us driving to church. Of course, I may fail, Mr. Holcroft is evidently a
hardened man. All the influences of his life have been adverse to spiritual
development, and it may require some weeks of my influence to soften him and
awaken yearnings for what he has not yet known."

"He may be yearnin' for breakfast," Jane remarked, completing her toilet by
tying her little pigtail braid with something that had once been a bit of
black ribbon, but was now a string. "You'd better come down soon and help."

"If Mrs. Viggins cannot get breakfast, I would like to know what she is here
for" continued Mrs. Mumpson loftily, and regardless of Jane's departure. "I
shall decline to do menial work any longer, especially on this sacred day, and
after I have made my toilet for church. Mr. Holcroft has had time to think.
My disapproval was manifest last night and it has undoubtedly occurred to him
that he has not conformed to the proprieties of life. Indeed, I almost fear I
shall have to teach him what the proprieties of life are. He witnessed my
emotions when he spoke as he should not have spoken to ME. But I must make
allowances for his unregenerate state. He was cold, and wet, and hungry last
night, and men are unreasonerble at such times. I shall now heap coals of
fire upon his head. I shall show that I am a meek, forgiving Christian woman,
and he will relent, soften, and become penitent. Then will be my
opportunity," and she descended to the arena which should witness her efforts.

During the period in which Mrs. Mumpson had indulged in these lofty
reflections and self-communings, Mrs. Wiggins had also arisen. I am not sure
whether she had thought of anything in particular or not. She may have had
some spiritual longings which were not becoming to any day of the week. Being
a woman of deeds, rather than of thought, probably not much else occurred to
her beyond the duty of kindling the fire and getting breakfast. Jane came
down, and offered to assist, but was cleared out with no more scruple than if