David’s room was her especial care; for now to her there was something pathetic in the place and its poor furnishing.  He had fought many a silent battle there; won many a secret victory; and tried to cheer his solitude with the best thoughts the minds of the bravest, wisest men could give him.

She did not smile at the dilapidated idols now, but touched them tenderly, and let no dust obscure their well-beloved faces.  She set the books in order daily, taking many a sip of refreshment from them by the way, and respectfully regarded those in unknown tongues, full of admiration for David’s learning.  She covered the irruptive sofa neatly; saw that the little vase was always clear and freshly filled; cared for the nursery in the gable-window; and preserved an exquisite neatness everywhere, which delighted the soul of the room’s order-loving occupant.

She also—­alas, for romance!—­cooked the dishes David loved, and liked to see him enjoy them with the appetite which once had shocked her so.  She watched over his buttons with a vigilance that would have softened the heart of the crustiest bachelor:  she even gave herself the complexion of a lemon by wearing blue, because David liked the pretty contrast with his mother’s drabs.

After recording that last fact, it is unnecessary to explain what was the matter with Christie.  She honestly thought she had got religion; but it was piety’s twin-sister, who produced this wonderful revival in her soul; and though she began in all good faith she presently discovered that she was

    “Not the first maiden
    Who came but for friendship,
    And took away love.”

After the birthnight confessions, David found it easier to go on with the humdrum life he had chosen from a sense of duty; for now he felt as if he had not only a fellow-worker, but a comrade and friend who understood, sympathized with, and encouraged him by an interest and good-will inexpressibly comfortable and inspiring.  Nothing disturbed the charm of the new league in those early days; for Christie was thoroughly simple and sincere, and did her womanly work with no thought of reward or love or admiration.

David saw this, and felt it more attractive than any gift of beauty or fascination of manner would have been.  He had no desire to be a lover, having forbidden himself that hope; but he found it so easy and pleasant to be a friend that he reproached himself for not trying it before; and explained his neglect by the fact that Christie was not an ordinary woman, since none of all the many he had known and helped, had ever been any thing to him but objects of pity and protection.

Mrs. Sterling saw these changes with her wise, motherly eyes, but said nothing; for she influenced others by the silent power of character.  Speaking little, and unusually gifted with the meditative habits of age, she seemed to live in a more peaceful world than this.  As George MacDonald somewhere says, “Her soul seemed to sit apart in a sunny little room, safe from dust and noise, serenely regarding passers-by through the clear muslin curtains of her window.”