And Christabel Angela herself sat mending her gathers, and thinking
over her first week of far greater difficulties than she had
contemplated when she had left home with the understanding that she
was to be entirely under Mrs. Merrifield's direction. Poor Mrs.
Merrifield had said much of regret at leaving her to such a crew of
little savages, and she had only tried to set the mother's mind at
rest by being cheerful; and though she felt that it was a great
undertaking to manage those great boys out of lesson-hours, she knew
that when a thing cannot be helped, strength and aid is given to
those who seek for it sincerely.

And on the whole, she felt thankful to the children for having
behaved even as well as they had done.



CHAPTER III.



"Grant to us, Thy humble servants, that by Thy holy inspiration we
may think those things that be good, and by Thy merciful guiding may
perform the same," spelt out David with some trouble and difficulty,
as he stood by Miss Fosbrook on Sunday morning.

"Miss Fosbrook?"

"Well, my dear."