Marcus did not think that anybody observed him, but two hearts were made glad by this little effort of kindness. Mrs. Lee and Hatty both saw that Marcus’ feelings towards Aunt Barbara had undergone a happy change. Marcus’ feelings had been touched, but feelings are a poor dependence for doing right, without principle.
Hatty was delighted at the idea of going to church once more in her dear native town. She felt that it would be a new and better thing to be there, now that she could count herself among those who were glad at the thought, “God is in His holy temple.” Hatty began, in her impatience, to make her preparations in very good season. She had laid out on her bed all the things she expected to wear, when her mother called her to come into the nursery.
Hatty went promptly as far as the door, but she moved across the floor more slowly when she saw that her mother had a comb and brush in her hand.
“I hope we shall have no trouble about the hair, this morning. It needs parting, sadly,” said Mrs. Lee, in her gentle way.
Hatty’s mind was made up at that moment; her mother might pull as hard as was necessary, she would not say a word if it hurt her ever so much.
Mrs. Lee used the comb very carefully, yet it was disagreeable, almost painful to Hatty’s delicate skin. She shut her mouth tight, however, and thought of her resolution to bear little hurts pleasantly, and actually got through without a murmur.
When the hair was brushed smoothly, Hatty’s face looked very sweet from the effort she had made to do right, and she well deserved the affectionate kiss her mother pressed on her lips.
“Perhaps I could help Aunt Barbara get ready for church,” said Hatty, one right action leading to another.
“Aunt Barbara is not well enough to go, to-day. I am very sorry, on my own account as well as on hers. It is Communion day, and I had hoped to go to church, for the first time in many weeks.”
“But cannot you go, Mother?” said Hatty, earnestly.