eople can't go to church. If I had thought I couldn't have a
new dress I should have declined the invitation at once. I did think
it was time for me to have something decent; and I make my own
clothes, too, which is more than most any other girls do. I saw a way
to make it this morning. I studied Miss Harvey's dress all the while
we were standing. I could make trimming precisely like hers, and put
it on and all. I could do every thing to it but cut and fit it."

"I tell you you haven't anything to cut and fit, and can't have.
What's the use in talking?"

And in her annoyance and motherly bitterness at having to disappoint
her daughter, Mrs. Brower let fall the glass jar she had been trying
to open, and it opened suddenly, disgorging and mingling its contents
with bits of glass on the kitchen floor. Does anyone, having
overheard thus much of the conversation, and having a fair knowledge
of human nature, need to be told that there were sharp words,
bitterly spoken, in that kitchen after that, and that presently the
speech settled down into silence and gloom, and preparations for the
Sunday dinner went on, with much slamming and banging, and quick
nervous movements, that but increased the ferment within and the
outside difficulties. And yet this mother and daughter had been to
church and heard that wonderful text, "Take heed what ye do; let the
fear of the Lord be upon you." Had listened while it was explained
and illustrated, going, you will remember, into the very kitchen for
details. They had heard that wonderful hymn:

"In vain my soul would try
To shun thy presence, Lord, or flee
The notice of thine eye."

Both mother and daughter had their names enrolled on the church
record. They were at times earnest and anxious to feel sure that
their names were written in the book kept before the throne. Yet the
invitation to Mrs. Jamison's reception, informally whispered to the
daughter as she moved down the church aisle, had enveloped the rest
of their Sabbath in gloom. "Friend, how earnest thou in hither, not
having on the wedding garment?" It was a wedding reception to which
Jennie had been invited. Did neither mother nor daughter think of
that other wedding, and have a desire to be clothed in the right
garment?

CHAPTER III.

SOME PEOPLE WHO FORGOT THE EVER-LISTENING EAR.

There were two other members of the Brower family who had attended
church that Sabbath morning. On