"Good," said Bradly, when she had finished her story; "the next best thing to not doing wrong is an honest confession that you've done it, and then you're on the road to doing right. I see exactly how things has gone; and now, my poor friend, what can I do for you?" "Why, Mr Bradly, two or three things. In the first place, you won't mention what I've been telling you to the neighbours, I'm sure." "Yes, miss, you _may_ be sure; gossiping ain't in my line at all. But, after all, there's nothing to fear so far as you're concerned, for the Bible and the ring have both got to their rightful owners." "The Bible, Mr Bradly?" "Yes; it's been a blessed worker, has that little book. It belongs to my sister Jane. It were she as made them red-ink marks in it. Only this is to be a secret at present, if you please. And I'm persuaded as bag, and bracelet, and all 'll turn up afore long, and then there'll be no blame to nobody.--But what's the next thing you want with me?" "Why, I want to sign the pledge in your book; for, please God, I'll never touch strong drink again." "Eh! The Lord be praised for this!" exclaimed Bradly; "you shall sign, with all the pleasure in life.--But do your parents give their consent?" "Yes, mother does. I've had a long talk with her, and, though we keep a public-house, she has seen so much of the misery and ruin that have come from the drink, that she says she'll never stand in the way of her child being an abstainer." "Bless her for that; she'll never regret it," said Thomas. So the book was brought out, and the signature taken; and then both knelt, while Bradly commended his young friend to that grace and protection which could alone secure her stability. "And what else can I do for you?" he asked, when they had risen from prayer. "Please, Mr Bradly, I want you to help me get some situation at a distance from Crossbourne, where I can earn my own living as a teacher. Mother is quite agreeable to my doing so; indeed, she sees that our house is not a safe and proper place for me now, and she'll be very thankful if I can get a situation where I shall be out of the reach of so much evil as goes on more or less in a place like ours."