"Because you put things clearly so that I could understand them," said Jessie simply. "When you went away and I could not talk to you any more, I wrote down a good many things you said, so as to teach them to my class in the Sunday School."
"Then you are a Sunday School teacher?"
"Oh, yes, for over three years now. I love it best of any of my teaching, and the Sunday School is all alive where I am now. Here I found it very difficult to get the children to care."
Jack had slipped away with Jessie's father to see a fresh brood of chickens, which gave Tom an opportunity of some talk with Jessie about her work, but presently he looked at his watch and said they must be moving on, but, before the horses were re-saddled, Mrs. Butler insisted upon a cup of tea, and sent them on their way with a well-filled wallet of provisions in case they got detained upon the road.
"Is Jessie pretty?" Jack inquired, as they rode upon their way.
"Yes, I think she is, but she's more than pretty: she's good."
"How d'you know?" Jack asked.
"By her look—goodness, like evil, writes itself upon people's faces, Jack—by her ways and by her words," said Tom.
The saying did not altogether please Jack.
"It's rather horrid people can tell whether you are good or bad by looking at you," he said.