“Yes, but it is their way. So we are obliged to have several servants. But then the wages are very low. Altogether it does not cost any more, perhaps not as much, as one good girl would in this country. They are a great deal of trouble, too. They are not, as a rule, very honest or faithful, and they have, of course, all the heathen vices, and sometimes we have much worry with them. But what I was going to say is, that we do our best to teach these servants about God. We used to have them come in to prayers every day, and on Sunday I would collect them on the veranda and try to teach them verses of Scripture, which I would explain over and over again. On these occasions a good many poor, lame, blind people from the neighborhood would also come. These people were so densely ignorant that it was hard to make them understand anything, but in some cases I think the light did get into their minds.”
Then Mrs. Thurston told of the death of her three dear little children, and Marty felt very, very sorry for her when she spoke of the three little graves in that distant land.
“Haven't you any living children?” she asked.
“Yes, two. One of my sons is a missionary in Ceylon, and the other, with whom I live, is a minister in New York State.”
Then, it appeared, after many years of labor in that hot climate, the health of both Mr. and Mrs. Thurston broke down, and they were obliged to leave the work they loved and come back to America. In a short time Mr. Thurston died.
Marty found out, somewhat to her surprise, that the “big society” her band was connected with was not the only one. Mrs. Thurston belonged to an entirely different one, and the young ladies, Fanny, Dora, and Mary, to still another.
“You see we belong to different religious denominations,” said Mrs. Thurston, “and each denomination has its own Society or Board.”
“This Nebraska missionary, now,” suggested Marty, “I suppose he belongs to your de—whatever it is.”
“Denomination,” said Mrs. Thurston, smiling. “No, he belongs to yours.”
“Yet you are all working for him!” exclaimed Marty.