"He raised her a little, and in a sweet, low voice she began singing:—
| "'Breast the wave, Christian, when it is strongest; |
| Watch for day, Christian, when night is longest; |
| Onward and onward still be thine endeavour, |
| The rest that remaineth endureth for ever. |
| "'Fight the fight, Christian—Jesus is o'er thee; |
| Run the race, Christian—heaven is before thee; |
| He who hath promised faltereth never; |
| Oh, trust in the love that endureth for ever. |
| "'Lift the eye, Christian, just as it closeth; |
| Raise the heart, Christian, ere it reposeth; |
| Nothing thy soul from the Saviour can sever, |
| Soon shalt thou mount upward to praise him for ever.'" |
Sister Mary paused after she had sung the hymn. There were tears in the children's eyes, and for a moment they were silent.
"Is that all?" they said at last.
"No," said sister Mary, "there's some more; but I'm afraid you are tired."
"Oh no; tell us the rest!"
"Very well," said sister Mary, "but we'll have to make haste; it's growing late:—
"The setting sun was shining again into the poor little room, and the little girl sat again, wrapped up in her old shawl, before the fire, rocking to and fro. The little girl's face had a very bright smile on it; but it wasn't the rose-bush with its little bud, now almost opened, that caused it, for she didn't look that way at all. She had a little bit of paper in her hand that she held very tightly, while her eyes kept watching the door. The sunlight faded, and the room grew dark, but the little face still wore the bright smile.
"As the door opened, she cried out eagerly,—
"'O father, here's something for you! There was a gentleman here to see you to-day, and he left his name; here it is on this card; and he said if you would come to see him, he had some work for you.'