ght recurrence of Netta's nervous
excitement.

Gladys asked Netta if she would like her to read a chapter in the Bible,
and Netta said yes; so, with Minette on her lap, she read one of the
lessons of the day, which she knew to be particularly applicable to her.

'I will read the other with you,' said Netta, when it was concluded
taking her mother's little Testament out of her pocket.

'I wish you would teach me to read, Gladys?' said Minette. 'Justine
taught me to read French, and to say French prayers, but I can't read
English,'

'Perhaps mamma will teach you, darling!' said Gladys, 'and I will help
when she is poorly.'

'We will begin to-morrow,' said Netta? 'I meant to get her a governess,
but we were always moving about, and so I never did.'

They read the second lesson, and when it was finished, Netta asked
Gladys to sing her a hymn. 'The Evening Hymn, Gladys. I could sing and
play that once, before I learnt to sing French songs.'

Gladys' beautiful, clear voice soon began the 'Glory to Thee, my God,
this night,' that has been the evening song of praise of so many
thousands for so many years. Netta joined at intervals, and her
wandering eyes seemed to be steadied, for the time, into a fixed
attention, as she gazed at Gladys whilst she sung.

When she finished, Minette was crying. Gladys soothed her, and asked her
what was the matter.

'It was so beautiful!' she said. 'Your voice was like the lady's I heard
at the play, only the words were so solemn. I thought of my papa. I do
not love him much, because he was cross to mamma, but I want to see him,
that you may sing to him and make him good.'

Gladys saw Netta's countenance lose the expression of calm it had worn
for a few moments, and regain the bewildered and painful one of the
morning.

'We can pray for your papa, my love,' she said, gently.

'Will you, will you, Gladys!' almost screamed Netta. 'Your prayers will
be heard, you are so good. Now, before Minette goes to bed, that she,
too, may pray for her father.'

Gladys had long been in the habit of praying with and for people in
great misery, as well as in great sin, so the request did not startle
her as it might have startled many. She read, from the Prayer Book, the
Confession, and then chose the concluding portion of the Litany, feeling
sure that almost any part of that list of petitions was suitable both
for Howel and themselves. When she read the words, 'That it may please
Thee to have merc