s such poor women that I should
like to help . . . Not when it is too late, but before! But how can I
help unless I know? Good girls cannot tell me, and good women won't! You
yourself, Auntie, didn't want to speak on the subject; even to me!'

'But, my dear child, these are not things for unmarried women. I never
speak of them myself except with matrons.' Stephen's answer flashed out
like a sword; and cut like one:

'And yet you are unmarried! Oh, Auntie dear, I did not and I do not mean
to be offensive, or to hurt you in any way. I know, dear, your goodness
and your kindness to all. But you limit yourself to one side!' The
elder lady interrupted:

'How do you mean? one side! which side?'

'The punishment side. I want to know the cause of that which brings the
punishment. There surely is some cross road in a girl's life where the
ways part. I want to stand there if I can, with warning in one hand and
help in the other. Oh! Auntie, Auntie, can't you see that my heart is in
this . . . These are our people; Daddy says they are to be my people; and
I want to know their lives right through; to understand their wants, and
their temptations, and their weakness. Bad and good, whatever it be, I
must know it all; or I shall be working in the dark, and may injure or
crush where I had looked to help and raise.'

As she spoke she looked glorified. The afternoon autumn sun shone full
through the great window and lighted her up till she looked like a
spirit. Lighted her white diaphanous dress till it seemed to take shape
as an ethereal robe; lighted her red hair till it looked like a celestial
crown; lighted her great dark eyes till their black beauty became swept
in the tide of glory.

The heart of the old woman who loved her best heaved, and her bosom
swelled with pride. Instinctively she spoke:

'Oh, you noble, beautiful creature! Of course you are right, and your
way is God's way!' With tears that rained down her furrowed cheeks, she
put her arms round the girl and kissed her fondly. Still holding her in
her arms she gave her the gentle counsel which was the aftermath of her
moment of inspiration.

'But Stephen dear, do be careful! Knowledge is a two-edged sword, and it
is apt to side with pride. Remember what was the last temptation of the
serpent to Eve: "Your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods,
knowing good and evil."'

'I shall be very careful,' she said gravely; and then added as if