Him, and you shall know. But if you cannot trust the Lord's word for so
much, there is no doing anything. Without faith it is impossible to
please Him.'

'I don't suppose you come here jes' fur to tell me all this,' said Mrs.
Blumenfeld, after again a pause, 'but I'm real obleeged to ye. What's
to go in that basket?'

'I brought it to see if you could let us have a head of lettuce. I see
you have some.'

'Yes; and crisp, and cool, and nice they be--just right. Wall, I guess
we kin. See here, that basket won't hold no more'n a bite for a bird;
mayn't I get you a bigger one?'

As Esther refused this, Mrs. Blumenfeld looked out her prettiest head
of lettuce, skillfully detached it from the soil, and insinuated it
into the little basket. But to the enquiry, how much was to pay, Mrs.
Blumenfeld returned a slight shake of the head.

'I should like to see myself takin' a cent from you! Jes' you send
over--or come! that's better--whenever you'd like a leaf o' salad, or
anythin' else; and if it's here, you shall hev it, and glad.'

'You are very kind!'

'Wall, no; I don't think that's my character. They'll all tell you I'm
honest. Wall, good-bye. An' come agin!' she cried after Esther. 'It's
more 'n likely I'll want some more talkin' to.'

Esther went home slowly and musing. The beauty around her, which she
had but half noticed at first coming out, now filled her with a great
delight. Or, rather, her heart was so full of gladness that it flowed
over upon all surrounding things. Sunny haze, and sweet smells of dry
leaves and moss, and a mass of all rich neutral tints in browns and
purples, just touched here and there for a painter's eye with a spot of
clear colour, a bit of gold, or a flare of flame--it all seemed to work
its way into Esther's heart and make it swell with pleasure. She stood
still to look across the river, which lay smooth like a misty mirror,
and gave only a rich, soft, indeterminate reflection of the other
shore. But the thoughts in Esther's mind were clear and distinct.
Lonely? Had she ever been lonely? What folly! How could any one be
lonely who had the knowledge of Christ and His presence? What
sufficient delight it was to know Him, and to love Him, and to be
always with Him, and always doing His will! If poor Mrs. Blumenfeld
only knew!

CHAPTER XXVI.

_WAYS AND MEANS_.

Esther walked slowly home, delivered her basket to Barker, and went to
her father. After the usual kiss and inquiry