“No, not in the way you speak of.  I am no nearer to Him than I was in childhood.  It is only of late I realized the need to be reconciled to Him.”

“He answers prayer.”  There was such a ring of joyful faith in his voice I felt convinced there was one praying for me who had a firm hold on God.

I turned to Mrs. Blake, who was busying herself in trying to make a fire.

“Where can we get some coals, or do they burn wood?” I asked.

“They sell the waste at the mill pretty cheap for kindlings, but the coal is far cheapest.”

“Can we get some directly?”

“Yes, with the money,” she said, grimly.

I took out my purse—­alas, now far from full—­when would I learn economy?

I gave her two dollars.  “Will that buy enough for the present?” I asked anxiously; for I was exceedingly ignorant of household furnishings.

“Deary me, yes; it’ll last for a month or more.”  I was greatly relieved.  By that time a little private venture of my own might be bringing me in some money.  I told Mrs. Blake to present the dry goods as soon as I was out of the house.  I fancied they would have an indirect medicinal effect on the sick woman.

“I shall go home immediately and get Mrs. Reynolds to make some beef tea.  She will keep Mrs. Larkum supplied, I am sure, as long as there is need, and I will either bring or send a bottle of wine directly,” I said encouragingly to Mr. Bowen, whose face under all circumstances seemed to wear the same expression of perfect peace.

“I have not language to express my gratitude, but you do not ask for thanks.”  The assertion was something in the form of a question.

“I have a feeling that you will make me the debtor before long,” I murmured softly, and then took my leave.  Reynolds entered very heartily into my scheme for relieving Mrs. Larkum, and Mrs. Flaxman, always eager to help others when once her attention was aroused, packed a generous hamper of wine and preserves, fresh eggs and prints of delicious Alderney butter, and fresh fruits, with more solid provisions, and sent them around by the uncomplaining Thomas, at an hour that suited his convenience.  Cook also gave me a good basket full of cooked provisions; so I set out with Thomas very well provided for at least a week’s siege.  I found Mrs. Blake still at the Larkums.  She had been in the mean time very busy getting them made comfortable; and while so doing had taken minute stock of their ways and means.  “I had no idea they was so bad off,” she assured me in whispered consultation.  “There was the barrel of flour she got with the money you give her, and not another airthly thing in the house to eat but some salt and about a peck of potatoes.”

“Did Mr. Bowen know this morning there was so little?”

“Sartinly; but I believe he’d starve afore he’d let on; he kinder looks to the Lord for his pervisions, and he thinks it’s a poor sort of faith to ask human beings.  I think he’s most too good for such a forgetting world as this is.”