CHAPTER VI.

The young Tobias was his father's joy.

"It must be terribly unwholesome," said Miss Clairvaux reflectively, "for that poor fellow to have all his pores filled up with chalk and red lead, and equally unwholesome to his mind to be filled up with such trash. Did you observe what he said about the world consisting, to them, of but two classes, professionals and public ?"

"Perhaps this accident may be a blessing to him after all," said Eleanor, "if it obliges him to adopt another course of life."

"But what other course is he fit for? The city missionaries have turned many a greater offender to account; but when levity is the basis of a character, one may as well try to build on a shifting sand. Well, Eleanor, this is a broken Sunday, altogether different from what we have been accustomed to spend-I can certainly say so for myself. But next Sunday the water will have subsided sufficiently, I hope, for us to go to church. This afternoon, we cannot do better, perhaps, than visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction; and see what they most need. Very little of their wearing-apparel has been saved, probably; and though it was not much worth saving, it must be replaced."

They proceeded first to William Ford's cottage, within which, as Miss Clairvaux raised the latch, was audible a sustained, rather sing-song voice engaged in prayer. A tall, thin man in shabby black was on his knees, and all the family, including their

guests, knelt around him, except the old woman in bed, whose hands were reverently folded. Miss Clairvaux softly closed the door and went away.

"I could have found it in my heart," said she, "to go in and kneel down with them, though it is only Mr. Fawkes the Wesleyan; but it might have disturbed them. How nice of him to seek them out! That practicality in religion is what I like. No matter what the man may call himself, if he be a true Son of the Word, and about his Father's business."

They were now on their way to Thomas Ford's in the Green Lane, where old Dick was being sheltered.

"Of course, I am attached to my own church above others," continued Miss Clairvaux, but very glad should I be if I found it always as prompt in good works as theDear me, here comes Dr. Hurst!"

And a neat, clerical-looking old gentleman

was seen picking his way towards them, or rather towards Thomas Ford's cottage. Directly he saw Miss Clairvaux, he raised his hat.

"Your errand is the same as mine, I know," said he heartily, "I might have been sure you would see to these poor people; but I thought I might as well just step over and look in upon them."

"You had a dirty walk, I'm afraid."

"Oh, shocking, shocking!" laughing and putting out his neat foot, which was not so very muddy after all. And so then they talked over the details of the fire, and went into the cottage, when Miss Clairvaux spoke in an under-tone to Mrs. Ford, while Dr. Hurst cheered up the old man, and put money into his hand. Eleanor, who stood apart, near the door, addressing herself to some clean, shy little children, heard most of what passed, and perceived that the good-natured doctor's words were

chiefly of a secular kind, without going much below the surface; but still, he had come at personal inconvenience, to show sympathy and generosity, and it was evident that his visit was prized by the cottagers. Afterwards he walked with Miss Clairvaux to her own gate, and told her he hoped he should see her in church next Sunday. Her maids had found their way there, morning and afternoon. She and Eleanor read to one another during the evening, and had a good deal of quiet talking on serious subjects; and the little domestic service was longer and more fervent than usual.

"You have never been in here, I think ?" said Miss Clairvaux, next morning, as she unlocked the door of the room

stairs.

on the

"No," said Eleanor, "it is as great a secret to me as the Blue Chamber to Bluebeard's wife."

"Or the mysterious boudoir' to Belinda.