John Monday continued with Mr. Dawson, becoming in time his employer's right hand in the business, proving himself trustworthy in every respect. Mr. Dawson flourished as he deserved, and found, as his family grew older, that he was better able to supply their needs; whilst his wife had not to work so hard as she had formerly done.
Maria continued in Mr. Harding's service, and was delighted to find that the change for the better in her master's character continued, doubtless because the love of God had entered his heart, and was teaching him the lessons he had refused to learn before. The sharp eyes looked kindly now; the sarcastic smile had given place to one which brightened the withered face; and the tongue, which had so seldom scrupled to wound, rarely spoke otherwise than gently and courteously. Certainly the genial old man, who was such a favourite with Mrs. Downing's children and Mousey's school-fellows, was very unlike the dreaded Cousin Robert the little girl had first known.
Between Mrs. Downing and Mr. Harding was an understanding which ripened into a firm friendship. He was wont to declare that he had always prophesied the success of her school, which had become a flourishing establishment in reality.
The old shop over the river, in new hands, soon wore quite a different appearance. The windows were made attractive by showy modern jewellery, thus rendering the alteration from the outside view greater still, so that Mr. Harding passing with Mousey one day remarked that he hardly knew the place, and doubted if his successor would make as much money there as he had done. But the old man's earthly treasure was not his first consideration now, as his little cousin knew well, though she did not realise that she had been an instrument in God's hands to open his eyes to the truth. Late in life though it was, he was laying up a treasure in heaven for all eternity.
W. Brendan and Son, Limited, Plymouth