g wrong?"

"Oh, no!"

"Then what can be the matter?"

"I would give any thing to know!"

"Something is wrong, that is certain," remarked one of the little
crowd, for the group of two or three had swelled to as many dozens.

Many were the suggestions made in reference to Aunt Mary's conduct;
and, before Sabbath evening, there was not one of, the members that did
not know and wonder at her strange omission.

After Aunt Mary returned from church, she felt even worse than before.
A sacred privilege had been deliberately omitted, and all because she
had let unkindness spring up between herself and her neighbour.

"And yet how could I help it?" she argued with herself. "I was tired
out of all patience. I only sent for my own, and because I did so, Mrs.
Tompkins became offended. I am sure I was not to blame."

"But then," said another voice within her, "you could have gone over on
Saturday and made up the matter with her, and then there would have
been nothing in the way. One duty neglected only opened the way for
another."

There was something in this that could not be gainsaid, and poor Aunt
Mary felt as deeply troubled as ever. She did not, as usual, go to the
afternoon meeting, for she had no heart to do so. And then, as the
shades of evening fell dimly around, she reproached herself for this
omission. Poor soul! how sadly did she vex her spirit by
self-condemnation.

That evening several of the society called in at the minister's house,
and soon Aunt Mary's singular conduct became the subject of
conversation.

"Ain't it strange?" said one. "Such a thing has not occurred for these
ten years, to my certain knowledge."

"No, nor for twenty either," remarked the minister.

"She seemed very uneasy during the sermon," said another.

"I thought she did not appear well, as my eye fell upon her
occasionally," the minister added. "But she is one of the best of
women, and I suppose she is undergoing some sore temptation, out of
which she will come as gold tried in the fire."

"I don't know," broke in Mrs. Tompkins, who was among the visitors,
"that she is so much better than other people. For my part, I can't say
that I ever found her to be any thing extra."

"You do not judge of her kindly, Mrs. Tompkins," said the minister
gravely. "I only wish that all my parish were as good as she is. I
should feel, in that case, I am sure, far less concern for souls than I
do."

Thus rebuked, Mrs. Tompkins contented herse