With tears still flowing, Esther then told of Rosa’s bewilderment concerning her mother’s rumored moving, and of her own efforts to explain what this moving probably meant.

The strong man, accustomed as he was to the tales of woe and misery among the poor and outcast, bowed his head and wept also.  The pathos of the child’s simple, direct questions impressed him quite as much as it had Esther.

“‘But how much is the fare?  How much is the fare?’” he repeated over and over.

“Truly you answered well, daughter.  We have no fare to pay, no, none, for Jesus paid it all!  But what a price—­the life of the Son of the Most High God, who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross!”

For some minutes they remained in silence, lost in the thought of the price of redemption.

“It is unfathomable, father,” at last Esther said softly, “and to think that His death was for even little Rosa, and the poor child knew nothing about it!  I felt ashamed and speechless when she asked me why she had never been told before, having no reasonable answer whatever to give.  I wish I could tell you with what earnestness she said, ’Are you real sure He paid the fare for everybody?’ A fact so stupendous seemed quite beyond her power of comprehension.”

“Yes, daughter, His death included the fare for her as well as for you and for me.  In every soul He sees a pearl of greatest price.”

“But Rosa left before I could explain anything to her about the way of salvation.  Perhaps she will find no one to tell her, and her mother is almost dead.  Oh, that I knew where she lives!  All she needs is some one to guide her, then perhaps she would lead her mother and grandpa, and even Mrs. Gray into the light of His love.

“Why is it, father, that so few Christians speak of Jesus to those whom they meet?  They talk fluently of everything else, but the mentioning of His name seemingly paralyzes their tongues.  This city is full of churches, with many thousands who profess to be the Lord’s, yet Rosa in reality has never heard of Him.  Every day of her life, as she goes upon the street, or is in a car, she comes into contact with some one who might lead her precious little soul to Christ.  Just one moment of conversation would help her so, and is it possible that there is none who cares?  Why is it?  How can those who know Him truly be so utterly indifferent?”