When Sophie came home that evening, Samuel had mastered himself. He told her the story without a tremor in his voice. And this was well, for he was not prepared for the paroxysm of emotion with which the child received the news. Miss Gladys had been the last of Samuel's illusions; but she was the only one that Sophie had ever had. The child had made her life all over out of the joy of working for her; and now, hearing the story of her treatment of Samuel, she was almost beside herself with grief.
Samuel was frightened at her violence. “Listen, Sophie,” he said, putting his arm around her. “We must not forget our duty.”
“I could never go back there again!” exclaimed the child wildly. “I should die if I had to see her again!”
“I don't mean that,” said the other quickly—seeking to divert her thoughts. “But you must remember what I have to do; and you must help me.”
He went on to tell her of his plan to fight for the possession of St. Matthew's Church. “And we must not give way to bitterness,” he said; “it would be a very wicked thing if we did it from anger.”
“But how can you help it?” she cried.
“It is hard,” said Samuel; “but I have been wrestling with myself. We must not hate these people. They have done evil to us, but they do not realize it—they are poor human beings like the rest of us.”
“But they are bad, selfish people!” exclaimed the child.
“I have thought it all out,” said he. “I have been walking the streets all day, thinking about it. And I will not let myself feel anything but pity for them. They have done me wrong, but it is nothing to the wrong they have done themselves.”
“Oh, Samuel, you are so good!” exclaimed Sophie; and he winced—because that was what Miss Gladys had said to him.
“I had to settle it with myself,” he explained. “I have got to carry on a fight against them, and I have to be sure that I'm not just venting my spite.”
“What are you going to do?” asked Sophie.
“I am going to put the facts before the congregation of the church. If they will do nothing, I am going to the people.”
“But how, Samuel?”
“I am going to call a meeting. See, I have written this.”
And he took from his pocket a piece of paper, on which he had printed, in capital letters, as follows:
TO THE MEMBERS OF ST. MATTHEWS!

“There is corruption in the church. Members of its vestry have bribed the government of the town. They are robbing the people. The vestry has refused me a hearing and turned me out of the church. I appeal to the congregation. Next Wednesday evening, at eight o'clock, I will address a meeting on the vacant lot opposite the church, and will tell what I know. SAMUEL PRESCOTT.”
“And what are you going to do with that?” asked Sophie in wonder.
“I am going to have it printed on little slips, and give them out to the people when they are coming out of the church to-morrow morning.”
“Oh, Samuel!” gasped the child.
“I have to do it,” he said.
“But, Samuel, everyone will come—people from all over town.”
“I can't help that,” he answered. “I can't afford to hire a hall; and they wouldn't let me speak in the church.”
“But can you get this printed so quickly?”
“I don't know,” said he. “I must find some one.”
Sophie clapped her hands suddenly. “Oh, I know just the very thing!” she cried. “Friedrich Bremer has a printing press!”
“What!”
“Yes. His father used to print things. They will tell us.” And so, without stopping to eat, the two hurried off to the Bremer family; and mother and father and all the children sat and listened in astonishment while Samuel told his tale. Friedrich was thrilling with excitement; and old Johann's red face grew fiery.
“Herr Gott!” he cried. “I vas that vay myself once!”
“And then will you help me to get them printed?” asked Samuel.
“Sure!” replied the other. “I will do it myself. Vy did I go through the Commune?” And so the whole family adjourned to the attic, and the little printing outfit was dragged out from under the piles of rubbish.
“I used it myself,” said the old carpet designer. “But vhen I come here they give me a varning, and I haf not dared. For two years I haf not even been to the meetings of the local.”
“Of the what?” asked Samuel.
“I am a Socialist,” explained Mr. Bremer. And Sa............