"Tell me the exact address and the message you wish conveyed, and I will take it myself."
Edith did so, and Henry put it into few words, read it aloud, and then took it to the office.
The girls lost no time in making their preparations, and on the following morning were speeding on their homeward way. Early as it was, Henry Martin was at the Great Northern station to see them start, and to bring another farewell from Nora, and a request for immediate intelligence of their arrival and frequent news of Mrs. Northcote.
It had cost Edith something to give up the visit to Mrs. Martin, on which she had reckoned so much; for old habits, particularly selfish ones, are not to be rooted out all at once. Only a very short time before, she would have hesitated and considered if it were possible for her to send Lizzie home alone, and for herself to follow a little later.
Happily, Lizzie's prompt example and the voice of conscience pointed out the proper course; and the strength to do right for which she had asked on her knees was given her. And now, as the train was carrying her rapidly homeward, Edith felt happy, apart from the anxiety on account of her mother; for conscience spoke approvingly, and the words of one whose approbation she had learned to value, "You are right to go with your sister," still seemed to sound in her ear.
Mamma paused, then added, "I shall finish my story to-morrow, children; but I must leave you now."
"We can guess the ending," interposed Madge; and the others nodded, in a confident fashion, as if they, too, knew all about it.
"And we know what two lives were influenced as regarded their future by that penny."
Mamma only laughed, and saying, "Do not be too sure," retreated without further comment.