Ishmael’s experience taught him to let her sob on until her fit of passion had exhausted itself.

Meanwhile one or two of the most sensitive little girls, seeing their teacher weep, fell to crying for company; others whispered among themselves; and others, again, looked belligerent.

“Go tell him to go away, Mary,” said the little one.

“I don’t like to; you go, Ellen,” said another.

“I’m afraid.”

“Oh! you scary things!  I’ll go myself,” said a third; and, rising, this little one came to the rescue, and standing up firmly before the intruder said: 

“What do you come here for, making our teacher cry?  Go home this minute; if you don’t I’ll run right across the street and fetch my father from the shop to you! he’s as big as you are!”

Ishmael turned his beautiful eyes upon this little champion of six summers, and smiling upon her, said gently: 

“I did not come here to make anybody cry, my dear; I came to do your teacher a service.”

The child met his glance with a searching look, such as only babes can give, and turned and went back and reported to her companions.

“He’s good; he won’t hurt anybody.”

Mrs. Walsh having sobbed herself into quietness, wiped her eyes, looked up and said: 

“Well, sir, why don’t you proceed with your business?  Why don’t you serve your writ?”

“My dear madam, it is not my business to serve writs.  And if it was I have none to serve,” said Ishmael very gently.

She looked at him in doubt.

“You have mistaken my errand here, madam.  I am not retained on the other side; I have nothing whatever to do with the other side.  I have heard your story; my sympathies are with you; and I have come here to offer you my professional services,” said Ishmael gravely.

She looked at him earnestly, as if she would read his soul.  The woman of thirty was not so quick at reading character as the little child of six had been.

“Have you counsel?” inquired Ishmael.

“Counsel?  No!  Where should I get it?”

“Will you accept me as counsel?  I came here to offer you my services.”

“I tell you I have no means, sir.”

“I do not want any remuneration in your case; I wish to serve you, for your own sake and for God’s; something we must do for God’s sake and for our fellow creatures’.  I wish to be your counsel in the approaching trial.  I think, with the favor of Divine Providence, I can bring your case to a successful issue and secure you in the peaceful possession of your children.”

“Do you think so?  Oh! do you think so?” she inquired eagerly, warmly.

“I really do.  I think so, even from the showing of the other side, who, of course, put the fairest face upon their own cause.”

“And will you?  Oh! will you?”

“With the help of Heaven, I will.”

“Oh, surely Heaven has sent you to my aid.”