rself suddenly confronted by Dr. Vincent, and asked if you would be
so kind as to step on the platform and preach to five thousand people,
from a text that he would select for you! Now you have something of an
idea as to how this request felt to Flossy. A rare glow spread all over
her face, and she looked up at her questioner with eyes that were
quivering in tears.

"You do not know what you are saying," she said, in low and trembling
voice. "I have not been to a Sabbath-school in seven years, and I never
taught anybody anything in my life."

It was true that he did not know. It seemed to him such a very little
thing that he had asked. However, he spoke gently enough as one who was
courteous, even when he could not quite comprehend.

"Then is not to-day a good time to commence? You will surely never have
a better opportunity."

But she shook her head, and turned quite away from him, walking down
among the trees where no people were. Her joy was all gone, and her
pleasant time. She had meant to go to Sabbath-school; to sit down
quietly in some body's class and learn, oh! a very great deal during the
next hour. Now she was all stirred up, and could not go anywhere.

As for Mr. Roberts, he went back to the large class who were waiting
for him. And those two boys hovered around the edge of that feast like
hungry creatures who yet had never learned to come to the table and take
their places. Flossy looked at them; at first indignantly, as at
miserable beings who had spoiled her pleasure; then she became
fascinated by their bright, dirty faces and roguish ways. She edged a
little nearer to them. Boys she was afraid of; she knew nothing about
them. Had they been a little older, and been dressed well, and been of
the stamp of boys who knew how to bring her handkerchief to her when she
dropped it, she would have known what to say to them. But boys who were
not more than twelve or fourteen, and who were both ragged and dirty,
were new phases of life to her.

"Why don't you go to Sunday-school?" she questioned at last, with a
timid air. She could at least ask that. They were not the least timid as
to answering; the older and the dirtier of the two turned his roguish
eyes on her and surveyed her from head to foot before he said:

"Why don't you?"

Flossy was unprepared for this question, but she answered quickly and
truthfully:

"Because I am afraid to go."

Both boys stared, and then laughed, and the other younger one