swer was subdued, but earnest. "I liked it very much, mother."

"How many's in your class?" said Mrs. Derrick, tying her bonnet.

"Only one yet--but that was enough for me to begin with.--I hope I
shall get some more soon."

"Only one!" said Mrs. Derrick--"besides you, do you mean, child?"

"Mother!"--said Faith. Then smiling she added, "Yes, mother--only one
besides me. That one is little Charley Seacomb--and I am trying to
teach him."

"Why I thought you were in Mr. Linden's class!" said Mrs. Derrick,
facing round.

But Faith's face flushed, and what was very uncommon with her, the
tears came too.

"So I am, mother," she said;--"but I am one that he teaches at home. I
have learned all I know from him," she said, covering her eyes with
both hands.

"Why child, hush!" said her mother softly--"I didn't mean to say
anything,--how should I know? So you're teaching Charley Seacomb,
hey?--well I'm sure he wants it bad enough. I guess I'd better go too,
next Sabbath,--it was real lonesome with you all gone. And that makes
me think, child--I wonder if you could go a little way for me after
meeting?"

"Go to Sunday school, mother!" said Faith shewing her bright wet eyes.
"Will you teach some children, mother?"

Written letters don't give the intonation of these words.

"I guess they could teach me, some of 'em," said her mother. "But I
thought maybe, Faith, you'd take Sally Loundes some medicine--she sent
word for it, and I don't know as I can get so far to-day. Mr. Linden
does have a class, don't he?"

"I can go just as well as not, and like it very much, mother. O yes--he
has a class of course--a class of some of the biggest boys--a large
class."

"I wonder what _he_ does with himself after meeting," said Mrs.
Derrick. "Folks do say he goes strolling round, but I don't believe it."

"Mother! Folks say everything, I believe. He knows what he does."

"Maybe _you_ wouldn't like to be seen out on Sabbath?" said Mrs.
Derrick, with sudden thought. "Because if you wouldn't, Faith, I'll go
myself to Sally's--can or no can."

"No, mother--" she said brightly,--"I would like to go. If I know I am
doing right, I don't mind about being seen. I wish people had as good
reason for telling tales about me, as they have for some others."

"I guess your class 'll fill up,--" said her mother, with her fond,
wistful look at the only thing she had in the world.

It was the fairest, still, sweet afternoon, when after church F