Mr. Tennant looked thoughtfully a moment, and replied, “I have only one vacancy, and I do not think it would suit your friend.  My porter died yesterday and that is the only situation which I can offer him at present.”

“I will accept it,” said Joe, “if you will give it to me, I am willing to do anything to make an honest living for my family.”

“Well you can come to-morrow, or stop now and begin.”

“All right,” said Joe with a promptness that pleased his employer, and Joe was installed in the first day’s regular work he had had for months.

“What! sitting up sewing?” said Belle Gordon entering the neat room where Mrs. Gough was rejuvenating a dress for her older daughter.  “Why you look like another woman, your cheeks are getting plump, your eyes are brightening, and you look so happy.”

“I feel just like I look, Miss Gordon.  Joe has grown so steady, he gets constant work, and he is providing so well for us all, and he won’t hear to me taking again that slop-shop work.  He says all he wants me to do, is to get well, and take care of the home and children.  But you look rather pale, have you been sick?”

“Yes, I have been rather unwell for several weeks, and the doctor has ordered among other things that I should have a plentiful supply of fresh air, so to-morrow as there is to be a free excursion, and I am on the Committee, I think if nothing prevents, I shall go.  Perhaps you would like to go?”

“Yes, if Joe will consent, but—­”

“But, what?”

“Well Joe has pretty high notions, and I think he may object, because it is receiving charity.  I can’t blame him for it, but Joe has a right smart of pride that way.”

“No!  I don’t blame him, I rather admire his spirit of self-reliance, and I wouldn’t lay the weight of my smallest finger upon his self-respect to repress it; still I would like to see your Mamy, and Hatty, have a chance to get out into the woods, and have what I call a good time.  I think I can have it so arranged that you can go with me, and serve as one of the Committee on refreshments, and your services would be an ample compensation for your entertainment.”

“Well if you put it in that light, I think Joe would be willing for me to go.”

“I will leave the matter there, and when your husband comes home you can consult him and send me word.  And so you are getting along nicely?”

“Oh! yes indeed, splendidly.  Just look here, this is Joe’s present,” and Mary held up with both hands a beautifully embossed and illustrated Bible.  “This was my birth-day present.  Oh!  Miss Belle, Joe seems to me like another man.  Last night we went to a conference and prayer-meeting, and Joe spoke.  Did you know he had joined the church?”

“No! when did that happen?”

“Last week.”

“Has he become religious?”

“Well I think Joe’s trying to do the best he can.  He said last night in meeting that he felt like a new man, and if they didn’t believe he had religion to ask his wife.”