Thoughts like these filled Clemence’s mind as she walked towards home disheartened.  She had cause for trouble.  She knew that their scanty means must soon fail entirely, if employment was not obtained, and this was the result of her first trial.  She was tired, too, being unaccustomed to exercise, and her feet ached from contact with the rough pavement.  An empty car passed her, but she had given her last cent to a beggar a few hours before.  She thought of the hundreds she had lavished without a thought upon the different objects of charity, and sighed at the contrast.  Now she must deny herself for the privilege of bestowing the smallest gift.  But she remembered too, that story of the widow’s mite, which was accounted more than the rich man’s profusion.  She took comfort in the thought that the same loving care was over her, and whispered softly one of her favorite texts, “I will put my trust in Him, and He will never leave nor forsake me.”  The pure, sweet face was like that of a glorified saint.  An old woman hobbling by, bent and gray with age, crossed herself devoutly, and muttered a blessing on the fair young head; and a man, old and hardened in crime, caught her words, and remembering the love-lit eyes that had bent over him in childhood, breathed out the remorseful prayer, “God pity me, a ruined soul!”

“You are late, darling,” said a low voice anxiously, as Clemence ran up to the room in a fourth-rate lodging house, which was now their only home.

“Yes, mamma,” said the girl, fondly, assuming a cheerfulness which she did not feel, “the day was such a pleasant one, I walked on farther than I had at first intended.  You must try and get strong enough to enjoy this beautiful spring weather with me.  But you are tired, and must not be kept longer waiting for tea, and to accomplish that weighty object, we must first consult our good friend Mrs. Mann, her services being absolutely indispensable.”

“And here she is for once, when she is wanted,” said that good lady in hearty tones.  “I am glad you are home again, for your mother was getting anxious about you, and making herself sick with fretting.  Dear! dear!  Miss Clemence, this is a world of changes!  It makes my heart ache to see you now, having to bother your pretty head with ways and means, when you are fit to live like a princess in a fairy tale.”

“Well, perhaps I may some day.  Who knows, Mrs. Mann, what may happen?  The prince that is always appearing to disconsolate damsels, just at the right moment, to rescue them from a cruel fate, may chance along in this direction, and then we will all be happy together.  Willie shall have that bran new suit that he has been talking about so long, to wear to Sunday School, and Fanny a wonderful picture book, and the baby lots of goodies, and we will live together, and you shall be housekeeper, and allow no one but yourself to make mamma’s tea.”

“Hear the dear, generous creature,” said Mrs. Mann, standing in breathless admiration.  “If she had her way, everybody would be happy as the day is long.  That girl has a work to do, Mrs. Graystone, or the Lord would never have implanted such a strong, brave, noble spirit in such a frail, delicate body.”