"I suppose," he began, awkwardly, "that a religious person is one who fears God." "Fears God," she repeated. "How can that be? I fear God, but I am not a religious person. I felt dreadfully afraid of God when I thought I was going to die." "Oh, but it's not that kind of fear," said Reuben. "I don't know how to explain it. But it's more like the kind of fear children have of their parents. They fear to offend them because they love them." "Must one have good parents in order to be religious?" asked Kate. "Oh no; surely you know better than that!" said Reuben. "Religion is for every one. I mean God wants everybody to trust Him and love Him. That is why He sent His Son into the world to be our Saviour." "Tell me more about it," said Kate eagerly. But at this moment one of the nurses came up to warn Reuben that he had stayed as long as he should. "Oh, I do not want you to go yet," said Kate, looking vexed. Then, as Reuben came near to bid her good-bye, she said, almost in a whisper, "Tell me before you go—does being religious make things easier?" "Make things easier?" he repeated, not catching her meaning. "Yes, does it make things easier to bear? Does it help you to bear being turned away from the factory and knowing that people think you a thief?" Reuben's face grew crimson; but he answered, without a moment's hesitation: "It does make it easier, very much easier. Indeed, I could not bear it but for that." [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER IX. THE CLOUD IS LIFTED. WHILST engaged in his weary search for employment, it occurred to Reuben that Owen Grant, who knew so much about the ways of town, might be able to help him, or at least give him advice as to the best way of seeking a situation. It would not be agreeable to Reuben to confess to Owen that he had lost his place at the factory, and was under suspicion of dishonesty, but he was not one to forego any course of action simply because it involved what was painful. So subduing his reluctance, he went one evening to the draper's shop he had before visited, and entering, looked round for Owen. But a girl was now seated at the high desk receiving cash, and Owen was not to be seen. The next minute the shop-walker advanced to inquire what his business might be, and Reuben asked if he could speak to Owen Grant. "He is not here," said the man, to Reuben's surprise; "he went away on Saturday." "Went away!" said Reuben. "Has he gone for a holiday, sir?" "He has gone for good—or bad," was the curt rejoinder. "Perhaps he went home, but I do not know. I can give you no information concerning him." Reuben turned away very much surprised. He received no response to his quiet "good evening," and he fancied that the shop-walker eyed him suspiciously as he passed out of the shop.