"I feel with Habakkuk," Ferguson remarked, "grieved for the Church lest when her carved work and hedges are broken down she should suffer loss. But the breaking up of a church building like this does not matter if the members are strong in the faith. We are to have a meeting to-night in Father Williams' barn. He is that aged saint who leans on his staff and worships. We also need some candles, and though the good sister who owns this orchard has plenty, she is prejudiced against soldiers, so I want you to go to see her, and--" "I will ask the lady for the candles," said Ned in a constrained voice, "but I may not be at your meeting, I may have duties." He was off then, before the astonished Ferguson could answer him. Four years in the army had given the Methodist a thorough knowledge of the things that lead many young men astray, but Ned avoided the reckless set among his comrades, as much as he was now keeping away from his Methodist friends; and the little soldier felt utterly at a loss. Meanwhile Ned had gone to the big farm house belonging to the lady who owned the candles. She was middle-aged and militant looking and she regarded Ned coldly. "The regulars are stealing my fruit whenever my back is turned," she said, "and the militia have taken eighty fence rails for firewood. Pray what do you want here? Tell me at once, and don't be saucy." CHAPTER VIII. How Ned Had Many Adventures, and Bee Becomes a Woman. Ned thought a man would have to be mad or very drunk before he could be saucy to such a lady, and he answered in his meekest voice, "We wanted to hold a prayer meeting, madam, and hoped you might be so good as to give us some candles." "For the land's sake, a prayer meeting! Not but what you need them badly. But whoever is going to hold a prayer meeting? There isn't a chaplain of any sort here." "We have a soldier preacher, madam, a Mr. Ferguson." "What, not one of those soldiers?" Astonishment and unbelief were in the lady's tones. "Yes, madam, he preaches very well too, and I hope you will come to hear him. He never steals apples or anything, for he is a Methodist. And while I admit he is a private in the ranks, still it doesn't do always to say 'Can any good come out of Nazareth?'"