"Do you get a lot of money? Have you pocket-money?"
"Yes, we have sixpence a week each, but it doesn't seem a great lot."
"Wouldn't you like to give your tenth to God? You can easily, if you
like. I'll tell you how it's done."
The little girls looked at Jill completely puzzled, but she had a wonderful
way of compelling attention and interest, and before she separated
from them that afternoon they had promised to think over the matter,
and let her know what they could do.
"You see," said Norah, the other twin, "we haven't very much money to
spare. We want every penny of it. We're always wanting to buy things."
"Yes, but God wants it most," said Jill, "and it's such a very little
He wants; only one penny out of tenpence, that's all it is. And if you
saw the poor people out on Chilton Common, who have no church and who
look so dirty and wicked, you'd like to give some money to help them."
"Are you good?" asked Rose looking at her curiously.
"No, I'm awfully wicked," said Jill with conviction, "but giving your
money away doesn't make you good. I wish it did."
There was nothing to say to this. They parted excellent friends, but
Rose said to Norah afterwards, "She's rather a nice girl, but I feel if
I was with her she would make me do a thing whether I liked it or not."
"It's the way she talks," said Norah; "she gets so excited over it. I
never heard of a tenth before, did you?"
"No, never. I wonder if Aunt Mary gives it, I will ask her."
Jill had a word or two again with Mr. Arnold before he left. He came up
to wish her sister good-bye when she was standing by her side.
"Good-bye, Miss Baron. I am off to my work again to-morrow, so shall
not see you again for some time."
Mona looked up at him a little wistfully, then spoke in her most airy
manner--
"Good-bye, it is not likely we shall often meet; my path is not yours,
as you are so fond of inferring."
He looked at her in silence, then his hand fell rather heavily on Jill's
shoulder.
"I think of you," he said, "as you were at this age. This little sister of
yours has discovered that she is a steward--help her when she grows up,
as you were never helped, to preserve her childish faith and integrity. It
is required in stewards that a man may be found faithful!"