"I suppose we are all apt to be hard on someone!" ventured Rose, at last.
"Yes, I expect we are," said Aunt Ruth. "We all have our different ways of showing it, and the things that make us hard differ with each of our dispositions. But God seems to me to stand like 'a shadow of a great rock in a weary land,' with His everlasting love ready to enfold us and protect us and calm us."
"Why did you tell us this to-day, Auntie?" asked Tom.
"Because—" she smiled archly, "I had heard those words, 'Serve him right,' eight times within the last two days!"
"Oh, Auntie!"
She jumped up and turned up the gas. "Who wants a game of dominoes till teatime?" she said brightly.
But nevertheless, they did not forget her little story.
[CHAPTER IX.]
NELLIE'S HINDRANCE.
NELLIE had come out from home with rather a heavy heart. Her basket full of fresh eggs for the Vicarage had been taken safely there, and now she was returning. The twilight was deepening, and she stood still to hear a thrush's good-night song.