Sewell brightened forlornly. “Why not let her reform Barker?” This sent Miss Vane off again. “Poor boy!” she sighed, when she had come to herself. “No, there's nothing that I can do for him, except to order some firewood from his benefactors.” “I did that,” said Sewell. “But I don't see how it's to help Barker exactly.” “I would gladly join in a public subscription to send him home. But you say he won't _go_ home?” “He won't go home,” sighed the minister. “He's determined to stay. I suspect he would accept employment, if it were offered him in the right spirit.” Miss Vane shook her head. “There's nothing I can think of except shovelling snow. And as yet it's rather warm October weather.” “There's certainly no snow to shovel,” admitted Sewell. He rose disconsolately. “Well, there's nothing for it, I suppose, but to put him down at the Christian Union, and explain his checkered career to everybody who proposes to employ him.” Miss Vane could not keep the laughter out of her eyes; she nervously tapped her lips with her handkerchief, to keep it from them. Suddenly she halted Sewell, in his dejected progress toward the door. “I might give him my furnace?” “Furnace?” echoed Sewell. “Yes. Jackson has 'struck' for twelve dollars a month, and at present there is a 'lock-out,'--I believe that's what it's called. And I had determined not to yield as long as the fine weather lasted. I knew I should give in at the first frost. I will take Barker now, if you think he can manage the furnace.” “I've no doubt he can. Has Jackson really struck?” Miss Vane nodded. “He hasn't said anything to me about it.” “He probably intends to make special terms to the clergy. But he told me he was putting up the rates on all his 'famblies' this winter.” “If he puts them up on me, I will take Barker too,” said the minister boldly. “If he will come,” he added, with less courage. “Well, I will go round to the Lodge, and see what he thinks of it. Of course, he can't live upon ten dollars a month, and I must look him up something besides.” “That's the only thing I can think of at present,” said Miss Vane. “Oh, you're indefinitely good to think of so much,” said Sewell. “You must excuse me if my reception of your kindness has been qualified by the reticence with which Barker received mine, this morning.” “Oh, do tell me about it!” cried Miss Vane. “Sometime I will. But I can assure you it was such as to make me shrink from another interview. I don't know but Barker may fling your proffered furnace in my teeth. But I'm sure we both mean well. And I thank you, all the same. Good-bye.” “Poor Mr. Sewell!” said Miss Vane, following him to the door. “May I run down and tell Mrs. Sewell?” “Not yet,” said the minister sadly. He was too insecure of Barker's reception to be able to enjoy the joke.