“You concluded that ‘She who fights and runs away may live to fight another day,’” cried Robin, mirth dancing in his eyes. “Well, Alicia, I don’t think that you’re quite made for a missionary Mem. When I marry I’ll have a bride who goes to church in good strong boots instead of white satin slippers.” “Keep your ill-timed jests to yourself,” said Harold sternly, for he saw that his wife was distressed. Robin’s mirth collapsed in a moment. He was not accustomed to receive so sharp a rebuke from his brother. It was his turn to flush very red. “Alicia, forgive my foolish nonsense,” he said. “I am always speaking when I should be silent.” Alicia did not reject Robin’s offered hand, but, deeply hurt, she made her way in tears into the house. “How did this happen?” inquired Mr. Hartley. “Alicia was eager to begin her mission work,” was Robin’s reply, “and so, walking beside her doli, I took her to the fort. Of course I could not go in.” “I should have preferred having been consulted, and having had prayer with her first,” said Harold gravely, and he followed Alicia into the house. “How wrong in me to forget that!” exclaimed Robin. “Alicia and I were like two foolish, impatient children: neither of us thought of beginning by prayer.” “Can you wonder, my son, that no blessing followed?” said Mr. Hartley. “Should we ever undertake the Lord’s work in a spirit of mere playful adventure? It is possible, even in these days, to lay a presumptuous hand on the holy ark of God.” Later in the day, when Mr. Hartley and Alicia were alone together, the missionary entered on the subject of consecrating all labours for the good of others by prayer. “If you try zenana-visiting again, my daughter, as I doubt not that you will, I would recommend the habit of prayer both before and after your work. You will need courage, you will need wisdom; love and patience will be required. All are in the treasury of the Lord, and to be had for the asking. Well said the poet, addressing the Giver of all good,— ‘With us is prayer, And joy and strength and courage are with Thee.’ And as you speed on your way, my child, it will make your steps lighter and your path brighter if you offer up ‘psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart,’ though the Master alone may hear. It has been well said that hymns are as wings to the soul.” “It was very wrong in forgetting to pray for help,” said Alicia; “but was I so very wrong in not exposing myself to danger? You have spoken to me yourself about the duty of taking care of the bodily frames which God has given us.” “As regards not sacrificing health to gratify self-will,” was Mr. Hartley’s reply; “but to serve God faithfully a missionary must encounter some risks.” “Even that of being gored?” said Alicia.