And before she fell asleep that night she had the feeling that the Comforter was near her, and that she was being made happy once more.
When the next morning dawned she found that the sun was shining and the birds singing, and life before her was bright, as it always was.
And she was quite ready to talk enthusiastically over the strawberry gathering. Charity and Hope were accustomed to her moods. They knew she felt things more deeply than they did, and were thankful to see her scamper out into the orchard before breakfast, and come in singing under her breath, as she pulled her chair towards the table.
Nobody alluded to the trouble of yesterday, and, child-like, Faith soon pushed it into the background, and threw herself into the present without a shadow of care or disappointment upon her little face.
[CHAPTER X]
STRAWBERRY PICKING
THE strawberry gathering was a great success. It was a long walk, but when at last they reached the spot, and found a sloping and rather uncultivated piece of ground covered with red strawberries, the children screamed with delight. There was a stream at the bottom, and a wood on the upper side. Hope said with ecstasy:
"It has everything we want, Aunt Alice. We can get wood to light a fire, and water for the kettle to boil."
"Yes," said Aunt Alice, who seemed as happy as the children: "I only wish that dear Granny was here to enjoy it too, but it would have been too long a walk for her. I have a dream sometimes of getting a donkey and a little trap, then Granny could drive and enjoy the country as we do."
"Oh, Aunt Alice, how lovely! Do get a donkey," pleaded the children.