"My dear lady!" exclaimed the divine, amazed and distressed at the turn the conversation had taken, "most of the members of my congregation are in very moderate circumstances." "I know--but they should do _their share_. And there are some, who, for a small village, are rich, and just plain stingy--why don't you go to them?" "Unfortunately that would only result in the entire withdrawal of their support, I fear." "And those are the worthy, struggling Christians whom you wish me to supply with everything to make their church beautiful and their minister comfortable--you want me to put a premium on stinginess! I shan't give you one cent under those conditions! Go to the three richest men in your church, and say to them, 'Whatever sum you will give, Mrs. Cary will double.' Appeal to your congregation as a whole, and tell it the same thing. Ask those who you know have no cash to spare to give some of their time, at whatever it is worth by the hour or the day. Set the children to arranging for a concert--I suppose you wouldn't approve of a little play--and see how the relatives and friends will flock to hear it. I'll gladly drill them. When you've tried all this, and the response has been generous and hearty, if still you haven't all you need, I'll gladly lend you the remainder of the sum without interest, and you may take your own time in discharging the debt." "That is a young lady who gives a man much food for thought," remarked the minister to Mr. Gray, as, somewhat abashed, but greatly impressed, he was leaving the house a few minutes later. "Very true--in more ways than one." "Her person is not unpleasing and she seems to have an agile mind," continued Mr. Jessup. Mr. Gray turned away to hide a smile. Later he teased Sylvia about her new conquest. "I am afraid," he said, his mouth twitching, "that you would flirt with a stone post." "I didn't flirt with _him_" said Sylvia indignantly; "he ended the call by dropping on his knees, right there in my sitting-room, and saying, 'Let us pray--for new hearts!' Well, I've had lots of calls end with a prayer for a change of heart--" "You little wretch! What did you do?" "Do! I always strive to please! I knelt down beside him, of course, and then he took my hand, so I--Honestly, I don't care much what men _say_--if they only say it _right_--but I draw the line at being _stroked_! If that's your idea of a flirtation, it isn't mine!" "Look out, my dear," warned Howard; "he's a widower and a famous beggar." And Sylvia laughed with him. During the first months she had never laughed. "I am getting to love that child as if she were my own," he said to his wife later. "Whatever shall we do when she goes away? It won't be long now, you'll see." "Mercy! Don't you even speak of it!" rejoined Mrs. Gray. But she, too, was brooding over the possibility in secret. "Are you sure you're quite contented here, Sylvia?" she asked anxiously the next time they were alone.