mong the poor and those
who devote their lives to His service. It was for this purpose that my
father built this house in the clearing, and, though he did not come
here himself, I came in his stead. So we must not grudge to others the
crumbs that fall from our table."

[Illustration]

A little ashamed of herself, Hannah was silent for a while, and
Elizabeth went on to say in her gentle voice: "Dost thou remember,
Hannah, the great May meeting in London when I was still a child? No
sound was heard in all that great assembly till at length a young man,
named John Estaugh, rose in his place and spoke so powerfully that all
hearts were stirred. I cannot tell why, but to-day there is a strong
feeling within me that I shall see him again."

As she finished speaking, a sound of sleigh-bells came nearer and nearer
and a sleigh drew up at the farm-house gate. Joseph had evidently
returned from his errand but not alone, for the voices of two men were
heard talking together.

[Illustration]

It was very dark in the yard, so Hannah lighted the great tin lantern
and went out to give it to Joseph. Presently she returned, ushering in a
tall and youthful stranger, whose cheeks were aglow from the wintry air.
As he entered, Elizabeth advanced to meet him with outstretched hands,
as if he were an expected guest, and said: "Thou art welcome, John
Estaugh."

"Dost thou remember me, Elizabeth?" replied the stranger. "It seems a
wonderful thing that after so many years have passed I should find thee
again. It was surely the hand of the Lord which conducted me to thy
threshold. As I was on my journey, I saw a wayfarer standing at the
roadside seemingly weary with travel. I greeted the man and offered to
take him to his home. He mounted the sleigh beside me, and on the way he
told me of thee and thy homestead. And, as I remembered thy name and thy
father and mother in England, I have paused on my journey to see thee
and wish thee strength in the good work thou art doing."

At that moment Joseph came in carrying the lantern, which he carefully
extinguished and hung on its nail. Then all sat down to supper together,
for beneath that roof there was no distinction of person--they were one
family, one household.

When supper was over they drew their chairs to the fire-place and
talked, that is, all except Hannah, who busied herself in clearing the
table and making ready the guest-chamber. Then Elizabeth told John
Estaugh how it was that