"I have been looking so anxious to catch your eye, Mr. Vincent," said Mrs. Brown; "do sit you down, now there's a chance, and let me talk to you a minnit. Bless the girl! there's Miss Polly Pigeon going to play, and everybody can use their freedom in talking. For my part," said Mrs. Brown, securing the vacant chair of the performer for her captive, "that's why I like instrumental music best. When a girl sings, why, to be sure, it's only civil to listen--ain't it now, Mr. Vincent? but nobody expects it of you, don't you see, when she only plays. Now do you sit down. What I wanted to speak to you was about that poor creetur in Back Grove Street--that's the lane right behind the chapel. She do maunder on so to see the minister. Mr. Tozer he's been to see her, and I sent Brown, but it wasn't a bit of use. It's you, Mr. Vincent, she's awanting of. If you'll call in to-morrow, I'll show you the place myself, as you're a stranger; for if you'll excuse me saying it, I am as curious as can be to hear what she's got to say." "If she has got anything to say, she might prefer that it was not heard," said Vincent, with an attempt at a smile. "Is she ill--and who is she? I have never heard of her before." "Well, you see, sir, she doesn't belong rightly to Salem. She's a stranger here, and not a joined member; and she ain't ill either, as I can see--only something on her mind. You ministers," said Mrs. Brown, with a look of awe, "must have a deal of secrets confided to you. Folks may stand out against religion as long as things go on straight with them, but they're sure to want the minister as soon as they've got something on their mind; and a deal better to have it out, and get a little comfort, than to bottle it all up till their latter end, like old Mrs. Thompson, and let it out in their will, to drive them as was expecting different distracted. It's a year or two since that happened. I don't suppose you've heerd tell of it yet. But that's what makes old Mrs. Christian--I dare to say you've seen her at chapel--so uncomfortable in her feelins. She's never got over it, sir, and never will to her dying day." "Some disappointment about money?" said Mr. Vincent.