h the help of Heaven, I will."

"Oh, surely Heaven has sent you to my aid."

At this moment the little school clock struck out sharply the hour of
noon.

"It is the children's recess," said the teacher. "Lay aside your
books, dears, and leave the room quietly and in good order."

The children took their hoods and cloaks from the pegs on which they
hung and went out one by one--each child turning to make her little
courtesy before passing the door. Thus all went out but two little
sisters, who living at a distance had brought their luncheon, which
they now took to the open front door, where they sat on the steps in
the pleasant winter sunshine to eat.

The teacher turned to her young visitor.

"Will you sit down? And ah! will you pardon me for the rude reception
I gave you?"

"Pray do not think of it. It was so natural that I have not given it a
thought," said Ishmael gently.

"It is not my disposition to do so; but I have suffered so much; I
have been goaded nearly to desperation."

"I see that, madam; you are exceedingly nervous."

"Nervous! why, women have been driven to madness and death with less
cause than I have had!"

"Do not think of your troubles in that manner, madam; do not excite
yourself, compose yourself, rather. Believe me, it is of the utmost
importance to your success that you should exhibit coolness and
self-possession."

"Oh, but I have had so much sorrow for so many years!"

"Then in the very nature of things your sorrows must soon be over.
Nothing lasts long in this world. But you have had a recent
bereavement," said Ishmael gently, and glancing at her black dress;
for he thought it was better that she should think of her chastening
from the hands of God rather than her wrongs from those of men. But to
his surprise, the woman smiled faintly as she also glanced at her
dress, and replied:

"Oh, no! I have lost no friend by death since the decease of my
parents years ago, far back in my childhood. No, I am not wearing
mourning for anyone. I wear this black alpaca because it is cheap and
decent and protective."

"Protective?"

"Ah, yes! no one knows how protective the black dress is to a woman,
better than I do! There are few who would venture to treat with levity
or disrespect a quiet woman in a black dress. And so I, who have no
father, brother, or husband to protect me, take a shelter under a
black alpaca. It repels dirt, too, as well as disrespect. It is clean
as well as safe,