to
see Maria. But she warily sheered off from comments and questions, and
took a seat in another part of the room.

"We are here for a good talk to-night," said the minister, after they
had sung and prayed. "I stand ready to meet difficulties and answer
questions. All who have any more little notes to lay on the desk,
please bring or send them up, or ask their questions by word of mouth.
I will take the first of these that comes to hand."

Mr. Richmond unfolded a paper and read it over to himself, in the midst
of a hush of expectation. Then he read it aloud.

"If a member of the Relief Committee visits a sick person in want of
help, and finds another member of some other committee giving the help
and doing the work of the Relief Committee, which of them should take
care of the case?"

"It is almost as puzzling," said Mr. Richmond, "as that other question,
what husband the woman should have in the other world who had had seven
in this. But as we are not just like the angels in heaven yet, I should
say in this and similar cases, that the one who first found and
undertook the case should continue her care--or his care--if he or she
be so minded. The old rule of 'first come, first served,' is a good
one, I think. The Relief Committee has no monopoly of the joy of
helping others. Let us see what comes next.

"'There are four people, I know, who go to read the Bible to one blind
person--and I know of at least two who are sick and unable to read,
that nobody goes to.'

"Want of system," said Mr. Richmond, looking up. "The head of the
Bible-reading Committee should be told of these facts."

"She has been told," said a lady in the company.

"Then doubtless the irregularity will be set to rights."

"No, it is not so certain; for the blind person lives where it is easy
to attend her; and the sick people are in Lilac Lane--out of the way,
and in a disagreeable place."

"Does the head of the Bible-reading Committee decline these cases,
having nobody that she can send to them?"

"She says she does not know whom to send."

"I will thank you for the names of those two cases by and by, Mrs.
Norris; I think I can get them supplied. The question of theory I will
handle presently, before we separate."

"Here is another request," said Mr. Richmond, who knew Matilda's
handwriting,--"from a dear child, who asks to know 'what we shall do,
when people will not hear the message we carry?' Why, try again. Go and
tell them again;