With her eyes bent lovingly on her dead friend’s face, Faith finished the verse of the hymn she had selected, but as she reached the refrain she raised her eyes beseechingly, and her glance fell directly upon the bowed head of Mr. Denton.

  “It profiteth nothing, and fearful the cost
  To gain the Whole world if thy soul shall be lost—­”

The words rang from her lips like the peal of a bell.  There was prayer, supplication, eagerness in every intonation.

As the last note died away several of the girls burst out crying, and Mr. Denton raised his head and looked at her.

Faith took her seat calmly.  The inspiration had not left her.  She felt lifted up in soul into a higher atmosphere, where there was no pain or sorrow—­only tenderness and rejoicing.

The rest followed swiftly.  The last farewell to the departed; with poor Dick moaning and sobbing, the ladies turned their footsteps homeward.

Faith caught a glimpse of Mr. Denton walking rapidly down the street.  The next moment she heard her name spoken, and turned to greet Miss Dean, the store inspector.

“Am I too late?” asked Miss Dean, extending her hand cordially.  “I was detained at the last moment.  I intended being present at the funeral.”

“I am sorry you were not,” said Faith sincerely, then, after introducing her mother and little Dick, she made an eager communication.

“I really believe, Miss Dean, that poor Mary’s death has accomplished great things!  I am sure that Mr. Denton has felt it keenly, and that her dying words have awakened his sleeping conscience.”

Miss Dean looked surprised, but did not reply, so Faith went on to tell why she thought so.

After she had related her conversation with Mr. Denton in the morning, the lady suddenly put her hand on her arm and looked at her searchingly.

“If you have accomplished that, you have indeed worked a miracle,” she said, decidedly; “but deeds speak louder than words.  We shall see how Mr. Denton puts his conversation into practice.”

“Oh, that’s it,” said Mrs. Marvin, quickly.  “Practice and precept are quite different things.  Why, those men are all church members, do you know, Miss Dean; yet see how little their religion is allowed to influence their lives.  It seems as if it was kept only for funerals and Sundays.”

“That has been my observation in nearly every instance,” said Miss Dean, slowly.  “I have often said that if I could see a conscientious Christian I would be willing to give up some of my present theories.”

“Do tell us one of your theories,” said Mrs. Marvin.  “I, too, am very bitter against hypocrisy in the church.  I shall be glad if some one else feels the same as I do, for my daughter is constantly reproving me for my distrust and bitterness.”

“Well, for one thing,” said Miss Dean, “I think religion impracticable.  No person can follow Christ and succeed in any line of business.”