“I’m always saying the wrong thing,” said the girl, in a repentant voice; “but, truly, I didn’t mean to be irreverent—­I only wanted you to know how pat the doctor reels off the scientific phrases; and”—­assuming an important air—­“I guess I know that Christian Science is the ‘new tongue’ spoken of in the Bible.  I’ve been to the service all summer; auntie went with me, too, and thought it was beautiful”—­this with a sudden break in her voice—­“and I’ve got the book,” she resumed.  “I bought it with my pin-money.  One of the Scientists was going to get a revised pocket edition, and said she’d let me have her old one for half price.  She said the Science is all in it, and so I thought it would do until I could afford to buy a new one.”

Katherine’s eyes grew moist as she listened to this, and she told herself that the dear child should also have a new revised pocket edition when Christmas came.

Looking back over the months that had elapsed since she first came to Hilton, she was almost overwhelmed, in view of the changed thought that had crept into the school.  She had sown but the tiniest seed of Truth when she had told Prof.  Seabrook that “Christian Science was a religion of Love and she would simply try to live it”; but its rootlets had taken firm hold beneath the surface of an unpromising soil; its germ had shot upwards and flourished, in spite of an adverse atmosphere, spreading abroad its branches with bud and blossom and fruitage, until now a goodly harvest was being gathered in.  There were Miss Reynolds, Mrs. Seabrook and Dorothy, Jennie and Dr. Stanley, all ready to avow themselves as adherents of Truth, with Sadie, Prof.  Seabrook and—­ she was beginning to hope—­Ned Willard looking towards the Light; and her heart was flooded with a great joy.

“What are you thinking about, Miss Minturn?” Jennie ventured to inquire when she had borne the silence as long as she could.

Katharine came to herself with a sudden start.

“Excuse me, dear,” she said, with a deprecatory smile.  “But what you have just told me sent my thoughts wandering back over all that has happened since I came here last winter.  I did not mean to be heedless, and I am very glad that you wanted the book enough to buy it.  Now”—­laying a fond hand on her shoulder—­“you are to drop ’Miss Minturn” here and now.  You and I are going to be like sisters—­we are sisters in Truth already, for you are coming to us after this for all your vacations.  You must have a home, you know, and I think you will be happy with us.”

“Happy!” cried Jennie, choking up suddenly.  “Why, I—­I—­think it will be just h—­hea—­venly!” and down went the curly black head upon her hands to hide the tears she could not wipe away, for, as was frequently the case, her handkerchief was not forthcoming when most needed.

Katherine slipped hers into her hand, for she heard Sadie returning, and, a few minutes later, the three girls were engaged in an animated discussion of plans for the coming year.