As quick in action as in thought, Jill darted into the house and soon returned with her Bible in her hand. For some minutes she turned over the leaves of it unsuccessfully, then an under-gardener passed her.
Now this young man was a local chapel preacher, and Jill had heard some of the servants call him "a shining light." She looked up at him inquiringly.
"Tom," she said, "what is the very goodest thing to do when you want to be really good?"
Tom scratched his head.
"'Tis God's Word will tell 'ee, Miss Jill. There be that sayin' of Apostle James—'Pure religion an' undefiled is to visit the widows and fatherless in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.' 'Tisn't many that get beyond that!"
"Thank you," said Jill in delight. "Please show me the verse in case I may forget it."
So Tom took her Bible in his hand and found it for her, then went on his way; and Jill began to formulate her plans with great rapidity.
"'Unspotted from the world' means, of course, not to tumble down and dirty my frock on the way to the Golden City. That I'm trying to do hard, but I haven't visited any widows, and I know there are two or three in the village. That will be a lovely way of doing good. I will go at once."
But alas for Jill! Mona was calling her to come and pick some flowers for her.
For a minute she thought of running away, then her conscience told her—