The man was lying on a wretched bed, evidently very weak, but with no signs of death about him. After inquiring as to how he felt Phebe started straightway by telling him how unfit she was to help anybody, being only a learner herself, and her very simple straightforwardness drew the sick man all the more to her. "But, look here, missis," he said, turning on his elbow eagerly towards her. "You can help me all I want, and I'd rather have you than one of them preaching chaps as is paid to do it. What I wants to know is this: Do you think as how God is good and only does good things?" Phebe paused for a moment, and while she hesitated the man was keenly watching her, with great hungry-looking eyes. "I want my answer to be perfectly true," she replied, "that is why I waited." "I know it'll be true," said the man. Is God good? What about the taking away of her child! Could she say to this hungry, seeking soul He was not good? A thousand times, _No_--that she could never do. "I have been in great trouble lately--for more than a year the way has been very dark"--there was a choke in her voice. "I guessed so," said the man softly. "But God _is_ good," her voice was clear and firm again. "Yes, He is good; I have found Him so over and over again. We judge Him too quickly so often, and so often blame Him for what comes through the sins of other." "There's so many queer things in the world," said the man, "that it seemed to me there couldn't be a good God." "It's the men and women who are queer." "But, look here, if He's really good, will He take pity on a poor chap like me, who's been such a wicked 'un, and only comes to Him when he's not got nobody else to go to?" There was a depth of yearning in the voice. "Before I answer that question I should like you to answer me one, because I cannot know your heart as God does. Suppose, now, God was to give you back health, how would you treat God then?" "Ah, now, missis, I must take time to think, as you did." Then, after a pause: "I'd stand by Him, blest if I wouldn't!" "And leave off going to the public-house and lead a straight, clean life?" "Yes, I would, if only He'd make me downright sure He wiped off all old scores agen me. Will you ask Him to?" "Yes, I will." "But I mean here--now!" To pray in public! She had never done such a thing in her life! Again came the feeling of fear, but again it was conquered. Kneeling down by the side of the bed, with the man's hand in hers, and the man's wife kneeling by her side, she slowly, in short sentences, asked for just what the man needed, and under his breath he repeated every word she said. If the man had never heard of Jesus, and what Jesus had done for him, he learnt it from that prayer, and grasped the truth for himself. "Now," said she, as she rose from her knees, "I believe you are going to get better."