“Have I been selfish?  I do not know but I have.  It is all so utterly new that I hardly know how I am acting; but it is true that my heart has been as light as a bird’s all day.  The truth is, I have found a friend here at Chautauqua who has just satisfied me.”

“Have you indeed!” said Mr. Charlie, giving, in spite of his well-bred effort to quell it, an amused little laugh.  And in his heart he said, “What a ridiculous little mouse she is!  I wonder if they have the wedding day set already, and if she will announce it to me?” Then aloud:  “How very fortunate you have been!  I wish I could find a friend so easily as that!  I wonder if I am acquainted with him?  Would you mind telling me his name?”

And then Flossy answered just one word in a low voice that was tremulous with feeling, and at the same time wonderfully clear, and with a touch of joy in it that would not be suppressed, “Jesus.”

Then it was that the exquisite young fop at her side was utterly dumbfounded.  He could not remember ever before in his life being so completely taken by surprise and dismay that he had not a word to answer.  But this time he said not a single word.  He did not even attempt an answer, but paced the length of the deck beside her in utter and confused silence, then abruptly seated her, still in silence, and went hurriedly away.  Flossy, occupied with the rush of feeling that this first witnessing for the new name called forth, gave little heed to his manner, and was indifferent to his departure.  He was right as to one thing.  Her love was still selfish:  it was so new and sweet to her that it occupied all her heart, and left no room as yet for the outside world who knew not this friend of hers.  They were almost at the dock now, and the glimmer of the Chautauqua lights was growing into a steady brightness.  As she stood leaning over the boat’s side and watching the play of the silver waves, there brushed past her one who seemed to be very quietly busy.  One hand was full of little leaflets, and he was dropping one on each chair and stool as he passed.  She glanced at the one nearest her and read the title:  “The True Friend,” and it brought an instant flush of brightness to her face to understand those words and feel that the Friend was hers.  Then she glanced at the worker and recognized his face.  He had prayed for her.  She could not forget that face.  It was plain also that his eyes fell on her.  He knew her, and something in her face prompted the low-toned sentence as be paused before her:  “You have found the Father, I think.”

And Flossy, with brightening eyes, answered, quickly, “Yes, I have.”

And then the boat touched at the wharf, and the crowd elbowed their way out.

There were two opinions expressed about that excursion by two gentlemen as they made their way up the avenue.  One of the gentleman was clerical, and spectacled, and solemn.

“There go a boat-load of excursionists,” he said to his companion.