“Little enough, madam, little enough. Besides, I want you to teach her useful things; to cook, to take care of a house. More men are killed by bad bread than bullets, and I don’t want Kate’s baby ever to murder any one that way.” As he spoke he began to draw on his overcoat.
“Why, you are not going?” exclaimed Mrs. Blossom.
“Yes, madam, yes. There seems no need for me to stay longer. The team that brought me from the station is waiting to take me back for the evening train, and I can be in Buffalo again in the morning.”
“But when are you coming again, Uncle Samuel?” asked Rose.
“Can’t say, Rose—yes, I am right, it is Rose. What with dyspepsia and rheumatism, and the weight of years, I am not a great traveler. Besides, everything is, I believe, satisfactorily settled. My brief stay has been very pleasant,” as he shook hands around, ending with Rose and the admonition, “Be a credit to these good ladies.”
The team was already waiting at the gate. “He doesn’t intend to come again,” said Rose with a wistful accent as she stood at the window and watched Great-Uncle Samuel tuck the fur robes about him and drive away.
CHAPTER XX
PAYING DEBTS
Rose stood at the window as long as Great-Uncle Samuel was in sight. Then she turned away and sitting down on a low stool by Grandmother Sweet’s side laid her head on its chintz covered arm.
“Grandma Sweet,” she whispered softly, “I’m sorry I said what I did. I do see God’s care and leading now.”
“Dear child,” was the smiling answer as the wrinkled hand smoothed tenderly the plump, fair cheek, “never doubt His care and leading. It is not often this is made so clear and it never may be to thee again, for we are commanded to walk by faith and not by sight; but always be sure that God’s love and care are ever over thee.”