But Peggy's pride and delight in her stocking had amused and touched her. Shame filled her soul when she contrasted the two offerings and respective incomes. She went home and sent an anonymous cheque for £100 to the Society, and no one knew that a little servant-maid was responsible for it. Peggy was stopped once more, and this time it was a clergyman. "Are you the little girl who sent up £13 odd in a stocking?" Peggy beamed. "Yes, please sir; but it were more than that: thirteen pounds two shillings and ninepence halfpenny. I hopes as how that young man didn't drop none! He looked quite scared." "Has the stocking any history?" asked the clergyman, smiling. Peggy stared at him, then answered with a little scorn in her tone— "Why no, sir! A stockin' don't have no history. 'Tis only kings and queens and big men have history, same as I used to learn about at school!" "But where did you get so much money?" said the clergyman. "'Twas a present, sir, from my sick capting, and the rest I saved myself." "And how long have you been interested in missionary work?" "Oh, ever so long, since I went to a meetin' near a year ago. I'm a-goin' to be a missionary myself one day, but—" here a frightened look stole into her eyes—"I shan't never have to speak on a platform like the missionary gents do, shall I, sir?" "You might be called upon to do worse things than that, if you were a missionary," said the clergyman, smiling. "Why do you want to be one?" "Oh, please sir, because of the heathen, who don't know nothin', and the missionaries say they can't get round and tell 'em all!" "No, we can't do that," said the clergyman, a little sadly. "Please, sir, have you ever been out amongst the heathen?" "Yes, for fifteen years I have been in India." "Oh!" gasped Peggy, in awe and delight. "But you weren't one of 'em that spoke, sir?" "No, I was listening to younger and fresher men than myself, and found it good to do so." "Please, sir," said Peggy, with bright eyes and crimson cheeks, "I've never met a heathen, but a missionary is as next-door as good; could you shake hands with me, please sir?" "Indeed I will, with pleasure." Peggy almost felt as proud as if she were shaking hands with the King. "Thank you, sir, very much," she said; "and please can you tell me if there is heathen who speaks English anywheres, as them's the ones I must go to, for I'm not eddicated for French and such-like." "I think you will have to content yourself with speaking to the heathen at home," the clergyman said, still smiling. "There are plenty of them, my girl. Perhaps God will show you that you can serve Him best at home. And certainly if you send your savings to enable others to go out, you will be taking part in the great work of evangelising the world." Peggy's face dropped.