"You are the first person in this house who has found me out," replied Margie, flushing again, but smiling through her tears; "still, it is true."
"Tell me your story, will you?" asked Clara.
And Margie, quite openly, told her the whole history, from beginning to end, including the description of all her sisters and of her brother, and speaking, too, of Fay's engagement to the best man in the whole world, as she called Harry Mayne.
Clara listened intently, her responsive face changing constantly in expression. And as Margie wound up by saying cheerfully, "So here I am, you see, in my servant's cap and apron, and not in the least ashamed of them."
Clara put up a hand, drew the brave, bright face down to her, kissed it, and said, "I think you're one of the noblest girls I ever saw, Margery Grayling, and you're just the sort of friend I've been wanting and praying to God for all my life. And now He has sent me the desire of my heart."
After Mabel Raye's scornful treatment of her, and Nicholas Beach's insulting familiarity, the sweet words fell like dew upon the parched ground, and poor Margie could only weep for sheer thankfulness and joy at having so unexpectedly found a friend.
So that, when nurse came home, she found her substitute and the patient left in her charge both enjoying themselves so much that she vowed—not being of a jealous disposition—that Margery Grayling was better than any doctor.
Margie was very much happier after this visit to Clara. It was not only in the fact that she had found a friend that she rejoiced. She was conscious of a bond of union closer than this between the patient sufferer and herself. The comprehending sympathy was much to her, and this the invalid had given her unstintingly out of an overflowing heart, but more precious to Margie than even sympathy was the knowledge that this new friend of hers was one of God's own children, bearing with uncomplaining patience the heavy burden laid upon her, and carrying her cross of pain and weakness with cheerful willingness in the steps of Him whose footprints marked the way to Calvary.
And now Margie thankfully realised that here, in this new-found friend, was one whose spiritual experience was greater than her own, and that to this friend she could go for advice and help in difficulty. For Margery Grayling, though a true and humble follower of her Lord, was as yet but a young disciple, and she gladly and thankfully welcomed—in the promise of frequent intercourse with Clara Raye—the opportunity of gaining further insight into the things of God's everlasting kingdom of truth and righteousness.