The squire looked over Joyce's shoulder at the page on which she had opened. It was the last chapter of Proverbs, and the words were underlined: "Her price is above rubies."
"Carry the book upstairs, Joyce; you had better not display it at present. Then come back to the hay-field as fast as you can. Mother will be expecting you."
Joyce did as she was told, and hastened away with her precious book. As she turned over the pages she saw the pencil marks were frequent. It was evidently Mrs. More's way of silent instruction; and for the first time in her young life, Joyce seemed to find in the Bible, words which applied to herself.
"Be not overcome of evil," was underlined; "but overcome evil with good."
"That means I am not to let Melville's ways get the better of me, and make me cross to him and contemptuous. I must try and overcome by being kind; and then——"
She was startled by her mother's voice:
"Joyce, what are you about? come down at once. The men want some more cakes, and you may as well trudge down to the field, as I——"
Joyce ran down immediately, first hiding her Bible in the small drawer of the high chest in her room.
"I wish you had come sooner, mother, and seen Mrs. More."
"Do you? I waited till I heard the wheels in the road before I came; but now I am here, I mean to stay. I want to make some custards for supper, and whip the cream for a syllabub. Mr. Arundel shan't grumble at his fare."