"I know it'll be true," said the man.

Is G.o.d good? What about the taking away of her child! Could she say to this hungry, seeking soul He was not good? A thousand times, _No_--that she could never do. "I have been in great trouble lately--for more than a year the way has been very dark"--there was a choke in her voice.

"I guessed so," said the man softly.

"But G.o.d _is_ good," her voice was clear and firm again. "Yes, He is good; I have found Him so over and over again. We judge Him too quickly so often, and so often blame Him for what comes through the sins of other."

"There's so many queer things in the world," said the man, "that it seemed to me there couldn't be a good G.o.d."

"It's the men and women who are queer."

"But, look here, if He's really good, will He take pity on a poor chap like me, who's been such a wicked 'un, and only comes to Him when he's not got n.o.body else to go to?" There was a depth of yearning in the voice.

"Before I answer that question I should like you to answer me one, because I cannot know your heart as G.o.d does. Suppose, now, G.o.d was to give you back health, how would you treat G.o.d then?"

"Ah, now, missis, I must take time to think, as you did." Then, after a pause: "I'd stand by Him, blest if I wouldn't!"

"And leave off going to the public-house and lead a straight, clean life?"

"Yes, I would, if only He'd make me downright sure He wiped off all old scores agen me. Will you ask Him to?"

"Yes, I will."

"But I mean here--now!"

To pray in public! She had never done such a thing in her life! Again came the feeling of fear, but again it was conquered. Kneeling down by the side of the bed, with the man's hand in hers, and the man's wife kneeling by her side, she slowly, in short sentences, asked for just what the man needed, and under his breath he repeated every word she said. If the man had never heard of Jesus, and what Jesus had done for him, he learnt it from that prayer, and grasped the truth for himself.

"Now," said she, as she rose from her knees, "I believe you are going to get better."

All the way home her thoughts dwelt on the fact that she had publicly testified to the goodness of G.o.d. "After that," she said to herself, "I must not grieve any more after my darling. It must have been right for her to go, since G.o.d is good. To doubt that will make me a liar, and my life, too, must show I do not doubt it; but, oh, that I might catch a glimpse of her just for a minute!"

It was a trembling Phebe who left home--a radiant Phebe returned. Nanna could not understand the change, but when she heard the story she exclaimed: "There now, that's always the way! If ever you want help, go and help somebody else. I do declare it was the Lord Himself who got you to commit yourself in that way. He just cornered you for your own deliverance."

It was a hard, strenuous life that Phebe Waring led day by day. An hour was spent in the business every morning before breakfast, and till the last shutter was up at night she was still at her post. But never a day pa.s.sed without some portion of it being entirely given up to sunny-haired little Jack. There was no piece of work done in which she did not lend a hand, and not only was there in every department every evidence of fair and honest dealing, but the utmost economy was also studied, down to the tying of string and the folding up of paper.

Economy is not the sign of a small mind, but waste the sign of a mind with empty corners.

As the new year approached Reynolds asked if there was to be any stocktaking, and, if so, on what lines it should be done? The truth was Phebe had not thought of this, but did not think it necessary to say so. After due deliberation the whole affair was arranged, and when she cast up her accounts, to her great astonishment she found there had been considerable advance made--and this in spite of the extra help employed, the purchase of a horse and cart, and several improvements which had been made in the premises. "Is not that splendid!" she said to Nanna, as all the figures were explained. "I shall give a good bonus to Reynolds, for he deserves it; and Jones must have something, too. If I go on at this rate I shall some day be a rich woman! Think of that! G.o.d is indeed good!"

"Ah, dearie, it's easy to say 'G.o.d is good!' when the balance is on the right side, but what must please Him best is when we can say it just as trustfully when the purse is empty."

The truth was, Nanna was just a wee bit afraid lest her darling should not stand the test of wealth. She remembered an old story about a play which used to be enacted at country fairs in the days when the Quakers were so bitterly persecuted. Among the _dramatis person_ came the evil one, who, in the course of a speech, made these remarks: "Let these Quakers alone; it's no good hunting them down. This is my plan: G.o.d is sure to prosper them in basket and in store, because they serve Him faithfully; then when they are rich, that will be my time. I shall be sure to get them then."

"G.o.d keep her from the snare of riches!" was the old woman's fervent prayer.

CHAPTER XII

THE STONE THROWN IN THE WATERS

Neighbour Bessie had got a new thought!

Not that this was an unusual occurrence, her brain being pretty prolific, but this was of special importance and gave her special delight.

She was a member of a certain young woman's Bible cla.s.s which happened just then to be without a teacher. The inspiring thought was, "Why should not Mrs. Waring become the teacher?" Hurrah! And she _should_ become the teacher, too, if Bessie could by any possible manoeuvres bring it about.

That her own personal invitation was not sufficient she knew well enough, and was quite sure Mrs. Waring would never offer her services, though "coaxed like anything." "I know what I'll do!" she exclaimed to herself. "I'll get up a pet.i.tion. See if I don't;" and she did, for when once Bessie willed she did, and there was "an end on't," as the Lancashire women say.

She drew up the heading herself, one sentence being, "And we shall ever be grateful," which she thought would be especially "fetching." "None of your 'Kathleen Mavourneen' style about that: 'may be for years or may be for ever.'" Truth to tell, there was never much of the "Kathleen Mavourneen style" about any of Bessie's doings, her character being cast in too decided a mould for that.

The following Sunday twelve out of twenty members were present, and all willingly signed the pet.i.tion, somewhat tickled with the fun of it and Bessie's tragic manner. The other eight she visited at their homes, and thus the full number of signatures was obtained.

Then came the formidable task of presenting the pet.i.tion. "When a subject presents a pet.i.tion to the Queen"--that was how she began her speech on the very first opportunity--"I suppose the proper thing is to drop down on the knees something like this," straightway kneeling down in front of Phebe.

"Are you thinking of interviewing the Queen yourself, then? Is that your next adventure?"

"I am already interviewing the queen of my heart, and would beseech her gracious majesty to carefully read this pet.i.tion," spreading the paper out on Phebe's knee.

"What nonsense are you up to now, Bessie?" asked Nanna, coming into the room just at that minute.

"No nonsense at all, but real serious business, such as you would delight in yourself. Come and help me to persuade Mrs. Waring to say 'Yes.'"

"But ought she to say 'Yes'?"

"I am sure you will say so when you know all about it."

Phebe at once, with a smile, handed Nanna the paper, and Nanna, with spectacles on nose, began to read with a face as solemn as the countenances of two judges photographed on to one negative. But sunshine soon conquered solemnity.

"Well done, Bessie! It does you credit," was the instantaneous verdict.

"I can see it's you that's been at the top and bottom of it all. Of course you'll say 'Yes'?" turning to Phebe.

"It's very good of the girls, and it is just what I should like to do; but there is one thing they have forgotten to do."

"What is that?" quickly questioned Bessie.

"You have never asked the permission of the superintendent."

"Never thought of that," exclaimed Bessie; "but there will be no difficulty in that quarter. Why should there be? Then you do really say 'Yes'?"

"I will certainly try what I can do, but understand, the invitation must also come from the superintendent."

"You are a dear," and impulsive Bessie flung her arms round her neck and kissed her. "Do you know I feel so good and virtuous I don't think I shall sleep to-night."

Certainly Phebe did not go to sleep quickly that night, the idea of partly mothering twenty girls quite taking possession of her. If only she could get them to rise up to the full dignity of Christian womanhood what a splendid piece of work that would be! And there and then she began shaping her introductory talk to them. She looked upon Bessie's scheme as another means sent by G.o.d to fill the void left in her heart and life.

The following Sunday afternoon she quite expected that Bessie would come in to tea, bringing with her the more formal invitation. The meal was even kept waiting, but no Bessie came.