her right; then the question
about the man who had fired the shot had ploughed up the ground at her
left; and shaken first by one and then by the other she had welcomed
the doctor's change of subject and now was smiling as pleased as
anybody.

"I didn't suppose the trance was a long one," said Mrs. Somers, with a
little raising of her eyebrows. "Faith, my dear, what have you done to
that little Seacomb child? I can't get over my astonishment at his
transformation."

"I am afraid there isn't much transformation yet," Faith said. "He
listens very quietly and behaves well in school--but I don't know how
he is at home."

"You are not a school teacher _too?_" said the doctor.

"It isn't a bad trade," said Faith, though her cheeks had answered for
her another way.

"Not a bad trade--certainly--but one may have too many trades. Aunt
Ellen--I had the honour--do you believe it? of giving Miss Derrick
lessons this morning."

"I think she was very good to permit it," said Mrs. Somers composedly.

"She was very good"--said the doctor demurely. "I am afraid that is her
character generally!"

He was called off by his father, and Miss Harrison seized Faith and
planted her between herself and Mrs. Somers on the sofa.

"Don't mind his nonsense, Faith! Julius never can talk like anybody
else. Why haven't you been here this age?"

"I've been busy, Sophy."

"Why wouldn't you go to ride with us? Julius wouldn't go after what you
said. Why wouldn't you?"

"It was Sunday, Sophy."

"Well--what if it was?"

"Sunday isn't my day--I can't use it for my own work."

"But taking a little ride isn't work?"

Faith hesitated.

"Isn't it work to the horses, Sophy? And if it is only pleasure--Sunday
has its own pleasures, dear Sophy,--I can't have both."

"Why can't you?"

"Because,--if I take these, God will not give me those," Faith said
very gravely.

"But Faith!"--said Miss Harrison looking disturbed,--"you didn't use to
be so religious?"

Faith's face flushed a little and was touchingly humble as she said,
"No--I didn't."

"What's changed you so?"

"It isn't a bad change, dear Sophy!"

"I don't believe anything's bad about you," said Miss Harrison kissing
her,--"but don't change too far, dear; don't forget your old friends."

"I want them to change too," said Faith looking at her winningly.

"That's right Faith, stand by your colours!" said Mrs. Somers, with a
tone and manner that came quite from the other side o