Mrs. Dismal, you will notice, although she had begun to wear “the garment of praise,” had only just entered the Shepherd’s service and naturally did not yet know the language of the High Places.

“If you once offer to help Helpless,” said Gloomy in a tone just like her name, “she’ll roll the whole responsibility and the work onto you, and you’ll find that she won’t lift a finger herself, but leave you to carry the whole burden of everything.”

“Oh, that won’t matter,” exclaimed Mrs. Valiant and her daughter, Mercy, both together, and smiling at one another without the least dismay. “That’s all right. We have been wanting to get into that home for a long time, and now at last here is our chance!” Then she turned to Grace and Glory and said persuasively: “Do come with us, Grace and Glory. I can put a house to rights and cook a meal, but I’m no good at saying anything; I’m altogether too tactless.” As she spoke she smiled ruefully at Mrs. Dismal, remembering her many bracing, but tactless, admonitions, and how often they had had the opposite effect to that desired. “But you’ll know just how to help poor Self-Pity, Grace and Glory, and what to say to him. You were one of the Fearings yourself at one time, and will understand exactly what he needs.”

“Of course I’m going with you,” said Grace and Glory. “I’m not a nurse or a cook, and I don’t know anything about looking after little children, but I can sit beside poor Self-Pity and try to take away his fears. For I do know from dreadful experience all about the horror of fearing death, and perhaps he will listen to me now and be comforted.”

So off they went, all three of them, and the two lovely handmaidens, Joy and Peace, went with them, each of them looking as radiant as if they were just starting for a visit to the King’s Palace, so happy were they at the thought of being able at last to help the miserable family of Self-Pity. Mrs. Dismal Forebodings and Gloomy watched them as they bustled cheerfully away, and there was a wistful envy on the faces of both mother and daughter. Then Gloomy suddenly cried out: “Oh, Mother, how I do wish that you and I could go to the High Places too and receive new names and be able to help others in the same lovely way!”

“I wish it too,” said Mrs. Dismal Forebodings sadly. “But I’m afraid that I am too old, my dear, and have, most unhappily, put off turning to the Shepherd for too long. But, Gloomy, I think he might take you if we ask him. You are still young, my love, and could go to the mountains.”