Essie puts chairs to the table, and then Bibles. The immense Bible for Mr. Bickers, one but a little smaller for Mrs. Bickers, and one for herself. "There's my Church-service for you," says Essie to Mr. Wriford. All the Bibles have a ribbon depending from them whereat they are opened, and Essie finds the place for Mr. Wriford. "Twenty-fourth Psalm," says Essie. "My fav'rit. Isn't it a short one, though!" "We read in turn," says Mr. Bickers. He has one hand on the great Bible and stretches the other to Mrs. Bickers, who takes it and holds it. Mr. Wriford sits opposite them, then Essie, next her father on his other side and snuggling against him, and they begin. Mr. Bickers, very deep and slow and reverent: "_The earth is the Lord's and all that therein is: the compass of the world and they that dwell therein._" Mrs. Bickers, very gently: "_For he hath founded it upon the seas, and prepared it upon the floods._" Mr. Wriford. He is trembling, trembling, trembling. They are waiting for him. They are looking at him. Round swings the room, around and around. Who is waiting? Who is looking? Others are here. He hears the oldest sea-captain living, plainly as if he stood before him in the room: "Matey! Matey!" He sees Mr. Puddlebox, plainly as if he were here beside him. "Wedge in, boy; wedge in!" They are surely here. They are surely calling him. He is on the rock with the sea about him. He is in the little room with the figure on the bed. Darkness, darkness. Is this Puddlebox? Is this Captain? Is he by the sea? Is he by the bed? Round swings the darkness, around and around. He is not! He is here! He is here where happiness is. They are waiting for him. They are watching him. Wriford! Wriford! He tries to read the words that swim before his eyes. He must. They are very few. They are a question. He must! Trembling he gives voice: "_Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord: or who shall rise up in his holy place?_" Essie, strong and clear and eager, emphasising the first word as though strongly and directly she answered him: "_Even he that hath clean hands, and a pure heart: and that hath not lift up his mind unto vanity, nor sworn to deceive his neighbour._" Mr. Bickers, as one that feels the words he reads, and is sure of them: "_He shall receive the blessing from the Lord: and righteousness from the God of his salvation._" Mrs. Bickers in gentle confirmation: "_This is the generation of them that seek him: even of them that seek thy face, O Jacob._"