ed to put out at interest the talent intrusted to her by the
Lord, she ought not to spend it recklessly. She was giving herself no
rest, working day and night; visiting the poor and sick in her hours of
recreation just as she used, and if she did not give herself more rest
would soon need nursing instead of nursing others.

"At any rate," urged Mary, "give yourself a little indispensable sleep
at night."

"We must live," replied Hannah, "and I dare not borrow, for I may never
be able to repay."

"Then beg Paulina to remit your house-rent; she will do so gladly."

"No," said Hannah, decidedly. "The rent of this little house goes to
benefit my poor people, and you know how badly they want it. What we
give we lend to the Lord, and he taxes no man above his ability."

Selene was now well, but the physician had said that no human skill
could ever cure her of her lameness. She had become Hannah's daughter,
and blind Helios the son of the house.

Arsinoe was only allowed to see her sister rarely and always accompanied
by her protectress, and she and Selene never were able to have any
unchecked and open conversation. The steward's eldest daughter was now
contented and cheerful, while the younger was not only saddened by the
disappearance of her lover, but also, from being unhappy in her new
home, she had become fractious and easily moved to shed tears. All was
well with the younger orphans; they were often taken to see Selene, and
spoke with affection of their new parents.

As she got well her help diminished the strain on her two friends,
and in the beginning of March a call came to the widow which, if she
followed it, must give their simple existence a new aspect.

In Upper Egypt certain Christian fraternities had been established, and
one of these had addressed a prayer to the great mother-community at
Alexandria, that it would send to them a presbyter, a deacon and
a deaconess capable of organizing and guiding the believers and
catechumens in the province of Hermopolis where they were already
numbered by thousands. The life of the community and the care of the
poor, and sick in the outlying districts required organization by
experienced hands, and Hannah had been asked whether she could make up
her mind to leave the metropolis and carry on the work of benevolence at
Besa in an extended sphere.

She would there have a pleasant house, a palm-garden, and gifts from the
congregation which would secure not merely her o