"Always because He loves us, darling. We may be quite sure of that."
Ivy waited for more; quietly standing and waiting, as a grown-up person might have done; not fidgeting about, as Hecla would have done in her place. All her short life she had been much with her elders, and often she had a manner beyond her years. Yet she was a most happy little girl, full of enjoyment.
Mrs. Croft came round the table to where Ivy was, and sat down, putting her arm round the child.
"Sweet, do you remember last summer, when we were at the seaside, that daddy had to make you wear big blue spectacles when you were down on the shore? You didn't like them because they kept you from seeing the beautiful sea and waves properly. And you wanted to take them off; and mummie had to say 'No.' And then you asked, 'Why-because must you wear them?' And daddy explained that it was because Ivy's eyes were weak; and if she didn't wear the spectacles, the hot sun would make them worse, and then they might be weak always; but if she did as she was told, they would soon be stronger. And it was just because daddy and mummie do so love their little girl that they made her keep on wearing those tiresome ugly big spectacles. Don't you see? Not because we wanted to trouble our pet, but only because we loved her so."
Ivy smiled.
"And it is the same thing with our kind loving Father in Heaven, Ivy. Sometimes He sees that we need a trouble—something like wearing those spectacles—something that tries us and makes us sad—and yet He sees that if we don't have it, we shall not be strong and well in our spirits by-and-by. And so—because He so tenderly cares for us—He sends the trouble, and tells us to bear it patiently. Does my pet understand?"
A little nod came in reply. "But daddy did have real tears, mummie."
"I don't think that was wrong of daddy. When God has to send us trouble, He doesn't tell us not to mind, only to try to be patient, and always to be sure that He loves us. When our dear Lord was on earth, and had great troubles to bear, He shed tears, and He was very, very sad; but still He always said, 'Thy will be done!' And we must say the same."
Ivy gave a sigh, and leant her pretty head against her mother's shoulder. Mrs. Croft's other arm came round her tightly. Oh, how she wished that she could shield her darling from every sorrow! She would gladly have borne anything herself, if only Ivy might be perfectly happy.
"Sweet, how would you like to pay a visit to kind Cousin Millicent and Cousin Anne? You know what a beautiful present they sent you at Christmas."