"I think something might be done. By degrees, you understand; not in a hurry. Were you to take the men by storm--to say, 'We want you to lead changed lives, and are going to show you how to do it,' your movement would fail, and you would get laughed at into the bargain. Say to the men, 'You shan't go to the public-house, because you waste your time, your money, and your temper,' and, rely upon it, it would have as much effect as if you spoke to the wind. But get them to come here as a sort of change, and you may secure them for good if you make the evenings pleasant to them. In short, give them some employment or attraction that will outweigh the attractions of the public-house." "It would certainly be a good thing," said Stephen Crouch, musingly. "They might be for trying to raise themselves then." "Ay," spoke William, with enthusiasm. "Once let them find the day-spring within themselves, the wish to do right, to be raised above what they are now, and the rest will be easy. When once that day-spring can be found, a man is made. God never sent a man here, but he implanted that within him. The difficulty is, to awaken it." "And it is not always done, sir," said Charlotte, lifting her face from her work with a kindling eye, a heightened colour. _She_ had found it. "Charlotte, I fear it is rarely done, instead of not always. It lies pretty dormant, to judge by appearances, in Honey Fair." William was right. It is an epoch in a man's life, that finding what he had not inaptly called the day-spring. Self-esteem, self-reliance, the courage of long-continued patience, the striving to make the best of the mind's good gifts--all are born of it. He who possesses it may soar to a bright and, happy lot, bearing in mind--may he always bear it!--the rest and reward promised hereafter. "At any rate, it would be giving them a chance, as it seems to me," observed William. "I think I know one who would come. Andrew Brumm." "Ah, _he_ would, and be glad to come," replied Robert East. "He is different from many of them. I know another who would, sir; and that's Adam Thornycroft." Charlotte bent her head over her work. "Since that cousin of his died of _delirium tremens_, Thornycroft has said good-bye to the public-houses. He spends his evenings at home with his mother: but I know he would like to spend them here. Tim Carter would come, sir." "If Mrs. Tim will let him," put in Tom East saucily. And a laugh went round. "Ever so few to begin with, will set the example to others," remarked William. "There's no knowing what it may grow to. Small beginnings make great endings. I have talked with my mother about Honey Fair. She has always said: 'Before Honey Fair's conduct can be improved, its minds must be improved.'" "There will be the women yet, sir," spoke Charlotte. "If they are to remain as they are, it will be of little use the men doing anything for themselves."