Fortunately for the Jocelyns, there were other workers in that part of the vineyard, and Mrs. Wheaton had said to herself more than once, “Ven my young lady comes ’ome she’ll git ’old of these ’ere people and make things better for ’em.”  One day, about the middle of September, there was a light knock at the door of the large living-room that had been made so inviting.  Mildred opened it and admitted a young woman, who appeared not very much older than herself, and who she saw at a glance was of her own class in respect to refinement and cultivation.  Although entire strangers, the eyes of the two girls met in woman’s intuitive recognition.

“This is Miss Jocelyn, I think,” said the visitor in an accent that to the poor girl sounded like her native tongue, so long unheard.

“You are correct,” replied Mildred, with exploring eyes and a quiet and distant manner.  “Will you please be seated,” she added after a moment, as the young lady evidently wished to enter.

It was in the afternoon, and the room had its usual pretty order at that hour.  Fred and Minnie were seated by Mrs. Jocelyn, who was giving them their daily lesson from an illustrated primer; and they, with their mother, turned questioning eyes on the unexpected guest, who won their good-will almost instantly by a sunshiny smile.  Then turning to Mildred she began, with a quiet, well-bred ease which made her visit seem perfectly natural, “We are now strangers, but I trust we shall not remain such very long.  Indeed, I am already sure that you can help me very much.” (This asking help instead of offering it was certainly adroit policy.) “I am a Christian worker in this district.  My name is Alice Wetheridge.  I am well acquainted with Mrs. Wheaton, and the little she has told me about you has made me wish to know you well; and I trust you will meet me with the spirit in which I come—­that of honest friendliness and respect.  I shall be just as frank with you as you wish, and I know you have just as much right to your feelings and views as I have to mine.  It is our plan of work to co-work cordially, asking each one to choose her own place and kind of effort.  I have been around among some of my families in this house, and, if you will permit me to say it, I have seen your influence, and I think it is most Christian and womanly.  You can scarcely blame me, then, if I hope to find in you a congenial fellow-worker.”

These remarks contained no hint of poverty or inferiority, and might have been made to Mildred in her old home.  The sweet, low voice in which they were spoken was soothing and winning, while her visitor’s gaze was direct and sincere.  Mildred smiled with a little answering friendliness as she said, “Please do not expect much from me.  I fear I shall disappoint you.”

“I shall not expect anything more than your own feelings prompt and your own conscience can warrant.  I and some friends have classes at a mission chapel not far from here, and all I ask at first is that you and Mrs. Jocelyn attend service at the chapel and see how you like us and how you like our minister.”