Lillie’s first Sunday at the school was the commencement of a very strange friendship which grew up between herself and Tom. She never entered the library, except when especially sent by her father, but she was always waiting at the door when Tom came out, and walked with him as far as the cabin door. Tom was afraid at first that Mr. Sutherland would object, but finding one day, from some chance word he dropped, that he knew of it and had no objection, Tom began to take great pleasure in Lillie’s company. He thought, too, that young as she was, if she once became interested in the people, she might learn to do good among them after he had gone away. So he often took her with him to the quarters during his visits to the people. It grew to be such a common custom to see them together about the grounds that the people forgot to be jealous, and her gentle bearing pleased them. She never said much, but listened attentively to all that went on, only once in a while putting in a question. Simple and child-like, she never seemed to remember the difference in position between herself and the people; and they, finding they were looked upon as equals, learned to love her. Tom was quick to see this, and take advantage of it, to interest Lillie in every way in his power in the Sunday-school and the people. Mr. Sutherland saw it and shut his eyes to it, taking care that no rumor of it should reach his wife. All this was quite encouraging to Tom, and he grew happy in the long summer days. There was one thing, however, he very much wished for, but which seemed beyond his reach. This was the friendship of his school-mate, Jimmy. He seemed opposed to all Tom’s movements--not in any active way, but he shunned him on all occasions, and never came near the Sunday-school. Miss Mason often sent messages to him, and Tom always took great pains to deliver them, sometimes showing him where she had mentioned him in the letter. But although the messages were received with evident pleasure, the messenger was not, and Tom often went away sorrowful. He could not see that Jimmy took an interest in anything. He always went to bed when the evening-school assembled, and did his work mechanically. Yet his words and actions in Tom’s presence seemed always under restraint. Therefore, Tom was very much surprised one morning, as he came from the library, to meet Jimmy at the foot of the steps, evidently waiting to speak with him. “Tom,” he said, excitedly, “there’s a bundle come for you by the cars this morning, and I should not in the least wonder if it should be books for the Sunday-school. There’s a letter, too, for I heard master say so. Perhaps it’s from Miss Mason.” Tom was pleased with the news, and more than pleased with Jimmy’s interest. He made the most of it, immediately. “Why, Jimmy, that’s splendid!” he said, his dark eyes sparkling. “Come and show me where I can find it.”