"'Good morning, young friend,' she said, cheerfully. 'Are you taking a walk?'
"He looked at her, but did not answer.
"She held out her hand, smiling. 'Will you come with me to Sunday school?' she asked.
"Billy thought she looked very pleasant, so he nodded his assent, and they walked along. By and by they arrived at St. Mary's. Behind the church is a room for the mission school; and there Miss Allen led her young charge. I don't think you can guess what was the first lesson she gave him."
"About Adam and Eve in the garden," said Helen.
"No, 'bout God making the monkeys," exclaimed Russell.
"I guess she told him about the little baby in the manger," lisped Lily.
"No, none of these. She took him into a bath-room, where there were bowls with water flowing into them, and plenty of soap and clean towels at hand. There was a woman here, with her bonnet off, her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, and a wide apron buttoned over her dress.
"She had just finished scrubbing one little fellow, and was waiting for another, as Miss Allen came in.
"'Oh, dear!' she exclaimed, as she saw Billy's face. 'Oh, what a sight!'