"Indeed," she broke out, half humorously and half pathetically, "the most joyful promise for the Christians hereafter is that they shall neither marry nor be given in marriage."
Mr. Candish looked a little shocked; but Edith said softly,—
"That is only possible when they become as the Sons of God."
Helen spread out her hands in a deprecatory gesture.
"Come, Edith," she said, "that isn't fair, to take the discussion into regions where I can't follow you."
Edith smiled, but made no rejoinder in words. Turning to Mr. Candish she remarked, with an abrupt change of subject,—
"When may I tell Melissa Blake about the Knitting School?"
"I see no reason," he answered, "why she shouldn't know at once. We shall be ready to begin operations in a month at most, and ought to know her decision."
"Isn't it capital?" Edith explained, turning toward Helen. "The Knitting School is really to be started. Mrs. Bodewin Ranger guarantees the funds for a year, and we have contracts for work to be delivered in the fall that will keep from a dozen to twenty girls busy all summer; while the matron's salary will put Melissa Blake on her feet very nicely. It's such a relief to have some of those girls provided for."
"That's the Melissa Blake, isn't it," Helen asked, "that Mr. Hubbard spoke of at dinner?"