Thistle and Rose: A Story for Girls - Amy Walton

It was not possible to be very far off in Mr Goodwin’s house, and Delia’s voice answered from the kitchen, when Anna opened the door and called her. A few minutes afterwards she came into the room carrying a tray full of tea-things; her quick glance rested first on Anna’s tear-stained face, and then on the Professor.

“Anna and I have had a nice talk, my dear Delia,” he said, with an appealing look, “and now we should all like some tea.”

Delia understood the look. She put down her tray, went promptly up to Anna, and kissed her:

“Come and help me to get the tea ready,” she said; “it’s quite time the Professor had something to eat.”

So Anna was forgiven, and it was in this way that, during her visit to Waverley, she began dimly to see what the best things are, and to see it through sorrow and failure. It was a lesson she had to go on learning, like the rest of us, all through her life—not an easy lesson, or one to be quickly known. Sometimes we put it from us impatiently, and choose something which looks more enticing, and not so dull, and for a time we go on our way gaily—and then, a sorrow, or perhaps a sin, brings home to us that everything is worthless compared to Love, Truth, and Faithfulness to Duty, and that if we have been false to them, there is no comfort anywhere until we return to serve them with tears of repentance.

The End.