on the first step, we must go on and up But sometimes, alas! we will not
do what we should, and have to be ordered back. Then how painfully slow
seems the climb to our former position! But, if we can only always hear
that 'Come up higher,' and keep steadily on, slowly it may be, so slowly
the steps seem but an inch high, we will surely reach the throne in
time--or in eternity."

Sara's luminous eyes rested intently on her face.

"The steps may not all be beautiful or easy," she breathed.

"No, nor will be, my dear. There is a little book of essays I have, and
one is called 'The Gospel of Drudgery;' I want you to read it."

Miss Plunkett rose and stepped to the book-case on the opposite side of
the room, being enjoined, sleepily, by Mistress Polly meanwhile, to
"Come again, and don't be long!" When old Hester appeared in the
doorway, to bob a courtesy, and announce,--

"Tea is served, Miss Prue."

Hester was a character in Killamet, and must be described.

She was a pure-blooded African of Guinea, who, when a wee child, was
rescued from a slave-trader by Captain Plunkett, Miss Prue's father.

The poor little black baby's mother had died during the cruel march to
the coast, and the little creature, become almost a skeleton, and
looking more like a baby chimpanzee than anything human, was made a pet
of by the crew on the homeward voyage, growing fat and saucy daily, so