Surely if these men who could earn so much more money than her poor father only knew how hard things were for them sometimes, they would be willing to make some change. For such ways of dealing with men as those which her father had spoken of were harsh and unrighteous, and God hated all unrighteousness, and had sent his Son to redeem men from it. Therefore it was only right that those who were committing the wrong should be told of it for love's sake, and not merely for the sake of the poor labourers.
It gave her something to think about and something to pray over. And very earnestly did the girl pray that night, that somehow God would show men what to do, so that this might be altered for the sake of the workers, and also for the sake of those who were so anxious that they might heap up riches and comforts for themselves at all costs.
How her prayer was to be answered Winny did not think, or even try to conjecture. God would show them that he could find out the way, and lead all his servants to judge righteously in this matter.
With this thought in her mind, she at last went to sleep, and did not wake until her father had gone out to look for work as usual.
[CHAPTER II.]
NEW WORK.
THE bell was ringing for school, and Letty hurrying down the last mouthful of bread and dripping before starting, when Winny opened her eyes the next morning.
"Just in time to say good-bye!" exclaimed Letty, running over to kiss her before starting for school.
"Is it so late as that, mother?" said the invalid, looking round the room as she raised herself on her elbow.
"Yes, deary; you did not sleep well in the night, I suppose? See what Annie Brown brought for you a little while ago." And as she spoke, Mrs. Chaplin held up a slice of toast. "Buttered toast," she explained; "and I've got a nice drop of tea for you in the pot. You shall have your breakfast before I dress you."