nly. No bell has ever broken
the stillness of that peaceful valley, yet for miles round, on a
'Meeting Sunday,' the lanes are full of small groups of people:
parents and children; farm lads and lasses; thoughtful-faced men, who
admit that 'they never go anywhere else'; shy lovers lingering behind,
or whole families walking together. All are to be seen on their way to
refresh their souls with the hour of quiet worship in the snowy white
Meeting-house under its thatched roof._

* * * * *

_Many years ago, little Lois (whom you read about at the beginning of
this book) was taken to Come-to-Good for the first time on such a
Sunday, by her Grandmother. Even now, whenever she goes there, she
still seems to see that dear Grandmother's tall, erect figure, in its
flowing black silk mantle and Quaker bonnet, walking with stately
steps up the path in front; or stooping for once--she who never
stooped!--to enter the little low door. People who did not know her
well, and even some who did, occasionally felt Lois' 'dear
Grandmamma' rather a formidable old lady. They said she was 'severe'
and 'alarmingly dignified,' and 'she says straight out just exactly
what she thinks.' Certainly, she was not one of the spoiling,
indulgent, eiderdown-silk-cushion kind of Grannies that some children
have now; but Lois loved her with all her heart and was never really
afraid of her. What stories she could tell! What wonderful stockings
full of treasures Santa Claus brought down her chimneys on Christmas
Eve to the happy grandchild staying with her! Lois loved to sit beside
her 'dear Grandmamma,' and to watch her in her corner by the fire,
upright as ever, knitting. Even on the long drive to Come-to-Good, the
feeling of her smooth, calm hand had soothed the restless little
fingers held in it so firmly and gently. The drive over, Lois wondered
what would happen to her in the strange Meeting-house when she might
not sit by that dear Grandmother's side any longer, since she, of
course, would have to be up in the Ministers' gallery, with all the
other 'Weighty Friends.' But, at Come-to-Good, things always turn out
right. Lois found, to her delight, that she and the other boys and
girls were to be allowed to creep, very quietly, up the twisty wooden
stairs at the far end of the Meeting-house, and to make their way up
into the 'loft' where four or five low forms had been specially placed
for them. Lois loved to find herself