“What do yer parents think about yer ideas?” “They don’t know.” “Ye’ve never mentioned yer trouble to them?” “I did ask Pater once when we were coming home from the Stabat Mater that question I’ve told you about.” “What did he say?” “He couldn’t answer. We were just by the gate. He said he thought it was a remarkably reasonable dilemma. He laughed.” “And ye’ve never had any discussion of these things with him?” “No.” “Ye’re an independent young woman,” said Miss Haddie. Miriam looked up. Miss Haddie was sitting on the edge of her bed. A faint pink flush on her cheeks made her eyes look almost blue. She was no longer frowning. ‘I’m something new--a kind of different world. She is wondering. I must stick to my guns,’ mused Miriam. “I’ll not ask ye,” said Miss Haddie quietly and cheerfully, “to expect any help from yer fellow creatures since ye’ve such a poor opinion of them. But ye’re not happy. Why not go straight to the source?” Miriam waited. For a moment the sheen on Miss Haddie’s silk sleeves had distracted her by becoming as gentle and unchallenging as the light on her mother’s dresses when there were other people in the room. She had feared the leaping out of some emotional appeal. But Miss Haddie had a plan. Strange secret knowledge. “I should like to ask ye a question.” “Yes?” “Well, I’ll put it in this way. While ye’ve watched the doings of yer fellow creatures ye’ve forgotten that the truth ye’re seeking is a--a Person.” Miriam pondered. “That’s where ye ought to begin. And how about--what--what about--I fancy ye’ve been neglecting the--the means of grace.... I think ye have.” Miss Haddie rose and crossed the room to a little bookshelf at the head of her bed, talking happily on. ‘Upright as a dart,’ commented Miriam mentally, waiting for the fulfilment of the promise of Miss Haddie’s cheerfulness. Against the straight lines of the wall-paper Miss Haddie showed as swaying slightly backwards from the waist as she moved. The first bell rang and Miriam got up to go. Miss Haddie came forward with a small volume in her hands and held it out, standing close by her and keeping her own hold on the volume. “Ye’ll find no argument in it. Not but I think a few sound arguments would do ye good. Give it a try. Don’t be stiff-necked. Just read it and see.” The smooth soft leather slipped altogether into Miriam’s hands and she felt the passing contact of a cool small hand and noted a faint fine scent coming to her from Miss Haddie’s person.