The father patted her cheek, kissed his wife, and, drawing off his coat, sat down at the head of the table. After the grace was reverently said by Sarah, Mr. Brown said-- "Well, what is this wonderful news?" Sarah looked across the table at Dick, whom Mrs. Brown had told about the situation, and smiled, whilst her mother began telling the father about Sarah's plan. Mr. Brown looked grave, and slowly shook his head when he heard that a departure was meditated. "Nay, nay, I won't have my girl going out into the world and becoming independent and looking down on her old dad, when she sees the way fine folk treat one another;" so said Brown, and he evidently thought the discussion was at an end, as he got up, pulled out his pipe and invited Dick to take a turn. But Sarah had set her heart on helping her family, and was not thus to be set aside. "Oh, dad," she exclaimed, "how can you think such dreadful things about me? Can I ever forget how you and mother have worked for me since I was a baby? I only wish to help you, and mother is willing if you agree." Mrs. Brown was silently wiping away a few tears with her apron, and Dick was comforting her with promises to do what he could to smooth matters. "Well," said Mr. Brown, "I'll talk it over with your mother, and tell you to-morrow what we think." With this scanty comfort Sarah was obliged to content herself. Meanwhile Mr. Brown and Dick went outside to smoke, and naturally they began talking about Sarah's plan. "I don't think my girl is fitted for service," said Mr. Brown; "she ought to stay at home and help her mother." "But," interrupted Dick, "Sarah is a big girl now, and you cannot expect her always to stay at home; and what could she do if she were left without the experience service is sure to give her?" Mr. Brown saw this, but was still undecided as to what should be done; but at last, after a little more persuasion, he agreed to let Sarah try service for a year. In saying good night Dick just whispered to her to be quite easy, as it was all right; so, like a wise girl, she went to bed, and in her prayers asked God to bless her future career and comfort her father. The next day at breakfast, which was at 6.30, Mr. Brown began by solemnly announcing that he had a thing or two to tell his family; so, with expectant eyes fixed on him, he said that Sarah might take the situation for a year, and went on to tell her of all the temptations and troubles she would meet with in service, and his parting advice was, "Honesty is the best policy."