In surprise Anna hugged her close, and caressed her curls.
"Why, Venna dear, what is the matter? I expected to find my little bride all smiles. Oh, it's so good to see you after two long years. But not like this! What on earth troubles you?"
Venna did not immediately answer, but after Anna had calmed her with loving assurances, she said with a tired little smile, "O Anna, I've been so lonely. I believe God sent you right to me, you dear, cheerful thing! So much has happened to me since you went West."
"Tell me all about it," said Anna, still encircling her arms around Venna, as they sat down upon the couch.
So Venna, hungry for sympathy, laid bare her heart, as she never thought it possible for her to do.
Anna drew from her everything, though at times the confidence came in broken, timid sentences.
"So you see, Anna, what a failure my life has been," she concluded piteously.
Anna laughed.
"You little goose! Your first trials have knocked you right down and out, haven't they? I appreciate your position, dear, but I'll have you all smiles again, very soon. You need a strong, vital faith, dearie— something to lift you right up and keep you there."
"Yes, I know I need faith. I really long for it. But where and how are we to get it these days? And you, Anna—you were always so skeptical about religion?"