aprons; the whole thing shut up stately and dark, except on high
days; this, instead of the cheery room where five-minute callers with
cards and best toilets seldom came; people always "ran in" here and
stayed awhile. This room was large and light, both wall and carpet a
delicate tint of grey, brightened here and there by bits of colour in
the shape of gaily-covered easy-chairs, rug tidies, and the like, yet
nothing was too fine for daily use.

There were fine engravings on the walls, and plants and sunshine in
the south windows. In the centre stood a large round table covered
with books, newspapers, pen and ink; altogether it looked much more
like a gem of a study than a parlour, but was the best and handsomest
room in the house, whatever it might be called; and here Mrs. Lewis
knit, and sewed and studied, here the fire was always bright and the
welcome warm; young and old went in and out with freedom. Her table
was supplied with the best and latest books and magazines, so making
a sort of reading-room, as free and open to young men as though it
were public.

The room was well filled on the Thursday afternoon appointed for the
meeting, which was opened by a few earnest words of prayer; then Mrs.
Lewis remarked, "I want to say in the outset, that I do not set
myself up as a teacher in these gatherings; we are all learners
together. Let us conceive ourselves to be miners digging for gold or
precious stones, in the Lord's mine, the Scriptures; then when he
points out to one a precious gem that our eyes may not light on as we
pass along, let that one hasten to show it to us also with something
of the same eagerness that most of us would display if we found a
jewel in our path. In thinking of this subject: 'How to use our
Bibles,' I am reminded of my first sewing machine. Many years ago,