And they all remembered
afterwards, though no one missed them at the time, that the few playful
words that he was wont to address to the young men and maidens of the
congregation on such occasions, were not spoken, but the words he did
speak to them were such as some of them will never forget while they
live.

It was all over at last, and the tired household was left to rest, and
they awoke to a comfortless house next day. The boys helped to take out
the boards and benches that had been used as seats, and to move back to
their places the furniture that had been removed, and then the children
went to school. Violet offered to stay at home and help to arrange the
house, but Debby declared herself equal to the clearing up, and was not
complimentary in her remarks as to her skill and ability in such
matters, so Letty, nothing loth, went away with the rest. It was an
uncomfortable day. Mr Inglis had taken more cold, at least his cough
was worse, and he stayed up-stairs in his study, and David was glad when
the time came that he could stay there too. However, there came order
out of the confusion at last. It was a good job well over, Debby
declared, and all agreed with her.

"I hate to go as bad as you hate to have me," said she, in answer to
Letty's lamentations over her departure. "I don't know but your mother
had better have one of those shiftless Simmses than nobody at all.
There's considerable many steps to be taken in this house, as nobody
knows better than me; and I hadn't the responsibility of mother's
meetings, and worrying over your pa, as she has. If I were you, I'd
take right hold and help, and never mind about going to school, and
examination, and such, for your ma's got more than she ought to do. I
must try and doctor Serepta up, so as to get back again, or there'll be
something to pay. Well, good-bye! I'll be down next week, if I can fix
it so, to see how you're getting along."

Letty stood looking after her disconsolately. To stay at home from
school, and give up all thoughts of prizes at the coming examination,
were among the last things she would like to do, to say nothing of the
distasteful housework. Still, if her mother needed her, she ought to do
it, and she made up her mind to do it cheerfully if it must be. But she
did not need to do it. It was of more importance that she should get on
with her studies, so as to be ready to do her duty as a teacher by and
by, than that she should help