"Think of the five long years that you have had all the kisses she had to give—and poor little Lettie without one."
"I know, but that makes it harder to bear," said Josie, in a choked tone. "And Lettie doesn't care. And I shall only have half of mother now, and I used to have the whole of her."
"And do you think, Josie, that all the love she gives to Lettie will take away one feather's weight from what she has always given to you?" Then putting his arm round her, he quoted, "'Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad, for this thy brother'—thy sister—'was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.'"
"But you don't think I'm like that elder brother, do you?" said Josie indignantly. "Because he didn't like to see the fatted calf killed, or the best robe given; and I am sure I liked ever so much to see Vi eating the plum-cake, and dressed in my old blue frock."
"Perhaps the old blue frock does not occupy quite the same space in your thoughts, as the best robe did in those of the elder brother. He was jealous, you see, not at his brother having the same that he had himself, but because he had better."
Josie sighed. "I don't mean to be jealous. I'm sure I shouldn't like to be."
"Then fight it in the right way, dearest, when the feeling comes, and remember that mother has to win Vi's heart, while she is sure of yours. That makes a great difference. And you will try to win her also to love you, will you not?"
"Yes, I mean to be kind," said Josie, in a low voice. "I did try this evening."
"And you succeeded too, dear. Vi will soon learn to love you dearly, if you go on as you have begun."
