Samuel pondered. “I think that is a very terrible saying,” he declared earnestly. Miss Gladys laughed. And she went on to cross-question him as to the suicide--satisfying her curiosity as to the last hideous detail. Then she looked at Samuel and asked suddenly, “Why do you wear that hideous thing?” Samuel started. “What thing?” he asked. “That tie!” “Why!” he said--“I got that specially--” He stopped, embarrassed; and the other's peal of laughter rang through the room. “Take it off!” she said. She got up and came to him, saying, “I couldn't stand it.” With trembling fingers he removed the tie. And she took off the beautiful red ribbon that was tied about her waist, and cut it to the right length. “Put that on,” she said, “and I'll show you how to tie it.” And Samuel stood there, rapt in a sudden nightmare ecstasy. She was close to him, her quick fingers were playing about his throat. Her breath was upon his face, and the intoxicating perfume of her filled his nostrils. The blood mounted into his face, and the veins stood out upon his forehead, and strange and monstrous things stirred in the depths of him. “There,” she said, “that's better”--and stepped back to admire the result. She smiled upon him radiantly. “You have no taste, Samuel,” she said. “I shall have to educate you.” “Yes, Miss Gladys,” he responded in a low voice. “And listen,” she went on, “you will come to see Sophie now and then, won't you?” “Yes, yes,” he said quickly. “And come some time when I am here.” He caught his breath and gripped his hands and answered yet again, “Yes!” “Don't be afraid of me,” added the girl gently. “You don't appreciate yourself half enough, Samuel.” Then there came voices in the hall, and Miss Gladys turned, and the housekeeper and Sophie came in. “Well?” she asked. “She doesn't know anything at all,” said Mrs. Harris. “But if you want her taught--I suppose she could run errands and do sewing--” “Very good,” said the other. “And pay her well. Will you like that, Sophie?” “Yes, Miss,” whispered the child in a faint voice. She was gazing in awe and rapture at this peerless being, and she could hardly find utterance for two words. “All right, then,” said Miss Gladys, “that will do very well. You come to-morrow, Sophie. And good-by, Samuel. I must go for my ride now.” “Good-by, Miss Gladys,” said Samuel. “And please don't forget what you were going to say to Master Albert!” CHAPTER XVIII Samuel went home walking upon air. He had found a place for himself and a place for Sophie. And he had got the reforming of Bertie Lockman under way! Truly, the church was a great institution--the solution of all the puzzles and problems of life. And fortunate was Samuel to be so close to the inner life of things! Then suddenly, on a street corner, he stopped short. A sign had caught his eye--“John Callahan, Wines and Liquors--Bernheimer Beer.” “Do you know what that place is?” he said to Sophie. “That's where my friend Finnegan works.”