Let us wash the dust from hands and face that we may be ready to eat." Presently, seated at the table, they found abundant appetite for the food set before them, and remarked to each other again and again, how very good it was, the best they had tasted in many, many days.
"We have fallen in with the best of friends, Christine," said Alma, "have we not?
Oh, what a fortunate mistake was that that put us on the wrong road!" "It was by the good guidance of our God, Alma," said Christine; "and oh, how shortsighted and mistaken were we in mourning as we did over the sickness that separated us from the rest of our company and left us to travel alone in a strange land; alone and penniless!" "We will have more faith in future," said Alma; "we will trust the Lord, even when all is dark and we cannot see one step before us." "God helping us," added Christine, devoutly; "but, alas! we are prone to unbelief; when all is bright and the path lies straight before us, we feel strong in faith; when clouds and darkness cover it from sight, our faith is apt to fail and our hearts to faint within us." When the last of their guests of the evening had gone, Edward and Zoe bethought them of their protegees, and went to the sewing-room to inquire how they were, and if they had been provided with everything necessary to their comfort.
They found Christine seated in an arm-chair by the table, with the lamp drawn near her, and reading from a pocket Testament.

She closed and laid it aside on their entrance, rising to give them a respectful greeting.
"Where is your sister ?" asked Zoe, glancing round the room in search of Alma.
Christine explained that, not having entirely recovered her strength since her illness, Alma was much fatigued with her journey and had already retired to rest.
"Quite right," said Edward; "I think you should follow her example very soon, for you are looking tired.

I hope the servants have attended to all your wants ?" "Oh, sir, and dear lady," she exclaimed, "how good, how kind you are to us! what more could we possibly ask than has been provided us by your orders ?" "Our orders were that you should be well cared for," Edward said, "but we feared that for lack of an interpreter you might not be able to make your wants known." "Indeed, sir, every want was anticipated," she answered, with grateful look and tone.
"That is well," he responded.

"And now we will leave you to take your rest.

Good-night." "Good-night, sir," she said; then turning to Zoe, "And you, dear lady, will let me do some work for you to-morrow ?" "Yes, if you are quite rested by that time," was the smiling reply.
"Don't be uneasy; work and good wages will be found in abundance if you prove capable." So Christine went to bed with a heart singing for joy and thankfulness.
Elsie and Evelyn drove over to Ion next morning and found Zoe attending to her housekeeping cares with a pretty matronly air that became her well; Aunt Dicey receiving her orders with the look and manner of one who is humoring a child, for such she considered the youthful lady.
"There, Aunt Dicey, I believe that is all for to-day," said Zoe; and turning from her to her callers, "Sister Elsie, how good in you to come over so early! And you too, little maid," to Evelyn: "I'm delighted to see you both." "Thank you," returned Elsie, brightly.