"Come in, girls," called Mr. Soffy, pleasantly. So the girls came in, feeling somewhat abashed, now that they were really there.
Venna welcomed them, and introduced them one by one.
"We hope we are not intruding," said Bessie demurely.
"Oh, no," returned Venna, "I want you to meet my friends. We were discussing doctrines of their Church. You may learn something."
"Oh, how interesting!" returned Bessie, the other girls remaining bashfully silent.
"The storm has made it very dark. Let us pull down the shades and light up," said Venna.
They were soon all cozily seated, oblivious to the storm without.
"Mrs. Hadly," said Brother Hallock, earnestly, "we are all Christians here. Would you not like us to have a little cottage prayer-meeting? I think it would help us all to discern truth."
"Yes, indeed," answered Venna.
And so the girls came for fun and found only two very earnest young men whose very presence seemed to bring one nearer to God. Mr. Soffy opened the meeting with prayer, after which Brother Hallock and Brother Johnson spoke alternately upon the faith of the Mormons. Venna listened hungrily. Every word they uttered fell with a decision which spoke of absolute conviction. There were no "may-bes" or waverings here. Inspired by their religion, their words flowed easily and surely.