"There's only one thing more," added Neddy, when the astonishment had somewhat subsided. "Teacher said that the good father in the story means God. Everybody who wanders away from being good, is like the bad son. Just as quick as we are sorry and ask Him to forgive us, He will. She said that we must remember that He is ready just as quick as we say we're sorry. "Now we'll sing, and then the school is done. You must all begin with me,— "I am so glad that our Father in heaven Tells of His love in the book He has given, Wonderful things in the Bible I see, This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me. "Though I forget Him and wander away, Still He doth love me wherever I stray Back to His dear loving arms would I flee, When I remember that Jesus loves me. "Oh, if there's only one song I can sing, When in His beauty I see the great King, This shall my song in eternity be, Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me." During the whole exercises, Marion had been aware that her companion was deeply affected. She had refrained from looking at him, but now, as the school was breaking up, she asked,— "Shall we stop and speak to him?" "No, no! I must get home. I'm too ill to be here." She had ordered the carriage to be back in an hour, and was glad to see that it was at the door. They were seated in it and driving off before the crowd came tumbling down the stairs. Mr. Lambert sank back in his seat, looking so pale that his companion was really alarmed. She said nothing, however, but fanned him continually till they reached his own door. She herself alighted and rang the bell for the valet to assist his master, who muttered to himself,— "Whatever he's been up to, he looks like death." CHAPTER XI. MANY BLESSINGS. THERE could scarcely be a greater contrast in two characters among Miss Howard's associates than Mr. Lambert and Esther Sims, or Esther Cole, as she asked Hepsey to call her for the present. Poor to the extent that, when she left the home in the stable loft, she had not a penny in the world and not a garment fit to wear to her new service, unlearned and ignorant in worldly wisdom, she yet seemed to absorb into her heart as governing motives to her life such sweet and restful views of God as her Father and Jesus as her Saviour as caused her young mistress to exclaim, "Thou and hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes." With a childlike frankness so peculiar to her, she confided to Miss Howard her increasing trust that God would answer her prayers for her husband's conversion. "In that case you would return to him, I suppose." Marion wished to test her feelings as a wife. A pretty pink flush flew all over Esther's face as she lifted her eyes wistfully to the lady's.