Christina was delighted with the pelisse, said it was the thing of all others she wanted, "for baby has not been beyond the garden yet; as I was rather ashamed of its shawl, and all the pelisses I could see were either so common or else so splendid that I would not buy one; but this is perfection!"
October was slipping away all too fast; and much as some of the little party wished to defer it, the very last day of Walter's stay in England at length arrived.
Christina had come to No. 8 to spend it with them there; and she and Walter had been for a long walk in Regent's Park. In the evening they all gathered in the drawing room, and talked over the many new interests of the last three months.
"Your text has borne fruit, dear Walter," said his stepmother, while her hand rested lovingly in little Tom's.
"It has indeed, thank God," he answered; "though I was but watering the seed you and my father have been sowing for so many years."
"Yes," said Mrs. Arundel thoughtfully; "so that 'he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.'"
"I have only one word of caution to say to you all, dears," he said, "Christina and I have been thinking of it a great deal this afternoon. Remember that whatever work we do outside our homes is as nothing compared to the work inside. If we were to be ever so busy at work, but be cross, or fretful, or disobedient at home, it could not be accepted by Him who says it is the heart He wants: 'I dwell with him who is of humble and contrite heart, and who trembleth at my word.'"
"But you do not think, Walter, it has made us cross," said Ada, looking up.
"No, dear, indeed; but there is a tendency in all of us to neglect our own souls, especially when we are busy in work for God. Never let anything hinder you all from reading your Bibles and spending a little time with God every day. It would be as foolish for us to think of going to our daily tasks without it, as it would be of a young man to attempt to climb a mountain without his breakfast."
"We will try not to forget," said Arthur.