The little girl said that she had heard of him; but, from what she could learn, the lady knew that she looked upon him as one that is afar off; and she wished to teach her how very near he is continually, even round about her bed and about her path, and spying out all her ways.
“Do you live here all alone, dear child?” asked she kindly.
Her words were so sweet and gentle
that they sounded like the murmur of the brook near the little child’s home.
“All day long alone, while mother is away at her work,” answered the child, with her eyes full of sad tears.
“And what do you do with the weary hours? Do they not seem very dull and dreary to you?” asked the lady.
“Ah, yes,” said the little one. “I have nobody to play with or talk to; and I’m glad when the night comes and I can creep into bed and shut my eyes and forget everything.”
“What if you had some kind friend ever near, to smile on you and bless you,—somebody to whom you could tell all your little sorrows as you are now doing to me?” said the lady. “Would that be pleasant?”
“Oh yes, indeed!” returned the child. “Will you stay?” for she had felt it very sweet to be sitting there
with the kind lady’s words falling like music upon her ear, and her heart was lighter and happier than it had been in all her life.