"Excuse me, dear," she said, with a deprecatory smile. "But what
you have just told me sent my thoughts wandering back over all
that has happened since I came here last winter. I did not mean to
be heedless, and I am very glad that you wanted the book enough to
buy it. Now"--laying a fond hand on her shoulder--"you are to drop
'Miss Minturn" here and now. You and I are going to be like
sisters--we are sisters in Truth already, for you are coming to us
after this for all your vacations. You must have a home, you know,
and I think you will be happy with us."
"Happy!" cried Jennie, choking up suddenly. "Why, I--I--think it
will be just h--hea--venly!" and down went the curly black head
upon her hands to hide the tears she could not wipe away, for, as
was frequently the case, her handkerchief was not forthcoming when
most needed.
Katherine slipped hers into her hand, for she heard Sadie
returning, and, a few minutes later, the three girls were engaged
in an animated discussion of plans for the coming year.
The school opened with a full house again; indeed, it was more
than full, for Prof. Seabrook was obliged to secure rooms for half
a dozen new pupils with some families outside, and began to
seriously consider the advisability of extending the wings of the
building before the beginning of another year.
We cannot follow the experiences of our friends during the ensuing
ten months, in detail; and, in fact, but little out of the
ordinary occurred to mark their passing.
It will be of interest, perhaps, to know that Prof. Seabrook, true
to his word, made a careful perusal of "Science and Health," but
he did not find it easy to get out of old ruts, and there was many
a hard-fought battle with preconceived opinions and long-treasured
creeds and doctrines. Many a time he threw down his book with a
revival of his old antagonism, but a look at Dorrie--whose general
health had become almost perfect, and who was now manifesting the
keenest interest in the studies which she had insisted upon taking
up--was like a "peace, be still" to the tempest and oil upon the
turbulent waters, and he resumed his investigations with such
determination to know the Truth, that, finally, he was enabled to
say with one of old, "I begin to see as through a glass darkly."
Miss Reynolds became a greater power than ever in the school. She
had always been attractive, and the students loved her, but now
there was an added charm and sweetness that irresistibly drew
everyone to her. She made no secret of the change in her views,
although she never forced them upon anyone. She attended the
service on Grove Street regularly, with Katherine, and Jennie also
was numbered with the same congregation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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