"Lambs are sometimes naughty in the sheepfold," said Mr. Garland slowly. "If Jesus is your Shepherd, Harebell dear, we have His Word that He will keep you. But if you do run away from Him of your own accord, turn back at once when you remember what you're doing, and He will forgive you and receive you again."
Harebell nodded. Then she flew off to post her letter.
And the next moment, Mrs. Garland heard her adding her shrieks to the romp in the schoolroom.
Two days after this, Harebell received rather a dirty-looking letter by the post. She opened it with great importance, and found it was from Tom. Only a few lines, but she came to Mrs. Garland with tears in her eyes over it.
"DEAR MISSY,—Tom Triggs begs to say if drunkards cant inherite, they cant, so outside Tom stays and his leg is herting him shocking, and this place be no place for him with its slops of grool, and such like, and he be like to die here, if he cant get out soon. Yours respeck.
"TOM TRIGGS."
"I've told him all wrong, haven't I?" sobbed Harebell. "Oh, I wish I could go and see him. I'm sure Aunt Diana would let me if you were to take me."
"I think you must wait till your aunt comes back. I have heard from her this morning. She is returning home in about a week's time. Don't fret about Tom, dear. It will do him good to lie there and think, and he won't be able to get at the beer. Now I want you to think about your aunt. She has asked me to explain things to you."
"I'm afraid I don't care about thinking of her," said Harebell, a little crossly. "I like Tom much better—"
"Oh no, you don't! You are interested in Tom, and you want him to give up drinking, but your aunt has fed and clothed you and given you a happy home. You belong to her. Your mother was her sister; and she has had a sad life, and has found it very difficult to have a little wild niece upsetting her house and her quiet ways!"
Harebell's bright eyes were fixed upon Mrs. Garland's face.