A muttered growl from Fenton expressive of extreme disgust was just not distinct enough to call for rebuke. "Then I suppose, according to that, I am never to buy a silk dress that is at all expensive," said Flora, the colour mounting into her handsome face. "And costly furniture of course must be wrong, and everything else that is costly." "_Your_ conclusions--not mine, Miss Flora," remarked Mr. Murray good-humouredly. "It is a matter of loving stewardship; and love easily finds its way to its ends, always." "And Meredith wants to know what he shall do with Meadow Park," said Maggie. "Yes. Ah, Mr. Murray! do say something to stop him," added Flora. "Do not let him spoil Meadow Park." "To turn the Pavilion into a pretty little church would spoil nothing, Miss Flora, as it seems to me." "No, but that is not all. Meredith is persuaded that he must make the place a home for old women, and a refuge for sick people, and fill it with loafers generally. Mamma and I will have to run away and be without any home at all; and don't you think he owes something to us?" "I have not decided upon anything, Mr. Murray," said Meredith smiling, though he was very earnest. "I just wish I knew what I had best do." "Pray for direction, and then watch for the answer." "How would the answer come, Mr. Murray?" asked Flora. "He will know when he gets it. Come, Meredith--read." "About the man with the catechism?" said Maggie. "If you like. It will be a change from the Saxon times," said Meredith. And he wheeled about a little and reclined upon the rock, so as to turn his face towards his hearers. "But what a delicious place to read and talk, Mr. Murray!" "Nothing can be better." "This story begins with Pastor Harms's account of part of one of the Mission festivals that used to be held at Hermannsburg every year." "Will that be interesting?" said Flora. "Listen and see. I pass over the account of the first day." CHAPTER XIV. "'The first day's celebration of our Mission festival was at an end. It was then not early, but still on until late in the night the sounds of the songs of praise and thankfulness were to be heard in the houses, from the parsonage out to the furthest outlying houses of the peasants, and so it was also in the surrounding villages; for the parish village could by no means accommodate all the guests who had come to the festival, albeit not only the chambers and dwelling-rooms, but also the haylofts were made lodging-places for the sleepers. And that was a blessed evening, when so many brethren and sisters from far and near could refresh themselves with one another's company and pour out their hearts together. I thank God that so many pastors and teachers were come, too, and also our faithful superintendent was not wanting. It is right that the heads of the Church should not be missing at such a festival.