the movement of Mabel's head, and took the
opportunity of addressing her, to ask why she at
least, who was young and strong, should not
put her shoulder to she wheel, and assist in the
awakening process?

"Now, I assure you," said that strenuous
spinster, "that there is an immense field to
labour in. Eliza's district, where I've been
this morning, is full of interesting cases. There
is a woman, an electro-plater's wife, in New
Bridge-street, who has had some of the most
remarkable experiences."

Mabel started at the words, and Miss Fluke,
taking her eager look of interest as a tribute
to her own eloquence, proceeded with redoubled
vigour: "Experiences, Mabel, of a thoroughly
evangelical and spiritual character. That
woman's mind was in outer darkness—literally
outer darkness. She was weltering—to use
her own words—weltering, in worldliness and
self-seeking. I have strong reason to believe
she drank. And I know," added Miss Fluke,
nodding her head and speaking in a loud
triumphant tone, "that she habitually used the
most awfully bad language! Well now; what
is the result of three months'—only three
months'—diligent district visiting, tract
distributing, and attendance at Sabbath evening
lecture? Why, that woman—Pugley her name is
—is so awakened to the truth, has got such a
real sense of sin, that she looks upon the
spiritual state of all her friends and relations
with absolute loathing."

"Lo-o-o-athing!" repeated Miss Jane
unctuously.

"And she said, I particularly remember, that
she considered her husband's mother to be
clothed in filthy rags, as with a garment—
spiritually speaking, of course; for the old
woman is a very decent, clean old creature, in
a worldly sense, and looks after her grandchildren
when Mrs. Pugley is at lecture or Bible class."

Miss Fluke stopping the torrent of her
discourse here to take breath, and apply a very
large pocket-handkerchief to her nose, with a
strong wrenching action, Mabel took occasion to
ask whether Eliza had any other houses,
besides the admirable Mrs. Pugley's, that she
visited in New Bridge-street?

"Let me see," said Miss Jane, availing herself
of her sister's temporary retirement behind
the pocket-handkerchief to assert her knowledge
of the subject, and advertise her share
of the family energy. "Well, I'm not sure,
but there's a great deal to be done in the
neighbourhood, I know. Will you join, Mabel? Do
say yes. It would be a real help, now that
Eliza is ill. You could take the lighter duties
to begin with. Just a little Scripture reading,
and so on, unless—unless—you'd prefer to have
Eliza's catechism class, or to make a
subscription-book for the Infant Bosjesman Mission."

"May I accompany Jane and Miss Fluke in
their district visits?" asked Mabel, addressing
Mr. Saxelby.

Her step-father was much surprised by the
demand. Mabel had never before shown any
desire to associate herself with her friends'
parochial labours. But he answered at once:
"Certainly, Mabel. I am rejoiced to think that
you care about these things. Under Miss Fluke's
guidance, I can have no objection to your going."

"I must tell you, sir," said Mabel, flushing
deeply, "and tell you, too, Miss Fluke, that I
have asked to join you because I particularly
wish to have an opportunity of seeing a poor
sick little girl in whom I am interested, and
who lives in the part of the town you have been
speaking of. If you don't think it right to
admit me with that motive, I shall be sorry. But
that is the true one. I have no other."

"Join, Mabel!" said Miss Fluke, who had
risen to go, and was tying her bonnet-strings
with superfluous application of muscular power.
"It may be a useful and a blessed experience
for you. If the little girl you speak of is in a
state of grace, so much the better. If not, we
will endeavour to bring her into the way of—-
Are you ready, Jane? And have you given
Mrs. Saxelby the penny subscription card for
the rebuilding of Duckrell Chapel and
schoolhouse? And the last report of the Infant,
Bosjesman Mission Ladies' Committee? And
lent her the number of the Christian
Reminder, with those verses about justification by
faith, adapted to a popular melody? Very
well, then, come along. And Mabel, be your
motive what it may, I say again to you, join!
Remember the beautiful hymn we had last
Sunday, beginning—

Come dirty, come filthy,
Come just as you are!

That's my advice to you. Come just as you
are; only join!"

Miss Fluke took leave briefly witli her sister,
and was heard to march with a quick firm tread
down the front garden path, and to shut the
gate behind her with a loud jarring clang.

"An excellent woman, Miss Fluke," said
Mr. Saxelby. "One of those who may be truly
said to be unwearied in well-doing."

"I wish," said Mrs. Saxelby, "that she
wouldn't shut the garden gate in that dreadfully
violent way. It jars every nerve in my body."

To this, Mr. Saxelby made no reply, but took
his hat and set forth to return to the office:
having first kissed his wife's forehead with
more gentleness than his ordinary manner would
have led one to suppose him capable of.

"Mabel," said her mother, when Mr. Saxelby
had gone, "I'm afraid this won't do."

"Won't do, mamma?"

"No; you'll hate the whole thing, and then
you'll say so. And that will make a quarrel,
and be worse than not joining at all.
Besides, I—I—don't think Mr. Saxelby will
like your going to these Trescotts. And his
wishes should be respected."

"But, mamma, I told him. I made no false
pretences."

"Dear me, Mabel!" cried Mrs. Saxelby,
pettishly—her temper, usually gentle, had been
ruffled by Miss Fluke; Miss Fluke was trying