ever +be grateful," which she thought would be especially "fetching." "None of +your 'Kathleen Mavourneen' style about that: 'may be for years or may be +for ever.'" Truth to tell, there was never much of the "Kathleen +Mavourneen style" about any of Bessie's doings, her character being cast +in too decided a mould for that. + +The following Sunday twelve out of twenty members were present, and all +willingly signed the petition, somewhat tickled with the fun of it and +Bessie's tragic manner. The other eight she visited at their homes, and +thus the full number of signatures was obtained. + +Then came the formidable task of presenting the petition. "When a +subject presents a petition to the Queen"--that was how she began her +speech on the very first opportunity--"I suppose the proper thing is to +drop down on the knees something like this," straightway kneeling down +in front of Phebe. + +"Are you thinking of interviewing the Queen yourself, then? Is that your +next adventure?" + +"I am already interviewing the queen of my heart, and would beseech her +gracious majesty to carefully read this petition," spreading the paper +out on Phebe's knee. + +"What nonsense are you up to now, Bessie?" asked Nanna, coming into the +room just at that minute. + +"No nonsense at all, but real serious business, such as you would +delight in yourself. Come and help me to persuade Mrs. Waring to say +'Yes.'" + +"But ought she to say 'Yes'?" + +"I am sure you will say so when you know all about it." + +Phebe at once, with a smile, handed Nanna the paper, and Nanna, with +spectacles on nose, began to read with a face as solemn as the +countenances of two judges photographed on to one negative. But sunshine +soon conquered solemnity. + +"Well done, Bessie! It does you credit," was the instantaneous verdict. +"I can see it's you that's been at the top and bottom of it all. Of +course you'll say 'Yes'?" turning to Phebe. + +"It's very good of the girls, and it is just what I should like to do; +but there is one thing they have forgotten to do." + +"What is that?" quickly questioned Bessie. + +"You have never asked the permission of the superintendent." + +"Never thought of that," exclaimed Bessie; "but there will be no +difficulty in that quarter. Why should there be? Then you do really say +'Yes'?" + +"I will certainly try what I can do, but understand, the invitation must +also come from the superintendent." + +"You are a dear," and impulsive Bessie flung her arms round her neck and +kissed her. "Do you know I feel so good and virtuous I don't think I +shall sleep to-night." + +Certainly Phebe did not go to sleep quickly that night, the idea of +partly mothering twenty girls quite taking possession of her. If only +she could get them to rise up to the full dignity of Christian womanhood +what a splendid piece of work that would be! And there and then she +began shaping her introductory talk to them. She looked upon Bessie's +scheme as another means sent by God to fill the void left in her heart +and life. + +The following Sunday afternoon she quite expected that Bessie would come +in to tea, bringing with her the more formal invitation. The meal was +even kept waiting, but no Bessie came. + +"She will come in after tea," said Phebe--still no Bessie. + +"She will be here at supper-time, sure enough," said Mrs. Colston. +Supper-time came, but no Bessie. + +"She must be unwell, surely," thought Phebe; but Bessie's high voice +overheard on Monday morning proved that to be quite a mistake. + +All Monday passed, but no Bessie came. On Tuesday morning Mrs. Colston +sent her a message: "Why do you not come in? Have you forgotten what we +are expecting?" To Phebe she said: "No doubt the superintendent was not +present on Sunday, but at least she ought to have come in and told us +so. I don't hold with girls being so thoughtless." + +Bessie's answer was: "I'll come in this evening." + +Poor Bessie! When she did come--and she made it as late as ever she +could--she looked as if she had just made the acquaintance of the +ducking-stool. + +"I know you wanted to hear what that superintendent said, and that's +just why I didn't want to come in," she blurted out. + +"Poor old Bessie!" said Phebe, quite pained to see the change in her, +"but don't fret about it, whatever it was." + +"But I can't help it! It is a downright big shame." + +"What dreadful thing did he say?" + +"He's going to take the class himself, but I can't stay any longer, +mother will want me." + +"Bessie," said Phebe, laying her hand firmly on her arm, "there is +something else troubling you." + +"The girls don't want a man to teach them--but I really must be going." + +"Bessie," Phebe forced her into a chair, and stood over her, "you are to +tell me right out what is troubling you. Surely there are to be no +secrets between us! Tell me just what the superintendent said." + +[Illustration: "'BESSIE, YOU ARE TO TELL ME RIGHT OUT WHAT IS TROUBLING +YOU.'"] + +"That he should take it himself"--putting her hands over her face to +hide the tears. + +"What else?" + +"That you were not suitable." + +"And what else? Why was I not suitable?" + +But Bessie could not answer for crying. + +"Tell me this"--and Phebe's voice was very strained--"was it because my +husband had left me?" + +Bessie looked up at her with her tear-stained face; words would not +come, but a little nod told all that was needed. + +The blow Phebe had feared so long had come. It was a fact, then, that +her good name was tarnished. She went over to the fire, standing with +her back to Bessie, to try to calm herself, to pray for strength to bear +such a cruel blow. The sound of Bessie's sobbing was very painful to +hear, but at last the girl roused herself, and coming and standing by +Phebe she whispered, "I would have given anything to have kept it from +you. You do believe me, don't you?" + +"Of course I do. Do not fret, dear; all will come right"--her breath was +caught--"in time." + +"To think that I should have brought this on you." + +"But you did not--it is better for me to know how--people regard me. +Now, go home, dear, and do what you have to do. I shall be feeling all +right in the morning." + +It was a comfort when Phebe reached her own room to be alone, save for +the sleeping child--and the unseen angels. + +And Bessie, too, was glad to be alone. She was thankful the whole affair +had come out, having felt assured it was bound to do so, but her whole +being was filled with indignation at the thought of the indignity her +friend had been made to suffer. "If only I had never asked her till it +was all settled it wouldn't have been so bad! What can I tell the girls? +_I_ shan't let out all the reason, but _he_ will, I dare say. Wish I +could be upsides down with him, that I do! What a mess I do make of +everything, to be sure. If mother knew she'd say it was just like me. I +feel perfectly wretched. I wonder how I could pay that man out for his +meanness!" + +And then another bright idea struck Neighbour Bessie, and by the time +she had worked her plan out she was fast asleep. + +The next day, during the minutes she could snatch from work, twenty +dainty little notes were written, addressed to the twenty girls who had +signed the petition. Each was supposed to be a private note, inviting +the receiver to accompany Bessie next Sunday afternoon to some special +meeting going on in the town, and to meet her at 2.45 by the +market-pump. + +Not being very flush with pocket-money--she never was--the notes could +not be posted, but during the next three evenings were all delivered by +hand. Twelve favourable replies were received, some of the girls +expressing appreciation of this marked token of Bessie's favour, Bessie +being really a very popular member; four declined on the plea of colds +or previous engagements; and four were blanks, but Bessie found out, in +some way or other, that these were away from home. + +"That's just splendid," she said to herself, surveying the pile of +assorted notepaper, "perfect." + +"I say, Bess, are you going to give a party?" asked her brother, +happening to catch sight of the notes. + +"Yes." + +"When?" + +"I'll tell you when it's all over." + +At 2.45 on Sunday afternoon twelve girls met round the market-pump, each +greatly surprised to see all the others. + +"I came here to meet Bessie Marchant," said one. + +"And so did I," said another. + +"And so did I," said they all; and then they all laughed, for they were +a good-natured set of girls. + +"We'll make her answer for this when she turns up," said some of them. + +"What do you mean by this, Miss Bessie Marchant?" three or four called +out all at once when at last she made her appearance puffing and blowing +through hurrying. + +"Dreadfully sorry, girls, to be so late; really couldn't help it. Mean?" +looking ever so solemnly sweet, "mean? You were all such dears I +couldn't leave one of you out," and taking hold of the two girls she had +the least confidence in marched off, all the others following. + +She told the whole story the same evening to Nanna, alone. "You would +have died of laughing if you'd seen the faces of those girls as they +cuddled round that pump, that you would. Some were hanging on to the +handle, they felt that took back like. But I got them all to the +meeting." + +"But what did you do it for?" + +"That's just what they wanted to know, and not one guessed. I told them +after they came out, though." + +"Well, what was your reason?" + +"To pay that man out, of course. He pretended he wanted the class for +himself, and I thought at least for one Sunday he shouldn't have that +pleasure. It was splendid fun just to picture how he would look when he +went into the room and found no one there. It did tickle the girls, I +can tell you." + +"But you don't mean to say you told them all that!" + +"Of course I did. I was obliged to tell them how he had refused Mrs. +Waring's offer, and so I explained to them how just for once I had paid +him out." + +"And don't you suppose they will go and tell him what you have said?" + +"Some will, no doubt; but others are as cross as I am about it." + +"Oh, Bessie, Bessie, when will you learn wisdom!" exclaimed Mrs. +Colston, in a very troubled voice. + +"What have I done wrong now, I should like to know? You don't mean to +say you're cross with me?" + +"You have made that man more than ever the mistress's enemy. You have +thrown a stone into the waters; you can never tell where its ripples +will reach to. He may be a Christian. I don't know, but after the trick +you have paid him he will dislike and mistrust Mrs. Waring more than +ever. You may have done your dear friend a great unkindness, for if he's +got any unsubdued malice in him he'll show it some day towards her; +you'll see." + +"Mrs. Colston!" exclaimed Bessie, "you fairly take away my breath. I +declare life is too much for me!" + +"It's too much for any of us--alone. With all your fun and nonsense you +need a lot of prayer, that the Lord would keep you from doing anything +that's against the Golden Rule." + +"I don't know what'll become of me, I'm sure. It's always my luck to do +the wrong thing. There, I wish I were dead, that I do! But don't you go +and tell Mrs. Waring what I've done, will you?" + +"No, I'll not tell her. Trust me for that." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +LOVE'S HOSPITAL + + +There often came back to Phebe's mind the prayer she offered just after +her engagement, "Dear Lord, make me a true Christian, and help me to be +perfectly willing to let Thee do it in whatever way Thou thinkest will +be best for me." It was one of the few-remembered prayers; they are but +few in anybody's experience. Our prayers are too often to us but as +yesterday's faded rose-petals. + +She was not quite so sure to-day she could pray that prayer truthfully +as when it was first framed. But there was this comfort, she had no +desire to take herself from beneath the moulding Hands. + +Nanna was inwardly very indignant at the treatment Phebe had received, +not that her teaching and her own private experiences did not agree, but +she was one of those women who have to do a certain amount of boiling +over and exploding before a calm level is obtained. She was, however, +mostly wise enough to let this exciting process be carried on in +private. She was a perfect tower of strength to Phebe; indeed, it would +be impossible to reckon up all Phebe owed to her, and Phebe was quite +aware of this, often saying that Nanna was the clever one who made the +plans, while she was only the humble one who carried them out. + +"Look here, dearie," Nanna said, when she could trust herself to speak +with calmness, "I say, and say it with all deliberateness, it was wicked +to shut that door on you like that. If that man thought you were unfit +to mix with those girls he should have first been quite sure of the +grounds he was acting on. But, never you mind; mark this, and mark it +well, man never shuts one door, but God opens another, and a bigger one, +too. Men shut the door of the Ephesus Church against John, but look what +a mighty big one God opened for him into Heaven! And it's the same +to-day. So, you be on the look-out--I mean to--and see who sees it +first. I told Bessie this, and she says she'll buy a spy-glass for one +eye and a telescope for the other. I wonder if that girl will ever sober +down!" + +"She will make a fine woman some day." + +"There's the making of a fine woman in her, and she's certainly on the +mend." + +Bessie overheard Phebe one day referring to Mrs. Colston's leadership, +whereupon that young lady remarked she ought to be called "teacher," and +all the others in the house "disciples." + +It was at the tea-table. David Jones quietly observed, "You never hear +of women disciples." + +"Yes, you do," snapped Bessie; "if you had ever read Grecian history, +you would never have made that remark. Besides, women deserved the name +of 'disciple' more than those men did who followed Jesus; they saw to +His wants, if they did nothing more; it only mentions once that the men +ever did so, and then it took the whole twelve of them to go and buy a +meal, leaving the tired Jesus all alone, not even one there to get a +drink for Him." + +"Better take care, Jones," said Reynolds, "you'll be sure to get the +worst of it." + +"Yes, of course you will," said Mrs. Colston; "there are too many nasty +little things said now-a-days about women. The other day I heard some +one say he wished Satan had gone for Job's wife, but he knew better. I +felt like calling out." + +"But then she was really a bad one," said Jones. + +"Indeed, she was not. That's just it; so often wrong judgments are +passed on women." (Nanna had wanted to bring out this little speech for +some time, and quite blessed Bessie for the opportunity she had made.) +"That poor woman bore without a word being recorded against her, the +loss of children and property, and it was only when she saw her husband +stricken that she rebelled, and then she didn't say half the bad things +as Job did a bit further on. Yet Job's held up for admiration, and the +poor wife for execration. I tell you it's not fair." + +"I should think not, indeed," chimed in Bessie. + +"Now, is it?" asked Mrs. Colston, turning to the young men. They both +agreed it was not. "Then do be careful," she continued, "both of you, +whenever you are tempted to say sneering things about women." Phebe had +left the table at the commencement of the conversation, which made it +still more easy for Nanna to send home her message. There was one +splendid thing about her: however cutting her rebukes might be, she +always gave them in a bright, nice manner; as Bessie said, she always +used the biggest spoon she could get--inferring that the pill was nearly +lost in the amount of jam she used. + +Both the young fellows knew her words had a special significance; they +were not at all offended, but rather, on the contrary, a fresh feeling +of chivalry was stirred in their hearts towards their young mistress, +"The Little Missis," as she was so often called. David Jones was even +beginning to think there was a halo round everybody's head in that +establishment, except his own, and a double halo round Bessie's, in +spite of her snaps. If he had known all that took place in that little +homestead he would have had a still more brilliant vision of glory--if +even he had known the significance of the silver stars, one of which was +found in a conspicuous place in every room, he would have felt like +taking off his boots, for he was both impressionable and by nature +devout. But not even Nanna knew till long afterwards what those stars +meant, though she had a pretty shrewd guess about them. + +As can be easily imagined, Phebe's life was a lonely one. The fact of +her husband cutting himself off from her in such an abrupt fashion was +quite enough to bring about this loneliness. There was not even +companionship through the pen; she had answered both Ralph's letters, +and still continued to write, giving him all particulars of the +business, trying to put as much love into the letters as she could truly +find echo in her heart, but no further replies came. All was a blank. +And then there was the further loneliness all souls find the nearer they +get to God. True, she had her sister, and Nanna, and sunny Jack, and +Bessie; but these only touched the outer part of her being. We stand as +units before God, and the more we understand our relationship to God the +more we realise the soul's loneliness from the human side--a loneliness +which draws us nearer and nearer to God. + +Phebe often wished she could constantly remember the presence of God +with her, but sometimes for a whole day she would forget Him, and she +knew that was the reason why so often she failed, and the peace was +broken. Prayer came very naturally to her when anything was wanted, but +she felt that was not sufficient. + +"What do people do who have bad memories?" she asked herself. Then came +thoughts of strings round fingers and knots in handkerchiefs, but these +seemed childish. One day the words, "When they saw His star," were very +much with her, and the thought came, "I wish I could always see His +star!" and this was followed by what she thought a bright idea. She +would make a number of silver stars and place one in each room, shops +and sale-room included, where she could not fail to see them; no one but +herself need know their meaning, and they would continually remind her +of His presence until she had trained herself to do without their help. + +The plan was carried out. There was nothing in it anybody could object +to; there was nothing of the fetish, nor crucifix, nor altar about it. +Many an eye was raised up to those stars; the children were especially +fascinated by them, and the shop was even spoken of by some as "The shop +of the silver star," but none guessed their meaning. Reynolds was quite +in the dark; though he often watched his mistress fix her eyes on them, +he never came near the secret. Most people thought they were only in the +nature of decoration. How often we draw near to holy places without even +a thrill or look of wonder! + +And the stars helped her greatly. I do not say she never forgot, but +every little help we can secure along life's way to bind us to the +Divine we should make the most of and rejoice over. + +Even sharp-eyed, sharp-witted Bessie, who was now a real member of the +circle, did not guess their meaning. Perhaps this was because she was so +full of her own good-fortune that she was not keen on anything else just +then, and when her first joy had cooled somewhat, the sight of the stars +had become too familiar to excite comment. + +For a long time Mrs. Colston and Phebe had been of the opinion that +Bessie would never make much progress while under her mother's roof. +Both mother and daughter loved each other (there was no doubt about +that), but they did not rest each other. Mrs. Marchant was a fretful +woman; family cares had shattered her nerves; Bessie was all +alive--"life in every limb" was intensely true about her three times +over--and so they constantly irritated each other. + +As Bessie was washing up the tea-things one day, feeling very +down-hearted, even dropping a tear now and again, she thought she would +banish her gloom with a little song, and so piped up on her loudest key: + + "I'm sweeping through the gates;" + +not remembering more than one verse, the chorus was repeated several +times. + +"Sakes alive!" screamed out the mother from the kitchen, "do stop that. +Do, for goodness' sake, finish your sweeping, girl, and get through the +gates and stop there!" + +"I only wish I could," replied Bessie, but not loud enough for the +mother to hear. + +Soon after that she noticed her brother's jacket had slipped off a chair +in the kitchen, where he had thrown it, and while she was sitting +mending some stockings, she saw something moving on it. For a minute or +two she kept a most careful watch, then cautiously picked the coat up +and hung it at the back of the door. When her brother came to put it on +she gave a nervous little wriggle on her chair, but said nothing. + +At supper-time there was quite an explosion, the brother declaring she +had put a black-beetle in his pocket, in spite of knowing how much he +dreaded them; he had drawn it out with his handkerchief at a +choir-practice, right in front of all the boys. + +"I never did!" protested Bessie. + +"You had something to do with it, I'm sure; else why did you so +carefully hang my jacket up, without a word of fault-finding?" + +"I saw it walk into your pocket; that's a very different thing from +putting it in," the girl frankly explained. + +Instead of the mother seeing any fun in the situation, and quietly +pointing out where fun ends and unkindness begins, and forgetting the +many practical jokes Bessie herself had good-naturedly endured at the +hands of her brother, she literally stormed at Bessie, declaring she +should leave home at once and be put to some business. + +Phebe hearing of all this, offered to take Bessie, to which the mother +readily agreed. So it was a very short journey indeed Bessie took from +home. + +Deep down in her heart the girl was very grieved at the way she had left +home, but outwardly kept her usual brightness, and was indeed truly +delighted at now really being "one of the company." + +"If ever I get rich," she exclaimed, "and have a coat-of-arms, I shall +have a black-beetle on my quarterings, for it was a black-beetle which +carried me here; a fine old ebony coachman! Oh, Mrs. Waring," and a sad +note came into the girl's voice just then, "life often seems to me such +a tangle and jingle!" + +"Does it, dear? It has often seemed the same to me." Just then she +caught sight of the star--she must not lose an opportunity--"but we must +do our best to turn it into a song. We'll try together, won't we?" + +A squeeze of the hand was all the answer Bessie was able to give. + +It is strange that though we stand as units before God, the soul's +progress can only be definitely marked by its relationship to others. By +the way Phebe treated those who came under her influence was one test of +her advance. + +The only objection Nanna raised to this addition to the family was the +fear lest Bessie and Jones should be thrown too much together. + +"You must have noticed how she has ceased calling him 'Darling.'" + +"They are less likely to come together if they are constantly in each +other's society than if they only saw each other occasionally," was all +Phebe said. + +"I really think," remarked Nanna, "this house ought to be called a +hospital for sick souls. First of all, you take this lonely soul in----" + +"Why, it was you who took me in," interrupted Phebe. + +"All lonely and forlorn," calmly continued Nanna, unheeding the +interruption; "then Jones comes along, sore wounded in the battle, and +now there's this poor young thing taken in with a broken wing. It's +really nothing short of a hospital." + +"Well, then," replied Phebe, "we'll call it Love's Hospital." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +AN UNFORTUNATE ENCOUNTER + + +Jim Coates, the sick man whom Phebe Waring was called to visit, did not +die; on the contrary, from the hour of her first visit he began to mend. +Very often of an afternoon, when business was slack, she would go and +have a talk with him, and nothing pleased him better than for her, +instead of reading the Bible to him, to tell the stories out in her own +words and with her own comments. No child ever drank in fairy stories +more eagerly, and Phebe even discussed some infidel notions he had got +hold of, overcoming many of his difficulties. If she had been told two +months before that she could even attempt such things the firm answer +would have been "Impossible!" + +After Jim had regained strength to a certain measure, came the difficult +question of getting work for him. Phebe at once thought of the ganger at +the railway-works, and drove over to enlist his sympathies on behalf of +Jim, frankly telling him all the story. The man listened respectfully, +and then said, "Yes, I'll put him on; but he'd better keep his mouth +shut as to how he got here, or the men will give him a lively time, I +bet. And if he keeps true blue among this crew, then he's a Briton, I +can tell yer, for they're the rummiest lot I've ever had. I go to chapel +myself with the missis, but I don't let on to them I do." + +"Do you think then, it is impossible to be a Christian and work with +these men?" asked Phebe anxiously. + +"I don't say as much as that," answered the man, nervously grinding his +heel into the soil as he spoke, "only you have to keep your religion to +yourself." + +"Do you think that is possible?" + +The talk was getting a little too personal, and the ganger, with an +extra red face and a muttered "Don't know," turned away. + +Jim Coates was delighted when Phebe took him the news. The distance from +the town was no obstacle, he being the happy possessor of a +"bone-shaker" bicycle. + +"But," said Mrs. Waring, in a serious tone, "the ganger says you must +keep your religion to yourself. Are you going to do that?" + +"Not I; why should I?" + +"Because they will give you a lively time." + +"Well, let them; I'm not made of sugar." + +"That's splendidly said; and you'll show your colours from the very +first, won't you?" + +"I should be a sneak if I didn't." + +That same day at the tea-table Phebe gave an account of her day's +mission. Meal-times were always made as interesting as possible. Nanna +remarked that she wondered what the men camped out there did with +themselves on Sundays. + +Bessie suggested it would be a splendid thing if Mrs. Waring went over +there on Sunday afternoons and talked to the men, adding, "I am sure she +could do it splendidly, and they'd listen to her like anything; but +there, that will never come to pass, because the Bible says women +mustn't do that sort of thing." + +Nanna was on the war-path instantly. "In what part of the Bible do you +find that, I should like to know? That's nothing but the teaching of the +evil one, just to hinder the Lord's work. I'd think twice, if I were +you, before I'd do that sort of dirty work." + +"It says women are not to speak in church; I'm sure it does," stammered +Bessie, getting red and feeling uncomfortable. + +"It says they are not to chatter in the church, and nothing more; and +that's what they still do in the east, so they say, both men and women. +You forget that the Bible gives particulars as to how women should dress +when they pray or prophesy, that Jesus Himself told women to spread the +news about Him, that God told Joel his daughters should prophesy, that +Phillip's daughters were prophets and Deaconess Phebe a foreign +missionary! You forget all that; but there, you are no worse than lots +of other women. Women run women down just as much as men do. Often and +often when women might have done a good piece of work for God they got +behind that bit of bad translation, and, like dying ducks, gurgle +something about it 'not being modest.' It's a good deal more immodest to +aid Satan in his work! I've no patience with the majority of women, and +I do hope, Bessie, you won't become one of the brainless sort that +think a good deal more about the fit of a skirt and the cut of a sleeve +than they do about God's Kingdom!" + +Poor Bessie did not know what to answer. Fortunately the group broke up +just then, and she followed Phebe out into Sunshine Patch, where little +Jack was rolling in the grass, and where there was quite a show of +spring's yellow and violet tints. + +"Life doesn't seem to get any easier," said Bessie, as they seated +themselves in the little arbour; "seems impossible to know sometimes +what is exactly right to do. But Mrs. Colston never seems at a loss, +everything seems pretty straightforward to her." + +Phebe had been wondering how much of Nanna's speech had been intended +for her own benefit. "You see," she answered, "Nanna is so much older +than we are; her longer experience enables her to see more quickly +through things, and on so many points she has fought her way to clear +conclusions. We must not get discouraged. If we are willing to be +trained by God all will come right in the end." + +"Yes; but I want things to come right now, and I want to be always able +to know at once what is right." + +"I am afraid we all do, Bessie, dear; but we have to learn to curb our +impatience. If we more constantly remembered that this life is only a +training-time we should become more patient, and I find if I give myself +time for a few moments of prayerful waiting I am taught which is the +right thing to do." + +"Ah, you're sweet and patient, that's it, and I am not." + +"If it was a question of sweetness, dear heart, I think you'd gain the +prize. I think it is more a question of being perfectly willing to let +God train us." + +"And do you think Mrs. Colston is right about women doing things just +like men?" + +"I think she is, though I never heard it put so forcibly before. You +know it says we are 'all one in Christ Jesus.'" + +"I love to hear you talk, and I love to hear Mrs. Colston, too. I do +believe I shall be real good some day; but I must rush in now, or +Reynolds will be up a tree and it will take me a whole day to get him +down again," and off the impulsive Bessie ran. + +If Bessie found it difficult to know what was the right thing to do Jim +Coates did not. Right from the very first he had a plan ready, and +carried it successfully through. The first thing he did was to write out +the following notice with a pencil on a piece of tea-paper, and during +the first dinner-hour he tacked it on to the end of one of the sheds. + + "This is to give notice that Jim Coates, who is a Christian, + has come here to work, and he thinks it would be so much easier + for him to keep straight if he had a mate going the same way as + he's trying to go. If there is another Christian in any of the + gangs do find me out and give me a word. You'll know me by a + piece of red ribbon in my waistcoat-buttonhole. + + "JIM COATES." + +At first it passed unnoticed, but the second day a man tore it down to +read it more readily. After he had spelt the words out he called out in +a loud voice: "I say, chaps, here's a lark! Do you just listen: it's as +good as a play," and then in quite an affected tone of voice he read out +poor Jim's brave notice. + +"There he is!" exclaimed quite a score of voices, while as many derisive +fingers were pointed in his direction, "there's the red ribbon," and +then they gathered round their victim, and began giving him a warm time. +One took away his ribbon, another tried to dry up imaginary tears from +his face, and, last of all, they decided to carry him away to some pond +and give him a ducking. Jim prayed as he never prayed before. It was so +hard to keep down "swear words," but just as these rough fellows were +about to carry their threat into execution the ganger, whose +acquaintance Phebe had made, came along. + +"What are you up to, lads?" seeing Jim on the ground in their midst. +"None of your larks, I tell you, or it'll be the worse for some of you." + +The words acted like magic. With a few sulky expressions, and a sly kick +or two, they all moved on. The man who had taken the notice down tacked +it up again--not through any spirit of restitution, but in the hope it +would bring Jim further trouble. + +"Better keep yourself to yourself," was the ganger's advice, "or they'll +make this too hot for you." + +The news of the "red ribbon man" and "the advertisement for a mate" +spread all through the company, and men even came to have a look at Jim +as a kind of curiosity. + +Two days passed, but no mate turned up, though he had put up a second +notice in another place. The ganger's advice did not deter or frighten +him in the least. But on the third day, just as he was mounting his +machine, a very big, lanky fellow came up behind him and said: "I'm the +fellow you're looking for, if you've found no one better." + +Jim grasped him heartily by the hand: "Bless God; I am so glad you've +come. Now there are two of us we may find some more, and we might start +a little prayer in the dinner-hour--a friend of mine (Mrs. Waring) says +the railway-men do that in some places." + +"But I'm a poor sort of a Christian," said the man; "bless you, I +couldn't pray in a meeting; and as for doing what you've done, I should +never have had the courage in a whole blue moon. Why, I've stared at +that paper two whole blessed days before I was man enough to come up to +speak to you. I was afraid the fellows would see me." + +"What's your name?" asked Jim. + +"Dick--Dick Witherson." + +"Well, Dick, don't you go worrying 'cause you didn't speak to me sooner. +I'm only too thankful you've come now. And you know the bravest disciple +of all was the one that was at first the biggest coward, so don't you +lose heart. Where shall we meet to-morrow in the dinner-hour?" The place +was agreed on, and then they parted. + +The very next day a third mate was found, and this gave wonderful +courage to Dick, almost transforming him into another sort of man. + +The following day was Saturday. Work was knocked off at twelve; so there +was no time for meeting together again till Monday. + +Early that Saturday afternoon Mrs. Coates, breathless and agitated, came +into Mrs. Waring's shop and, seeing Phebe behind the counter, went up to +her at once, exclaiming, "Oh, Mrs. Waring, can you help me! Jim's never +come home; he's quite an hour late. I know they often have to wait a +good while to be paid, but that's not all. A lad as plays with my +Freddie says he saw him go into 'The Rose in June' about half-an-hour +ago. O God, help me; it's all over with him if he's gone in there!" + +"It cannot be true." + +"The lad says he was sure it was him. Oh, Mrs. Waring, would you mind +going in to see if he's there, and try to get him to come home? I +daren't go in by myself; he'd give me such a time afterwards if I did." + +"Do you want me to go into the public-house?" + +"Yes, if you would; we might get him out then before he had spent all +his money and was quite drunk. Do you mind? I know it is asking a great +deal." + +Phebe paused for a moment; but when she looked up at the star she at +once answered: "Yes, I will come with you." + +It was a very busy time, she could ill be spared, but what was all that +compared with the rescue of a soul! + +A few minutes afterwards these two women had passed through the +swing-doors of "The Rose in June"--the first time Phebe had ever entered +a public-house. + +No sooner had the doors swung to behind them than they were face to face +with Jim! To say that a straw would have knocked the man down is but a +faint description of his utter astonishment. + +"What--what--is the matter!" he gasped. There was not the slightest +smell of drink about him. + +"Oh, come outside! Come outside, do!" exclaimed Mrs. Coates, bursting +into tears. + +It did not take the three long to get the other side of the doors, and +then, standing on the doorstep, Mrs. Waring began to explain: "You must +forgive us; we were afraid----" + +"I understand it all, Mrs. Waring," broke in Jim. "Don't you make any +trouble of it. You thought I'd come in to have a drink; but I hadn't. I +only came in after some of my mates to keep them straight, if I could." + +"But, ought you to put yourself in the way of temptation?" + +"Bless you, the drink's no snare to me now. I hate even the smell of +it. I thought----" and then he faltered. + +"I am so sorry," said Phebe Waring, putting her hand on Jim's arm. + +Just then who should go by but Stephen Collins and Bessie's +superintendent. The former raised his hat and gave Phebe a smile; but +the latter passed on without any recognition, except for an extra look +of grimness on his face. + +"No, you're not to say you're sorry," said Jim, magnanimously. "It was +only natural you should think it queer. As for my old woman here, no +wonder she was nervous, after all she's suffered. And I thank you with +all my heart, Mrs. Waring, for coming here, for it shows that if I had +indeed gone crooked you wouldn't have given a fellow up." + + * * * * * + +"A very strange place for a woman who wishes to be thought respectable +to be found in!" said the superintendent to Stephen. "Those three had +just come out of that public-house." + +"Just the very place Jesus would have been found in," answered Stephen +drily. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +JOY-MISSIONARIES + + +No flower ever comes up to perfection through one single influence; many +powers and companionships, great and tiny, unite to complete its +beauty. The winds rock it, the rains wash it, the breezes fan it, the +dew kisses it, the sun smiles on it, the clouds give rest to it, the +soil feeds it, neighbouring shrubs shelter it, its leaves protect it, +the insects enrich it--and over all is the Great Gardener. + +Thus groweth to perfect grace a little earthly flower. + +Flowers of the Kingdom grow in like manner. + + * * * * * + +If Bessie was not a success amid dishes and brooms she certainly was +behind the counter; many a customer came again and again, attracted by +the bright, sunny assistant, and would even patiently wait till she was +disengaged rather than be served by any one else. + +In the home circle she was a constant source of pure merriment and joy; +very seldom, indeed, was there anything like a cloud upon her spirits as +there used so often to be, and this was largely owing to the fact that +she was appreciated, that there was now-a-days no fear of being snubbed +and scolded. Nanna certainly occasionally "sat upon her," but then it +was always done with a smile, and Bessie knew right well every word of +"the dear lecture" was uttered because Nanna wished her to be "a right +sort of a woman." And then there was the daily inspiration of being with +Mrs. Waring, who never lectured; sometimes she would give a look, but +that was all, and then there was always love in the look. The girl often +wondered why there could not have been the same state of matters at +home, and never hesitated to take the most of the blame to herself. She +went in home every other day, always with the same determination to be +on her good behaviour, but never met with anything like success. It was +a long time before she found out the reason of this--it was because the +atmosphere of the homes was different. Some flowers can only bloom under +certain conditions. One home was Bethany, the other was Gadara. + +All the fun and merriment Bessie went in for was not purely spontaneous; +knowing the weight of trouble her friend had to carry, she, on set +purpose, planned to bring the sparkle to Phebe's eye and the laugh to +her lips. Her keen sense of the ludicrous and her ready wit always made +her efforts appear natural. One day an old man--an old bachelor--came +into the shop, and complained that so many people owed him money, +mentioning one, a widow woman, but he added, "I shall stand it no +longer, I shall 'court' her." Of course, he meant the county court. When +Bessie retailed this at dinner, she described his look of blank wonder +when she offered to be bridesmaid! "And do you know, that poor old dear +never grasped what I meant, and I do believe he went away thinking I had +made him an offer of marriage. I do indeed. I must not do any more +adumbrations again." + +"What!" exclaimed Mrs. Colston, nearly choking. + +"I thought you'd think that was a good sort of a word. I only got hold +of it to-day, and I had to turn the dictionary up myself to know what it +means. It means 'to shadow forth.' I must not speak in shadow +henceforth, but in plain English. Yes, I like that word. I mean to make +up a list of nice-sounding words to bring out on special occasions." + +"Mind they fit in properly," said Reynolds. + +"I shan't trouble much about that," said the irrepressible Bessie, "a +misfit often gives piquancy to a sentence. Only yesterday old Mrs. +Bennett told me that the doctor had told her as how 'her calculation was +that slow she was in a very bad state indeed.' I didn't tell the poor +old dear she meant circulation, because I thought it would hurt her +feelings. But I just thought that word delicious, and told her she'd +have to hurry up with her figures." + +Had any one asked Bessie just then if she was a Christian, her answer +might have been a "No," but that she was not far from the Kingdom is +certain from the fact that she was constantly trying to frame her life +to "high issues." "If I can do nothing else to please Jesus," she said +to herself, "I can try to let folks have a bright time." If Bessie +gained inspiration from Mrs. Waring, it is equally true Phebe gained the +same from her. It was largely owing to Bessie's brightness that hope was +still strong within her, that she went often to her work with a true +zest, and that the sunny aspect of things took first place with her. + +Bessie had a gift which singers, orators and philosophers might envy, +but it was Phebe who had first given the girl the idea that she could +use it to the glory of God. One old woman, whose blood was thin and +cold, declared that to be with Bessie for a quarter of an hour was "like +sitting in a sunny garden a-smelling of roses." Phebe's enjoyment was +something similar, but she had herself placed the seat and planted the +roses, though it never struck her like that. + +Very often Phebe chided herself for being what she thought too gleesome +in her ways, and one night after supper she had a talk with Nanna about +it, when all the others had retired to bed. "Do you think I am getting +too frivolous, Nanna? I often find myself laughing and even joking, and +then I think how unbecoming it is for a matron like me, with all the +responsibilities of a business resting upon me, and"--a sigh and a +pause--"with such a shadow on my life, to be acting like that." + +"How do you think you ought to act, then, dearie?" lovingly stroking +Phebe's hair. They were sitting in the old fashion, close by the fire, +Phebe on a low stool, leaning on Nanna's knee. + +"Why, with something of a calm, quiet dignity," looking up with a smile. + +"Do you think that quite fits in with the idea of rejoicing ever more?" + +"Hardly." + +"Or with, that 'your joy may be full'?" + +"No. But, Nanna, dear, I don't want you to ask me questions. I want to +know what you think yourself. And I want you to remember that mine is a +sort of special case, that might not come under general rules." + +"Excuse me, I don't think yours is a special case; there's many women +with sorer troubles than yours. Besides, if no one was joyful except +those who had no burdens, I wonder who'd be joyful! Not many, if any, +for burdens come to everybody." + +Phebe was silent, for we all, somehow or other, cling to the idea our +burden is a specially heavy one. + +Then Nanna went on: "You want me to say what I think. Well, you must not +scold if you don't like what I am going to say, seeing you would have +it; but I've been thinking instead of you being too frisky, you're not +joyful enough. You've got five young folks immediately under your +control, not to speak of others, and for their sakes--if no other +reason--you've got to be joyful. And then there's another reason--you +profess to be a Christian, and they're shams and nothing else who don't +go in for delight-work--delighting themselves in God. The idea that your +trouble should be a sort of black veil to you is ridiculous. If you let +your trouble shadow your life it's as good as saying God is not able to +take care of you, and if you let it hinder you in your life it gives the +victory to Satan, and seems to say trouble has more power over you than +God's peace. No, our dear Heavenly Father knows what it is to be merry, +and He expects His children to be merry too. So mind you are." + +"You dear, sunny preacher," said Phebe, reaching up and kissing her. + +"Ah, I do wish folks would go in for more joy. I do believe we could do +with joy-missions and joy-missionaries." + +"You are one already." + +Again there was silence, and then Phebe said: "Of course, it's not as +though I had no hope at all. Ralph may come back; sometimes I think that +loneliness will waken up his love again, for they say love never dies." + +"No love dies," replied Nanna, "but it changes. There are a good many +sorts of love. But even, dearie, if that hope never comes about, you've +got God and Jack to hope in. Now, I may ask a question, mayn't I?" + +"You know you may, you old darling Nanna." + +"Are you going in for that 'calm, quiet dignity' affair, or are you +going to be the Lord's happy-hearted Phebe?" + +"The latter, God helping me," in a quiet whisper. + +The next evening there was another conference, but this time it was a +conference of three, Jim Coates having come to report progress. + +There was now a little band of four Christians among the navvies. They +had held two meetings, at which a chapter had been read, and two had +prayed. Their mates had not yet learnt the secret of these gatherings; +lively times were expected when they did. + +Then Jim went on to say how he and Dick had visited the camp on Sunday +and found a dreadful state of matters. "Talk o' heathen folks, they're +not in it, not a bit of it, and never anybody comes along to say a word +to 'em; not even to give 'em a tract. And you should hear 'em talk about +religious folks, it 'ud fair make your hair stand on end, that it would. +I've been thinking, Mrs. Waring----" and then poor Jim came to a +standstill, and sat nervously twirling his hat in his hands. "I've been +thinking," he started again, and again there came a pause. + +"You needn't be afraid of us, Mr. Coates," said Nanna, "we're only two +poor lone women that a mouse would scare out of our wits." + +"I don't know about that," said Jim, with a laugh. The bit of fun set +him quite at his ease. "I've been thinking that if only we could get the +use of a shed we might hold a meeting there on Sundays." + +"I'm sure my friend the ganger would arrange that all right for you," +put in Phebe. + +"Yes, I think he would," replied Jim; "it wasn't on that point I wasn't +sure, but on something else." + +"And what is that?" inquired Phebe, feeling quite curious as to what +could be making Jim shy. + +"Well, it's this. I've been thinking if only you'd come and talk to the +men as you've talked to me, it might be the making of some of 'em." + +"That is impossible!" said Phebe, rising up from her chair in her +agitation, "impossible." + +The star was forgotten. + +Nanna was darning some towels. As Phebe uttered the last word, she let +the work drop and looked up, then instantly picked it up again and went +on, without uttering a word. Phebe instinctively knew Nanna did not +agree with her, and just a little feeling of resentment took possession +of her. Nanna ought to have sympathised with her, and protected her from +such an overwhelming request. + +"I'm sorry," said Jim; "p'raps you'll think better of it a little later +on. I can't tell you how sorry I am." + +"I cannot help it. I am altogether unequal and unfitted for such a work. +But that does not say I will not help you in some other way, for I do +admire your earnestness so much. I will do my very best to find some one +who would undertake it." + +"Well, that certainly is the next best thing," said Jim, feeling +considerably relieved, and with that understanding they parted. + +Nanna still went on with her darning. + + +"You do not think I have done right, Nanna?" + +"No, I do not." + +"But it would not be possible for me to do such a thing." + +"God has opened a door for you, and you have put out your hand to close +it." + +"Don't say that. You cannot be sure the door was meant for me; perhaps +it is that I am to find some one; that is to be my share of the work." + +"Child, I have more faith in you than that, and I do not think that is +the way God works." + +It struck Phebe just then how unfair she had been to Nanna in her +thoughts; instead of feeling aggrieved she ought to have felt flattered +that her old friend had such confidence in her abilities. It would not +do to make any confession, but she put her arms round Nanna's neck and +kissed her as though to atone for the wrong she had done. + +"Ah, dearie, you've stood to-night, I'm thinking," Nanna continued, +"where Moses stood and where Jeremiah stood, and you've made the same +excuses they did." + +Just then Phebe caught sight of the star. + +Did she hear over again the old command, "On whatsoever errand I shall +send thee, thou shalt go"? If she did, she certainly made no answer. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE CALL OF DEBORAH + + +It was a long time that night before Phebe got to sleep. She had even +found it difficult to pray; this she tried to attribute to the unrest +Nanna had caused her. Over and over again did she return to Jim's +request, and each time seemed to find a fresh obstacle; the distance was +surely one great obstacle. + +She tried her level best to rest on the firm conviction the work was not +hers, and then to consider how she was to make good her promise to find +some one who _would_ feel called to do it. + +Would it be any good to appeal to the church? She shrank from that, +remembering her late experience. + +What could she do! Did God intend to convince her the call was hers by +making it impossible for her to find a substitute? + +All at once she remembered a committee had recently been formed in the +town consisting of representatives from various bodies, to attend to +certain social and religious wants of the district--the very thing +needed! The first thing she would do when morning light appeared, would +be to write to that committee, and with that restful thought she fell +asleep. + +The letter was written and posted directly after breakfast, but not a +word to Nanna did she say about it. What a delight it would be when she +could all at once announce the fact that this important committee had +received her suggestion with grateful thanks and were commencing work at +once! + +This said committee happened to meet on the following day. Stephen +Collins was a member of it. Mr. Bell, Bessie's superintendent, was the +honorary secretary. + +Phebe's letter was the first to be read when the item "Correspondence" +on the agenda was reached. + +In a very pompous voice the letter was read aloud. It had taken the +writer more than half-an-hour to frame, but it did not take many seconds +to read. This is a copy of it: + + "DEAR SIRS, + + "My attention has lately been drawn to the sad state of matters + among the men working at the railway-works at ----, especially + on Sundays. I believe the use of a shed could be obtained if + workers could be found to conduct a service there. I need + hardly say that for such men it would need to be a bright one, + and conducted on as fresh lines as possible. It is four miles + from Hadley, not too far for a strong man to walk. If you would + take up this work, I am sure it would be fulfilling the object + for which you were called together, and would bring honour to + God. It seems certainly very discreditable to the Christians of + this town that no hand has yet been stretched out to help these + men. Will you not retrieve our good name? If I can be of any + assistance or give any suggestions, I shall only be too happy + to do so. + + "Yours, in Christian service, + "PHEBE WARING." + +"There are your marching orders, gentlemen, and a captain ready provided +for you," said the honorary secretary sarcastically. + +"I do not think that letter calls for any such remark," said Stephen +Collins. He was rather aghast at Mr. Bell's words, knowing nothing of +the stone Bessie had thrown into the waters. Mr. Bell gave him a very +fixed stare, causing Stephen Collins' face to grow very red. "I think it +is a splendid piece of work she points out, and one that we should in no +wise pass by." + +"I think we have quite enough work upon our hands already," remarked the +chairman. + +"Excuse me, sir," said Stephen, "I thought our duty was first to +ascertain how much needed to be done, and then to confer how best it is +to be accomplished. We are not here to do so much and no more." + +"No one said we were," was the testy answer. + +"It's a fine state of matters," remarked one member who always acted as +echo to the secretary, "if we are to be told our duty by a woman." + +"And by such a woman," remarked the secretary. + +"What do you mean, sir?" demanded Stephen. + +"Oh, I forgot she was a special friend of yours; I am very sorry if I +offend"--this more blandly--"but I mean this: a woman whose husband was +obliged to leave her, even forfeiting thereby a profitable business, and +who is seen standing talking at the door of a low public-house, is not +the kind of woman to do the Deborah act for us. That's what I mean," +bringing his hand forcibly down upon the table. "Indeed, I know it for a +fact that she was refused admittance as teacher to a certain Sunday +School in the town, where she had offered her services." + +"That is a libel upon a good Christian woman," protested Stephen. + +"Gentlemen, I think we had better pass on to the next business," said +the chairman. + +"No, sir," said Stephen, restraining himself with great effort, "I am +about to move a resolution, and it is that an answer be sent to Mrs. +Waring, thanking her for drawing our attention to this call for service, +and assuring her it shall at once be considered how it can be met." + +This was seconded by a special friend Stephen happened to have sitting +next to him. + +"And I beg to move an amendment, Mr. Chairman," said the echo; "it is +that a reply be sent to Mrs. Waring to this effect:" and then he read a +letter which all knew Mr. Bell had previously written and passed on to +him. + + "'DEAR MADAM, + + "'Your esteemed communication to hand. It is strange, whoever + your informant was, that we were not the first to be put in + possession of the facts. We are obliged to you for your kind + offer, but it is not work at all suitable for women, and indeed + the workers would have to be very carefully chosen. At present + we have sufficient work in Hadley to occupy us. Perhaps at some + future time, when our committee is enlarged, we may be able to + take in both Hadley and district. We are, madam, yours + faithfully, on behalf of the committee, etc., etc.'" + +The amendment was carried with only three dissentients out of fifteen. + +One of the members remarked that no doubt the application would have met +with a different reception if it had come from some other quarter. + +"Mark my words, gentlemen," said Mr. Bell, "Mrs. Waring will commence +the work herself. What she wanted was to be able to do so under our +auspices." + +"And now," said the echo, with a drawl, "she will put it about that she +was obliged to do so because those dreadful men were too lazy and +indifferent. Trust a woman to make her side right." + +Stephen said nothing; he prayed to be quiet, and the prayer was +answered. Love urged him to vindicate the honour of this defenceless +woman, but wisdom said, "If you love her, you will be silent." + +All this part of the committee's business was duly retailed afterwards +by Mr. Bell to Mrs. and Miss Bell. + +From that time, although Phebe never knew the reason why exactly, she +lost four good weekly customers. How many more these influenced could +not be reckoned, and in addition to this several people who had been in +the habit of saying "Good-day" to her as she met them in the street, now +passed her by with the coolest of nods. + +The circle in the waters was spreading. + +When the committee's letter was received Phebe was more than +disappointed; it was like a stab to the heart. For a little while the +keen pain was followed by a dazed feeling. It was some time before she +recovered sufficiently to fully understand the letter; then two +conclusions were arrived at: the first was the committee had no sympathy +with woman's work (it was entirely composed of men, although more than +half the work they had under consideration had to do with women and +children), and the other was that they had the same prejudice against +her that Bessie's superintendent had. + +Then came three anxious questions. Should she show the letter to Nanna? +Having failed to find a substitute, had she now to consider the call a +personal one? How far was she justified in allowing men's prejudices to +hinder her? + +The first was soon answered. It would be a poor return for all Nanna's +love to keep this fresh trouble from her; besides, Nanna would be sure +to supply answers quickly to the other questions. + +"But shall I be ready to accept her answers?" Phebe asked herself. "I'll +wait and see; I am sure about nothing that concerns myself just now." + +That evening, at their usual time of confidences, and in their usual +attitude, Phebe handed the letter to Nanna, giving no word of +explanation. Nanna got her glasses, and began at once to read. It took +her a minute or so to grasp whom the letter was from, and she turned +more than once to the heading of the paper. + +"My poor child! You dear Phebe! But never mind; let us put this +cold-blooded letter on the fire. Think of it no more, and let us go back +to where we were the night Coates came. See, shall I?" holding the +letter over the fire. + +[Illustration: "'LET US PUT THIS COLD-BLOODED LETTER ON THE FIRE.'"] + +Phebe nodded, and they both watched it curl up into a black mass, and +then sink down into the heart of the fire. + +"Shall we go back, Phebe, dear?" + +"What does that mean, Nanna?" + +"That you give God your answer." + +"That I am willing to do that work myself?" + +"Yes." + +"And do you really think I could?" looking up into the strong, brave +face bending over her. + +"Yes, I do; it is God's call, and He is sure to give you all you need. +Will you?" + +There was a pause, and then a faint "Yes," but Nanna knew, though faint, +it was meant. And there and then, without altering their position, Nanna +prayed: "I thank Thee, dear Father, for this honour Thou art putting on +my dear Phebe. Perhaps it is in some way to make up for the dishonour +some have put upon her. Through the delay in answering Thee she has +brought fresh pain to herself, but forgive her and comfort her, dear +Father. Open up the way for her in this piece of work, everything going +so smoothly that thereby she may see Thy dear hand in all, and be +assured Thou art with her. Give her, dear Lord, to-morrow, if Thou seest +it will be good, some extra bit of comfort to make up for what has +wounded her so sorely to-day. May she be another of Thy brave Deborahs. +We are in Thy hands; never let us even wish to be anywhere else, and do +let us each feel the touch of those blessed hands." + +The next day at dinner, to everybody's surprise, Mrs. Colston announced +that in all probability Mrs. Waring was going next Sunday afternoon to +hold a meeting among the navvies. + +"You don't say so!" exclaimed Bessie; "then I shall go, too. It wouldn't +be the proper thing, you know, to let her go alone." + +"And couldn't you sing a bit?" asked Nanna. + +"Yes, I would if Mrs. Waring would like me to do so." Bessie had a very +nice voice, but was never very confident of herself as a singer. + +Phebe only smiled an answer. She was still feeling too nervous to talk +much about the plan. Later on, Reynolds said: "I have been thinking, +Mrs. Waring, they are rather a rough sort you are going among; if you've +no objection, I should like to accompany you." + +And a little later, when Jones heard all about these arrangements, he +exclaimed: "I'm not going to be left out, I'm sure. I'm coming, too; and +if you've no portable organ or anything of that kind lent you, I could +bring my concertina." He had a beautiful English concertina, and was +really a very good player. + +"Splendid!" exclaimed Bessie, "we'll all gather round 'The Little +Missis,'--that we will!" + +"I am sure you are all too good to me," said Phebe, with tears in her +eyes, for she realised that all these offers were made out of pure +devotion towards her, no higher motive as yet being apparent. + +"There, dear heart!" exclaimed Nanna, "there's the answer straightway." + +"What answer?" forgetting for the moment to what she referred. + +"Don't you remember what I asked the Lord for last night? A special bit +of comfort to come to you to-day, and there it is straightway in the +offer of these loving young hearts!" + +It struck Reynolds as a rather new idea that anything he did should be +described as an answer to prayer. If that were so, God must often be +very near to him, influencing him. The thought made him feel very quiet. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE GOING FORTH OF DEBORAH + + +Nanna lost no time in sending Jim Coates a verbal message as to Mrs. +Waring's promise. This was followed later on by a note from that +individual herself, asking Jim to see her friend the ganger, and +ascertain if the use of one of the sheds would be granted for a Bible +meeting on Sunday afternoons. + +The very next evening Jim paid another visit to Mrs. Waring's +establishment, this time to give report number two. He little thought +the night he came with some of his drinking companions to have a look at +the woman whose religion "cost her summat," that he would ever be a +welcome guest in her parlour, or even wish to be. + +Jim had already enlisted the sympathies of his three Christian mates in +his scheme. Dick was especially taken up with it, and the two had lost +no time in making all the arrangements they could. + +The ganger had done all in his power to help, but had not hesitated in +uttering most doleful prophecies. "She's a little brick, that she is; +but they'll either send her to Coventry or Bedlam." Jim repeated all the +ganger had said, feeling it only right that Mrs. Waring should know the +risks she was running. + +But Phebe only laughed, quietly remarking: "We shall have more on our +side than those that are against us." Jim wondered very much at her +reckoning up, but said nothing. He had not learnt yet to include the +angels in his calculations. + +The whole company joined in discussing the plans--the two young men, +Bessie and Nanna. + +"I don't see how you are going to walk those four miles," said Bessie; +"it is that which troubles me, for you are not a good walker at any +time." + +"I did think of that myself," said Phebe, "but if it is right for me to +go God will give me the strength." + +"Hear, hear," said Nanna, clapping her rough little hands; "that's what +I call the right note." + +"You stop a bit," said Jim mysteriously. "Dick and me have thought about +that; you wait and you'll see." + +Then he went on to describe how they were going to fit the shed up and +erect temporary seats. "But Dick and me want to know, Mrs. Waring, if it +was a fine day, if you'd be willing to have the meeting out of doors? +More of the men would listen if you would. Dick says if you sat with +your back to the shed it would be a sounding-board for you, like as they +have in churches." + +"That would be a good deal better than a stuffy old shed," put in +Bessie, to which opinion Phebe also agreed. + +Punctually at a quarter to two on the next Sunday afternoon the little +party was ready to start on its expedition. Nanna whispered to Phebe: +"'Fear thou not, for I am with thee: be not dismayed, for I am thy God; +I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee +with the right hand of My righteousness.'" + +Nanna, with little Jack in her arms, and Janie by her side, stood at +the street-door to wave their farewells. Prompted by Nanna, Jack +screamed out: "Bye-bye, mummy; come back happy." + +Jim Coates, all radiant in a new black-and-white check suit, and hair +well oiled, met them at the bottom of the street to act as conductor. + +"I say, Mr. Coates," exclaimed Bessie, "where's that carriage and pair +of greys you promised Mrs. Waring? I wonder you are so forgetful." + +"You wait a while, miss, and you'll see I'm not so forgetful as you +think," with a comically solemn look on his face. + +"Did you ever see such a swell--a real Beau Brummel, if you like!" +whispered Bessie to Phebe. "He looks like 'a peacock with a wooden leg,' +if you like. But he's 'a dear' for all that." + +When they had got less than half-way, lo! there, in the centre of the +road, stood Dick, holding a tricycle. + +"There!" exclaimed Jim, with a triumphant smile, "there's the carriage +and here's the greys," pointing to himself and Dick. + +A Bible was strapped on the handle-bar, on which also was hung a large +motto-card, bearing the words "God is Love." + +"I thought," explained Jim, "these 'ud show as how you weren't riding +for pleasure on Sunday." + +"You are quite right," said Phebe, feeling deeply touched by this +exhibition, not only of thoughtful love, but of loyalty to God, "but I +have never learnt to ride!" + +"Oh, that don't matter, ma'am," said Dick, coming to the help of his +mate. "Jim an' me's a-going' to push you--at least one of us is, but we +hasn't fought it out yet which is a-going to do it." These men were real +heroes--truer than any who have ever trod a battlefield: they knew right +well the pushing of that machine meant months of ill-natured chaff and +persecution. + +As they neared the end of their journey, one of the men, who had been on +the look-out for them, quickly took the word to the camp: "Gentleman +Dick and Red Ribbon and their swells are coming along. Come on, I say, +and let's have a fine old spree!" + +Quite a little crowd gathered close by the shed to witness the arrival. +Jim and Dick were greeted with some very rude gibes, but the other +members of the party escaped any personal remarks. + +With the same quickness and tact Phebe had shown in the management of +her business, she set about this new work. Taking their seats in front +of the shed, Phebe and Bessie began to sing, Reynolds and Jones +standing close by, while Dick and Jim stood on each side as a kind of +defence. The concertina was a great help, and when Bessie sang alone it +formed a nice soft accompaniment. The men were quite taken off their +guard, and thoroughly enjoyed it. "Give us some more, missis," they +called out more than once. + +A little later on Phebe said: "If you don't mind, friends, sitting down +on the grass, I'll tell you a story while my friend has a rest," and a +good number of them did so. They hadn't the slightest idea, some of +them, that they were attending "a meeting." First, with a story from her +own girlhood, and then one told in her own words, from the life of +Jesus, she got their closest attention. When one at the close called +out, "How much are you paid for this, missis?" more than one tuft of +grass was thrown at him, with several unparliamentary bits of advice as +to what he was to do with his mouth. + +After more singing they asked her to talk to them again, and she did so, +this time pressing home one or two truths, and then she prayed. Many of +the men had never heard a prayer since they prayed at their mother's +knee. Not many eyes were closed, but a wonderful silence fell upon that +group of rough fellows as they listened to that "little woman" talking +to God. + +"Will you come again, missis?" asked one. + +"Yes, I will, if you will let me. And please tell your wives, those of +you who have them living here--will you?--how much I should like to see +them, too. If it rains we should have to go into the shed--would you +mind that?" + +"No, why should we?" they answered. "Not if the singing girl comes too." + +The four visitors went into the shed before starting home, just to see +what it was like, and there a surprise met them. On a stool stood four +cups and saucers, a jug of milk, a packet of sugar, and some biscuits. +Presently Dick came in, carrying a teapot. This was all his own +particular bit of work. He had made a fire at the back of the shed and +boiled his kettle there, giving a boy a penny to stand guard over it. + +The journey home was accomplished in the same manner as the outward had +been, and all four had to tell Nanna that they had really had a very +enjoyable time. The most enjoyable part to Phebe had been a talk she had +with a young fellow who had walked part of the way back with them. + +"I was the only useless one there, Mrs. Colston," said Reynolds. "My +manly protecting strength was not required at all." + +Just like a woman with a dear old motherly heart, Mrs. Colston had ready +for them a specially nice tea. + +"Is you tum home happy, mummy?" asked dear little Jack, as he gave his +mother some welcome hugs. + +"Yes, darling, very happy." + +"Why is you vevy happy, mummy?" + +"Because, darling, I've tried to be obedient." + +But the thought of why his mother had to be obedient was too perplexing +for him, so he turned to the easier task of counting the gooseberries in +his little pie. + +Just before entering the town the little party had been met by Stephen +Collins, who again passed by with a bow and a smile. But no smile was in +his heart. "Others can stand by her and help her, but I must do +nothing--not even defend her as she ought to be defended. God help me!" + +The following Sunday afternoon the same programme was carried out, with +just a few additions. A few women were present, some of the men learnt a +chorus; two women forcibly took the tea arrangements out of Dick's +hands, the remark being, "What's a great yardstick like you know about +making tea!" and instead of one man accompanying the little party on its +way homewards there were four. The result of all this was that Bessie +informed Nanna that "things were humming more than ever." + +If the men had been asked to attend a service there would have been +nothing short of a mutiny; as it was they had done so unawares, and got +accustomed to it before awaking to the fact. When they did a few +rebelled, but the majority submitted to fate. After that second Sunday +the feeling of extreme nervousness which had at first taken possession +of Phebe passed away. She was able now to look upon the work as really +hers, given by God, and began to study it in that light. It was +imperative that she should look ahead. The railway-works would continue +quite another twelve months. It was all very well to hold the meetings +out-of-doors during the fine weather, but what about the winter-time! +Would the men be really willing to come into the shed, and if even they +were willing to endure the discomfort, what about heating and lighting +arrangements? + +What was really needed, she told herself, was an iron room, which the +men could use as a club-room during the week. How much would such a room +cost? + +Advertisements were scanned. Yes, a second-hand one could be obtained, +with all necessary fittings, for a hundred pounds. + +Could she afford to spend that amount just then? Would it be a wise +expenditure? Just then she was about to open a branch business in which +Jones was to be put as manager, and from which it was hoped to still +further enlarge the country trade. This, of course, meant a considerable +strain upon the exchequer, and it would only be with difficulty, in +spite of her success, that a hundred pounds could be spared. + +"Well," she said to herself, "I must just leave the matter for a while, +and wait and watch for the pointing Finger." + +On that first Sunday afternoon, unknown to Phebe and her little company, +only excepting Dick, the ganger had been an attentive listener, standing +at the back of the shed, close by Dick's fire, and with him, equally +attentive, was one of the contractors, a gentlemanly-looking man. + +It was the ganger who had told the contractor of the meeting, and he was +there partly out of curiosity and partly out of fear lest there might be +some rather rough "horse-play." + +He had taken a house in the neighbourhood for two years, furnishing it +with every comfort. He was by no means a Christian, having for the last +few years been given over body and soul to just two things--money-making +and pleasure. + +Lunch over, it suddenly occurred to him he might as well go to the works +as sit by the fire reading a newspaper. Maybe there was a little hope +somewhere in his heart that he might get a spice of enjoyment out of the +fun going on. + +But in all that gathering there was no more attentive listener than Hugh +Black, the contractor. He stayed till the little party started on its +homeward journey, and then stood where he could watch them. + +"I say, Greaves," turning to the ganger, "yonder little woman is plucky, +if you like. There's not many who would have won that lot of fellows as +she has done this afternoon. And didn't she hold them! I never heard or +saw anything like it in my life before. What brought her here, do you +suppose?" + +Greaves muttered something about not knowing. + +"There's no money in it, that's certain; and it cannot be for popularity +among her set, for I should think a good many folks would blame her for +it." + +"I know what my missis would say there was in it," the ganger plucked up +courage enough to say. + +"And what's that?" still with eyes fixed on the tricycle, held on either +side the handle-bar by Dick and the fresh addition to the party. + +"She'd say as how it was to please God." + +"H'm." Then turning sharply round to the ganger, he exclaimed, "I say, +Greaves; do you profess to be religious?" + +The ganger grew very red. "Not like she is," pointing towards Phebe. + +"I thought not. If you had, it would have come out before now. Well, I +shall not soon forget that little woman." + + * * * * * + +As an earthly flower grows towards perfection its progress is of no help +whatever to any other blossom. Even its fragrance, scattered so lavishly +on the air, adds nothing to the perfume of another. Flowers of the +Kingdom know nothing of this isolation--can know nothing. The growth of +each in grace aids the growth of others. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +HER NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOUR + + +Late one night Bessie took her favourite low seat close by the fire, and +closer still to Phebe, occupying the same position Phebe did in her +confidences with Nanna. + +"What's the matter, Bessie, dear?" Phebe was very quick to note any +change in Bessie's manner, and try as she might Bessie never could hide +her feelings. + +"I don't know how it is," said Bessie, with a sigh, "but try as I may I +can't get on with mother," and then there came something like a sob. + +"Is there any fresh trouble?" + +"Yesterday was mother's birthday," went on Bessie, in a low voice, "so I +thought I would give her a little present; it's ever so long since I've +done so. I bought a brooch--I could not afford a gold one--and when I +gave it her--she said she never wore sham jewellery----" Bessie's voice +was too choked to go on any further. + +"Poor old girl!" said Phebe tenderly, taking hold of her hand; "never +mind, you must keep on trying; love-work often goes slowly at first. +You'll see, she will wear that brooch on Sunday, mark my words." + +"But that was not all she said," went on Bessie; "she said I was getting +far too much of a saint for her; she wondered I had anything to do with +such a wicked woman as she was,--but she believed it was only some +clever trick I was up to,--mother even said I could act a sham to you, +but she was not so easily gulled." + +"Something had surely been worrying her." + +"No, I don't suppose so, that's just mother. What is the good of me +trying! I feel as if I'd never go in home again, that I do!" + +"Do you think that would be acting a daughter's part?" + +"No,"--very faintly. + +"Then your course is very clear, dearie." + +"Yes," with a deep sigh. + +"Don't despair, Bessie, darling," said Phebe, stooping down and kissing +the girl's brow. "It's a difficult piece of work you have to do, but +there'll be all the more joy when it is completed." + +There was a long silence between them, and the subject was not referred +to again that evening. But Phebe sat long after Bessie had retired for +the night thinking things over. The thought uppermost in her mind was +this: + +"I plead for visitors to go to zenanas in India, but what is my duty to +Mrs. Marchant? All the years she has been my neighbour I have never even +prayed for her, or tried to pass on to her any helpful message! Fancy +that! And I call myself a Christian!" + +When Nanna came into the room to bid her good-night, she said: "I wonder +what her majesty is turning over so seriously in her mind!" + +"Her majesty's subject," with special emphasis on the last word, "is +thinking sadly of a neglected duty." + +"Well!" exclaimed Nanna, laughing, "if the late lamented Mrs. Caudle +had an eye for a bloater, my Phebe certainly has an eye for duties!" + +"But, Nanna, when I tell you what it is, you will not laugh." + +"Yes, I shall. I belong to the Guild of Gladness, and there's something +to be glad about in everything,--if you look for it. If even this duty +is a very solemn one, I am glad you have at last thought of it." + +"I know I can never get you in a corner." And then she told Nanna her +thoughts. + +"You are quite right," was Nanna's reply, "we have both been to blame; +we have thought so much of winning Bessie, we have lost sight of the +mother." + +"I shall make 'a dash for it,' as Bessie says, to-morrow. And trust for +guidance, at the moment as to the right thing to say." + +So the very next afternoon she went in to see her neighbour, and found +her, of course, as busy--not as a bee, but, rather, as a cloud of dust. + +"I wish I had your easy life, Mrs. Waring! I am never done," she +exclaimed, sinking down into a chair with a load of freshly mangled +towels in her arms. "And as for troubles,--it seems as if my life was +made up of them." + +"But I think you will acknowledge that I have had a few troubles lately, +Mrs. Marchant, don't you think so?" + +"Yes; but then troubles slip off some people like rain off a +cabbage-leaf, but it soaks into me like it does into a sponge. I can't +shake it off nohow. I don't know how it is, I'm sure," and she put her +bundle down on her lap and began to smooth the towels with her hands. + +"You are very highly strung," began Phebe. + +"Yes, I know that, but you're about the first one that has said so; +everybody seems to think I ought to be made of cast-iron. I'm sure the +trouble that Bessie of mine's been to me nobody knows. And then to think +she can be such an angel to you while to her own mother she can never be +anything but a worry!--it's exasperating! It makes me wild when I think +of it." + +"I am sorry you feel like that. I know Bessie loves you dearly, and she +is gaining so much more control that I thought you would have noticed a +real improvement in her. Of course I know she is rather thoughtless--but +there, you are proud of her for all that, and she is a girl any mother +might be proud of!" + +"I don't know about that," but a little pleasanter look came on to her +face which seemed to contradict her words. + +"But I did not come in to talk about Bessie," went on Phebe, "I came in +to speak to you about yourself. I was saying to Nanna last night I did +not think I had acted the neighbour's part to you; I have seldom ever +been in even to ask how you were." + +"I am sure it is very kind of you," put in Mrs. Marchant, and she really +meant it. We all like to be made of some importance. + +"I think housewives need all the cheer and sunshine they can +get,"--Phebe suddenly paused, for Phill just at that moment came into +the room, and Phebe then noticed, what she had not done before, that +dinner for one was laid at the end of the table. Evidently Phill had +come in with the intention of sitting down there; if so, it was +"good-bye" to all private talk with his mother. After a few scattered +remarks Phebe departed. + +"You have not been long," remarked Nanna; "what success have you had?" + +"Not any," answered Phebe; "just as I was drawing near to say something +helpful Phill came in, and then my opportunity had gone. His arrival on +the scene quite spoilt my little plan." + +But had it? If Phebe had known a little more of the Unseen Hand which +shapes our lives, she would not have been quite so sure her little plan +was spoilt. + +The sight of Mrs. Waring brought to Phill Marchant's mind a little train +of thought he had been cogitating over lately, and as soon as she left +he remarked to his mother: "Mrs. Waring has got something you haven't +got, mother." + +"What's that?" snapped the mother. "I'm as well off as she is any day. +She's got no jewellery to speak of, and goodness knows, her house is +poor enough!" + +"Oh, I don't mean that sort of thing." + +"Well, what do you mean?" + +"She never seems to get into flusters like you do, she seems to have +something that steadies her, somehow; I hardly know how to put it." +Phill saw from the look on his mother's face he was getting on to +dangerous ground, and that made it all the more difficult to clothe his +thoughts in words. + +"Flusters, indeed! She'd be flustered right enough if she had the +worries I have." + +"I should think she has more to worry her than you have," Phill ventured +to remark. + +"That shows all you know about it! Why, she came in this afternoon to +try and cheer me up a bit--she as good as said so just before you came +in." + +"Yes, that's just it!" put in Phill eagerly, "she's got the knack of +brightening things up for folks as well as for herself. She makes a +fellow feel cheery like to be with her." + +"You'd better go and live with her then, like your sister's done. It's a +fine thing when children take to lecturing their mother! It would be far +more becoming of you to try to lessen your mother's worries than to make +out she is so much worse than her neighbours!" + +After that Phill ate his dinner in silence, and took his departure as +quickly as possible. But the thought of the difference between his +mother and Mrs. Waring had taken still deeper root in his mind. + +The next time he met Bessie he was specially gracious to her. Bessie did +not know what to make of it. + +"It is wretchedly dull at home now you're away, Bess. I do wish you +would come back!" + +"Not if I know it!" answered that young lady. "I know when I'm well off. +Besides, I thought you would get on like the steam out of Watts' kettle +with me away!" + +"Yes, that's just it, I'm always in hot water," he replied in a doleful +voice. + +"Well, what if you are? Isn't hot water better than black beetles? Hot +water is a splendid thing to drink, but it would give you the creeps to +have to eat beetles! Ugh!" + +"What a stupid you are, Bess, and just when a fellow wants to be +serious!" + +Bessie had it on her lips to say, "Wonders will never cease!"--she had +already raised her hands in a tragic style, but something in Phill's +manner checked her. "What was it you wanted to say, Phill?" she asked +quite kindly, suddenly dropping her hands. + +The lad looked up at her, struck with the change in her voice, and was +silent for a moment or so. "Tell me, Bessie, what it is that makes Mrs. +Waring so different to mother?" The sentence was quite shot out. + +"How did you find out there was any difference?" + +"Find out? It don't take long to find that out! Mrs. Waring don't worry +and fluster like mother does, and yet I should think she's got more to +worry about." + +"You're right there." + +"Well, what is the difference? I can hear you all laughing like anything +sometimes." + +Bessie knew well enough what the difference was, but did not like to put +it into words. + +"I wish I could come into Mrs. Waring's of an evening!" went on Phill. + +"Well, do," assented Bessie eagerly, "and then you can find out for +yourself what the difference is. I am sure Mrs. Waring will be pleased +for you to come. I'll ask her." Bessie was quite relieved by this way +of avoiding the explanation of "the difference." + +Thus it came to pass that another member was added to "Love's Hospital." +Many a bright, merry hour did the lad spend there. + +"Have you found it out?" Bessie ventured to ask him after a while. + +"Of course I have, and you are pretty dense if _you_ haven't! Why, a +mole could see it!" + +"Well, what is it?" + +"I believe you know as well as I do." + +"Of course I do; I haven't lived with her all these months for nothing." + +"Then you tell me," said Phill. + +"It is that God counts for something in Mrs. Waring's life," was the +girl's straight answer. + +"H'm," said Phill, "I suppose that's it." + +"Yes," said Bessie, now quite brave once she had started, "and what she +can't do, she leaves to Him, and knows it will be all right. You see, +when once you get to that point, there's no need of flusters and +worries." + +The boy did not answer, but turned thoughtfully away. + +Mrs. Marchant was not able to forget Phill's words; even when her +resentment had worn off a little, they were there with haunting power. + +"I'd give a good deal to know what it is she has that I haven't!" she +kept saying to herself, "for, oh dear, life at times seems unbearable! +It can't be her religion exactly, for lots of religious people are just +as worried as I am. What can it be, I wonder! I have a good mind to ask +her straight out the next time I see her." + +She had not long to wait, for Phebe was on the look-out for another +opportunity of getting close to her neighbour, and Mrs. Marchant, true +to her resolution, put the question to her. + +Phebe's heart bounded with joy. How splendidly her way was being opened +up! when,--was it of the Evil One, or was it of God?--that just at that +moment Mr. Marchant should come into the room! + +There was no help for it but to again beat a retreat, but before doing +so, she said: "Do come in some afternoon and have a cup of tea with me. +You have never been in yet." + +"No, I have no time for visiting," was the abrupt answer. But when she +got to the door with her visitor, she added, "Yes, I'll come." + +When Phebe reported progress to Nanna, that dear old body exclaimed: +"Well, that's something to be thankful for! When a woman's got out of +conceit with herself, and has an idea she'd like to be different to what +she is, she is certainly on her way to Joseph's garden!" + +"Joseph's garden!" exclaimed Phebe; "you funny, old dear, what is that?" + +"Why, don't you know? Mary while at Bethany only listened to the Lord's +message, and gave Him something; but when she got to Joseph's garden, +she said, 'Master!' + +"But she had to go by the cross to get there!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE NEW CLUB-ROOM + + +Autumn was drawing near, and still the pointing Finger had not been +recognised. A few of the meetings had been held in the shed, and, +although most of the men had been loyal to their promise, they had been +anything but comfortable times. + +Nanna thought the matter had not been made a subject of united prayer +enough. So at morning prayer, which Phebe had lately established, it was +mentioned, and she also spoke of it to some of the men, asking them to +pray about it too. + +Hugh Black had attended most of the meetings, taking up the same place +behind the shed. The men had got to know of this, but said nothing, and +once Phebe had caught sight of him herself. His presence brought back a +little of the old nervousness, but when she told Nanna, that old Amazon +said: "Toots, child, what difference should an extra quality in cloth +make to you! I should say he needs your help as much as anybody." + +To Phebe's great astonishment he walked into the shop one morning. + +"Can I have a word with you alone, Mrs. Waring?" he asked. + +"Most certainly," and the two entered the parlour. + +Phebe's heart was going pit-a-pat at a very unusual rate. Could it be he +had come to put any difficulties in the way--to make any complaints! How +is it in any moment of excitement we are sure to jump to the most +doleful conjectures? + +"Pray be seated, Mr. Black," she managed to say, in a tolerably steady +voice. + +"Thank you. I have often wanted to come to see you, Mrs. Waring, and +this morning I thought I'd just make a rush for it. Perhaps you wouldn't +believe it, but I felt quite nervous at the thought of coming." + +"That is very strange; I am sure you are given to inspire more terror +than I am. To tell you the truth I felt nervous when I saw you come in," +and then they both laughed. There is nothing like a laugh for putting +people at their ease. + +"Well, Mrs. Waring, I'd better go straight to the point at once. I like +what you say to those men--indeed, I take most of it to myself, too. But +that's not what I wanted to say. What are you going to do when the bad +weather comes on?" + +"Wear a macintosh," was the simple answer. How could she be so dense! +Surely here was the pointing Finger, yet she did not recognise it. + +"Yes, yes; but that's not it. Where are you going to hold the meetings?" + +Phebe grasped the arms of her chair to steady herself. She had caught +sight of the Finger now. She lifted her eyes to the star--God was near! + +Then, with her usual simple straightforwardness, she told him all that +had been in her mind and how she had been waiting for guidance to know +if it was right to spend the hundred pounds. "I can afford to do so +now," she added, "much better than I could at the beginning of the +summer." + +"It would not be right to let you do it. I came here with the +determination to offer you fifty pounds, if that would help you in any +way, but I'll make it a hundred." + +"Sir!" gasped Phebe, her breath fairly taken away. + +"Yes, it's no more than I ought to do. I'm making a profit out of the +men, and ought to do it; besides, I want to help you, too." + +"Mr. Black," she said earnestly, putting her hand on his arm, "I'll +accept fifty pounds thankfully, but no more. I must do some of it +myself. And do you know, you are here as God's servant! We have prayed +so much about this, and God has sent you with the answer." + +"I'm not a religious man, Mrs. Waring. I don't want to sail under any +false colours. I'm what you'd call 'a black sheep.'" + +"Perhaps so, but for all that you are doing some of God's work, and some +day you'll do it for God's sake." + +"Do you think I shall?" and the man had quite a yearning look on his +face. + +"Yes, I do." + +Then they talked of the best means of securing a second-hand iron +building and the best place to put it. When they parted Hugh Black said: +"Well, Mrs. Waring, if you will not accept more than the fifty for the +building, I mean to help you in some other way." + +"So you shall, if God opens up the way." + +"Do you think that God wants me to do anything for Him?" + +"I am sure of it. The very fact that you were led to make that offer +proves it. Do believe it, Mr. Black, for it will help you to get near to +God." + +"I'll try." Then he shook hands with her, and, just as he was opening +the door, turned round and said in a shaky voice: "Pray for me, Mrs. +Waring, will you? I was not always what I am now." + +"I will, and God will answer." With another hearty shake of the hand he +was gone. + +How the sun did shine that day! The sunbeams did not glance from the +fifty sovereigns, but from this signal proof of God-partnership in the +work. There is a little bit of the Thomas spirit in us all. We do so +like to see! + +That day at dinner-time Phebe arranged that Bessie and Reynolds should +be in at the same time. While Nanna was carving Phebe told her startling +piece of news. + +Nanna put down her knife and fork, and, starting to her feet, exclaimed, +clasping her hands: "Praise the Lord! it's worth more than fifty pounds +to feel Him so near." + +"Glorious!" exclaimed Bessie; "let's sing the doxology." + +And they did so, Reynolds as heartily as anybody, and Janie coming to +the door to join in, though she knew nothing of what the praise was +specially for. + +"And another thing which is so fine," said Nanna, when they were quietly +seated again, "is that all this proves God is working in that man's +heart. We must all pray for him; we'll just pray him into the Kingdom." +Reynolds wanted very much to ask if he was going to enter that way too. +Nanna had certainly looked at him very significantly but said nothing. + +After dinner was over, Nanna whispered to Phebe: "Dear heart, wasn't it +worth the pain that letter brought you to have all this?" + +"I should think so, a hundred times over." + +"We must not forget another time a shadow falls that God never lets +Satan have the victory in the end. It only means a little waiting, a +little enduring." + +The next Sunday afternoon Phebe startled the hearers by saying: "I want +to correct a mistake which some of you have fallen into. You think I am +not paid for my services here, but I am." + +"Whew!" went from more than one pair of lips. + +"I have had fifty pounds given me, and I have had other payments +besides." + +"Share round, missis, and then we don't mind," said one voice. + +"Yes, I am going to share round, but perhaps not in the way you mean," +and then she told them the whole of the story, of what her hopes had +been, her difficulty, the watching for the Finger, and the gift of the +fifty pounds. "Now," she exclaimed, joy lighting up her face, "who will +say God is not watching over our little meeting?" + +"Hip, hip, hurrah!" shouted one of the men, which was quite equal, in +his mind, to "Hallelujah!" + +The story had a splendid effect upon the men. The idea of a club-room +all their own, of money being given for their special benefit, gave a +decided impetus to the work, and the signal proof of God's near +connection with them certainly led many a heart closer to God. + +"I say, missis," one man exclaimed, "let us have some share in the +paying for this room, won't you? Gentleman Dick," turning towards that +individual, "hand round yer hat for a collection. You lazy fellow, stir +yourself, do." + +And before Phebe had time to say "Yes" or "No," twenty-one shillings +were collected. + +"This must be spent in something extra," said she, when she had +collected her thoughts together, "so I propose you appoint Mr. Dick your +treasurer." To which they all agreed. + +It did not take long to secure the iron room, and before the autumn days +had begun to show the touch of winter it was up, the floor was covered +with linoleum, pictures were on the walls, and there were as many wooden +arm-chairs as could be conveniently got in. Phebe's idea was that the +room should be made as attractive as possible. The men's money was put +to the chair fund. + +Arrangements were made for the room to be open every dinner-hour and +every evening. Dick was appointed custodian, and one of the women paid +to give it a good cleaning every Saturday. Dick thought he was quite +equal to this latter duty, but Phebe was not quite so sure on that +point. + +There were about fifty women in the camp, living in the long rows of +little wooden houses specially built for them, just like married +quarters in some military camps. Phebe wanted specially to get into +touch with these women. + +In consulting with Mr. Black as to the best site for the room, Phebe +happened to mention her ownership of the meadow on the other side of the +line, wondering if that would be too far away. It was agreed that the +room had better be as near the camp as possible, Mr. Black guaranteeing +to be at the expense of its removal should it be found at any time +necessary to do so, owing to any development of the railway work. + +The opening meeting was made a special one. Bessie had got a special +solo, with a very taking chorus, and then some of the men gave little +testimonies. To Phebe's great surprise and intense joy, after a little +pause when she had asked if any one else would like to speak, Reynolds +stepped forward. "Friends, I think it is high time I opened my mouth." +His voice trembled very much when he first began, but gradually got +steadier. "I've made up my mind to be a Christian. I gave myself to +Jesus three weeks ago, and I made up my mind on the Sunday the room was +opened to let this be known. It gave me a little courage to put it off a +while. I was tempted this afternoon to put it off still longer, but I +did not give in." ("Hear, hear!" said Dick, once the secret Christian +himself.) "What I owe to my mistress here I can never tell you; she has +made God so real to me." ("God bless her!" said Red Ribbon.) "That's all +I have to say, as I am no speaker, but I thought I must let you know +this." + +Emboldened by Reynolds' example three other men made a like confession, +and then they all stood up and sang the doxology. "For," said Phebe, "if +you cannot all praise God for yourselves you can for others." + +On the way home she grasped Reynolds firmly by the hand. "God bless you, +Reynolds! This is a happy day. But always remember I am as much your +debtor as you are mine. So, please, never praise me again. God only +knows how much you have helped me, and what I owe to you. I should not +be in the position I am to-day but for you." + +And what effect do you suppose that little speech had upon the young +fellow? To make him proud and expect a bigger bonus than ever at +Christmas? Not a bit of it; he was more than ever her willing slave. If +masters knew the value of praise, there would be more "love-unions" than +"trades-unions." + +Every dinner-hour in a small corner of Sunshine Hall--that was its +formal name--a little group of men gathered together, either for prayer +or to talk over any difficulties, and it was astonishing the knotty +points they got hold of, and the difficult questions they afterwards +propounded to their leader. In prayer they mostly spoke of her as "The +Little Missis," "The Missis" being too cold and "Mrs. Waring" too +formal. + +But, in spite of all this sunshine there were still deep shadows. Public +opinion in Hadley passed very hard sentences on "The Little Missis," +though fortunately she did not always hear them. "Unwomanly," "Forward," +"Did not know her place," "Eager for popularity," "Fond of men's +company," "Hand in glove with the world," "Knew how to advertise her +business"--these were some of the comments. There was one good thing, +however, about this state of matters--there was clearly no danger to be +feared such as comes when all men speak well of you. How Satan must +rejoice when he can get God's workers paralysed through the criticisms +of Christians! + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +A STRANGE KIND OF PREACHING + + +The afternoon Mrs. Marchant came into "Love's Hospital," Bessie was very +excited. Mrs. Marchant had previously sent word of her intended visit. + +"Are you pleased your mother is coming?" whispered Nanna to Bessie as +they met on the stairs. + +"Of course,--but you might as well ask a magpie if it liked black and +white feathers." + +"Well, don't act like a magpie, if you can help it, there's a dear," and +Nanna patted the girl's cheek lovingly. + +Nanna saw to it that it was a specially grand tea, being anxious that +their neighbour should realise they were desirous of doing her honour. +To grace the occasion still further Nanna wore her Sunday gown and black +silk apron; and Phebe, catching the contagion, put on a light coloured +cashmere dress which Nanna had presented her with, having specially +commissioned a traveller to buy it while on a visit to Paris. + +Bessie did not dare to do anything extra in the way of smartening +herself up, except putting a red flower in her dress, for fear her +mother should openly chide her for her extravagance. And that would be +dreadful, if she did it before Reynolds--or--D.J.! + +"Do you think there is any chance that Mrs. Marchant will think we are +trying to show off?" Phebe asked Nanna. "I should be so sorry if she +did." + +"She will take it as a compliment, I am sure," replied Nanna. + +The fact was Phebe was not quite at home in her new dress, though she +had a great liking for it, not only because it was Nanna's love-gift, +but also because of its restful colour. She called it her "hope dress." +It was a pale heliotrope colour, with silk flowers on it of the same +shade, and to Phebe it seemed to speak of the hopefulness and gladness +of the springtime. As a girl she had often gathered the wild crocuses in +the meadows, and her dress was of the same hue; and the gladness of her +girlhood days seemed to shine out at her from its folds. Though her +dress was always of the simplest kind, she had a great liking for dashes +of colour--not splashes. Nanna shared with her this love of colour, +going in as she did for everything that increased true cheeriness. One +of Phebe's favourite ideas was that there could not possibly be a "glum" +mealtime if a red geranium in full blossom was on the table. + +Nanna presided at the tea-table; Phebe sat at the foot of the table, +with Mrs. Marchant and Jack on her left, and Bessie and Reynolds on her +right. + +Both Phebe and Nanna did their best to keep up a bright conversation. At +first Bessie was very quiet, but when she did wake up all lost time was +more than atoned for; indeed, Phebe had to give her several quiet +touches under the table. + +When once Bessie started she always found it difficult to "slow up." +Phebe could see that her mother was looking at her in a rather ominous +manner, and feared there might be trouble. + +Reynolds happened to refer to some comical customer they had just had, +and Bessie at once began a humorous description of the whole scene. + +"But, Bessie," said Phebe, "it is not kind, when you know the poor thing +cannot help her singular ways." + +But it was too rich a bit of description for Bessie to let drop quickly, +and she went on waving her arms in a dramatic manner. + +Just at the moment Phebe was taking a cup of tea from Mrs. Marchant, +Bessie was exclaiming, "She perfectly waltzed up to Reynolds," when, lo! +with a backward wave of her hand, she caused the cup with its contents +to fall into Phebe's lap. + +[Illustration: "SHE CAUSED THE CUP, WITH ITS CONTENTS, TO FALL INTO +PHEBE'S LAP."] + +In a moment there seemed a tempest in the room. + +Reynolds exclaimed, "Now you've done something!" + +Nanna screwed her lips up so tightly that only a little "Oh" came out. + +"Oh, mummy, your French dress!" cried out young Jack. + +Mrs. Marchant sprang to her feet and made a dash over the table as +though she was going to box Bessie's ears. The table, however, being too +broad she sank back into her chair, exclaiming: "There never, never was +such a provoking girl, never! You may thank your stars, young madam, +this did not happen in your own home!" + +Phebe was the only quiet one in the company. She had placed the empty +cup-and-saucer on the table, and as she stood up, the tea streaming down +the front of her dress on to the floor, she said, in a calm, low voice, +"Pray, Mrs. Marchant, do not trouble about it, I can soon change my +dress," but before moving away she bent down and kissed Bessie, who was +sitting gazing fixedly at the havoc she had made. The kiss seemed to +waken her, and she exclaimed, as the tears streamed down her face, "What +shall I do? What shall I do?" + +"Do!" exclaimed Mrs. Marchant--"get some more sense into your head, +that's what you should do, and drop all your wretched, nonsensical +ways." + +When Phebe returned Nanna had wisely arranged that she and Mrs. Marchant +should finish their tea alone. + +Mrs. Marchant's first words were: "Now I know that what our Phill said +was true." + +"What was that, Mrs. Marchant?" + +"That you possess something I don't. If I had had a dress like that +spoilt I should have gone into a towering passion, I know I should. But +to see you taking it all so calmly, fairly staggered me. Tell me what it +is that makes this difference between us?" Mrs. Marchant's voice was +quite eager, and she looked beseechingly into Phebe's face. + +"Perhaps several things," said Phebe, after a moment's hesitation; "I +have trained myself not to get into flurries if I can help it, for they +never accomplish anything. Then I knew Bessie was grieved enough without +me adding one word more. But the chief thing is--shall I tell you?--do +you really want to know?" + +"Yes, I do, for I long to be like you." There was a catch in her voice +that quite went to Phebe's heart. + +"My first thought was, Jesus is here, and He would not like to see me +agitated over such a little thing." + +"Jesus!" + +"Yes,--Jesus." + +"Oh." There was a world of meaning in that one word. + +"I think the difference between us is this," said Phebe, taking Mrs. +Marchant's bony hand and gently stroking it: "I have put my life +entirely into God's hands, and knowing He rules over everything, I can +well afford to take things restfully." + +"Then it is your religion that makes the difference?" + +"Yes, if you like to put it that way." + +"And would it make the same difference to me?" + +"Of course it would." + +"Well, I shall never forget the sight of your face when that tea went +over. That sight was worth all the sermons I ever heard!" + +"Wouldn't Bessie be glad if she knew! I'm not a bit sorry she spilt the +tea, now. It would be worth the spoiling of all my dresses if it makes +you want--_Him!_"--the last word very softly. Her eyes were on the +silver star, but the secret of the star was too sacred to speak of. + +"But," added Phebe, "you must not give me one bit of praise for keeping +calm; I should have been as mad as anybody,--_but for Him_." + +"And do you think of Him as always with you?" + +"Sometimes I forget, and it is then that things go wrong." + +That evening Phebe found Bessie busily engaged in unpicking the skirt of +the unfortunate dress. + +"I'll buy stuff to match it," exclaimed Bessie, "if I have to walk all +the way to Paris!" + +"Well, my dear, you cannot do that, because of the English Channel, but +I want you to thank God you spilt that tea." + +"Thank God I spilt that tea! What do you mean?" + +And then Phebe told her story. + +"Ah, it was not the tea, it was the blessed peace in your dear face that +did it! It's just like your dear loving ways to want to give me a share +in it! I tell you, mother is quite correct, I am the most exasperating +girl that ever was! But"--and she looked up with a tender little +smile--"I've caught a little bit of your secret to-day. As you stood up +there with the tea all trickling down your dress, I fancied I saw Jesus +just behind you! It was that which kept me from answering mother back." + +"That was just splendid, Bessie, I am proud of you!" + +"What, in spite of this!" holding up the stained breadth. + +"Yes, in spite of that and a dozen like it! What is that worth compared +with my Bessie? And Nanna would say just the same." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +PARTNERS! + + +One December evening, after the opening of Sunshine Hall, Janie was +telling little Jack wonderful stories about what people did at +Christmas. + +"Nearly always when people go away for a long time, they come back at +Christmas, and bring such lots of nice things with them." + +"My daddy's gone away," said the child, "mummy said so." + +"Yes, I know he has," said the slow-witted Janie. + +"Will he come back at Kiss-mus?" + +"Perhaps he will." + +"And will he bring Jacky nice things?" + +"Of course he will, when he comes." + +That expectation quite took root in the little brain, and when +"Kiss-mus" morning came, his first words were "Has my daddy come? I want +my daddy!" + +The mother was quite startled, and wondered what had given the child +this idea. Janie explained it afterwards, when a considerable amount of +brain-searching had been done. It took a wooden horse on wheels, a box +of chocolate and a box of bricks to get the little fellow to dry his +tears. + +The next Christmas, strange to say, there was the same expectation and +the same disappointment, but with added sorrow. The child was older, and +if it could appreciate good things more, also felt sorrow more. He had +mingled with other children, whose fathers made much of them. "Perhaps +daddy will come at Christmas," he would say to himself. + +Christmas morning came, but again no daddy. + +"Why doesn't daddy come?" he sobbed out on his mother's breast. + +"I don't know, darling." + +"Has he forgotten me?" he asked, turning up his tear-stained face to +hers. + +"I do not know." The words had to be uttered. There was no way in which +she could truthfully cover up the silence of years. To the sensitive +child the words were like a cruel blow; after building upon the father's +return to be told that father might have forgotten him was more than he +could bear, and in his grief, to his little mind, the doubt became a +certainty--his father had forgotten him! It was the child-soul's first +knowledge of Gethsemane. + +The mother strained him passionately to her, showering both tears and +kisses upon the little tear-stained face. "But mummy has not forgotten! +Mummy never will forget!" she wailed over him. + +From that hour a new feeling took possession of little Jack. If his +father had forgotten him, it was very likely the mother was also +forgotten. Mummy must feel lonely too, but he would not forget her, and +when he was a man he would work for her. He would be her champion and +defender--not that he used these words to himself, they were rather too +long for him, but the idea they expressed was in his brave, loyal little +heart. Nanna often wondered at the quaint little ways in which he showed +himself his mother's protector, but never knew the heart-sorrow which +had given birth to them. + +The child's grief was an added weight to the mother's heart. She saw +that her burden was no longer one which she had to bear alone, but that +her child, her innocent, sunny-haired child, with the face of an angel, +and brother to an angel, had to feel some of its weight also. + + * * * * * + +Away in Holland a gardener will patiently labour for even twenty years +to bring one hyacinth to perfection. Its soil is often changed, and the +hand, though moved by a heart which dearly loves the flower, does not +hesitate to even use the knife to the sensitive root. + +With still greater patience bends the Great Gardener over the flowers of +the Kingdom. + +And still there was no letter from Ralph. She had left off writing now, +not knowing into whose hands her letters might fall. At last she +ventured to write to Stephen Collins, asking if he thought there was +anything more she could do. He at once replied that he was scanning +several Australian papers every week, but had not come across any +mention of Ralph, and that he could think of nothing further she could +do. It did not seem to him to be at all necessary to seek police aid, +though he did not say so in his note. Later on, he sent word that he had +written to the proprietor of the hotel to which her letters had been +addressed, and he had replied that for a long time six letters had been +waiting for Mr. Waring, but a little while ago Mr. Waring had sent a +messenger for them. Should that same messenger call again he would do +his best to obtain Mr. Waring's address. + +This gave Phebe courage to write again, but after some months the hotel +proprietor returned the letter, saying that nothing had been heard of +Mr. Waring, but that if at any time he did receive news of him it should +be forwarded instantly. + +After that all was a dark blank. Years passed, but not the faintest +report of his doings was ever received. "Do you think he is dead, +Nanna?" Phebe would often ask, but the old friend could only shake her +head and say, "Dear heart, I do not know, but he's somewhere where the +Lord knows all about him. We must rest on that." + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +LIGHT ON THE PATHWAY + + +One Friday morning Mrs. Waring received a note from Mr. Hugh Black +asking her to call, if possible, and see him at his house that morning, +as he wished to consult her on important business. + +It was next to impossible for her to do so, as two travellers were +expected, but, thinking the visit had to do with the hall or meeting, +she sent Bessie in her place, and a note to Mr. Black, saying the +bearer was her special friend with whom he could safely talk over any +point, or trust with any number of messages. + +Reaching the house Bessie was shown into a conservatory where Mr. Black +was writing some letters. He received her very courteously, and, as +politely as he could do so, gave her to understand the business he +wished to discuss with Mrs. Waring had nothing to do with the work among +the men, but was quite private. He would, however, explain it all in a +letter to Mrs. Waring, if Bessie would be kind enough to wait while he +wrote it, and he would himself call on Mrs. Waring the next day. On a +little table near by was some fruit and biscuits to which he asked her +to help herself. But a fit of shyness seemed to have come over Miss +Bessie, and though she looked wistfully at the tempting fruit, she only +nibbled away at a biscuit while the letter was being written. It was an +innocent-looking little missive Bessie carried home, but not nearly so +unimportant as it looked. It did not contain exactly a bomb, but it +certainly gave Phebe a shock. Both Nanna and Bessie noticed her +excitement, but said nothing, as they were both quite sure they would +hear all about it in due course. + +Mr. Black paid the promised visit, and remained talking a long time, but +there was still the same kind of subdued excitement about Phebe when he +had gone; indeed, the interview had even deepened it. + +At supper-time that day--Saturday--Bessie made a confession. There were +some nice pears on the table, which Nanna informed the company were +Bessie's gift. "Yes," said Bessie, "but I'd better tell you why I bought +them. When I went to Mr. Black's yesterday he asked me to have some +fruit. There was a tray with a nice white cloth on it and some plates, +and on one plate a silver knife-and-fork and some parings. And on the +tray, besides other things, a beautiful dish of pears, and another +knife-and-fork. Oh, I did want one of those pears so badly; you can't +tell how much I wanted one!" + +"Well, bless me," said Nanna, "why didn't you take one, then! Didn't he +ask you to take one?" + +"You so often ask me to bless you, and I really haven't any blessings to +spare. So please excuse me." + +"Your very presence is a blessing," put in Phebe. + +"That does sound nice, but really if you interrupt me so much I shall +never get through my little story. Of course Mr. Black asked me, and +that made me want one all the more. But the sight of that knife-and-fork +made me feel I could not dream of having one--yes, I did dream of it, +but I couldn't really take one! Just fancy me taking a pear with a knife +and fork! I should have been as awkward as an elephant in a china-shop." + +"What did you do, then?" asked Reynolds. + +"Do? Why, I went without, of course. I wasn't going to show off my bad +training. So to prevent such a display of self-sacrifice again I bought +some pears this morning, and I had a downright good practice in the +kitchen with Janie. We can both do it in high style now." + +And then everybody round the table, except David Jones, who usually +spent week-ends at Hadley, and had arrived just in time to hear Bessie's +story, began eating pears with a knife-and-fork, only the knives were +steel ones. + +After supper David asked Bessie if she would take a little walk with him +for a few minutes. It was not the first time he had done so. Both Phebe +and Nanna had seen the growing nearness between these two, but had made +no remark, for the friendship had certainly been helpful to both. + +"I could quite sympathise with you about that pear," said David as they +reached a quiet road away from the usual Saturday night scenes. He did +not always reach Hadley so early, but had made a special effort this +night for a special purpose. There was something on his heart he wanted +to say very much, and had hardly known how to introduce it. The story of +the coveted pear seemed quite like "a godsend" to him. "Yes, I have +felt like that myself." + +"Have you?" said Bessie. "Shouldn't have thought it; it isn't like a man +to hesitate at a trifle like that." + +"Do you think I should have eaten it straight away out of my hand?" + +"Something like that." + +"Would you have blamed me if I had done so?" + +"I shouldn't have blamed you, most certainly not; but smart folks +might." + +"I don't care for smart folks, do you?" + +"Can't say I don't, seeing I should like to be smart myself." + +There was a little pause, and then David said: "But you would advise me, +if there was something I wanted very much, to take it the best way I +could?" + +Bessie seemed to hesitate; perhaps she guessed what it was the young +fellow wanted! "Certainly," she answered in a low voice. + +"Bessie," and he turned eagerly towards her, "it's a flower I want, a +flower to wear for ever on my heart." + +"I think you're growing sentimental, and it's getting late; we had +better turn back." + +"No, Bessie, now I've once started you must let me finish. It's you I +want." And then he told her the old story which has had so many +different endings, yet always beautiful when coming from lips sincere. +That same night David told his mistress all about it. "And what did +Bessie say?" asked Phebe, greatly interested and pleased at the +confidence he showed in her. + +"Well, she didn't say much, but I think it will be all right." + +"You may rest assured if she had meant to refuse you she would have said +so right out. But, David," and here she put her hand on his arm, and her +voice took on a low, tender note "have you told her how you came to be +in my employ?" + +"No, Mrs. Waring," all the joy suddenly dying out of his face; "do you +think I need do so?" + +"Yes, I do; I think it is your plain duty to do so." + +"If I did she would throw me over as she would toss away one of her +pears that was bad." + +"I don't think so; it is only your fear makes you have that thought." + +"But why should I tell her? That is all past and gone." + +"You would be starting life together with something withheld from her; +there would be no thorough trust in each other. And, suppose some one +told her of the occurrence? Such a thing would not be impossible. Better +lose her now than lose her respect when you are tied together for life." + +There was a tender pleading in her voice which quite broke David down. +"I believe you're right. I'll do it," he said in a broken voice. + +The next morning he was unusually quiet; during the walk to the meeting +in the afternoon he was still as absorbed. Bessie did not know what to +make of matters, trying in vain to read the secret of the gloom on his +face. "I never knew he was of a sulky turn before," she said to herself; +"if this is having a lover it's a mighty queer business. I wonder if +it's something I've done wrong! I wonder if he expected I should have +gone down on my knees in ecstasy last night!" But wonder as she might +there came no answer. + +On the journey home David made a desperate effort to get the unpleasant +task over. + +"Bessie, there's something I want to tell you which I ought to have told +you last night, but did not like to." + +There was such a ring of pain in the voice that Bessie's heart was +touched at once, and for the first time, and of her own accord, she +slipped her hand into his arm. The little action was like balm of Gilead +to David. + +"When Mrs. Waring engaged me, she took me without a character," he went +on. + +"She did me, too," said Bessie, "so we're in the same boat." + +"I had used some of my master's money, and before I could pay him back +he found it out. I was going to return it, for I had money in the +savings bank." + +"Did you pay him back?" + +"Yes, every penny; but he would give me no reference, and I was +dreadfully afraid mother would find it out. It would have broken her +heart." + +"Well, that's all done with now, so forget it. You've good character +enough now for the two of us." + +"And you don't think any the less of me?" he asked, bending anxiously +towards her. + +"I think all the more of you," she said, looking up frankly into his +face and pressing her hand upon his arm more firmly, "only it's made me +feel rather queer, for I shall now be obliged to tell you not simply one +bad thing I've done, but heaps. In fact, I don't know where to begin." + +"That's all nonsense," he said. "I know you are trying to cheer me, and +I bless you for it, but there's still another thing I must say, for I +want that there should never be a shadow between us. I did not want to +tell you of my slip. I don't want you to think I was frank enough to +tell you all this of my own accord. It was Mrs. Waring who pressed me to +tell you." + +"That's just like her; she is a dear." + +"So she is; she's been the making of me." + +"So she has of me. Leastways," added Bessie in her characteristic +manner, "she is making me. The business is not near finished yet." + +"It's all right," whispered David to Mrs. Waring as they went into tea. + +"I'm so glad," was her reply, "doubly glad." + +There was really no need for him to tell her this; his face told the +story so plainly--so very plainly--that when tea was over, and they were +standing in Sunshine Patch, Mrs. Colston went up to them and said: + +"And so you young folks have made each other happy." + +"Why, how do you know? Who told you?" exclaimed Bessie. + +"Know! Who told me? There was no need for anybody to tell me. Your faces +tell the tale. Well, do you think you'll get on together all right?" + +"I can get on with anybody," sang out Bessie, "if they only let me have +my own way." + +"Do you think we shall, Mrs. Colston?" asked David. + +"Yes, I've watched you, and I do think you will; but you must neither +try to get in front of the other. It must be side by side." Taking a +hand of each, she said in a sweet, serious way: "May the Lord bless you +both; may you not only be strength to each other but to many besides." + +"You dear!" exclaimed Bessie, flinging her arms round her neck, and +kissing her, while the tears streamed down her face; "if I'm only half +as good as you, I'll do." + +"Nay, nay, child, you must not take any measurement by a mortal; Jesus +is our measure. But look here, dears, you've both got to go in and tell +your story to mother next door. Don't leave her in the cold. But, mark +you, you'll have no silver forks to eat your pears with." + +"Oh, yes, she shall," exclaimed David as they both went away laughing. + +That same evening Phebe and Nanna talked this courtship over, and +concluded that things were going on all right. Then Phebe started a +fresh subject. "Perhaps you have wondered, Nanna, dear, what Mr. Black +came about. I felt I could not tell you about it all in a hurry; it was +too exciting, and I have not had a quiet moment till now." + +"It's all right, dearie; I knew you would tell me at the proper time." + +"Ah, my dear, I wish I always had your calmness." + +"I wonder how it is so many folks seem to envy me! I have nothing +everybody cannot have as well as me." + +"Tell me in a word what you think your secret is, could you?" + +"How like I am to Mrs. Marchant!" she thought to herself. "How much we +all lean upon one another!" + +"Yes, I think I could; but then it's your secret as well as mine." + +"Never mind whose else it is, tell it me, there's a dear." + +"It's only this--that I know the Lord is always with me, and that in His +hands things are sure to come right--could not help but be, He's so +clever and good. So why shouldn't I be calm?" + +"You say 'in His hand things are sure to be right,' but so often I say +to myself, 'How can He make my tangle right?' He cannot make sin come +right." + +"There's your mistake, dear heart," exclaimed Nanna. "He can! He can! He +can make the wrong you've suffered work out splendid things in your +character, and help you to do things you would never have force enough +to do if you'd had a smooth life. And He's doing it now, now! So rest on +that, you poor, tired child. Now tell me about Mr. Black, will you?" + +Phebe gave a little sigh of relief. "I had almost forgotten about it. It +will almost take away your breath, so be prepared." + +"Stop one minute," said Nanna, "let me ask one question. Is it something +you approve of?" + +"Yes, quite." + +"All right, then, nothing whatever can take away my breath now." + +"Don't be quite so sure about it. What do you say to him showing me how +I can have two thousand pounds paid to me this week?" + +"I should simply say he couldn't." + +"But he has, and when I tell you how, you will advise me to take it, I +am quite sure. Now, doesn't this take away your breath?" + +"No, I've still got a few gasps left." + +"You know that meadow of mine? It has a long frontage to the main road. +Some men have been buying up the land all round the new railway-station. +They expect it will be quite a busy centre owing to the junction of +rails. Mr. Black knew I owned that meadow. I told him so when I thought +the hall might go up there, and he has negotiated with these men for the +sale of it. But for him I should have thought I was doing well if I had +sold it for five hundred. He is trying to see if he can get a little +more when I told him what I should use it for." + +"What is that?" a sudden fear again taking possession of Nanna lest +money should become a snare to her darling. + +"To build or buy a house for a cottage hospital here in Hadley. I have +long wanted to do it, and now, without any trouble, God is sending me +the money." + +"God bless you, my dear one," said Nanna, her heart full of rejoicing. + +"And what do you think of this plan?" continued Phebe. "I should like to +give the money to Stephen Collins, and let him do all the business, my +name never to be mentioned. He need simply say a friend had entrusted +him with it. Mr. Black, I know, will keep my secret. I thought two +thousand would provide the building, and the town might be willing to +pay for its upkeep. I should like it called 'Love's Hospital.'" + +"There! Didn't I tell you the Lord would help you to do big things? +Can't you see if you'd never gone to the railway-men you would never +have known Mr. Black!" + +"Yes, I can see it, and if I had never visited Jim Coates, I shouldn't +have gone to the railway-men. It is all the Lord's doing. I have got +another scheme I want to work out, but have not the money for it yet, +and I don't see where it is to come from either. Still, after this +wonder I shall not give up hope." + + * * * * * + +Stephen Collins accepted the task, called together a town's meeting; a +committee was appointed, Bessie's old superintendent, Mr. Bell, being +one of the number. An old-fashioned house, with a large garden was +bought, and in less than twelve months "Love's Hospital" was in working +order. + +Bessie, Reynolds and David knew Mrs. Waring had sold her meadow at a +very good figure. They knew also of the anonymous donor of the hospital, +and, as shrewd young people will, put two and two together; but the +townsfolk, in spite of a good deal of curiosity, were not so wise. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +LOYAL LOVE + + +When little Jack was nearly nine years old he came home from school one +afternoon in a sorry plight. Not only was his face tear-stained, but +his jacket was torn. There was every evidence that he had been in a +battle, and had not come off victor, either. Fortunately, his mother was +away spending the afternoon with her father and sister. + +"My dear boy!" exclaimed Nanna; "what ever have you been doing!" + +"Don't be cross with me, Nanna," cried out Jack, literally throwing +himself into her arms, "I couldn't help myself. You would have done the +same yourself." His arms were round her neck, and he was hugging her so +tightly that she found it rather difficult to get her words out. The +hugging really seemed to comfort him. Nanna felt alarmed, for it was so +unusual for Jack to shed a tear or to be so demonstrative. Trying with +one hand to loosen his grasp, and with the other stroking his tangled +hair, she said: "You surely could never imagine your old Nanna mixed up +with a fight, now could you? A pretty figure I should cut, shouldn't I?" + +"Well, you would have done something; I know you would," sobbed out the +little fellow, who could no longer keep the tears back. + +"Ah, no doubt I should have done something; you're right there. But tell +me what it's all about? Whatever will mummy say about it! And what do +you suppose your little angel-sister thinks of you if she is looking at +you now?" + +The thought of the "little angel-sister" did not distress him much; but +at the mention of "mummy" his grief broke out afresh. + +"But you won't tell her, will you? And you'll mend my jacket for me, +won't you?" taking his arms down from her neck to show the ugly rent by +the pocket. + +"Not tell mummy? Keep anything from mummy? Why, Jack, what can you be +thinking about? She would not like her boy to have any trouble she did +not share. And if you have done wrong all that she will do will be to +give you advice that might help you another time." + +"I know, I know," and the voice was a little fretful, an unusual thing +for Jack, "but you don't understand: it's because it would make mummy +cry I don't want her to know." + +"Well, tell me all about it, and then I shall understand." + +"And you won't tell her?" + +Nanna felt to be in a difficulty, and had to think. Jack saw the +difficulty she was in, and, like the chivalrous little fellow he was, +helped her out of it by saying, "I'll tell you first, and then I know +you'll say she mustn't know, and Janie must not know," getting down from +her knee and shutting the door--"nobody must know." + +Resuming his seat, and with one arm round her neck, he told out his +little tale of woe, the tale that was so big to him. A fresh boy had +come to his school whose displeasure he had won by obstinately keeping +at the top of the class, a position keenly coveted by the new boy, whose +name was Frank Bell. + +Knowing of no other invective he could hurl at his rival, Frank tried +this one: "You're no good; you've no business among respectable boys. +Your mother's a wicked woman, and that's why your father can't live with +her. My ma says so; I heard her." + +"I told him she was as good as good could be, better than his mother, +for my mother held meetings and his mother didn't. So he said he'd pay +me out for calling his mother names, and after school he hit me in the +face, and I hit him back." + +"And you got the worst of it?" + +"He's ever so much bigger than I am. My mother is good, isn't she?" +lifting up his tear-stained face to look steadfastly at Nanna. There was +no doubt in the loyal little heart of the mother's goodness, but there +was one big mystery in his life he could not solve, and he wondered if +Nanna could help him--or, would help him. + +"Of course she is good; we both of us know that." + +"If only daddy would come home! If he would, then Frank couldn't say +anything." He watched her face attentively--the face that had always had +truth written on it, that had never kept a secret from him. + +"I wish he would, too; but I don't know why he doesn't, and mummy +doesn't know either. Perhaps--but you must not speak of this--perhaps he +is dead. Sometimes we think he must be." + +"Poor daddy!" murmured the child, and then turned to look at his photo +hanging over the mantelpiece. + +"But, Jack, dear, I want to show you where you have done wrong and how +you must be wiser another time. It does not matter what any number of +boys say about your mother; it could not alter the fact of her goodness. +You need only have said he was making a mistake. Then you should not +have questioned his mother's goodness; it is quite right for him to +think his mother better than yours--every boy should think his mother +the best that ever was. And then, when he struck you, you should not +have struck back--that's what cowards do, heroes quietly walk away. You +remember what our dear Jesus said, that when anybody strikes us on one +cheek, we are to let them do it on the other side, too, if they like." + +Jack sighed. Life to him just then was indeed an "unsunned space," and +it seemed getting darker. It was bad enough to have had his dear mummy +so wickedly spoken about, but to be struck and not retaliate! And now +Nanna was disappointed in him. There came another deep sigh. + +"Don't sigh, little man. It is by these mistakes we learn. You will be +wiser next time, so cheer up. Let us ask Jesus to forgive us all our +mistakes. We can afford to forget all about them then." + +In the most natural way possible the two knelt down and made their +request of the invisible Master, whose presence in that room was always +acknowledged. It was by no means the first time these two had done so. +Jack was not at all surprised or confused. + +Prayer over, Nanna set about preparing tea, and Jack, still +disconsolate, sat by the fire. His own share of the pain was forgotten, +but he could not feel happy about his "mummy." He did not want her to +know, and yet he longed to hear from her own dear lips that she did not +mind. + +"You won't tell mummy, will you?" he pleaded before going to bed, and +the promise was given. "Not till you say I may," said wise, far-seeing +Nanna. The burden of having a secret from mummy was a heavy one, and +Nanna felt sure it would not be long before it all came out, and that +the loving little heart would only find peace in the mother's arms. + +Phebe that night went in as usual to give Jack his "good-night" kiss. He +had cried himself to sleep. He had even laughed at supper-time, and +forgotten all his sorrow, but in the darkness of the bedroom it had come +back again with full force. + +The mother bent to kiss her boy--the face was damp--Jack had been +crying! Nanna had said nothing about any trouble, yet she was always +Jack's confidante. What could it be? She bent again to kiss him. Yes, it +was quite damp--the pillow even was damp. Her sunny-faced, earnest, +eager-hearted Jack, crying! The boy sighed in his sleep, tossed about, +and then, the light of the lamp falling on his face, he woke up. + +"Oh, mummy! dear mummy!" The lamp was quickly put down, and in an +instant the two were locked in each other's arms. + +"Jack, darling, you've been crying. You must tell me all about it." + +"But I can't--no--you are not to ask me." + +And then straightway he told her, though not in words. He smoothed her +face, he examined her, then he hugged her, and whispered: + +"It is my _good_ mummy!" + +"Has somebody been telling you I'm not good?" + +"Did Nanna tell you?" he exclaimed. "Oh, dear, she promised she +wouldn't!" + +"No, darling; Nanna did not tell me. She would not break her promise to +you." + +"Then how did you know?" + +She could hardly explain. "I guessed it," she said. "I saw you had been +crying. Who was it that was finding fault with me?" + +"Frank Bell; he's a new scholar." The name was not familiar. + +"See here, darling, you must never trouble about me. You know I do +things differently from some mothers, and they think it is wrong, but I +think it is God's wish; so it does not much matter. You understand?" + +"Yes." Then, after a pause: "And it has not anything to do with daddy +not coming home?" + +There is a sisterhood of Mary found the wide world over--women who have +felt the sword pierce the soul, and in that instant Phebe felt afresh +what membership with that sisterhood meant. But her child, at all costs, +must not know of it. + +"No, nothing at all," was her calm answer. + +And then came the story of the fight and the torn jacket. It was so nice +to be able to tell her everything, and to know she was not hurt at all. + +"What, my Jack been in a battle!" trying hard to laugh. + +"Yes; but Nanna has mended my jacket, you'd never know it was torn, and +I'm never going to fight again. Nanna says heroes walk away, and that +must be so, 'cause it's harder." + +"Nanna's right, you dear little champion!" + +"When I am a man, nobody will dare to say you're not good." + +"Yes, they will, dear. You know Jesus told us to beware if everybody +spoke well of us. That would show we were not quite brave enough." + +But the child spoke truer than she knew. + +The next morning Phebe sent Frank Bell a box of chocolate, which Jack +willingly delivered. + +To say that Frank was mystified is putting it very mildly. + +"For me?" he exclaimed. + +"Yes, mother sent it you." + +"Does she know what I said about her?" + +"Yes, but I didn't tell her. I had to tell Nanna because of my jacket." + +Frank thought Nanna was the servant. He wanted very much to "round on" +Jack for telling, but did not know how fairly to do it. + +"She knew what I said about her, and yet sent me this chocolate!" + +"Yes, you see she's a real Christian--Nanna says she's one of the right +sort." + +"Well, she must be; my father's a Christian, but I don't speck he'd +send anybody chocolates that snubbed _him_," and the very idea made the +boy laugh. + +"You'll never say she's wicked again, will you?" pleaded Jack wistfully. + +"That I won't, I'll say she's a stunner, and she is, too!" And from that +moment Phebe Waring had no more brave defender than chubby-faced Frank +Bell. + +That same morning Phebe got a few minutes' talk with Nanna: "Jack told +me last night you knew all about his little battle and what occasioned +it." + +"Yes, he did," said Nanna, turning round to look at her carefully. She +was not quite sure how much Phebe knew, nor how she would take it. The +look satisfied her. + +"I only want to say," said Phebe, "that you need not worry about it for +my sake. I have been so happy lately that I can afford to have a little +drawback like that. Perhaps God saw I needed something to keep me +humble." + +But she could not have spoken in that brave tone twelve hours before. +She knew that, and Nanna guessed it too. + +"Ah!" said Nanna, "it wouldn't do for us any more than for the trees to +have all sunshine and never have a storm." + +Yes, Phebe had been very blessed lately, and she not only knew it, but +had drunk in all the joy of it. The railway-works had long since been +completed, and the hall had been taken down and stored. Most of the men +had been scattered all over the country, many of them taking with them +the precious secret learnt from a woman's lips, but some still remained +in Hadley and the neighbourhood, and these had persuaded Phebe to +continue the meetings in the public hall. She had done so, and very +happy gatherings they had proved to be. + +Every week the further scheme she had in her mind took deeper root: the +more she saw of working-men, of their hard life and colourless +existence, the more she pitied them. The scheme was often talked over +with faithful Nanna, whose brain was as keen as ever, though her body +was more bent. More than once she advised Phebe to consult Stephen +Collins, but Phebe could not trust herself to do that, knowing too well +that temptation lay in that direction. + +"Besides," she would add, "I have not money enough yet. Love's Hospital +was not my gift--the money simply was passed on by me. This time God +seems to show that I have to work for the money, storing it up little by +little. When I have enough and have got my plans all settled, I'll ask +Stephen to carry them out for me. I don't mind doing that; it would not +take long." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +RECOGNISED + + +Bessie's marriage passed off in high style,--the change that had come +over her mother being most marked--and after a fortnight of "doing the +grand" at Bournemouth she and her "Darling" Jones settled down to +business with the firm determination of making it "hum." And "hum" it +did. Bessie had been a treasure in the business at Hadley, but she was a +far smarter business woman now that she shared some responsibility. +Every morning the shutters were down at eight o'clock, every corner +thoroughly swept by nine, every order attended to promptly, supplies +well seen to. It was like taking in a breath of Swiss air to go into +that shop. Many a sleepy country-woman rubbed her eyes and pulled +herself together after an interview with Bessie. It was not simply done +for the money it brought, though of course the more business done the +more it was to the advantage of the managers, but the main impetus was +in the thought that she was helping Mrs. Waring. Bessie's highest +delight was to win her "Well done!"--to know she was hastening the +development of her scheme, for Phebe had taken both Reynolds and Jones +into her confidence. + +Bessie's mother marvelled at the change which had come over her, and +wondered if it could possibly be the same girl who used to be always in +hot water! If there was anything "hot" now-a-days it was more of the +nature of milk than water. + +The money for Phebe's scheme was gradually accumulating. One or two +special agencies had helped in this, but it had mostly been won by hard +and constant application to work. And all the time the sum in the bank +had been growing Phebe's influence had grown too. There was never a +town's meeting called to discuss any forward movement, or to right any +wrong, but she was invited, mostly accompanied by her boy. But, as +nearly always happens, alongside with this growing influence was a +growing disfavour with well-to-do, rut-bound people, especially with +those who had class prejudices and believed that woman was simply the +chattel of a man. This was very much accentuated when she was called in +as an arbitrator in a dispute between some men and their master, and was +still further manifested when she publicly exposed the wrongs of some +laundry girls. Whenever she saw wrongs or injustice she was bound to +speak out. She even once spoke out at a church-meeting against the +custom of relegating the poorest members to the top seats in the church +gallery. That was a shocking offence, and almost won for her +church-discipline. But she calmly went on her way, her eyes still fixed +on the silver stars, and more and more became the confidante and helper +of the poor. + +The day at last arrived--the day she had looked forward to for months, +even years--on which she paid into the bank to her "scheme account" the +last needed amount before commencing operations, bringing the grand +total up to five hundred pounds! + +The following day arrangements were made for an interview with Stephen +Collins. Both Nanna and she agreed it had better take place at her +sister's house, her old home. It would be quieter, and there would be +less chance for gossip to make anything out of it. + +The father was dead, but the sister was still staying on in the old +house. Phebe frankly told her she wanted a business talk with Stephen, +and asked if she would mind inviting him. + +"I shall be only too pleased," was the reply. "The wonder to me is you +manage to get along so much by yourself as you do. Who would have +imagined our dreamy Phebe turning into an enterprising business woman, +and quite a public character, too! How things change! I used to be the +go-ahead, and now I'm as good as a recluse." + +"You've done the hardest piece of work, after all, dear," was Phebe's +answer; "one that God won't forget. And, besides, you have the +opportunity of coming out into the world and its work now father is at +rest." + +Stephen Collins accepted the invitation, and on a dreary Friday +afternoon at the end of October the three gathered round a cheerful fire +in the old-fashioned parlour. + +For a minute or so Phebe thought they were girls and boy together again, +and that the door would open presently and "mother" would come in with +her cheery voice, "Girls, it's time for tea, and you'd better get Steve +to help you!" How many a romp they had had together, especially when +"father" was away at market! The fire crackled and the old clock ticked +just as they had done then, but a glance at Stephen's iron-grey hair and +his sad, earnest face gave proof enough that the old merry days had gone +by for ever. + +They talked about the weather, about the new tenant in the next +farm--all three seemed anxious to talk, and yet there were awkward +pauses, and Phebe could not bring herself to mention her scheme. The +Spirit of the Past seemed to hold them. + +The sister must have known Phebe's thoughts, for all at once she said: +"It's no use waiting for mother to announce tea to-day. I must get it +ready myself." + +"Let me help you," said Phebe. + +"No, you sit and talk with Stephen." She still called him by his +Christian name. + +Phebe poked the fire, and swept some dust from the hearth, conscious all +the time that Stephen was watching her closely. When she took her seat +again they were both silent, till at last Stephen said: + +"Mrs. Waring, I have not the slightest idea what it is you wish me to do +for you, but rest assured whatever it is I will do my utmost to fulfil +your wish. Please do not hesitate. Trust me." + +"Trust you! There is no need to tell me to do that. I do not hesitate +because of any thought of unwillingness or mistrust--never that." For +the first time their eyes met and she could not resist putting her hand +on his, just for an instant. "Why I hesitate is because I am going to +ask so much, and you may not think my plan a wise one." + +"You need not hesitate on either of those points. I have plenty of time +at my disposal, and I should not put my judgment before yours." + +"I don't think for a minute my sister will agree to my scheme." + +"Then we must try to convert her." + +It was not till the tea had been cleared away and the trio had gathered +round the fire again that the scheme was unfolded. Phebe introduced it +by saying: "You must please both of you let me tell my tale without +interruptions, for I really feel nervous talking to two such critics. +When I have quite finished, then you can talk. I must first of all tell +you I have saved up five hundred pounds, and I want to buy Farmer +Green's big meadow in Haystone Lane; he wants a thousand pounds for it." + +"How can you buy a thousand-pound meadow for five hundred pounds? Folks +will say that's like a woman," interrupted the sister. + +"Will they? But you must please let me finish my story. I propose for +the present getting a mortgage of five hundred. I want to put this +meadow in trust of Mr. Collins, Mr. Black, Jim Coates, and my two +assistants, Reynolds and Jones, with Mr. Collins as chairman, or +something of that sort. Then I want this meadow turned into garden +allotments. I think it will make forty. One of these I want to reserve +for a plot for our railway-hall to stand on, to be used as a club-room. +These thirty-nine allotments I want let out to working-men, or women, +too, if they felt equal to spade-work. These would bring in a rental of +thirty-nine pounds; twenty of this would be needed for interest and the +remainder to be spent in prizes for the best things grown in the +gardens. For the club I should propose that a small quarterly +subscription be charged, which would be sufficient to keep the place +going. I hope by the time the scheme is started to have saved another +fifty pounds, which I should like spent in the purchase of plants and +trees to start the gardens with." Phebe paused. The sister held up her +hand like the children do at school: "Have you finished! Please may I +talk?" + +"Yes, I have finished." + +"Well, I think you are a very foolish woman to squander your money in +such a fashion! You've got your old age to think of, and your child to +provide for. Let your working-men provide gardens for themselves--they +can spend plenty of money in the public-house. You stint yourself to +help them, and not one in twenty will give you a 'Thank you' for it. No, +I say you are not called upon to do such a thing as this. What do you +say, Stephen?" + +"I say, it's just like her." + +"That may be, but that doesn't say it's wise." + +"You are too hard on these men, Lizzie. They can afford no luxuries, no +hobbies, and there is little wonder they go to the public-house. I often +think if I had a home like they have I should do the same myself; there +is nowhere else that is bright and attractive for them to go. As for +their thanks, I don't want them; besides, my name is not to be mentioned +in connection with the scheme. But before I die I hope to be able to +clear off the mortgage. As for my boy he can always get a living out of +the business. I have no need to provide further than that for him." +Turning to Stephen: "Will you do this for me, Mr. Collins?" + +"I will." No marriage-vow was given with more earnestness. + +"Well, you are the funniest woman that ever God made," exclaimed the +sister. + +When the time came to separate, Phebe would not hear of either her +sister or Stephen accompanying her, though the night was dark. They went +as far as the garden-gate with her, and as they stood there after she +had left them, Stephen said in a choked voice: "You call her the +funniest woman God made: I call her the best and the bravest." + +"So she is," the sister replied frankly; "but then it doesn't do to tell +her so, does it?" + +"I only wish I might," was his low response. + +As the sister walked up the path again to the silent old home she +whispered to herself: "Poor old Steve! Dear old fellow! What a queer +world this is!" + +While Phebe was away from home that evening Nanna sat for a while in the +desk in the grocery department; she often did so when a quiet time was +expected. "I shall write a book some day," she used to say, "and the +title will be 'From the Mangle to the Desk.'" Certainly she looked +wonderfully wise there with her spectacles on her nose. + +All at once she was attracted by the sound of a voice. Her memory for +faces was very defective, but for voices very acute. Where had she heard +that voice before? Looking up she saw a tall, elderly, shabby-looking +man, who every now and again gave a little hacking cough. She watched +him as he bought half an ounce of tea, a rasher of bacon, one egg, and +half a pound of sugar. Then she heard him say to Reynolds, who was +serving him: + +"Who owns this shop?" + +"Mrs. Waring." + +"I wondered who 'P. Waring' was: it used to be 'R. Waring.'" + +"Yes." + +"Where is Ralph Waring now?" + +"I don't know--he went abroad on business." + +A little stifled laugh: "Oh, did he?" + +Nanna saw that Reynolds suddenly looked up and gave the man a searching +look. When he had gone Reynolds went up to the desk. He was too agitated +to speak, and Nanna was feeling just the same. At last she managed to +say: + +"Follow him!" pointing to the door. + +Just as he was Reynolds rushed to the door; he looked to the right, he +looked to the left, but the questioning customer with his cough and his +laugh was out of sight, for the gathering gloom of the chilly autumn +night made escape easy. + +It might have been a December night the way Reynolds was shivering. "Was +it----?" he asked in a hoarse whisper as he returned to the desk. + +"Yes," was all her answer. Then, "I must go at once and meet the +mistress." + +"Let me go." + +"No, that would never do. She would wonder what was the matter, and as +long as possible we must keep it from her." + +As fast as she could the dear old lady hurried along the lonely country +road. The little, stifled sarcastic laugh was still sounding in her +ears, a laugh that spoke of a heart unchanged except as trouble had +soured it. + +At last she heard footsteps--light ones--she could see a woman's form! +Yes, it was her dear Phebe, and, thank God, she was alone! + +"Why, Nanna!" exclaimed Phebe, as soon as she recognised her; "whatever +brought you out a night like this?"--kissing her on the cheek and taking +hold of her arm. + +"To take care of you, dearie, to be sure; and, besides, I wanted a +walk." + +"On a night like this?" + +"Yes, I felt stifled like," which was quite true. + +Phebe's suspicions were aroused, but finding all well at home, concluded +it was just some whim of the dear old soul's, or else she had suddenly +been seized with some unaccountable fear, as is sometimes the case even +with young folks. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +BESSIE COMES TO THE RESCUE + + +For nearly ten years Ralph Waring had been a homeless wanderer, getting +a living in a variety of ways. Of course things had gone well with him +while he had money in his pocket, but when that had melted away his +appreciative friends suddenly disappeared. Like other folks in that new +country he had plenty of opportunities of getting on, but like so many +others he wanted the top rung of the ladder first, and found that such a +leap did not come within the bounds of possibility. Every bottom rung he +was compelled to try proved too prosaic, and years were spent in +becoming familiar with a whole series of bottom rungs. + +All the letters he had sent to Phebe had been under cover to Stephen +Collins; even the one Stephen Collins had himself placed in the desk had +been directed to him. Why Ralph had done this it would be difficult to +say. His motive may have been the wish to provide Phebe during his +absence with a reliable helper, but it was very questionable if he had +really sufficient regard for either of them to do that. + +The letters ceased just as soon as his "castles in the air" came to +grief. He could never bring himself to write to Phebe of defeat. He was +once tempted to make up a story of good fortune, but had sufficient good +sense left to know that should Fortune continue to frown upon him this +would only add to his annoyance. No, it was better she should think him +dead than poor. + +It was three years since his illness came upon him. He struggled against +it with a heroism that would have placed him on the top rung if it had +been shown earlier and in other ways. Then a feeling of home-sickness +came over him; or perhaps it was that he missed the tender ministry of +loving hands. + +But how was he to get home? There was no other way than to work his +passage over, and that he must do at once before he got too weak to do +so. A berth as assistant-steward was secured, and in a few hours after +setting foot on English soil he found himself in the old country town of +Hadley. + +His first impulse was to go straight to Phebe and pour out his heart to +her, with all its bitter disappointments. Then his usual cautious habit +reasserted itself--he would first of all make inquiries. + +After taking a very humble lodging he soon found out the position Phebe +held in the town, and then his chagrin knew no bounds. He wished himself +back again a hundred times over in the land of strangers--what a fool he +had been! However, she should never have an opportunity of lording over +him. "R. W." would stand for "Richard Wood" equally well as "Ralph +Waring." A very old school-fellow had failed to recognise him, so it was +not likely Phebe would. It was this strong belief in his changed +appearance rendering his identity impossible that made him enter the +shop. He quite chuckled over the way in which he had "done" Reynolds, +and tried the experiment a second time. Reynolds was in the shop and +again served him. As soon as he left the stolid look disappeared from +Reynolds' face, and quick as lightning he despatched a shop-boy to +follow "the tall, thin man with a cough" to see where he went. "Don't +show yourself, though," was his parting injunction. + +The lad did his "shadowing" in quite a professional manner, and +returned with the answer: "63 Dutton Street." + +"63 Dutton Street!" repeated Reynolds to himself. "Well, I never! Things +get worse and worse! I mustn't tell Mrs. Colston that, the poor old +dear! I won't let out he's been in again." + +After Ralph Waring had made his second lot of purchases and paid his +lodgings a week in advance, he had one solitary half-crown left. He had +no watch or anything with him he could sell or pawn; possessing +absolutely nothing but the thin, shabby clothes he stood up in. He +turned the silver coin over in his hand, and muttered: "Only that +between me and the workhouse!" + +Day after day Nanna kept her secret from Phebe. How could she tell her! +How could she bring such a double fold of gloom over her! And day after +day she prayed for God's clear guidance. + +At every opportunity she kept a stealthy watch over every customer who +came into the shop, and all the day she was for ever listening for that +hollow, rasping cough. + +All this tension told upon her considerably. Phebe was quite certain +she was not well, and she knew herself it was taking away her joy and +breaking her peace. At last she pulled herself together, and decided she +must carry the burden no longer. "It is too difficult a piece of work +for me to do," she said to herself, "I must leave it all to God. If He +wanted me to help in it He would have shown me the way. I'll just watch +and see how He does it," and the joy and peace came back again. + +If she had known of "63 Dutton Street," she would have seen the +beginning of God's plans. + +The knowledge soon came. + +She was in the business early one morning, when all at once she felt +impelled to whisper to Reynolds-- + +"Have you seen Ralph Waring again?" + +Reynolds had no alternative but to answer "Yes." + +"Did he come into the shop?" + +Reynolds gave a solemn nod. + +"Tell me all you know, Reynolds," she said, fixing her clear grey eyes +on him; "don't keep anything back. I am quite prepared, for I feel sure +all will come right." + +And then Reynolds told her, first of all looking round to see if any one +should be listening. + +"He is staying at 63 Dutton Street," he whispered. + +"63 Dutton Street!" she exclaimed, and then checked herself. "Why, that +is where Mrs. Coates lives!" in a lower voice. + +"Yes, he is lodging with her." + +"Well! well!" She hardly knew what to say. Surely God had led Ralph +there--but why?--why? + +"Why? Why?" kept repeating through her brain as she went about her work. + +That morning she received a letter from Bessie, in which that young lady +said: "When are you coming to see me? Couldn't you come this afternoon?" + +"Yes, I will," she said to herself. "Bessie's brain is younger than +mine, and quicker. Perhaps she can tell me what I ought to do." + +When Phebe knew of the intended visit, she said: "Well, I am glad! I do +believe you are improving in your old age. Be sure and tell Bessie she +has my permission to give you a good scolding for not going sooner." + +"How little she dreams of what my real errand is!" whispered Nanna to +herself. "I wonder if I am doing right in not telling her! But surely if +I can keep trouble from her that is right! Surely she has suffered +enough through Ralph Waring already without having any more! She thinks +he is dead--'tis better so." And with that assurance she started on her +journey. + +"You blessed one!" exclaimed the excitable Bessie; "I have a good mind +now you are here to lock you up like lavender, and never let you back +again. Now I am going to get a high-style tea ready. If only I had been +quite sure you were coming I would have bought a whole red-herring--they +are the most economical things going, you only need one; you hand it all +round the table, and each guest rubs his, or her, bread with it, and +each one has all the delight of seeming to eat a whole bloater. However, +as it is, we must stretch to sardines this time. David!"--peeping into +the shop--"I'm not coming into the shop any more to-day, so if you can't +manage to scrape along without me, you can put up the shutters at once." + +"You see, Mrs. Colston," said David, "she is just the same Bessie as +ever." + +"Well, I never!" exclaimed Bessie, "if that isn't rich! Did you expect I +should turn into somebody else?--say Polly Spriggs, or the Duchess of +Marlborough!--which would you have preferred?" + +But David had fled back into the shop. + +It was during tea Nanna told her story--always the time for +confidences. + +"We had such a strange customer in the other day, Bessie. Guess who it +was!" + +"Was it one of the high levellers, or one of the low levellers?" + +"He looked like one of the low levellers, as you call them; but he used +to be----" Nanna's hands trembled so much she almost dropped her cup. + +Bessie was quick to notice this. "Dear Mrs. Colston," she exclaimed, +"you have some bad news to tell me! What is it?--Do tell me quickly!" + +"The customer was Ralph Waring." + +"Ralph Waring! And does the Little Missis know--did she see him?" and +Bessie started up from her chair in her excitement. + +"No; I want your advice. Reynolds has found out that he is lodging at 63 +Dutton Street. Just fancy that!" + +"63 Dutton Street!" repeated Bessie, quite bewildered. + +"Yes; with Mrs. Coates. You know Mrs. Coates. Do you think I ought to +tell her?" + +"Tell Mrs. Coates?" + +"No--the Little Missis, as you call her." + +"Of course not. If his lordship does not choose to make himself known, +why should you trouble her about him? She has had enough trouble with +him already--at least, I think so." + +"That is just how I have been thinking." + +"Oh, dear, dear! Whatever in the world did he need to turn up again for! +I wish to goodness I could run away with him, that I do!" + +"What is that you are saying?" exclaimed David, looking in from the +shop, with quite a dramatic expression on his face. "Who is it you are +wanting to elope with now? I really must know!" + +Amid both laughter and tears Nanna explained the situation. + +"Well, if she can manage to run away with him," said David +magnanimously, "I am quite willing. But how can you work it, my sweet +queen Bess?" + +"Ah, that's the difficulty," she sighed. "I shall have to put my +thinking cap on." + +"There is no doubt he is very ill," said pitying Nanna; "he has a +dreadful cough." + +"A consumptive cough?" asked David. + +"Yes." + +"Then may God help him! I know what that means. My father died of +consumption in Warley Hospital." + +"I have it!" exclaimed Bessie, "let's get him into Warley Hospital! At +least he would be some distance away, and would be better treated than +in lodgings. Oh, yes, I'll manage to run away with him after all, you +see if I don't! I'll call and see Mrs. Coates, and if I hear her lodger +cough, I'll offer to get him an indoor letter for Warley Hospital. I'll +not show myself at all, of course. Mrs. Coates shall do the real +elopement work; I'll only superintend." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +THE HOME-COMING + + +True to her word Bessie paid her visit to Mrs. Coates the next day. She +had not been long in the house before the hollow cough was heard. + +"Good gracious!" exclaimed Bessie; though really listening for it, the +sound had quite startled her. "What a dreadful cough!" + +"That it is. It's our lodger, poor fellow! I'm afraid he's not long for +this world." + +"What is his name?" + +"Richard Wood." + +"H'm." If Mrs. Coates had been at all a sharp sort of woman she might +have detected something peculiar in that expression. + +"I'm afraid he's very poor," continued Mrs. Coates. "He's paid me all +right, but I don't think he's much left. I took him up some hot supper +last night, and my! didn't he eat it up ravenously!" + +"Has he any friends?" + +"Doesn't seem to have any." + +"The best thing he could do would be to get into a hospital." + +"Yes, I suppose so. I really wish he would, for that cough quite wears +on me." + +"I know some one who subscribes to the Warley Hospital: I could get him +an in-letter for there, I feel sure, if he would care to go." + +"Do you really!"--quite eagerly. "I should be glad if he could be got +there! I shouldn't like to tell him to go, it would seem cruel, but I'm +sure I can't stand that cough much longer." + +"Well, go up at once and ask him," suggested Bessie. + +"I will, there can be no harm in that," and away Mrs. Coates went. + +There was quite a different look on her face when she returned. + +"No, he won't go," shaking her head, "couldn't move him!--says that when +his money's all gone, he'll go into the workhouse; I needn't be +frightened about being kept out of my money--as if I was thinking of +that! But there, that's all I get for all my trouble! You might give +your life for some folks, and they wouldn't give you even a nod in +return, not they!" Mrs. Coates was evidently feeling very annoyed. + +"Yes," exclaimed Bessie, "he's just one of that sort"--and then suddenly +added, "at least, I should think so, from what you say." + +Bessie could think of no other suggestion to make, but went away +determined to think out some other plan for getting Mrs. Coates' lodger +out of Hadley. + +The next time Mrs. Coates had an interview with her lodger, he suddenly +asked: "Who was that woman who wanted to get me packed off to Warley?" + +"Mrs. Jones," was the curt answer. + +"And who's Mrs. Jones?" + +"A very nice woman," turning round quite fiercely towards him, "a very +nice young woman indeed, and I can't see why you shouldn't be willing to +let her do you a kindness--that I can't!" + +"Perhaps not," he replied, "but you haven't told me yet who she is. +There are heaps of Mrs. Jones." + +"She used to live with Mrs. Waring; she's the daughter of Mr. Marchant, +the chemist. I wish you'd let me ask Mrs. Waring to come and see you," +exclaimed Mrs. Coates, not giving "Richard Wood" time to reply, the very +mention of Phebe's name bringing, what she thought, a bright idea into +her head; "she would be sure to know what was the best thing for you to +do! I always take all my troubles to her." + +"Look here, woman!" exclaimed the lodger angrily, "don't bring that +friend of yours here, for I will not see her. Please remember that." + +"But she is a good woman." + +"Is she!"--with a sneer. + +"Yes, she is--a very good woman!" + +"Then why did her husband have to leave her?--Yes, I know her just as +well as you do, perhaps better." + +"You know nothing bad about her, that I'm certain," replied Mrs. Coates, +raising her voice to quite an angry pitch; "you should ask, 'What sort +of a sneak was her husband to leave such a woman?'--that's what you +should ask." + +"So that is how she talks about her husband, is it?" + +"No, it isn't. I've never heard her mention him, so there. But I won't +have you say one word against my Mrs. Waring. So I tell you!" And Mrs. +Coates left the room for fear her tears should be seen. + +"The horrid man!" she said to herself. "I suppose God sees something in +him to love, at least that's what Mrs. Waring would say, so I suppose I +must search for it till I find it. But for that he should go out of this +house this very day, that he should! Wouldn't Jim be riled if he knew +what he said about Mrs. Waring! I'd better not tell him." + +Late one evening Phebe paid a visit to Jim Coates to explain to him her +garden scheme and to secure his help for it. + +What a change there was in that home from what it was on her first +visit! The whole family this evening was in a state of great excitement +over the arrival of a new couch, and each member had been taking turns +to lie down on it. Jim had also got a special and personal bit of news +which considerably added to the excitement; he had just seen Mr. Black, +who had offered him a good position as foreman on some fresh works quite +near, and when Mrs. Waring added her news there was a state of matters +in that little home difficult to describe. + +Jim clapped his hands and shouted: "If this isn't like being in Heaven +afore the time! It beats everything I ever knowed!" + +"Don't make quite so much noise, then," put in Mrs. Coates. "You see," +turning to Mrs. Waring, "we've got a lodger in bed upstairs, and he's +that bad, poor fellow, I don't know what will become of him." + +"Bless you! he can't hear us," exclaimed Jim; "and if he did, it 'ud do +him good. It does you good to laugh, and it does you good to hear a +laugh, too." + +"Ah, but Mr. Wood is a good deal too bad for that." + +"Poor fellow!" said their visitor, "if I can help him in any way please +let me know." + +"Look here, Mrs. Waring," put in Jim. "I wish you'd do us the honour of +having a bit of supper with us. I'm of the same mind as your Mrs. +Colston, when you're extra happy it seems like as if you ought to eat +together. On the strength of my new job I've bought a tin of coffee and +some new-laid eggs." + +Mrs. Waring felt it would be very ungracious if she did not accept the +invitation, though just then time was very precious. + +"Don't you think I'm a lucky man, Mrs. Waring?" exclaimed Jim, as he +stood with his watch in his hand, counting the minutes while the eggs +were boiling, "and it's all come through you." + +"No, through God," was her correction. + +"Well, God used you, anyhow. And what a change there is in Mr. Black, +too----" + +"Who is that!" suddenly exclaimed Phebe, springing to her feet. Mrs. +Coates had just gone upstairs, leaving two doors open behind her. It was +the lodger's cough she had heard. + +"It's only Mr. Wood coughing," explained Jim, and Phebe took her seat +again feeling strangely tired. + +Again the cough was heard. It had a strange little moan at the end of +it, almost like a suppressed cry. + +"Oh!" exclaimed Phebe, this time feeling powerless to rise, but +stretching out her hands to Jim Coates, "_that is my husband coughing_!" + +Jim almost dashed his watch on the table and rushed towards her, taking +hold of both of her hands. + +"It's our lodger, Mrs. Waring, don't be skeered. Come up and see him, if +you like, and then your mind will be easy." + +"Yes, yes," whispered Phebe faintly, "in a minute I will." + +She would have fallen on the stairs if Jim had not put his strong arm +round her, but when she reached the sick man's room she was herself +again, only that her breath seemed very short. + +Just for an instant she stood at the foot of the bed, and then going to +the side she took up one of his thin hands, and said gently: "Ralph, +dear, why did you not come home?" + +"I didn't want any fine folks about me." + +"But I am not fine, I am your wife. You will come home now, won't +you?"--the voice was full of pleading. "It is your home, I've kept the +business on--it's yours, too." + +"Of course it is." There was not one loving tone in the voice, but he +was stroking her hand gently. He was glad she had come, glad of her +gentle welcome, but he did not want to show it. + +Jim Coates and his wife were dumb with surprise. When the meaning of it +all dawned upon them, with the instinct of true gentle-people they crept +quietly downstairs. + +Phebe bent and kissed Ralph on the brow. "I'll leave you now, dear," she +said, "just for a little while. I must go home and arrange for your +coming. I will not be long, and if we roll you up well in blankets and +drive in a closed cab the journey will not harm you." His only answer +was a nod, but that was better than a refusal. + +She walked home like one in a dream. Stephen was there waiting to ask +her some question about the garden scheme. He was talking to Nanna. + +Almost abruptly Phebe broke in upon them. Her face was very white, she +was trembling all over, and could scarcely speak. Nanna rushed to her, +thinking she would fall before she reached a chair. It was Stephen who +gently placed a seat near, and held his arm round her as Nanna stooped +to loosen her boots. + +"Poor dearie, you're quite done up!" said Nanna, but she knew all the +time the shadow had fallen. + +"I've found Ralph," she whispered. "I want you to light a fire +upstairs--I am going to fetch him home in a cab." + +Stephen withdrew his arm and caught hold of the chair-back to steady +himself; the room seemed to swim before him. + +"Yes," was all Nanna answered. + +"Did you know?" gasped Phebe. + +"Yes." + +"And you?" turning to Stephen. + +He could only shake his head. + +The sight of Stephen's struggle gave her fresh strength. + +"Why did you not tell me, Nanna?" + +"It was too difficult--I did not know." The words came with great +effort. + +Phebe stroked her hair with a comforting touch; they had exchanged +places. + +It was Stephen who fetched the cab, and when it drove up again and the +limp figure with the incessant cough stepped out, he was standing on the +pavement, looking a sad, solitary figure. + +[Illustration: "HE WAS STANDING ON THE PAVEMENT LOOKING A SAD, SOLITARY +FIGURE."] + +It was very late. The shop had long been closed. Jack was safely in bed. +Only Nanna and Janie knew of Ralph's arrival. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +RALPH STARTS ON ANOTHER JOURNEY + + +As soon as their lodger had been removed, Mrs. Coates told her husband +what he had said about Mrs. Waring. "And to think," she exclaimed, "that +he should talk like that about his very own wife! I didn't tell you +before 'cause I knew it 'ud rile you so." + +"I should think so," Jim cried out, "the good-for-nothing fellow. I +should have been tempted to have picked him up and carried him straight +off to the workhouse whether he wanted to go or whether he didn't." + +"Do you suppose Mrs. Waring knows how he's talked about her?" + +"No; shouldn't think so." + +"If she did, do you suppose she would have taken him home?" + +"Yes; that would make no difference to her. She's got too big a heart to +hold spite against any one." + +"Did you know that she nursed Topsy Scarves for six weeks when she had +the smallpox?" + +Jim shook his head. "No, but it's just like her if she did." + +"She did. Topsy wouldn't let no one else touch her, but she was like a +lamb with Mrs. Waring; so Mrs. Waring stayed six weeks and let her +business get on as well as it could without her. And when Mrs. Scarves +wanted to thank her, she said she wasn't to, for it had been a real +happy time for her. Mrs. Scarves says she did everything for Topsy, and +wasn't frightened a wee bit. I told you Mrs. Bessie Jones offered to get +Mr. Wood,--no, Mr. Waring,--into Warley Hospital. Do you think she knew +who he was?" + +"Did she see him?" + +"No, she only heard him cough." + +"I wish to goodness she'd succeeded, and that it shouldn't have been in +our house the Little Missis got such a blow! My! it was a staggerer for +her when she heard him cough! I never saw any one look as she did! I +wish we could help her in some way or other, that I do. I wonder God +lets such a good woman like she is have so much trouble." + +"Perhaps it's trouble that's made her good," wisely remarked Mrs. +Coates. + +"Perhaps so, it does some people." + +As soon as Ralph was safely in bed Janie was despatched for a doctor. +His appearance alarmed Phebe more than ever. The cough was incessant, +and occasionally thin streaks of blood were seen on the handkerchief. + +"I wish you'd get me a red handkerchief," he said, in an irritable +voice. + +"A red handkerchief! Why? I haven't got one." + +"Yes, a red handkerchief. And if you don't possess such a thing, you +could get one, couldn't you? I shouldn't see that blood if I had a red +handkerchief." + +"I did not know exactly what you meant. I'll get you one at once out of +the shop." It was the same old Ralph, always wanting to cover up +trouble, never able to fairly and boldly face consequences. + +The doctor pronounced him in a dangerous condition, promised to send +something at once to ease the cough, and in the morning would examine +him more thoroughly. "But I am afraid he is not long for this world, +Mrs. Waring," he said, as he bade her good-night; "he has had a very +hard life lately, that is very evident." + +Yes, she saw it all; Ralph had come back with a wrecked life--had come +home to die!--the man who had gone forth to win a fortune to lay at her +feet. How bitterly disappointed he must be! This thought gave an added +tenderness to her voice, and made her still more patient. All the night +long she watched by his side. Sometimes he slept a little, but when +awake lay gloomily staring at the wall. He never uttered a word of +tenderness or pleasure at being home. Only once did he refer to the +past, and then it was to rip open the old wound. + +"You've been very successful, Phebe." + +"Yes; God has greatly helped me." + +"No doubt; but still it was I who started you. I left you a good +business, and in addition"--he had to pause to cough--"and in addition I +had trained you well, so, after all, the success is mine as much as +yours." + +How could she contradict him? If he found comfort in this thought would +it not be cruel to put forward any doubts? So after a pause she +answered: "Yes." + +"You don't seem very sure about it," with as much "snap" in the words as +his breath would allow. + +"I should not be where I am now, but for you," she answered gently, and +that answer seemed to please him. + +Then in a little while: "I must see the books in the morning. I shall +soon be able to pick up the threads. There's a country branch, isn't +there?" + +"Two." + +"Ah, that's good; I gave you that idea." Another fit of coughing. "I +shall soon be all right; it's only an extra cold I've got. I'll soon be +able to take the reins, and then----" But he was too weak to finish the +sentence. + +Early in the morning Phebe went to break the news to Jack. He was +sitting up in bed rubbing his eyes. She sat down by his side putting her +arm round his neck, bringing his sunny head to nestle on her shoulder. + +"Jack, darling, I've something very particular to tell you." + +"Have you, mummy? What is it? Has Janie got a sweetheart?" + +"No, it is something very serious. You must not joke." + +"Is it?"--lifting his head to look at her. "Are you in trouble? Who's +been hurting you?" in his impetuous way. + +"No one. Jack, your father has come home." + +"Father!--come home!" in a bewildered voice. "Father come home! I say," +and he began to get excited, "I must get up at once. Then he wasn't dead +after all?" + +"Stay a bit, Jack; he is very ill--and very poor." She knew the dreams +the lad had cherished, of how his father would return, of the grand +treasures he was to bring his boy. + +"Poor!" he exclaimed; "then why didn't he write and tell you so? Why did +he leave us all this time!" + +"Jack," she answered gently, "I expect it was because he was so +disappointed at not finding the fortune," and then she told him all the +story of how she had found Ralph. + +"Has he asked after me?" + +"No, not yet. You see he is very ill." + +"Not asked after me! And been here all night!" He was rather glad to +have this fresh reason for anger. + +"You must not take any notice of that. Remember how ill he is. Sick +people cannot be expected to be thoughtful. Get dressed now, and then +come and tell him you are glad he has come home." + +"But I'm not glad--and I don't want to see him." + +"Jack!" + +"No, I don't; and I won't see him," bursting into angry tears. "What's +the good of a father like that! To stay away from us and never write us +a letter, and only come back 'cause he's ill!" + +"It was I who brought him back, you must remember." + +"What will all the fellows say! I've told them----" + +"Never mind all that. You can tell them your father has had +disappointments, and they will be sorry for him." + +"Not they, they'll sneer. Oh, mummy, I am so wretched!" + +She tried to soothe him, but the angry spirit had got hold of him too +much. "Come and see him, there's a dear Jack. You will be sorry for him +when you see how ill he is." + +"No, I won't. He's been cruel to you--cruel!" + +"Jack," standing straight up and speaking very firmly, "I am grieved, +deeply grieved, at your unloving spirit. You had better get dressed and +go at once to your aunt's and remain there till you have a more +forgiving spirit. How could I tell your father that you refuse to see +him!" + +It was the first time there had been a cloud between them. Each felt it +keenly. Phebe went away with a heavy heart. The burden had more than +doubled during that quarter of an hour. How gladly she would have +entered the Golden Gate just then! It seemed as if now both husband and +son had failed her. Entering the sick-room her eyes fell on the silver +star, and the old motto came again to mind: "We rely on Thee." "I do," +she murmured, "God is with me; He is working all things right." + +"Nanna," exclaimed Jack, when he got downstairs, "I can't find my cap." +His eyes were too full of tears to see it. + +"Well, you don't want your cap before you have your breakfast." + +"I don't want any breakfast." + +"Don't want any breakfast! What nonsense! Where are you off to?" + +"To aunty's; mummy said I must go at once." + +"Mummy did not mean you to go without your breakfast. Of course she will +want your aunty to know quickly of your father's return; but there's not +so much hurry you cannot have your breakfast." + +He had been trying hard to keep back the tears, but could not succeed. +"Oh, it's not that," he exclaimed. "Mummy is displeased with me, and is +sending me away." + +"Jack," said Nanna, putting her hands on his shoulders and trying to +look into his eyes, "do you mean to say you are going to desert your +mother just at one of the darkest moments of her life?" + +"I don't want to go--she sent me away," freeing himself from her +detaining hands. + +Arriving at his aunt's he was obliged to tell her the whole of the +story. She felt inclined to share the boy's anger and resentment in the +first moment of excitement, but, afterwards viewing the matter from the +mother's standpoint, her words were very similar to Nanna's. + +"No doubt you are disappointed, but didn't it strike you your mother +must be disappointed, too? I think you've done wrong, Jack, not to stand +by her and make things as easy as you could for her." + +Poor little Jack! Everybody seemed against him! + +"What did Mrs. Colston say to you?" the aunt continued. + +"Just what you do," he answered, and then sighed deeply. + +"Ah! I thought she would. Your mother must be as disappointed in you as +you are in your father, and I'm sure Mrs. Colston would say we +disappointed God as much as we disappoint one another." + +In less than an hour love for his mother had overcome all pride, +disappointment and anger, and he was back home again. + +Nanna met him with a smile. "Well done, Jack; you've scored a victory, I +can tell it by your face. Mummy will be delighted! Jack, dear, it will +do your heart good to see her loving patience. She makes me think of +God. Her patience and love are just like what His must be--only, of +course, His are bigger. I tell you what you must do when you go +upstairs. Don't make any note of your father's funny ways; take notice +only of how your mother's trying to win him----" + +"Should I go upstairs now?" + +"No, your father's dozing. Sit down and have some breakfast. I don't +suppose you ate much while your burden was on you. Jack, have you ever +heard of St. Bernard's Hospice?" + +"Yes, I've seen a picture of it." + +"The monks go out with their dogs in the winter to see if they can come +across anybody perishing in the snow. They are love-missionaries. I +think this house is a hospice just now. Your mummy's found a poor +perishing soul, and she's brought it home to get it ready for heaven." + +"Is father going to die?" + +"Yes; I'm afraid he's not long for this world--the doctor says about a +week; so you and I have got to do all we can to help mummy." + +"What can I do?" + +"A lot. Do what mummy does; show all the love you can." + +It was not until Ralph had finished his breakfast that he asked: "And +how are the children?" + +"There's only one left down here." + +"Which one?" + +"The boy." + +"Well, it's a comfort it's the boy. I expect Washington is a fine lad by +now!" + +"Washington!"--the name slipped out involuntarily, it sounded so +strange. + +"Yes, Washington; that's the lad's name, and the one I mean to call him +by. You can fetch me up the books now." + +Going downstairs she caught sight of Jack. + +"Mummy," exclaimed the lad, rushing towards her, "I'm so sorry I +disappointed you! I couldn't stop away from you. I'll do what you want +me to do, and I'll stand by you through thick and thin, that I will. +You'll see if I won't," and the bargain was sealed with a hug and a +kiss. + +He was received back without one word of reproach. "Jack, if your +father calls you by your other name you must not express any surprise. I +can get along fine now you are with me." + +This little rift in the home-music had puzzled as well as troubled +Phebe, but all at once it struck her that God perhaps meant her to see a +parable in it, and that was how it was to work good for her. "Perhaps +Ralph got away from God as Jack went away from me, because things +weren't as he wanted them. But he'll get back again to God, as Jack has +got back to me." And the parable comforted her, and inspired her. For +God can take even the wayward doings of a petted child to teach His +lessons and do His work. + +Jack made his way upstairs at once. "Good-morning, father," he said in +his cheeriest tone, "it must be nice for you to be home again." + +"Yes, nicer for me than you, I suppose"--the words were snappish, but +Ralph looked at the boy with a kind of look which plainly said: "You +will do." + +The business books were brought, but he was far too weak to master them: +"I'll attend to them when I'm stronger," he said. + +But each new day found him weaker. + +If ever a man lived in an atmosphere of love Ralph Waring did. How much +of the old love had revived it would be difficult to say, if even any +had. But it was a love which was willing to forego self to the utmost, +and what love could be richer, more Christlike, than that? + +It was a true testing-time to Phebe. It was not easy to relinquish every +thread of work in which she had been so deeply interested, and it was +harder still, after being her own mistress so long, to submit patiently +to that dictatorial voice! It was as though the Great Gardener had taken +His cherished plant on to a bleak moorland to see how its blossoms would +thrive where the winds blew all around it. + +All the town soon knew of Ralph Waring's return, and many were the +comments on it. Some said it was "mighty good of Phebe to take the +rascal back again," and showed how loving her heart was. Others said it +showed that Ralph still loved her in spite of her having driven him from +home, and that he could not die in peace away from her. + +It was not till the last day came that there was any proof that love had +conquered. The doctor's prophecy had not come true, for he had lingered +week after week, and even on this last day there seemed no change, +except in manner and voice. + +"Phebe," the tone was even stronger than usual, but quite startling in +its tenderness, "my life has been a failure. I see it all so plainly +now." + +"This part may have been so, dear; but you must remember this is not +all." She had a great longing to soothe and comfort him, but the moments +were too precious and solemn to allow her to cover up the truth, however +much she might be tempted. + +"Yes, but the future must be a good deal according to what the past has +been." + +"Yes, maybe; but I love to think that out of all our tangles God can +produce a beautiful design if we turn to Him with all our hearts." + +Ralph sighed heavily. "It has been self all along with me. It was a good +thing God did not let me succeed. How I have fought against my failure, +what it has cost me to be here receiving all your kindness, knowing all +about your success, you can never tell--never!" and for the first time +in all her life Phebe saw tears rolling down his face. + +"Poor Ralph! I am grieved for you, dear!" + +"I know you are," taking hold of her hand and kissing it. "It has cost +me a struggle to acknowledge that God has led me right. If I had been +other than a bankrupt soul He could not have had mercy on me. He was +obliged to bring me low. But I thank Him for it. You do forgive me the +wrong I did you?" and he looked so wistfully at her. + +"Of course I do, a hundred times over," and she stooped to kiss him, her +hot tears mingling with his. + +"Dear Phebe----" But strength had gone. With one hand clasping Phebe, +and the other his boy, and with Nanna gently wiping the cold sweat from +his brow, he passed to the other land. His last words were: "Phebe, +come with--me!" But he had started on a journey he was obliged this time +to take without her. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +OLIVE LEAVES AND LAUREL LEAVES + + +In a very few weeks after Ralph's death the whole affair of his return +seemed but as a dream, so much had life resumed its old aspect for all +in Phebe's household. But the calm was not to last long; there was first +to be two big pieces of excitement, and then, as the young folks say in +the old game of "Family Coach," a general "change" round. + +One glorious spring evening Jim Coates paid Mrs. Waring an unexpected +visit. + +"I thought you were at Exton," exclaimed Phebe. She knew that Hugh +Black had started work there on a very large scale, and that he had +given Jim a good berth. + +"Yes, I was there; but I have come over specially to see you. I said to +my mates, 'If there's anybody that can help us it's the Little Missis. +And I mean to go and ask her, that I will.' So I've come." + +"Are you in trouble? You know I will do whatever I can for you." + +"I know you would, Mrs. Waring, I know you would. But, thank God, it's +not anything that is specially _my_ trouble; it has to do with all the +lads. They are threatening to come out on strike. They're just mad +against Mr. Black, and I thought you might go and see him for us, he +would listen to you. It would be no good me going; the lads say now that +I'm afraid to open my mouth against him." + +"But I should not know what to say to him!" put in Phebe, feeling +somewhat aghast at the new _role_ which was being thrust upon her. + +"I can soon tell you all about it, and then I know right well you'd know +what to say--no one better. Mr. Black's got hisself into a kind of a +corner. He's promised to have the work done by a certain date, and now +he sees he can't do it. P'raps he got the job by making out he could do +it quicker than others, I don't know about that: anyhow, he's in a fix, +and the lads say he means us to get him out of it." + +"But how could you?" + +"Well, he wants us to work an hour a day extra." + +"Yes, you could do that," put in Phebe again in a quick voice, feeling +relieved at this easy way out of the difficulty. + +"Yes; but what is he willing to pay us? We work ten hours a day now, and +a long day it is at that heavy work, and to put another hour a day on to +it without anything extra is what the lads won't stand." + +"Do you mean to say he wants you to work that hour for nothing? There +must be some mistake!" exclaimed Phebe. + +"Oh, yes,--don't make a mistake,--he will pay us the usual money, of +course, but the lads say that is not fair, if we work extra when we're +tired he ought to pay us extra, specially when it's to get him out of a +mess, and--my! he'll make a lot of money out of it too! And what I don't +like," continued Jim, sinking his voice, "the fellows sneer at him so; +they say he's been harder than ever since he's been a bit religious. +'That's what your religion does for a man!--makes him a bigger sneak +than ever.' That's how they talk." + +Phebe was silent. If the men did talk like that, then it _was_ her duty +to go and speak to Hugh Black. + +"And there is something worse still for you to hear," continued Jim. +"Mr. Black says if the lads throw the job up, he shall put on a gang of +Irishmen, and the fellows say if he does, they will never let them do +any work, and there's sure to be bloodshed!" + +Another silence. Certainly if she could prevent bloodshed it was her +duty to do so! And it seemed to her, too, that the men's claim was a +just one; if they were willing to help Hugh Black out of his difficulty +he ought to be willing to pay them something extra. + +"Are you willing for me to tell Mr. Black all you have just said?" + +"Will you go, then?" asked Jim eagerly. + +"Why, yes; how could I refuse?" The words came but very slowly. + +"There now!" exclaimed Jim excitedly, slapping his hands vigorously on +his knees. "There, I said you would, and the lads bet all manner of +things you wouldn't; they even said you wouldn't because you couldn't +afford to offend Mr. Black. But I told them to wait and see." + +Phebe only answered: "Can you tell me exactly what the men would like +Mr. Black to do?" + +"Yes, I could, but I wonder----" + +"Do not hesitate to speak out anything that is in your heart. But I +wonder if I could guess what it is you wish to ask me to do! Is it to go +and have a talk to the men first?" + +"It is!" exclaimed Jim, more excited than ever. "How could you know what +was in my mind?" + +"Oh, very easily," replied Phebe, laughing. + +"I know what the lads want, and you are welcome to tell Mr. Black all +I've said; but it will be a heap better if you will talk to the men +theirselves." + +"Would they be willing for me to be their spokesman to Mr. Black, do you +suppose?" + +"Why, of course I am. They'd only be too proud if you would." + +"When could I see them?" + +"They have a meeting to-night----" Again he hesitated, feeling he was +asking so much. + +Phebe quickly answered, "I will go with you at once," and then added, +"Ah, Mr. Coates, it is not the first time you have induced me to go on +an errand I have shrunk from!" + +"And this one," exclaimed Jim, his face all aglow, "is going to be as +well-ended as the other one was, you see if it isn't!" + +Half-an-hour's run by the train, and ten minutes' walk brought them to +the place of meeting. Many thoughts passed through Phebe's mind during +that short journey; how came it she should be led into such difficult +positions?--how could she adequately deal with subjects so far removed +from those of her everyday experience? + +Several of the men were on the look-out for her; evidently her visit was +expected, for a potato-basket had been turned up for her to stand on, +and a chair provided for her to sit on. The men had gathered, about +sixty of them, just at the junction of some country roads, and were +standing under the shelter of a high barn-wall, for a rather cold wind +was blowing. + +Many a rough hand was stretched out in welcome to her, and though she +was a stranger to some, no one seemed in the slightest to resent her +coming. + +"I'll speak first and set the ball a-rolling," she said, in her bright +way; "Mr. Coates has told me about the trouble you are in, and it is +very good of you to let me share it." + +"It does one good to hear her voice agin," said one old man in a very +audible whisper, which was followed quickly by a loud "Shut up!" + +Phebe went on in her calm, low, but incisive voice, commenting on what +Jim had told her, and then she asked, "Who is your spokesman here?" + +"Ford!" called out a score of voices, and a thick-set man came forward. + +"What do you wish Mr. Black to give you for the extra hour?" she asked. + +"A shilling." + +"And if he agrees to that, what would become of the Irishmen whom you +say are on their way here?" + +"Let them go back to their taters," some one called out. + +"Oirishmen are as good as ye are!" The accent was so unmistakable that a +general laugh went up. But it did good. + +"Of course they are," replied Phebe, "and sometimes a bit better, and it +is for them I want to plead. If I take any sides at all it will not be +for the rich"--a big cheer, and much clapping of hands--"but for the +poor and unfortunate. Those men come expecting work; if Mr. Black agrees +to your terms you ought to be willing to stretch out a willing hand to +those Irishmen. You all know Mr. Black has made an error in his +calculations"--cries of dissent--"hear me to the end and I am sure you +will agree with me." + +"We'll make them listen," called out a strong voice, followed by several +others. "That we will!" + +"No, friends," Phebe calmly answered, "I will only have a willing +audience." + +"You have! You have!" they all called out. + +"I am going to ask Mr. Black to give you fifteenpence for that extra +hour, on condition that you are willing to work 'shifts' with these +Irishmen. Couldn't you manage that?" + +"No," said Ford, "the days are not long enough." + +"Well, what could you suggest that would show that you were willing to +do the brother's part by these men, and also show Mr. Black that the +English working-man was willing to do as he would be done by?" + +Then there followed several little speeches of the usual Socialistic +strain, to which Phebe replied: "Yes, I sympathise with you there, but +those questions are out of order at this gathering. We must be +practical." + +"Tell us what you would like us to say to him," said Ford, and another +round of cheers followed this suggestion. + +Phebe paused for a moment to ask for guidance; the light from the +blessed stars was very clear, but just then an added glory was given to +the scene by the moon suddenly shining forth. The silver beams brought +Phebe a message. "This is what I would suggest, friends," and as she +spoke it seemed as if a sudden silence came over the men, "that instead +of working the extra hour--for I am sure your day is long enough--you +let the new men work with you, and that Mr. Black pay you a halfpenny an +hour more than the usual rate--that would mount up in the course of the +week; or, if that is not practicable, to work in 'shifts,' as I +suggested before, which could very well be done with the aid of electric +light. If he preferred the latter plan, I should still advise him to let +you work the extra hour at the increased pay I mentioned. Of course this +will greatly aid him in getting the work finished, perhaps long before +the time. I am not, however, forgetting that the plan will shorten the +job for you, but work will surely not be scarce this fine weather. Now, +what do you think of my suggestions?" + +"I think they'll do all right," said Ford. + +"Do you all agree to them, and empower me to say so to Mr. Black?" + +"She speaks fair enough," said one man. + +"He'll never cave in to all that," called out another. + +"But do you agree?" + +A great shout went up: "We all agree." + +"And will you go on steadily and quietly with your work till you hear +from me again?" + +"Yes, we all agree!" Every man of them must have joined in that shout by +the noise they made. + +They all wanted to shake hands with her before she left; several wished +her "luck," but one old man said solemnly: "Eh, missis, you're a clever +'un, but you'll never get anything out of Hugh Black." + +Before Jim started to accompany Mrs. Waring to the station he whispered +to Ford: "There now! didn't I tell you she'd manage the men all right? I +knew she'd handle them all neat enough! Trust the Little Missis for +that." + +"Yes," assented Ford, "she's just splendid, but she won't succeed." + +The visit to Hugh Black was by no means so easy an affair as the one to +the men had been. When he learnt what her errand was he could hardly +believe it. "Whatever will those men get you to do next? I expect the +next thing will be, you will represent them in Parliament. I shouldn't +wonder, though, but that you'd do it better than the fellow who is there +now. But to the point: what have those fellows talked you over to ask +me?" + +"I want you to understand, Mr. Black, they have not told me at all what +to say; what I am going to say to you is my own suggestion, to which +they agreed." + +"If that is so it will make a considerable difference." + +Her first endeavour was to get him to sympathise with the men in their +hard toil. She scored a good point when she expressed her surprise that +clever men like he was did not invent more machinery to save such heavy +toil. "I feel sure you could do it if you tried." From that she passed +on to the fact that the men had some time ago found out he was seeking +to live his life on a higher plane than at one time. "'A bit religious' +is the way they put it." + +"Well, what if they do?" + +"I want them to see that that bit is real," was her straight answer; +"that God has something to do with your business arrangements." + +He made no answer, and then she told him the two suggestions she had +made to the men, and asked him which he preferred. + +"You fairly take away my breath!" he exclaimed. "The last one is a +splendid idea! I had never thought of that wrinkle! The men would never +agree working side by side, but the idea of the 'shifts' and the +electric light is a dazzling one. The wonder is, I had never thought of +it myself." + +"You think, then, the electric light could be managed?" + +"Yes, easily enough. Why, do you know, I should get this contract +finished in time to take on another I was thinking I should have to +decline! I really ought to pay you for the idea--excuse me," seeing a +flush come to her face, "but I am really indebted to you!" + +"What may I say to the men, Mr. Black?" + +"That I will have the two 'shifts,' and that if they will work the extra +hour I will pay them the sum you have named to them. I could do no other +after the help you have been to me." + +"I wish," she said earnestly, "you had agreed to it out of sympathy with +the men, and because you thought God would have you do so." + +But he made her no answer. + +Early that evening Jim Coates came to receive the message for the men. +He lost no time in returning to his mates. They were assembled in the +same place as before. + +Of course the message was received with cheers. Some of the men could +hardly believe their ears. + +"Well, I never!" was all Ford and some others could say. + +"And I am to tell you," continued Jim, "that when this job is finished, +Mr. Black will have another job on hand." + +Another cheer. + +"And he couldn't have taken this job but for the Little Missis." + +Still a louder cheer. + +"But there is something else I have to tell you," went on Jim again, +"which she said I was to be sure to remember. When you asked her to say +what she would have us ask, she took just a moment to ask God for +guidance, and at that very moment the moon came out. It was the clear +moonlight which brought her the message about the electric light. She +says that was God's answer. You know it was all along of the electric +light made Mr. Black so pleased; it made the way easy for two gangs of +us to be at work, and made it possible for him to take on the other job. +So the Little Missis says we are always to remember God will work for us +if we will let Him." + +There was no cheering after that part of the speech, but the words, "God +will work for us if we will let Him," rang in those men's ears for many +a long day. + +They were repeated to Mr. Black by Jim Coates. + +"'God will work for us if we will let Him,'" Hugh Black repeated to +himself, "how real God is to that little woman! I wish He were as real +to me!" The moonlight never fell upon his path but the words came back +to him, and they were always followed by the simple, earnest prayer: +"Undertake for me, O my God." + +Hugh Black was Mayor of Hadley that year. One day Jim Coates put a +little packet into his hand in a very mysterious manner. It contained +two pounds in sixpences and threepenny bits, and this little note: + + "We'd like you to do something with this that would show our + gratitude to the Little Missis.--A FEW ROUGH NAVVIES." + +He mused over it a few days, then he borrowed a photograph of "the +Little Missis" from Bessie, had a coloured enlargement taken from it, +then had it framed in carved oak, with the words in gilt beneath: "The +Little Missis. Subscribed for by a few grateful admirers." + +The next step was to ask permission to hang it in the Council Chamber, +which was readily granted. Thus in the very room where she had been +spoken of as "a woman whose husband had been obliged to leave her," the +portrait of "the Little Missis" had a place of honour. + +It was months before Phebe knew anything of this, and when she did, so +many other things had come to pass that her mind seemed too full to +either grieve or be glad over it. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +CROWNED WITH JOY + + +Eighteen months had gone by since Ralph's death. Nothing of any unusual +nature had occurred to Phebe or her household, except the completion of +the Garden Scheme and the settling of the dispute between Hugh Black and +his men. It had been a true resting-time, without any strain, without +any need to study ways and means, and without any attempt to advance in +any direction so far as outward things were concerned. And yet Phebe did +not feel satisfied; there was something missing, life did not satisfy +her in its present outlook. During Ralph's illness all her outside work +had been given up, others had stepped in and carried it on, and she had +never got back to her old place again entirely. This was not through +any unwillingness on her part, it was simply that the way did not open +up. + +While Ralph was away there had always been a sense of strain and tension +which had buoyed her on and on. Now that was removed, and there was no +necessity to be on the alert, there had crept over her a weariness and +lassitude. + +"Nanna," she suddenly said one day, "I am going to leave you." + +"Going to leave me!--never!" + +"Not for long, you dear; you may rest on that. But I have thought I +should like to get right away for three or four weeks. I want to view my +life from a distance--that is, if I can. If I get away from my everyday +surroundings perhaps I could see it more clearly. I'm not satisfied with +it." + +"But you would take somebody with you? Your sister?" + +"No, not my sister; I should be all the time viewing _her_ life if I +did." + +"Well, then, take Jack. I should not like you to go alone." + +"Yes, I might take Jack." + +So the two started on their journey alone, and only Nanna and Aunt +Lizzie knew whither they were bound, both of whom were strictly charged +to keep the matter secret. + +What the mountains are to the Swiss, the sea is to the islander. Phebe +and her boy settled down at a watering-place on the east coast, the lad +finding endless amusement and instruction among the fishermen, while the +mother sat on the green cliffs under the shadowing of blossoming trees, +watching the course of the distant river, and the great steamers passing +by bound for foreign shores, but intent mostly with the study of the +past and future. The steamers made steady progress, but the same could +not be said of the personal studies. Day followed day, but no progress +was made. She was just where she was when she first came. + +"Show me Thy will, O God," she prayed. "Thou knowest my heart is willing +for it." + +One very warm day she had her sunshade up to keep off a darting sunbeam +that would keep dancing on her book, and did not notice a gentleman +taking a seat not two yards away from her. When it was nearly time to +meet Jack for their evening stroll she suddenly became aware of her +neighbour. Both sunshade and book dropped from her hands--only one word +escaped her lips, and it was-- + +"Stephen!" + +Not even in a moment's excitement would he have called her "Phebe" +unless in some way she had given him permission, but here it was, and +eagerly he grasped it. "Phebe!" and their out-stretched hands met in a +tight clasp. + +"What brought you here?" Phebe was the first to speak. + +"I may ask the same," said Stephen. "But sit down again; this is a quiet +spot, and I should like to talk to you." So they sat down again, but +close together this time. "I came here," continued Stephen, "to have a +quiet time to think things over and to know God's will. Not a creature +in Hadley knows where I am. I have long wanted to ask you to be my wife, +as I did years ago, and during all the years since then no one has taken +your place in my heart--no one ever could. Whether you accept my love, +or not, you are still, as ever, my queen." His voice had sunk to a +whisper. He knew from the pressure of her hand that it was not likely +she would refuse it. "I would have spoken to you before this, but I was +afraid--I thought you shrank from me. Forgive me, dearest, if I wronged +you." + +"You have nothing to forgive. I only seemed to shrink from you because I +feared"--it seemed so hard to get the words out, but he wanted to hear, +so did not help her at all--"I feared lest you might not respond to my +love." + +"What, after waiting all these years! Never mind, you shall not reproach +yourself. I ought to have shown you more of my heart. But, tell me, +will you have this grey-haired fellow for your very own?" + +They looked into each other's eyes, the answer was there plainly enough. +"You know I will," said Phebe, "but I've nothing to give that is worthy +such patient love." + +"That is my business," he said, with a laugh, "so don't trouble about +that." + +"Shall I tell you what brought me here? I was so restless, I wanted to +quietly review my life and plan something for the future. Only Nanna and +Lizzie know where we are. Jack is with me. But I have been just as +restless, and I prayed only an hour ago, 'Show me Thy will, O God.' God +must have sent you to me." + +"I'm sure He did, my Phebe." There was such a glad ring in the voice. + +"If only we could be young again!" + +"Look at the sky, dearest!" There were bars of light and dark in the +western sky, and above these a flock of tiny clouds. Along the edge of +the horizon ran a line of rosy light. Presently the bars merged into +dark purple clouds, the cloudlets above took on a rosy light, the glory +widened from below and from above, till the whole western sky was aflame +with radiant beauty. "That is like our life, dearest," Stephen +whispered, putting his arm round her as they sat. "All our clouds which +memory may bring or the future reveal are going to be made beautiful, +covered all over with rosy love." + +"But it's evening, Stephen," she whispered, "the darkness is creeping +on," and he felt that she was trembling. + +"But we are together. Besides, no illustration can be strained too far: +it's evening in the heavens but mid-day in our lives." + +"Well I never!"--it was Jack's voice. (Was there ever stranger ending to +a wooing!) "Are you two chums?" Evidently he was feeling very annoyed. +His mother having failed to meet him at the appointed time and place he +had come in search of her. + +Stephen jumped up at once, seized hold of the lad with loving hands, and +compelled him to sit down between them. "Yes, we're chums," said +Stephen, in his old bright manner, "and we want to tell you how it came +about." + +Jack's face looked rather dark, and he muttered: "This is why, then, +mummy wanted to come here so much." + +"No, it was not," said Stephen firmly, and then he told him of their +unexpected meeting, of how God had seemingly led them both on the path, +and of his (Stephen's) boyhood love for his mother. And all the time +Phebe said never a word, but sat looking at the two with eyes full of +love. + +"Ah!" said Jack, with a sigh of relief, "I don't mind now. I thought +you'd been keeping it dark from me. But, I say, if you take mummy, +you'll have to take me as well! Else what will become of me?" + +"Of course I shall; the fact is, we'll all be chums together, won't we?" + +"Rather!" said Jack. "I call this spiffin," and then their hands seemed +to get all mixed up together. + +The next day Stephen had a particular request to make. It was that, +seeing he had waited for his love so long, they should be married at +once, and Phebe felt she could not refuse him. + +Nanna, Aunt Lizzie, Bessie, Reynolds and Jones were all communicated +with at once, and on a given day the three establishments were closed, +all assistants given a holiday, and the above-named individuals summoned +to the ceremony. To please Jack he was allowed to give his mother away, +and Reynolds was the bridegroom's best man. + +Bessie--the Bessie of old!--was delighted. "This is what I call fine! +I'm as happy as if I were being married to my dear 'Darling Jones' over +again!" Nanna was just as radiant; her old dream after all had come +true! + +Once more during the honeymoon Phebe referred to the past. "If only we +could have started our life together! How was it I was so blind? Why did +not my heart respond to your love as it does now? Nanna was not nearly +so blind as I was," and then she told Stephen of Mrs. Colston's guesses +that afternoon in the old kitchen where the mangle was. + +"I cannot answer your questions, dearest; but I am sure you are the +richer women to-day for the trials you have had." + +"Yes, Nanna said that day, when I told her I was a Christian, that to be +a full Christian was a matter of development, that there were many +creases in my nature God had to mangle out. I am afraid there are many +creases still left." + +"Yes, though we may be blameless before God our education is still going +on." + +"But I have been far from blameless. I have often thought if I had +entered more into Ralph's ambitions it would have been better and his +end would have been different. What if I should bring defeat into your +life too!" + +"Dearest! you have brought nothing but inspiration into my life. You +are not to have these sad thoughts. I was not brave enough in the past +to show my love, or you might have seen it in a plainer manner--and all +would have been different. But we neither of us acted from selfishness. +You considered at the time you acted rightly by resisting Ralph's +restlessness. God will never blame us for not acting up to any light +that was hidden from us. If we have made mistakes in the past God has +forgiven us, and therefore we should put the past entirely from us." + +"So we will," she answered, with a happy smile; "we are both making a +new start, and we will let nothing hinder us." + +When the time came for their return home, there was great excitement +among many of the Hadley people. The honeymoon had been considerably +lengthened at Stephen's request, for two reasons--first, to give Phebe +as long a rest as possible; and secondly, to give time for the +beautifying of the old farmhouse on the hill above the town. Bay-windows +and a porch had been built out, the front garden had been relaid, +several rooms refurnished, and all had been kept a grand secret from +Phebe. + +"I tell you what it is," said Jim Coates, "she shall have a welcome like +a duchess, that she shall!" So instead of stepping into a cab as she +expected she would do when she came out of the station, Phebe found a +carriage-and-pair waiting them, and then at a certain bend of the road a +whole body of men suddenly made their appearance, took out the horses, +attached ropes to the carriage, and drew it along in triumphant style. + +Just for a moment Phebe was quite startled; the idea suddenly presented +itself that they were being captured by robbers--it was but for an +instant--and then the sight of Jim Coates' face, and the triumphant look +on Stephen's, made it all clear to her, and partly laughing, partly +crying, she managed to exclaim: "It is too much--too much!--don't let +them do it, Steve!" But it would have taken more than Steve to hinder +that loyal little band of stalwarts, if even he had been willing, which +he was not. + +Wreaths of evergreens were stretched across the road, flags were +fluttering everywhere; close to the house was a long banner, with the +words in red letters, "Welcome home to the Little Missis and her +husband." + +As the men paused at the gate they had still breath enough to exclaim: + +"Three cheers for the Little Missis and her husband!" and great hearty +"Hip! Hip! Hurrahs!" rang out. + +"But, Steve----" exclaimed Phebe, as she looked up at the +unfamiliar-looking house, and then a second revelation came to her. + +Steve answered her questioning look with a kiss on her cheek--and then +there was another cheer. + +Bessie and Janie were both standing at the gate, bearing a great basket +of roses. + +Bessie had decided that because she had not thought of scattering roses +on the path at the wedding, she would do so at the home-coming. + +"Yes, she shall walk on roses this time," Bessie exclaimed; "the other +time she was married she had only cold potatoes. I mean to make up for +that." + +The idea of any one walking on cold potatoes fairly puzzled poor Janie. +"I never heard of such a thing!" she exclaimed. "I'm sure she didn't +when she came home. I was there, and ought to know." + +"You know well enough," retorted Bessie, "what a cold welcome she got. +Didn't I see you lay the supper-table? And didn't I tell you it looked +more like a meal for an errand-boy than for a bride? Don't you remember +that?" + +"Yes," meekly answered the literal Janie, "but there were no cold +potatoes messing about." + +So the roses were strewed on her path by the two young women, who though +so different in character, had both learnt to love her with a wonderful +devotion. But before Phebe trod on the roses, she stopped to kiss her +friends, and then turning round to the group of men who looked very hot +but very happy, she said: "You have done us too much honour, but may God +bless you." They could see that her face was wet with tears as well as +radiant with smiles and then another cheer went up for "the Little +Missis and her husband." + +Dear old Nanna was standing on the doorstep with Jack by her side. + +"Welcome home, dear heart!" said Nanna, kissing her and giving her a +motherly hug. + +Jack stood patiently by till he thought Nanna had had her full share, +and then gave her a gentle reminder with his hand that it was his turn +now. + +Did the sight of the loaded table and the gay, bright room bring back to +her any thoughts of the past? If they did, no shadow from the past was +allowed to linger. + +In a month's time they were all fairly settled down. Jack, Mrs. Colston +and Janie had all removed to "the house on the hill," and Aunt Lizzie +had taken up her residence at the business establishment, there to +remain, God willing, till Jack should reach his majority. + +"Nanna," said Phebe one day, "do you remember telling me that a +Christian is not perfected till death, that we have to be trained and +disciplined? And do you remember what discipline I needed?" + +"Yes, I remember it well. You see, I'm always thinking about it because +I like to watch the process." + +"I have been thinking God has ceased to do any training with me--could +it be that He is disappointed with me?--that because I have not come up +to what He expected, He has put me on one side." + +"Why, dearie, what has put that into your head?" + +"What discipline have I got now? Peace and joy and prosperity are with +me in abundance." + +"All God's training is not done by pain. Bless me, the flowers know +better than that! The cold winds and rains make them bloom right enough, +but the sunshine has a good share in the work as well. Instead of you +having no training just now, the sunshine all round you is doing it as +fast as it can. And if God sees you can stand the sunshine without +getting puffed up, or careless, or proud--I know you will forgive an old +woman's plain words--He perhaps has glorious plans of work for you in +the future. He can discipline and train you by all this wealth He has +given you." + +"Trust you," replied Phebe, laughing, "for never giving me the ghost of +a chance of being miserable. I never saw anybody like you for ruthlessly +stripping away every shred of the blues!" + +"Do you want to keep a few of the blue rags, then?" + +"No, you know I do not." + +"Dear heart," said Nanna tenderly, "there was a time when you had to +search round for your bright bits: now you are surrounded with it, take +in all you can get--rejoice and exult in it, and don't lose one bit +simply because you have got so much." + +When Phebe repeated this conversation to her husband, he added: "If God +has crowned you with joy, sweetheart--and I hope from my heart He has +done so--do not let anybody put a thorn in the crown God did not mean to +be there. I would like to crown you every day myself with joy if I +could--my queen!--my ray of glory!" + +"But, Steve, be serious." + +"I never was calmer in my life. You know I mean every word I say--say +you do!" + +"Yes, you loyal lover mine," linking her arm in his, "but you don't have +a monopoly in love for all that," looking up at him with a smile on her +sweet face. "Now, I want to ask you a very serious question." + +"Ask on, my queen." + +"But it is really serious." + +"And so am I. What is it, darling?" bending down to kiss her. He never +seemed to tire of proving to himself that she actually, after all the +weary years of waiting, belonged to him, and he to her. + +"If God were to call me home to-night," she said in a low voice, "I +should not want to go. That cannot be a right frame of mind to be in, +now, is it?" + +"Yes, it is; a perfectly right frame of mind. If you were wanting to go +home just now, it would seem to show you were not satisfied with what +God had provided for you. When the call does come you may feel very +different from what you do now. I never think we can be exactly sure +what we should do under certain conditions--supposed conditions. It is +only the present moment that we need to concern ourselves about, and I +think we can both say we are ready this minute to do God's will. Don't +you think so, sweetheart?" + +"God's will for us just now is so sweet," she answered, "that I somewhat +mistrust myself. But I can truly pray, 'Teach me to do Thy will, +O my God.'" + +"And that is everything," he exclaimed. "It is by our desires God judges +us. And, sweetheart," again bending tenderly over her, "when the call +does come, whether to you or to me, we'll clasp hands, if we can, to +the last moment, and then we'll wait patiently till we clasp them again +in the Sunny Land." + +"The Little Missis" had been toe well trained for the sunshine to spoil +her--it did but bring out still fairer beauties in her character; and no +end of work came to her, or she went to it, whichever way you prefer to +have it. + + * * * * * + +The Great Gardener had kept this flower for long years in an exposed +position, where winds and frosts had worked their will; and many a time +had He bent over it, with loving look but with firm hand, to shape it +into more perfect form and fairer beauty. + +And then He said: "I will put it into a sunny place." + +He did so. + +And there in that place of sunlight, by its very beauty it brought +praise to His Name, and the winds which once had been so rough with it, +bore its fragrance afar. + +THE END + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Little Missis, by Charlotte Skinner + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LITTLE MISSIS *** + +***** This file should be named 35383.txt or 35383.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/3/8/35383/ + +Produced by Delphine Lettau, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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