Page:Letters of Life.djvu/203

Rh eye fixed in curious and significant inquiry. Most of them were entire strangers. We were known to be young, and would be considered, even by close observers, younger than we were. How should we clothe ourselves with the dignity and authority which were then held essential to the office we had assumed?

The subject of daily commencing and closing our school with prayer had been discussed between my friend and myself. It was the only point which we did not view as with the same eyes. The custom was not in those days prevalent in female schools, especially where the teachers were so youthful. She was fearful of ostentation. She was diffident, and extemporary prayer, which was required by the religious denomination to which we belonged, seemed an effort, and a cross which she shrank to take up.

Being her senior by six months, it was decided that the responsibility of the first, most appalling, day must be mine.

Never shall I forget the relief that came over my burdened spirit, when, after having all read together a chapter from the blessed Scriptures, my supplication arose to the Father of Lights for His guidance and smile on our future intercourse. Never before was a full interpretation given to the passage: