"Why, you come here yourself, it seems," said Calista, whose spirit always rose against any attempt to frighten her; "why should I need any more boldness than you?" "Ah, but I go to many places where the young lady dare not go," answered the old woman; "and in the dead of night, too." "I dare say," returned Calista; "but you see I come in broad day, and for a good purpose, so I carry the blessing of God with me, and have nothing to fear." "Nothing!" repeated the old woman. "Not even the snakes!" "I have often been here and have never seen any snakes," said Calista. "Well, I like a bold spirit," said the old woman. "Don't pretty Missy want her fortune told? Old Jael can tell her any fine things past and future." "I know the past for myself, and as for the future, it is in God's hands," answered Calista; "he knows it, and that is far better than knowing it myself." "Mighty fine words!" said the old woman; "but maybe I can make the proud young lady change her tune, when I tell her where she was—say last Wednesday evening—peeping and looking for the red gold all alone in the secret chamber!" "I can do as much as that," said Calista, struck by a sudden thought; "I can tell who was climbing up on an old wall, peeping through holes and crannies like a cat." The old Woman, who had evidently calculated greatly on the effect of her words, drew back as if some one had struck her, and turned more ashy pale than she was before. "No, Mother Jael, I want none of your skill," said Calista, as she turned to go. "As you have offered to tell my fortune, I will tell you something in return: 'he that believeth on the Son of God hath eternal life, and he that believeth not shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.' I advise you to go to the meeting Wednesday night, and learn what will do you good. Good-morning." The woman nodded not ungraciously, and stood looking till Calista was out of sight. "You are a bold one, anyhow, and I like your spunk; but—Yes, we must have her out of the way, or we shall do nothing." Muttering thus to herself, she walked away in the opposite direction with more activity than could have been expected. Calista put her flowers in water, changed her draggled dress and shoes, and then went to see Miss Druett, whom she found, to her surprise, up and ready for breakfast. "Are you able to go down?" asked Calista. "I was coming to ask if I had better not stay at home and take care of you." "Nonsense, child! I am not sick; it is only a cold. Where have you been so early?" "I have been in the Red Hollow after flowers, and I have met the presiding genius of the place." And Calista recounted her adventure. "Were you not frightened?" asked Miss Druett. "Not a bit! I believe I scared her a good deal more than she did me." "Still, I don't like your meeting her." "But, dear Miss Druett, I can't stay in the house all the time for fear of Old Jael. Do you think, like Chloe, that she is a witch?"