At the sun-setting, its brilliant rays illuminated all the trees and shrubs till the forests were resplendent. The sky was blue, and a few clouds floated near the horizon, tinted with a border of gold. In the distance, the heaven and the woods seemed to meet; the clouds, the millions of branches sparkling with diamonds, appeared—one might conceive—like the gates at the entrance of Paradise, and shining upon them was the splendor of the sun behind.
A soul had entered into rest, and God’s world, held in his hand, was made all beautiful by the reflection of his glory. Suddenly, darkness came, and the wonderful beauty faded away.
CHAPTER VII.
It was a dull gray morning, and it had been raining all night. Jennie was very unwilling to get up—it was a daily trial to her—but this morning it seemed absolutely impossible, she could not keep her eyes open; and yet, half dozing as she was, she was uncomfortably conscious that she was doing wrong.
Seven sounded from the clock—half past—and then she heard Miss Lane and the children descending. She lay still, idly watching the drops as they fell against the panes, trying to make up her mind that she did not care for the disapproval of her own conscience nor for the reproof which she was quite sure awaited her from Miss Lane. In fact, she was indifferent to everything but the dreamy, lazy delight of lying there and hearing the dripping of the rain drops. Presently, her charming reverie was rudely disturbed by Lillie, who rushed into the room with the command from Miss Lane that she should come down immediately.
A disrespectful answer rose to Jennie’s lips as the blood rushed over her face. A month ago she would have uttered it, disregarding the consequences; but she had learned a little, a very little, of the meaning of self-control, from her teacher’s words and example; so she kept her lips closed.
“You’d better come,” continued Lillie, “Miss Lane’s going to show us about the Christmas things as soon as breakfast is over.”