heart swelled, and the great
tears ran down her cheeks, as she thought instantly of the one dear,
cherished petition that she dared not utter, but which was uppermost in
her heart continually; and as the woman pleaded with the Lord to hear
and answer the desires of every soul present, she held that want of hers
up before Him as a cup to be filled, and the Lord verily did fill it
up to the brim. A quiet, restful feeling took the place of the burning,
eager anxiety she had hitherto felt, and from that moment she was sure,
yes, SURE that she would have her wish, and some day be able to read.
Nothing had ever encouraged and strengthened her so much as the earnest
words and prayers of this Christian woman. How thankful she always felt
that she had been brought to the prayer-meeting at Massa Bertram's that
night.

CHAPTER XI. ROUGH PLACES.

To obtain possession of the hymn-book she desired, was not so very
difficult in Tidy's estimation. The numerous visitors at the house,
pleased with her bright face, her gentle manners, and ready attentions,
often dropped a coin into her hand, and these little moneys were
carefully treasured for the accomplishment of her purpose. She
calculated that by Christmas-time she should have enough money to buy
it, and Uncle Simon she knew would procure it for her. Her greatest
anxiety now was to be ready to use it.

But how could she make herself ready? How was she to learn without a
teacher or a book?

There had been an old primer for some time tossing about the
play-room--its scarlet cover looking more gorgeous and tempting in
Tidy's eyes, as they fell upon it day after day, than any trinket or
gewgaw she could have seen; yet she dared not touch it. She was too
honest to appropriate it to herself without leave, and she was afraid
to allude to the forbidden lessons by asking Amelia or Susan for it.
Several times she tried to draw their attention to the neglected book,
and to give them some hint of her own longing for it,--but all to no
avail. One day, however, she had orders from the children to clear up
the room thoroughly.

"Make every thing neat as a pin," said Amelia, "while we go down to
dinner, for we are going to have company this afternoon; and if it looks
right nice, I'll give you an orange."

"What shall I do with dis yer book, then, Miss Mely?" hastily asked
Tidy, as she stooped to pick up the book, and felt herself trembling all
over that she had dared to put her fingers up