h world, and such is the depravity of the
human mind that if it appears at all convenient, we are apt, you know, to
sacrifice other people to our own interests; so, with all the little
kindnesses and politenesses which are current in society, it is still the
common practice--and if is best that it should be so--to keep, in the
main, a sharp look out for 'Number One!'"

Having proceeded so far, it occurred to me that the occasion was
favorable for the discharge of another duty which I had been meditating
in regard to Rebecca.

"You are what Grandma Keeler calls a believer, are you not, dear?" I
said, with the same composedly dictatorial manner: "in distinction from a
professor, I mean."

Rebecca gave a little gasp, and turned her head away, for an instant.
When she looked back, there were tears of distress in her eyes.

I felt a vague wonder and regret.

"No," she said; "I thought, once--I wanted--I hoped----"

"Why, child!" I hastened to exclaim. "I didn't ask you because I had any
reason to doubt that you were one--quite the contrary--but simply for
this. It seems to me it would be such a desirable thing for you, situated
as you are, here, with so few surroundings of a refining and elevating
nature, if you could attach yourself, if it were merely for a feeling of
fellowship and sympathy--for of course, you could not attend, often--to
some simple Orthodox body of believers--like the Methodist church at West
Wallen, for instance. It seems to me, that, in your case, believing
simply and unquestionably, as I have no doubt you do, it would be a sort
of assurance, a sort of continual rest and support to you. It would be a
great relief to me if I felt that you were so guarded. Not that I
consider it essential at all; to some people, indeed, of a deeply
thoughtful and inquisitive mind, such a course would appear impossible.
You have never troubled yourself, Becky," I continued, in a tone of
reassuring lightness; "you have never troubled yourself with doubts and
speculations on religious subjects?"

"I don't know," Becky replied, the look of perplexity and distress
deepening in her eyes.

"Why should you?" I murmured, softly stroking her hair; "He carries the
lambs in His bosom." I had been little in the habit of quoting
Scripture--the words, coming to my mind, struck me as particularly
Beautiful and applicable on this occasion. "And so what I have suggested,
would be the easiest and most natural thing in the world for