"But he could not have loved me, could he?" sighed Phebe. Mrs. Colston wisely did not answer. Then Phebe spoke of her fresh trouble: "The world will blame me, won't it? People will say I was a dreadful sort of woman that Ralph could not live with." "I dare say they will, but what will that matter? Lots of people are wrongly judged and wrongly punished. All this goes into the making of a Christian. You know Job stood the trials of loss and bereavement, but he could not stand the trial of the loss of his good name. It was then he opened his mouth and used bad language. Up to that time he had blessed the Lord--a pretty good difference. Suppose they do take away your good name, the Lord will give it back to you again. Don't try to vindicate yourself: you just leave all that to Him, and He'll make all come out clear. People think it was the washing of those men's feet that showed how humble Jesus was. I don't think so. I think it was when He 'made Himself of no reputation'--just calmly let people take His character away. Don't you see, Miss Phebe, dear, that your life is getting a little bit more like the life of Jesus. Just a little step more, and, like Paul, you'll glory in tribulation." "I'm afraid I'm a long way from doing that." "No doubt you think so. But there now, I'm afraid my tongue is going on too fast. What I particularly want to know is how you are going to manage this business?" "I think I can manage very well if I have a little more capital, and if no other way opens up I can have my sister's money." "Will you let me ask a favour?" "Of course I will. You know that." "And won't be offended?" "How could I be?" "I want you to let me open the way for you. You have asked God to open up the way for you, let God answer your prayer through me." "Do you mean it?" in great astonishment. "Yes. Perhaps you think a poor old mangle-woman could not have a banking-account, but I have"--this with a pleasant ring of laughter. "There now, what do you think of that? I've just got three hundred pounds in the savings bank. Will that be enough?" _Three hundred pounds!_--just the amount Stephen said she would need. Phebe stood speechless. "Say, dear, won't you?" repeated Mrs. Colston. "Why, of course I will; am only too delighted. It is the wonder of it that made me quiet. You are good--so very good--and I'll see to it you shall never lose the money," lifting up a face full of love-light. "You are not to trouble about that. If it is lost it is lost; I shall not mind so long as we're partners. But there is something else I want to ask you, and this you may not grant because it is asking so much." "I am sure you cannot ask anything I should not be only too happy to grant." "If you are going to manage the business, who is going to look after the housekeeping and the children? You cannot do all." "No, I cannot." Then after a pause: "God, who has helped me thus far so wondrously, in such an unexpected way, will certainly make that clear also."