deep snow to
clear the path; watched to see the shovelfuls of snow flung right and
left with a will, and then to see the workers stop to take breath, and
lean upon their shovels and talk. Norton was getting to know Mr.
Richmond; Matilda was glad of that. Then Mr. Ulshoeffer rang the old
church bell, and she went to make herself ready for church.

The storm continued, and there were few people out, as Norton had said.
In the afternoon the Sunday school had a very small number, and the
service did not last long. And then Matilda sat in the hush, at the
study window, for Mr. Richmond had been called out; and thought of the
change that had fallen on her life. The path to the church was getting
covered up again even already. Suddenly some one came behind her and
laid hands on her shoulders, and Norton's voice demanded what she was
doing?

"I was only looking,--and thinking."

"You're always at one or the other," said Norton, giving the shoulders
a little shake. "_Both_ is too much at once."

"O Norton, how can one help it? It's so grand, to think that God is so
rich and great, and can do such beautiful things."

"What now?" said Norton.

"What now? Why, the snow."

"Oh!" said Norton. "I've seen snow before."

"But it's always just so beautiful. No, not always, for it's a grand
storm to-day. Just see how it comes down. It is getting dusk already.
And every flake of it is just so lovely and wonderful. Mr. Richmond
shewed me some on his hat once. I am so glad to know that God made it,
and there is no end to the beautiful things he can make. It's covering
your walk up again, Norton."

"It's very queer to hear you talk," said Norton.

"Queer?" said Matilda.

"It's so queer, that you have no idea, Pink, how queer it is. I don't
know what you want."

"I know what I want," said Matilda. "I want to know more of God's
beautiful work. Mr. Richmond says the earth is full of it; and I think
it would be nice to be seeing it always; but I know so little."

"You'll learn," said Norton. "I wonder if mamma will send you to
school, Pink? We must get home to-morrow! We have staid a terrible long
time at the parsonage."

CHAPTER III.

When Matilda came down stairs the next morning to get breakfast, she
found Miss Redwood in the kitchen. The fire was going, the kitchen was
warm; Miss Redwood was preparing some potatoes for baking.

"Good morning!" said she. "Here I am again. It does seem funny to be
washing the potat