d bless you! God bless you!" cried the poor distracted woman,
unspeakably thankful for any help at a time when neighbours and
friends were wont alike to flee in terror from any stricken person.
"But alas and woe is me! Tell me, is this the plague?"

"I fear so," answered Dinah, who had bent over the smitten man;
"but go quickly and do as I have said. There be some amongst the
sick who recover. Lose not heart at the outset, but trust in God,
and do all that thou art bidden."

The woman ran quickly, and the man, who was indeed one of those
forlorn creatures who, for a livelihood, were even willing to scour
the streets and remove from thence those that were stricken down by
death as they went their way amongst their fellows, came with her
at her request, and lifting her husband into his cart, wheeled him
away towards a poor alley where lay her home.

As she turned into it she looked at the three women who followed,
and said:

"God have mercy upon us! I would not have you adventure yourselves
here. There be but three houses in all the street where the
distemper has not come, and of those, mine, which was one, must now
be shut up. Lord have mercy upon us indeed, else we be all dead
men!"

Dinah paused for a brief moment, and looked at her young charges.

"My children," she said, "needs must that I go where the need is so
great. But bethink you a moment if ye have strength and wish to
follow. I know not what sad and terrible sights we may have to
encounter. Think ye that ye can bear them? Have ye the strength to
go forward? If not, I would have you go back ere you have reached
the contamination."

Janet looked at Gertrude, and Gertrude looked at Janet; but though
there was great seriousness and awe in their faces, there was no
fear. Gertrude had gone through so much already within the walls of
her home that she had no fear greater than that of remaining in
helpless idleness there, alone with her own thoughts and memories.
As for Janet, she had much of the nature of her aunt--much of that
eager, intense sympathy and compassion for the sick and suffering
which has induced women in all ages to go forth in times of dire
need, and risk their lives for their stricken and afflicted
brethren.

So after one glance of mutual comprehension and sympathy, they both
answered in one breath:

"No, we will not turn back. We will go with you. Where the need is
sorest, there would we be, too."

"God bless you! God bless you for a