CHAPTER XIII.
SUNSET MEETING DAWN.
When Eleazar and Miriam had left, Fabricius took Baithene and the dog into quarters of their own; whilst Damaris led Ethne within into her own rooms.
“My child,” she said, “you have been used to be served by others, not to serve. The change must have been hard.”
“The service of our own people was always willing,” replied Ethne, the colour deepening on her fair cheek. “And I have tried to make my service willing; and then it is not hard.”
“You have heard of the Lord of all, Who became servant of all?” said Damaris, tenderly; and Ethne replied, her whole face lighting up—
“Patrick told us of the King of men, Who saw that all men were in bondage, and gave His life a ransom for all; and he told us how He came to serve us all, and that His sacrifice and His service were all willing. And our Patrick was himself once a slave, and knows what it means. Besides,” she added, “it could never be hard to serve Miriam, she was so good to us, and so sad.”
“Her name is Miriam?” Damaris asked.
“Yes,” said Ethne; “and I thought that name was the same as the blessed Mother’s name, and that made it sweeter to serve her.”
Damaris took the girl’s hand and pressed it to her heart as she replied—