Her mother glanced at the group with a sweet, tender look. "Kind Auntie Nellie," she observed.
"Tind auntie!" responded the little creature, patting Nellie's hand.
"How she gets on, Christina," said Auntie Nellie, looking up; "I never heard a child talk so plainly."
"That is because I always speak to her so distinctly."
"I believe it is," answered Nellie, smiling. Then, turning to a little maiden of about six years old, who stood looking out of the window, she added:
"Come, Alice, would you not like to see these pictures too?"
The child turned and came close, putting her arm affectionately round little Eleanor.
"And so," said Nellie, continuing her story, "God gives us just what He sees the very best for us. See, that man is handing his little child a great heavy stone; and that one, in contrast, is giving his child a nice piece of bread."
"Yes," said Alice; "but I don't like that other father; he doesn't look kind."
"No; it is just to teach us the lesson how unkind we should think it in our father; and God is better than any earthly father."