ry picturesque and touching. But Phillida twisted the fingers of
her left hand with her right, feeling a little wrench in trying to put
herself into sympathy with this movement. It was the philanthropic side
of religion rather than the propagandist that appealed to her, and she
could hardly feel pity for people whose most imaginary wants were
supplied.

The quick instinct for detecting and following the sympathy of an
audience is half the outfit for an orator; and Mrs. Frankland felt the
need of additional statement to carry the matter rightly to Phillida.
She was ever feeling about for the electrical button that would reach a
hearer's sympathies, and never content until she had touched it.

"I find the burdens of these wealthy women are as great--even greater
than those of others. Many of them are tired of the worldliness, and
weary of the utter frivolity, of their pursuits." She put a long, rich,
vibrant emphasis on the words "utter frivolity." "Don't you think it a
good plan to bring them to the rest of the gospel?"

"Certainly," said Phillida, who could not logically gainsay such a
statement; but she was convinced rather than touched by any living
sympathy with Mrs. Frankland's impulse, and she still twisted the tips
of the fingers of her left hand with her right.

"I hope, dear child," Mrs. Frankland went on, in a meditative tone,
looking out of the window and steering now upon a home tack--"I hope
that I can serve in some way the cause of the poor you have so much at
heart. Missions like yours languish for funds. If I could be the means
of bringing people of great fortune to consecrate their wealth, it might
fill many a thirsty channel of benevolence with refreshing streams." Ah,
that one could produce here the tone of her voice as of a brook
brimming over barriers, and running melodious to the meadows below!

"That is true," said Phillida, remembering how many betterments might be
made in the coffee-room and the reading-room if only one had the money,
and remembering how her own beloved Charley had helped the Mission and
made the lot of the unhappy Wilhelmina Schulenberg less grievous. "I do
think it may prove to be a great work," she added thoughtfully, folding
her hands upon her lap in unconscious sign that she had reached a
conclusion--a logical equilibrium.

"And I want you to go with me to the readings on Thursday. Mrs. Van
Horne knows your aunt, Mrs. Gouverneur, and she will be glad to see
you."

Ph