“Don’t want my old school-mate to help me unpack Miss Mason’s present! Of course I do! Come, I am in a hurry to see those precious books.”
So the bundle was carried into the cabin, and, much to Aunt Margaret’s satisfaction, was unpacked there in the main room. Ah! how nice the books looked! Bibles and Testaments in plenty to the delight of Tom’s heart—illuminated texts for the school-room, little picture cards, the preciousness of which every Sunday-school teacher knows. A quantity of penny hymn-books, and little tracts for distribution, and then a nice pile—just twenty—of well-selected library-books. Tom was perfectly happy. There was a little package at the bottom directed to himself in Miss Mason’s hand, and in this he found a new arithmetic and grammar, with the places marked, a parcel of pure white paper and envelopes, with pens and holder, and a very pretty Bible Dictionary. Tom’s eyes were full of joyful tears. He had been thanking God all the time, and he only wondered how he should rightly express to Miss Mason his gratitude for the gift. Jimmy was in an ecstasy. His old taste for books and study woke right up, and he was Tom’s friend from that minute.
“I have been thinking a long time about coming to the school, Tom,” he said, “and of being friends again, but somehow I didn’t know how to get about it, after having been out with you so long. But now I can’t help it; I must come.”
Late that afternoon Tom came up toward the mansion, and seeing Mr. Sutherland and Lillie on the porch, he walked toward them.
“Mr. Sutherland,” he said, rather timidly, “if you feel any interest, I would like very much to have you come and see the books sent to the Sunday-school this morning. I think it is a very nice collection.”
“I should be very glad to do so, Tom,” said Mr. Sutherland, good-naturedly, rising and coming down off the steps; “I will go with you now; are they down at Aunt Margaret’s?”
“Yes, sir,” replied Tom, and then as they stepped away, Tom, looking back, saw Lillie still sitting in her low chair upon the piazza. “Miss Lillie,” he said, stepping back, “won’t you come too?”
“Yes, certainly,” she replied, springing up; “I was only afraid you did not want me. Wait a minute, papa,” she added, “until I get my hat from the stand in the hall.”
“Stay here, Miss Lillie,” said Tom, checking her and disappearing within the doorway. He returned in a moment with the hat, which he gave her with a little bright smile.
“You are quite a courtier,” said Mr. Sutherland with an amused face, as Tom joined him. “Lillie should wait upon herself sometimes.”