Christian life -- Fiction; Married women -- Fiction; Runaway husbands -- Fiction
"No love dies," replied Nanna, "but it changes. There are a good many
sorts of love. But even, dearie, if that hope never comes about, you've
got God and Jack to hope in. Now, I may ask a question, mayn't I?"
"You know you may, you old darling Nanna."
"Are you going in for that 'calm, quiet dignity' affair, or are you
going to be the Lord's happy-hearted Phebe?"
"The latter, God helping me," in a quiet whisper.
The next evening there was another conference, but this time it was a
conference of three, Jim Coates having come to report progress.
There was now a little band of four Christians among the navvies. They
had held two meetings, at which a chapter had been read, and two had
prayed. Their mates had not yet learnt the secret of these gatherings;
lively times were expected when they did.
Then Jim went on to say how he and Dick had visited the camp on Sunday
and found a dreadful state of matters. "Talk o' heathen folks, they're
not in it, not a bit of it, and never anybody comes along to say a word
to 'em; not even to give 'em a tract. And you should hear 'em talk about
religious folks, it 'ud fair make your hair stand on end, that it would.
I've been thinking, Mrs. Waring----" and then poor Jim came to a
standstill, and sat nervously twirling his hat in his hands. "I've been
thinking," he started again, and again there came a pause.
"You needn't be afraid of us, Mr. Coates," said Nanna, "we're only two
poor lone women that a mouse would scare out of our wits."
"I don't know about that," said Jim, with a laugh. The bit of fun set
him quite at his ease. "I've been thinking that if only we could get the
use of a shed we might hold a meeting there on Sundays."
"I'm sure my friend the ganger would arrange that all right for you,"
put in Phebe.
"Yes, I think he would," replied Jim; "it wasn't on that point I wasn't
sure, but on something else."
"And what is that?" inquired Phebe, feeling quite curious as to what
could be making Jim shy.
"Well, it's this. I've been thinking if only you'd come and talk to the
men as you've talked to me, it might be the making of some of 'em."
"That is impossible!" said Phebe, rising up from her chair in her
agitation, "impossible."
The star was forgotten.
Nanna was darning some towels. As Phebe uttered the last word, she let
the work drop and looked up, then instantly picked it up again and went
on, without uttering a word. Phebe instinctively knew Nanna did not
agree with her, and just a little feeling of resentment took possession
of her. Nanna ought to have sympathised with her, and protected her from
such an overwhelming request.
"I'm sorry," said Jim; "p'raps you'll think better of it a little later
on. I can't tell you how sorry I am."
"I cannot help it. I am altogether unequal and unfitted for such a work.
But that does not say I will not help you in some other way, for I do
admire your earnestness so much. I will do my very best to find some one
who would undertake it."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account