n't know. We had prayers, and there was roast beef for dinner,
but they gave it to me where it was raw, and I couldn't eat it. Those
that had friends went out; but 'twasn't much unlike other days.'

'Poor Paul!' sighed Alfred.

'It won't be like that again, though,' said Paul, 'even if I was in a
Union. I know--what I know now.'

'And, Paul,' said Alfred, after a pause, 'there's one thing I should like
if I was you. You know our Blessed Saviour had no house over Him, but
was left out of the inn, and nobody cared for Him.'

Paul did not make any answer; and Alfred blushed all over.

Presently Alfred said, 'Harold will run in soon. I say, Paul, would you
mind reading me what they will say after the Holy Sacrament--what the
Angels sang is the beginning.'

Paul found it, and felt as if he must stand to read such praise.

'Thank you,' said Alfred. 'I'm glad Mother and Ellen are there. They'll
remember us, you know. Did you hear what Mr. Cope promised me?'

Paul had not heard; and Alfred told him, adding, 'It will be the Ember-
week in Lent. You'll be one with me then, Paul?'

'I'd like to promise,' said Paul fervently; 'but you see, when I'm well--'

'Oh, you won't go away for good. My Lady, or Mr. Cope, will get you
work; and I want you to be Mother's good son instead of me; and a brother
to Harold and Ellen.'

'I'd never go if I could help it,' said Paul; 'I sometimes wish I'd never
got better! I wish I could change with you, Alfred; nobody would care if
'twas me; nor I'm sure I shouldn't.'

'I should like to get well!' said Alfred slowly, and sighing. 'But then
you've been a much better lad than I was.'

'I don't know why you should say that,' said Paul, with his hand under
his chin, rather moodily. 'But if I thought I could be good and go on
well, I would not mind so much. I say, Alfred, when people round go on
being--like Tom Boldre, you know--do you think one can always feel that
about God being one's Father, and church home, and all the rest?'

'I can't say--I never tried,' said Alfred. 'But you know you can always
go to church--and then the Psalms and Lessons tell you those things.
Well, and you can go to the Holy Sacrament--I say, Paul, if you take it
the first time with me, you'll always remember me again every time
after.'

'I must be very odd ever to forget you!' said Paul, not far from crying.
'Ha!' he exclaimed, 'they are coming out of church!'

'I want to say one thing more, wh