It is true, I have said nothing to you about two or three whom she has not as yet reached, though she is still trying. My story was not of them, but of the twenty whom she _did_ reach. Concerning your verdict, there are two things that I want to say: First, go into the work, and give the time and patience and faith and prayer that Mrs. Roberts and her fellow-workers gave, before you decide that it is vain.
And secondly, will you kindly remember that, whether this be natural or not, it is true?
I do not think I have told you the immediate occasion of this particular gathering. It was, in fact, a reception given to Mrs. Ried. It is not likely that I need tell you at this late day that her name was _Gracie Dennis_ Ried. I could have told you much about it, had I been writing a story of that sort.
In fact, there is a chance for considerable romancing. There are matters of interest that I might tell you, about "Mr. Colson" himself, young as he is; and about Mattie, who wears to-night a rose that she did not pick from the conservatory; but I don"t mean to tell it.
I have just one other bit of history to give you. They stood together for a moment--the young bridegroom and the lady with whom he had faithfully worked ever since that rainy afternoon in which he had confided his gloom to her.
Both were looking at the two young men who stood near the piano, waiting to join in the chorus. Both had known these young men as "Nimble d.i.c.k"
and "Black Dirk."
Still another of the original seven stood in the immediate vicinity. The glances of the two workers took them all in; then they looked at each other, and smiled meaningly.
"I have been thinking of that first Sunday afternoon," said Mrs.
Roberts. "I asked them to pick up my handkerchief, which had dropped, and "Nimble d.i.c.k" said, "Pick it up yourself, mum! you"re as able to as we be!" I wonder if they would remember it? What if I should tell them!"
As she spoke the bit of cambric in her hand designedly dropped almost at the feet of Dirk Colson. He stooped for it instantly, but "Nimble d.i.c.k"
was too quick for him, and presented it to the owner with a graceful bow, and a slightly triumphant smile.
But the chorus was commencing, and the ba.s.s and tenor were at once absorbed in their work; so Mr. Ried and Mrs. Roberts had the memorial laugh all to themselves. None but they understood what the white handkerchief said.
Despite the laughter there was a suspicious mist in Mr. Ried"s eyes.
"How far is mirth removed from tears?" he asked his hostess. And then: "Do you know, when I look at these young men, moving about your rooms at their ease, really ornaments to society, and think of the places in the world that they will be likely to fill, and think of what they were when you first saw them, the overwhelming contrast brings the tears!"
Said Mrs. Roberts:--
"I will tell you something that will do your heart good.
"Did you know that our young lady helpers had reorganized in larger force, and with certain fixed lines of work, which they feel certain they can do?
"The effort has pa.s.sed out of the realm of mere experiment.
"They have chosen a name. They are henceforth to be known as THE ESTER RIED BAND.
"They came to me for a motto to hang in their rooms, below the name; and I gave them this:--
""And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me. Write. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors: and their works do follow them.""