n--

"'_And I will spare them, as a man spareth his own on that serveth him.
Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked,
between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not_.'"

"Tell me more. Faith," said Miss Danforth presently in a subdued voice.
"I don't understand one thing about it from beginning to end."

In answer to which Faith turned, took a Bible, and as one did of old,
preached unto her Jesus. It was very simple preaching. Faith told her
aunt the story even very much as she had told it to Johnny Fax; and
with the same sweet grave face and winning tongue which had drawn the
children. As earnest as they, Miss Dilly listened and looked, and
brought her strong sense to bear upon the words. Not with the same ease
of understanding. She said little, excepting to bid Faith 'go on,'--in
a tone that told the quest she was upon--unsatisfied yet.

Faith went on, but preferred to let the Bible words speak instead of
her own. It brought Mrs. Custers to mind again, though this time
Faith's joy of heart made her words ring as from a sweet silver
trumpet. So they fell on the sick woman's ear; nor was there stay or
interruption till Faith heard the hall door close below. She shut the
book then; then her arm came round Miss Danforth's neck, and her kisses
spoke well enough the glad sympathy and encouragement Faith spoke in no
other way. One earnest return answered her.

From that time, to read the Bible to her aunt was Faith's work;
morning, noon, and night, literally; sometimes far into the night. For
Miss Danforth, embracing what she had never known before, as the light
gradually broke upon her; and feeling that her time for study might be
made short, was in eager haste and longing to acquaint herself with the
broad field of duties and privileges, all new, now laid open before
her. Faith could not read too much; Miss Dilly could not listen too
long.

"Faith, child," she said one night, late, when they were alone,--"can't
you pray for me?"

"I do, aunt Dilly."

"No, no! but I mean, can't you pray _with_ me?--now, here. Can't you,
Faith?"

Faith kissed her; hid her face in her hands and trembled; and then
knelt and prayed. And many a time after that.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

The Saturday before Christmas, which was moreover the day but one
before, Squire Stoutenburgh went over to Pequot; and having checked off
his business items, drove straight to Madame Danforth's. The door was