The school was dismissed, and the pupils went away, but Gretchen lingered behind.

She told Benjamin to go to the lodge, and that she would follow him after she had had a talk with the master.
"That song is beautiful," said Gretchen.

"'In the desert let me labor.' That is what I would like to do all my life.

Do you suppose that I could become a teacher among the Indians like Mrs.Spaulding?
It would make me perfectly happy if I could.

If I were to study hard, would you help me to find such a place in life ?" Gretchen's large eyes, filled with tears, were bent earnestly on the face of Mr.Mann.
"Yes," he said, "and if I can inspire you only to follow me in such work, it will repay me for an unknown grave in the forests of the Columbia." Gretchen started; she trembled she knew not why, then buried her face in her arms on the rude log desk and sobbed.
She raised her head at last, and went out, singing-- "In the desert let me labor." It was a glorious sundown in autumn.