“I have not seen you try yet. You yield at the slightest temptation.”
The tears sprang to Jennie’s eyes; she seemed much grieved.
“You are not to have the victory without a battle, my child; not to wear the crown unless you have run for it. And it seems to me that you make resolutions in a fit of enthusiasm, thinking that the only thing to be done, whereas it is only the beginning. Have you really tried not to be careless? Have you really prayed for God to help you to conquer that fault?”
“No,” she answered slowly, “it never seemed so serious before. I did not think of its being a sin.”
“Don’t you see it now?”
“Yes, but you must show me. I don’t know how to begin. I wish I had some rules to follow that I dare not break.”
“You have a rule. God’s laws must not be broken wilfully. I cannot give you rules more binding.”
“Well, I should like to be as careful and as neat as you are; but how am I to learn?”
“Put your things in order, and keep them so. There is nothing easier. Then you never have any hunting to do—and thus your temper is not excited so often. I suppose we might as well give up the search for the thimble, it does not come to light. I have no doubt that Tan chewed it up. I’ll go up to your room and help you put your things in order, so that you may make a beginning. Come.”
“I am so sorry about the thimble. Do you know, it is almost the last thing mamma gave me of her own? I dropped her ring in the orchard, and Frank trod on her pearl pin. I had it in my scarf, and left it on the hall table one day. Tan pulled it on the floor, and Frank crushed it with his boot. And now the thimble has gone. Lillie has all her things safe, and Mrs. Hill keeps Rosie’s for her. Oh, I’m so sorry!”