When father died and we lost our property, we had to take to our needles. I
suppose I might have obtained work in a store, or some such place, but I
couldn't bear to leave mother alone and I disliked being in public. I
certainly didn't know enough to teach, and besides, I was afraid to try."

"Well, well! You've stumbled into a quiet enough place at last."

"That's what I like most about it, but I don't think I stumbled into it. I
think I've been led and helped. That's what I meant when I said you didn't
understand me," she added hesitatingly. "It doesn't take courage for me to go
to God. I get courage by believing that he cares for me like a father, as the
bible says. How could I ever have found so kind a friend and good a home
myself?"

"I've been half inclined to believe there's a Providence in it myself--more
and more so as I get acquainted with you. Your troubles have made you better,
Alida; mine made me worse. I used to be a Christian; I aint any more."

She looked at him smilingly as she asked, "How do you know?"

"Oh! I know well enough," he replied gloomily. "Don't let's talk about it any
more," and then he led her on to speak simply and naturally about her
childhood home and her father and mother.

"Well," he said heartily, "I wish your mother was living for nothing would
please me better than to have such a good old lady in the house."

She averted her face as she said huskily, "I think it was better she died
before--" But she did not finish the sentence.