s, which seemed to be got
over in a much shorter time when the two worked together, than when they
each worked separately, so that they were soon free to settle down
before the fire in Minnie's room, and begin the subject which had been
on Minnie's mind for almost four days now.

"Well, Minnie, what is it?" asked Mabel at last, for Minnie seemed to be
at a loss how to begin, now that the time had come. She walked over and
sat down on the rug, leaning her head on Mabel's knee, and began, "you
know, Mab, dear, that it isn't very long since I found out that there
was anything better in life than laughing and dancing and enjoying one's
self in the way the world calls enjoyment. I told you all about it
before, how Mr. Laurence told me about the happiness of being a
Christian, and living for something beside my own pleasure, and how
since that I have felt that great happiness myself. I can't talk very
much about it, because it is so new--and so--I can't find a word for it,
but I think you'll know what I mean--that I don't quite understand it
myself, but I feel it all the same, and it has made me another creature.
I don't think anybody would believe that who only sees the outside of
me, but it is quite true; I have different thoughts and feelings and
wishes about everything, and feel altogether as if I had newly awakened
and could never go to sleep again."

Minnie had rattled on in her usual impulsive fashion, and now pulled up
suddenly, for Mabel's arm tightened round her arm with a convulsive
clasp, and her head dropped on her shoulder in a perfect agony of
weeping.

Minnie felt a good deal of surprise as well as alarm at this sudden
outburst, for she had never seen Mabel so much overcome before, and just
now it seemed so altogether unaccountable; she concluded, however, that
it would be useless to attempt any solution of the mystery until the
storm had somewhat spent itself; she did not, therefore, trouble her
with any questions or attempts at consolation, but allowed her to cry on
unrestrainedly, only changing her position, that she might the better
render her all the support in her power, and convey to her by every
means but that of speech her sympathy and concern. At length her sobs
began to be less convulsive, and her tears to come less freely, and
soon she was able to speak and assure her friend that she need not be
under any apprehension concerning her, and that she would soon be able
to tell her the cause of her g