But Stephen and little Nan were always there,
and their teacher never failed to meet them. Nor did Miss Anne confine
her care of the orphan children to a Sunday morning only. Sometimes she
would mount the hill during the long summer evenings, and pay their
little household a visit, giving Martha many quiet hints about her
management and her outlay of Stephen's wages; hints which Martha did not
always receive as graciously as they were given. Miss Anne would read
also to the blind old grandfather, choosing very simple and easy portions
of the Bible, especially about the lost sheep being found, as that
pleased the old shepherd, and he could fully understand its meaning. In
general, Miss Anne was very cheerful, and she would laugh merrily at
times; but now and then her face looked pale and sad, and her voice was
very mournful while she talked and sang with them. Once, even, when she
bade Stephen 'good evening,' an exceedingly sorrowful expression passed
across her face, and she said to him, 'I find it quite as hard work to
serve God really and truly as you do, Stephen. There is only one Helper
for both of us; and we can only do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth us.
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