A sudden thought struck her; there was One all-powerful, and to Him she would go. She fell on her knees, and uttered her first simple prayer: “Will de great Lord gib poor Daph something for do?” Overpowered by the effort she had made, and fearful there was something presuming in a poor creature like herself daring to speak to the being she so reverenced, Daph sank down on the floor, in a position of silent humility. A conviction that she had been heard and forgiven for the boldness of her prayer stole over her, and she stretched herself as usual on the bare floor, and was soon in a sound sleep. VII. A New Path. Daph rose the following morning, at her usual early hour, and went to perform her customary ablutions beside the well, keeping, however, a sharp look out for Mrs. Ray, to be ready to beat a retreat as soon as that formidable person should make herself heard. No Mrs. Ray appeared, and Daph’s curiosity tempted her to take a peep into the room which served as kitchen, parlor, and general abiding-place for Mrs. Ray and Mary, though they slept in the loft above. Mary was diligently ironing, at this early hour, giving from time to time, dolorous glances at a great basketful of damp clothes, which seemed to diminish but slowly under her efforts. “Where’s your ma?” said Daph, as she thrust her head fairly in at the door, regardless of consequences. “Mother’s very sick this morning,” said Mary, sorrowfully, “she can’t even turn herself in bed, and all these clothes must go home to-night, we have had to keep them too long now, it has been so wet.” “Nebber fret bout de close,” said Daph, cheerily; “I’se held a flat ’fore dis! Do Daph good to work a little, she mighty tired, sittin up all day like a lady. Spose I jus steps up to look at your ma. May be I might do somewhat for her, to make her feel some better.” “O, don’t!” exclaimed Mary, hastily, “she might not like it.” “Nebber you mind dat!” said Daph, “you jus show me de way.” Mary pointed to the door that led to the narrow staircase, and Daph needed no further guidance. “Ye’s mighty sick, isn’t ye, Miss’ Ray?” said Daph, compassionately, as she stepped to the bedside of the sufferer. Mrs. Ray turned her head to the wall and groaned, but Daph was not to be easily disconcerted. “Spose I jus makes you a little warm drink, and kinder helps you to frow off dis ere sickness?” said Daph, insinuatingly. “O, my back! my bones! they ache so!” said the poor woman. “It’s jus bein out in dis wet wedder, jus a-comin from dat awful hot fire into de swash down rain,” said Daph. “White folks isn’t used to such hard work. You jus can’t bear it, dats it.” Daph had struck the right cord, and Mrs. Ray answered, “No; I aint used to it. That’s true enough, but who have I got to help me, but just that slip of a girl. O, if my boy had only lived!”