Mee had given her earlier in the day. Mavis remembered something had
been written on the fly-leaf: more from idle curiosity than from any
other motive, she opened the cover of the book, to read in the old
lady's meager, pointed hand:

"Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not
fall on the ground without your Father.

"Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."--
St Matthew x. 29, 31.

Mavis's heart was filled with contrition. She was not forgotten;
there was Someone who cared what became of her. Although she was now
as one of the sparrows, which are never certain of their daily food,
she could not fall without the knowledge of One who cared, and He---

Mavis knelt: she implored forgiveness for having believed herself to
be utterly forgotten: she thanked Him for caring that a poor,
friendless girl, such as she, should not fall.




CHAPTER FIVE

BARREN WAYS


There followed for Mavis many, many anxious days, spent from the
first thing in the morning till late at night in a fruitless search