"I forget the rest, mother, but it's all about the Good Shepherd, and I'm going to learn every word some day. Miss Morris is going to teach me." When Molly had gone upstairs to take off her hat, and put a pinafore over her best frock, Mrs. Lethbridge turned eagerly to her husband. "James," she said, in more hopeful tones than he had heard from her lips for many a year, "don't you see now how the child is improving?" He agreed with a short nod, but there was a look on his face that told of unspeakable thankfulness, and she was satisfied. CHAPTER V. A REQUEST. IN Mrs. Mugford's shop window, in the midst of several other prints, in cheap wooden frames, was the one that had made such an impression on Molly's mind. The prints were all of little value, but to Molly they appeared grand pictures, and several times a day, she would pause to have another admiring gaze at the Good Shepherd. At length, one afternoon, she took courage and ventured into the shop, where with her heart beating wildly, and her cheeks flushed with the thought of her boldness, she found herself face to face with Mrs. Mugford. The good woman smiled kindly as she leaned her hands on the counter, and surveyed the little girl out of her sharp brown eyes. "Well, my dear," she remarked, in her brisk, business-like way, "has your mother sent you to do her shopping for her?" "No, please, ma'am," Molly answered, shyly. "No? Then what is it, Molly?" "If you please, ma'am, would you tell me how many pennies it would cost to buy a picture?" "A picture! What picture? One of the prints in the window, I suppose?" "Yes, ma'am. I mean the Good Shepherd." "Oh!" exclaimed Mrs. Mugford, in great astonishment. "It's eighteen pence, and very cheap at that!" "Eighteen pence!" said Molly, doubtfully. "Please, how many pennies is that?" "Eighteen," Mrs. Mugford replied, with difficulty concealing an amused smile; then noticing the expression of dismay on the child's face, "Were you thinking of buying it?" Molly nodded gravely. Mrs. Mugford surveyed her for a few minutes in puzzled silence. "Now, I wonder what makes you want that picture?" she said at last, enquiringly. "It is so beautiful! The Good Shepherd looking so glad 'cause He's found the little lamb!" "Oh, you know all about it, I see," Mrs. Mugford said aloud, whilst inwardly she was saying, "This is the child folks say is not right. It strikes me she's right enough!" "I go to Sunday-school," Molly continued, encouraged by the kindly look in the eyes that were watching her so sharply, "and Miss Morris told me all about Him. He is the King of love; the hymn says so." "What hymn, my dear? Ah, I remember. Well, now, about this picture; how many pennies have you?" "Only two, ma'am—one the vicar gave me last week, and one Jim gave me on Saturday." "Ah! I'm afraid I can't sell it for that! Do you think you will ever be able to save eighteen pennies?" "I don't know, ma'am."