"Fifty times, Janey Day! It takes a long, long while to read the Bible through. My grandmother's read it all through twice, and she's awful old." "Well--twenty times at least. And don't you 'spose he'd found something about it?" "Everybody can't tell. It's in Daniel. There's days and times to be added up." "Five of _you_, Janey," said the wit with a child's irreverence. "Just _when_ is it coming to an end? Girls, there's no use to study any more lessons." "It will be next week," said Hester with almost tragic solemnity. "But you must all go on doing your work just the same." "I don't see the sense. I've just begun fractions, and I hate them. I won't do another sum." The bell rang and recess was at an end. The girls straggled until they reached the doorway, then suddenly straightened themselves into an orderly line and took their seats quietly. There was a sound of rapidly moving pencils--slates and pencils were in full swing then. No one had invented "pads." One after another read out answers. A few went up to Mrs. Craven for assistance. "Lottie Brower," the lady said presently. Lottie colored. She had a kind of school-girl grudge against Hester. "I--I haven't done my sums," she replied slowly. "Why not?" "Because the world is coming to an end. They're so hard, and what is the use if we're not going to live longer than next week?" Every girl stopped her work and stared at Hester, amazed, yet rather enjoying Lottie's audacity. "How did you come by such an idea?" asked Mrs. Craven quietly. "But _is_ there any use of studying or anything?" Lottie's voice had a little tremble in it. "I'm sure I don't want the world to come to an end, but----" "Do your people believe this?" "No, ma'am," replied Lottie. "Where, then, did you get the idea?" "Hester Brown is sure----" Hester's face was scarlet. She felt that she was called upon to bear witness. "My father and mother believe it, and we are all getting ready. My uncle means to give away all his things next week." The girl was in such earnest that Mrs. Craven was puzzled for a moment. "I do not think we shall know the day or the hour," was the reply. "We are all exhorted to go on diligently with whatever we are doing. And Lottie, Hester has certainly set you an example. She did her sums correctly. She has added works to her faith as the Bible commands. I am aware many people think the end of the world is near, but that is no reason for our being careless and indolent. I doubt if that excuse would be accepted; at all events, I cannot accept yours." "But I hate fractions! The divisors and the multiples get all mixed up and go racing round in my head until I can't tell one from the other." "Bring your slate here." Mrs. Craven made room for her by the table. "Now, what is the trouble?"