Nobody

The two girls came in, Madge a little eagerly; Lois, Mrs. Barclayfancied, with a manner of some reserve.

"Mr. Dillwyn has something to suggest," she began, "about this plan wehave heard talked over; that is, if you care about it's being carriedinto execution."

"I care, of course," said Madge. "If it is to be done, I think it willbe great fun."

"If it is to be done," Lois repeated. "Grandmother does not approve ofit; and I always think, what she does not like, I must not like."

"Always?" asked Mr. Dillwyn.

"I try to have it always. Grandmother thinks that the way – the bestway – to keep a Sunday school together, is to make the lessonsinteresting."

"I am sure she is right!" said Mr. Dillwyn.

"But to the point," said Mrs. Barclay. "Lois, they will do this thing,I can see. The question now is, do you care whether it is done ill orwell?"

"Certainly! If it is done, I should wish it to be as well done aspossible. Failure is more than failure."

"How about ways and means?"

"Money? O, if the people all set their hearts on it, they could do itwell enough. But they are slow to take hold of anything out of thecommon run they are accustomed to. The wheels go in ruts atShampuashuh."

"Shampuashuh is not the only place," said Philip. "Then will you let anoutsider help?"

"Help? We would be very glad of help," said Madge; but Lois remarked,

"I think the church ought to do it themselves, if they want to do it."

"Well, hear my plan," said Mr. Dillwyn. "I think you objected to tworival trees?"

"I object to rival anythings," said Lois; "in church mattersespecially."

"Then I propose that no tree be set up, but instead, that you let Santa

Claus come in with his sledge."

"Santa Claus!" cried Lois. "Who would be Santa Claus?"

"An old man in a white mantle, his head and beard covered with snow andfringed with icicles; his dress of fur; his sledge a large one, andwell heaped up with things to delight the children. What do you think?"

Madge's colour rose, and Lois's eye took a sparkle; both were silent.

Then Madge spoke.

"I don't see how that plan could be carried out, any more than theother. It is a great deal better, it is magnificent; but it is agreat deal too magnificent for Shampuashuh."

"Why so?"

"Nobody here knows how to do it."

"I know how."

"You! O but, – that would be too much – "

"All you have to do is to get the other things ready, and let it beknown that at the proper time Santa Claus will appear, with awell-furnished sled. Sharp on time."

"Well-furnished! – but there again – I don't believe we can raise moneyenough for that."

"How much money?" asked Dillwyn, with an amused smile.

"O, I can't tell – I suppose a hundred dollars at least."

"I have as much as that lying useless – it may just as well do somegood. It never was heard that anybody but Santa Claus furnished his ownsled. If you will allow me, I will take care of that."

"How splendid!" cried Madge. "But it is too much; it wouldn't be rightfor us to let you do all that for a church that is nothing to you."

"On the contrary, you ought to encourage me in my first endeavours tomake myself of some use in the world. Miss Madge, I have never, so far, done a bit of good in my life."

"O, Mr. Dillwyn! I cannot believe that. People do not grow useful soall of a sudden, without practice," said Madge, hitting a great generaltruth.

"It is a fact, however," said he, half lightly, and yet evidentlymeaning what he said. "I have lived thirty-two years in theworld – nearly thirty-three – without making my life of the least use toanybody so far as I know. Do you wonder that I seize a chance?"

Lois's eyes were suddenly lifted, and then as suddenly lowered; she didnot speak.

"I can read that," he said laughingly, for his eyes had caught theglance. "You mean, if I am so eager for chances, I might make them!Miss Lois, I do not know how."

"Come, Philip," said Mrs. Barclay, "you are making your characterunnecessarily bad. I know you better than that. Think what you havedone for me."

"I beg your pardon," said he. "Think what you have done for me. Thatscore cannot be reckoned to my favour. Have no scruples, Miss Madge, about employing me. Though I believe Miss Lois thinks the good of thisundertaking a doubtful one. How many children does your school number?"

"All together, – and they would be sure for once to be alltogether! – there are a hundred and fifty."

"Have you the names?"

"O, certainly."

"And ages – proximately?"

"Yes, that too."

"And you know something, I suppose, about many of them; something abouttheir families and conditions?"

"About all of them?" said Madge. "Yes, indeed we do."

"Till Mrs. Barclay came, you must understand," put in Lois here, "wehad nothing, or not much, to study besides Shampuashuh; so we studiedthat."

"And since Mrs. Barclay came? – " asked Philip.

"O, Mrs. Barclay has been opening one door after another of knowledge, and we have been peeping in."