you. With my help and guidance you can do great things.
We must face the world with stout hearts. As to this trouble, let
us concern ourselves about it as little as possible. I believe that
whatever may be best for all will happen if we but wait with patience."

Rayel made no answer, and for some moments we both sat looking at the
glowing embers in silence.

"I shall obey your wish," he said presently; "I cannot do otherwise.
I am like a child, and must look to you for instruction in all things.
Perhaps there will come a time when I can repay you."

"It will be a pleasure for me to help you as I would a brother, and you
will owe me no gratitude for it," I said.

We sat discussing our plans for the future until near midnight. When
we went to bed at last, Rayel looked happier than I had seen him before
since my recovery at the hospital.

When I awoke it was near midday. I went to call Rayel and found that he
was gone.

CHAPTER XII

After waiting for him nearly an hour I went to a neighboring restaurant
for breakfast. On returning I found that he had not yet come back.
Alarmed at his continued absence I went at once to Hester's apartments,
scarcely expecting, however, to find him there, but confident that she
would be able to tell me where he was likely to go.

"No doubt he has gone on some good errand," she said. "Has he not told
you of his charitable enterprises?"

"He told me last night how they had reduced his fortune."

"Poor fellow!" she continued. "In his zeal for others he quite forgot
his own needs. I would have told you about it, but that he implored me
to spare you any knowledge of his condition. I think we shall be able to
find him. Let us go and try."

Hester and I set out at once, walking rapidly against a biting east wind
toward the river. On reaching Second Avenue we took a car and rode down
among the big tenements towering into the sky on all sides in the lower
part of the city. Alighting in the midst of these human hives, we
made our way through a wretched crowd, shivering in the livery of
destitution, down a long and narrow alley. Entering one of the doorways
we climbed a steep flight of stairs, above which was a squalid throng
pressing about an open door on the landing. The women held children
in their arms, and many of them were crying bitterly. The men stood in
silence peering curiously over the heads of the further throng into the
crowded chamber. Some of them greeted Hester with