"Your Saviour knows that, Madeline; he is not only the 'author, but the finisher of our faith;' if you have any, even as much as the grain of mustard seed, it is of his planting; he only can make it grow; do you look to him daily?" and Roland bent more closely to Madeline, as they paced the deck together. "I think I have that little grain; but my great infirmities of character do so harass me; my quick impetuous temper make me feel so unworthy. I have no one to strengthen me now as when I went to Maple Lane School." "Do the temptations of the world draw your heart away from better things, Madeline?" "I think not; I care for none of them; I want to be a Christian, wholly; to live a better, higher, holier life." "These are the teachings of the Holy Spirit, Madeline; God will perfect his own work; only do not resist these influences, they are sent from Heaven." "Lately I wanted your advice so much; I want to do some good at Woodcliff; but I did not know how to begin." "I have heard, Madeline, about your little school; go on, my young friend, God will guide and bless you." "How did you hear, Roland?" "Did you not write to Helen for books and shoes? she told me all about it." Madeline shrank away at the mention of Helen's name, for she feared that she had been too communicative about herself, but it seemed so like the old times, that she could not resist the opportunity of opening her heart on this one subject. "Does Helen take any interest in such things?" inquired Madeline. "Yes, she does now," was the answer; "she is quite a help to me in my 'Home.' I wish that you could do something for us, Madeline." "How can I work for you away off at Woodcliff?" "Why, you have a very fertile imagination, and used to be famous at story-telling--can't you manufacture something for the 'News-boys?'" "I write stories, Roland! why, I never thought of such a thing--but it would be a pleasant thing if I could so write for them, and work for you." "I want you to work for God, Madeline; you have bright talents, my little friend;" and Roland seemed to have gone back to the days on the sea-shore, and to forget that he was talking to a young lady, the heiress of Woodcliff, instead of little Maddy of Maple Lane School. Madeline smiled, for it made her very happy to feel that she could, in any way, be a coworker with Roland, and she really felt as if she could make the effort; it was worth trying. "Must it be very religious, Roland?" "It must be something to wake up the moral sense of these poor boys, and to point them to a holy life." "Oh! that is too much for me, Roland; I can, perhaps, write a little story which may please them, and keep them from bad reading." "Will you promise me to try, Madeline? send it on to me, and I will correct it, and get it ready for the press." Suddenly Madeline burst out into one of her old fits of laughing; her own ringing, silvery laugh.