It was broken by Ethel, who had come in and was listening to the conversation. “Papa!” she exclaimed, “wouldn't Miss Gladys be the one to ask?” Samuel gave a start. “The very thing!” he said. And Dr. Vince, after pondering for a moment, admitted that it might be a good idea. “You will come to church with me to-morrow,” said Ethel. “And if she is there we'll ask her.” And so Samuel was on hand, trembling with excitement, and painfully conscious of his green and purple necktie. He sat in the Vince's pew, at Ethel's invitation; and directly across the aisle was Miss Wygant, miraculously resplendent in a springtime costume, yet with a touch of primness, becoming to the Sabbath. She did not see her adorer until after the service, when they met face to face. “Why, Samuel!” she exclaimed. “You are here?” “Yes, Miss Gladys,” he said. “I'm to work in the church now.” “You don't tell me!” she responded. “I'm to help the sexton,” he added. “And he belongs to the church, too,” put in little Ethel. “And oh, Miss Gladys, won't you please let him tell you about Sophie!” “About Sophie?” said the other. “She's a little girl who works in your papa's mill, Miss Gladys. And her family's very poor, and she is sick, and Samuel says she may die.” “Why, that's too bad!” exclaimed Miss Gladys. “Tell me about her, Samuel.” And Samuel told the story. At the end a sudden inspiration came to him, and he mentioned how Sophie had received her Christmas present from Miss Gladys, and how she had kept her pictures in her room. And, of course, Miss Wygant was touched. “I will see what I can do for her,” she said. “What would you suggest?” “I thought,” said he boldly, “that maybe there might be some place for her at your home. That would make her so happy, you know.” “I will see,” said the other. “Will you bring her to see me to-morrow, Samuel?” “I will,” said he; and then he chanced to look into her face, and he caught again that piercing gaze which made the blood leap into his cheeks, and the strange and terrible emotions to stir in him. He turned his eyes away again, and his knees were trembling as he passed on down the aisle. He stood and watched Miss Gladys enter her motor. Then he bade good-by to Ethel and her mother, and hurried back into the vestry room to tell Dr. Vince of his good fortune. The good doctor had just slipped out of his vestments, and was putting on his cuffs. “I am so glad to hear it!” he said. “It was the very thing to do!” “Yes,” said Samuel. “And, doctor, I've thought of something else.” “What is that, Samuel?” “I'll have to have a minute or two to tell you about it.” “I'm just going to dinner now”--began the doctor. “I'll walk with you, if I may,” said Samuel. “It's really very important.” “All right,” responded the doctor in some trepidation.