quickly as possible, and I'll
do my best to arrange some plan for you."

Jane's fingers fled over her work, as she looked into a possible future
of brightness for herself and her children. "Hoping against hope," she
called it, and yet she continued to hope.

At four o'clock that afternoon, Mrs. Martyn came to her and bade her lay
aside her work, and prepare to go home.

"Never mind finishing, Mrs. Watson; the servant can manage very well
now, and it is of the utmost importance that you should be home early to
carry out my plan," said the lady. "Your husband comes home, you tell
me, soon after six for his tea. Now you must have your kitchen as neat
and clean as you can get it in the time. The fire must be bright, and
the tea laid, and everything as much like it used to be as possible. In
this parcel you will find a little good tea, and a chop for your
husband, also a few other things which you may find useful. You may take
the old carpeting you shook to-day; it will do to lay down before your
fire-place. But, above all, you must be perfectly clean and fresh
yourself, your best dress on, and a bright ribbon, if you have it, and
your children to match. Don't forget anything, and Mr. Martyn will look
in during the evening and see if he cannot persuade your husband to
come with him to the Gospel Temperance Room and sign the pledge.
Remember, I shall be asking God to bless your effort, and I believe He
will."

"Oh, ma'am," cried Jane, with streaming eyes, "how can I ever thank you
for your goodness?"

"Don't wait to try, but run off, or you will not have time to prepare
for your husband's return."

With hurried footsteps Jane sped home. Arrived there, she begged Mrs.
Jones to keep her baby until she was ready for her, while the other
little ones were dismissed into the back yard. It was years since the
grate had received such a polishing, or the floor such a scrubbing. When
it was finished, Jane surveyed the work of her hands with satisfaction.
"Now for myself," she said. Opening the bag Mrs. Martyn had given her,
she discovered a white apron, two or three clean pinafores for the
children, besides the things Mrs. Martyn had specified.

"I'll put on one of those print dresses I used to wear. It's faded and
old-fashioned now; but it's clean, and that's more than the rags I've
got are, and maybe Richard'll think I look something like I did years
ago," said Jane; and, although there were lines of care on her forehead,
an