"God keep her from the snare of riches!" was the old woman's fervent prayer. CHAPTER XII THE STONE THROWN IN THE WATERS Neighbour Bessie had got a new thought! Not that this was an unusual occurrence, her brain being pretty prolific, but this was of special importance and gave her special delight. She was a member of a certain young woman's Bible class which happened just then to be without a teacher. The inspiring thought was, "Why should not Mrs. Waring become the teacher?" Hurrah! And she _should_ become the teacher, too, if Bessie could by any possible manoeuvres bring it about. That her own personal invitation was not sufficient she knew well enough, and was quite sure Mrs. Waring would never offer her services, though "coaxed like anything." "I know what I'll do!" she exclaimed to herself. "I'll get up a petition. See if I don't;" and she did, for when once Bessie willed she did, and there was "an end on't," as the Lancashire women say. She drew up the heading herself, one sentence being, "And we shall ever be grateful," which she thought would be especially "fetching." "None of your 'Kathleen Mavourneen' style about that: 'may be for years or may be for ever.'" Truth to tell, there was never much of the "Kathleen Mavourneen style" about any of Bessie's doings, her character being cast in too decided a mould for that. The following Sunday twelve out of twenty members were present, and all willingly signed the petition, somewhat tickled with the fun of it and Bessie's tragic manner. The other eight she visited at their homes, and thus the full number of signatures was obtained. Then came the formidable task of presenting the petition. "When a subject presents a petition to the Queen"--that was how she began her speech on the very first opportunity--"I suppose the proper thing is to drop down on the knees something like this," straightway kneeling down in front of Phebe. "Are you thinking of interviewing the Queen yourself, then? Is that your next adventure?" "I am already interviewing the queen of my heart, and would beseech her gracious majesty to carefully read this petition," spreading the paper out on Phebe's knee. "What nonsense are you up to now, Bessie?" asked Nanna, coming into the room just at that minute. "No nonsense at all, but real serious business, such as you would delight in yourself. Come and help me to persuade Mrs. Waring to say 'Yes.'" "But ought she to say 'Yes'?" "I am sure you will say so when you know all about it." Phebe at once, with a smile, handed Nanna the paper, and Nanna, with spectacles on nose, began to read with a face as solemn as the countenances of two judges photographed on to one negative. But sunshine soon conquered solemnity. "Well done, Bessie! It does you credit," was the instantaneous verdict. "I can see it's you that's been at the top and bottom of it all. Of course you'll say 'Yes'?" turning to Phebe.