"It's unfortunate just now, at any rate," returned Miss Robson, in the same confidential tone; "but you've no idea how highly Miss Baylis thinks of Mary. She says she does not agree with her in some things, but she would trust her for truth, and uprightness, and honesty and all that sort of thing, beyond any young person she ever knew, and I wouldn't say a word against her for the world. She has been pretty well watched I can tell you though, and Miss Baylis says she does more work and better than any of the others, and is always here first on a Monday morning, looking so fresh and happy, while some of you come lounging and yawning in as if you were tired to death." "That's true enough," replied the other, laughing; "I always do feel tired to death on a Monday, and I can't think why it is." "Well, you had better get Mary's remedy then. But get on with your work as fast as you can. I know one reason why Mary does a great deal more than some. She never gossips away her time, for you don't hear her voice once in an hour." And the forewoman, conscious that she was not just then setting the best of examples, began to stitch away with redoubled vigor. On Monday morning Mary arrived at five o'clock, anxious to do her best in the emergency. She found Jane in the work-room before her, and the two friends who had honored God on Sunday, served their employers more effectually on Monday than those who had yielded to Miss Robson's proposal, for indolence could not very justly be reprimanded which was declared to result from the overwork, and want of lawful rest. Notwithstanding her good resolutions, Jane Saunders once or twice yielded to Ellen's entreaties to join her and her companions in Sunday afternoon excursions, but had not derived from them any of the enjoyment so liberally promised. The fact was, that her conscience was sufficiently awakened to perceive that their course was one of folly and sin, and that there was evidently no fear of God before their eyes; and if her heart did not at once candidly renounce their pleasures, it was uneasy and disturbed while sharing them. She saw that Ellen was absorbed in vanity and pride, elated with flattery, and discontented and restless when any other seemed likely to attract the attention she coveted. Then Jane returned with thankfulness to her quiet afternoon with Mrs. Davis. And after the sudden death of the interesting Miss M., she had prevailed on one or two others to accompany her. These also, being touched with the kind interest felt for their true welfare, and finding themselves neither scolded nor lectured, repeated the visit, and soon wished to follow Jane's example of learning a text every week.