Meg gave a little jump, and perched herself on the edge of the bed, as she said, “O how nice, Mother! I am so glad. It is a great deal pleasanter than being in the old nursery with Jane.”
“Don’t sit on the bed, Meggy,” said Mrs. Lee, helping the little thing gently down—and smoothing the tumbled place she had made on the clean counterpane; “You know Hatty likes to keep her bed very nicely.”
“Hatty can’t lock the door now—and say, ‘You can’t come in, Meg.’ It is my room, too, now,” said Meg, “and I shall have a right to come in.”
“I hope my little girls will get on very pleasantly together,” said Mrs. Lee, gently. “Jesus’ little children never quarrel, never speak bad, angry words.”
“Well, I won’t, Mother, if I can help it,” said Meg, and she put up her mouth to be kissed, as if that mother’s kiss could ensure her doing right.
While this conversation was going on up stairs, Marcus had stopped in the midst of his work, and was actually still, for a moment, while his face bore the marks of deep thought.
Marcus did not feel altogether comfortable about the way he had spoken to Aunt Barbara that morning; he knew he had done wrong, and that brought to his mind a letter his mother had received from Hatty during her absence. Hatty had written that she was very sorry for all the naughty things she had ever done, and that she had made up her mind to be one of Jesus’ little children, and that she believed He had forgiven her for all the past, and would help her to be a better girl. She sent much love to her brothers and sisters, and said she wanted them to forget every unkind word she had ever spoken to them, for she was very sorry, and never meant to do so again.
Ever since Hatty could speak, her mother had been teaching her about her Heavenly Father, and trying to make her love Him and wish to serve Him. The little girl had always listened patiently, but Mrs. Lee had never been satisfied that Hatty had made her choice to be among the lambs of Jesus’ flock, who love to hear their Shepherd’s voice, and try to follow Him. This letter, therefore, written in the frankness and simplicity of childhood, had brought joy to the mother’s heart. She believed that the love of Christ had taken root in the soul of her child, and that by God’s grace it would grow and strengthen, and in time bear such fruit as angels love to see.
Mrs. Lee had not only given the message Hatty sent to her brothers and sister, but she had read her letter to them, praying silently that by Hatty’s example they might be led to choose God for their guardian and guide.
Marcus had listened intently, and had been moved more than he cared to show. When his mother laid the letter down, he said bluntly, “I have nothing laid up against Hatty,” and abruptly left the room.