‘Let us call upon your good Shepherd, Agnes,’ said the pastor, and the child turned her face towards him as if she understood him. Kneeling down, he repeated the Lord’s Prayer, and the feeble voice followed his. He then read the prayer for a sick child, and left the room, for he saw that Lily would be quite overcome if she remained there any longer. Mrs. Eden followed them downstairs, and again stung poor Lily to the heart by thanks for all her kindness.
They then left the house of mourning; Lily trembled violently, and clung to her cousin’s arm for support. Her tears streamed fast, but her sobs were checked by awe at Mrs. Eden’s calmness. She felt as if she had been among the angels.
‘How pale you are!’ said her cousin, ‘I would not have taken you there if I thought it would overset you so much. Come into Mrs. Grey’s, and sit down and recover a little.’
‘No, no, do not let me see any one,’ said Lily. ‘Oh! that dear child! Robert, let me tell you the worst, for your kindness is more than I can bear. I promised Agnes a blister and forgot it!’
She could say no more for some minutes, but her cousin did not speak. Recovering her voice, she added, ‘Only speak to me, Robert.’
‘I am very sorry for you,’ answered he, in a kind tone.
‘But tell me, what shall I do?’
‘What to do, you ask,’ said the Rector; ‘I am not sure that I know what you mean. If your neglect has added to her sufferings, you cannot remove them; and I would not add to your sorrow unless you wished me to do so for your good.’
‘I do not see how I could be more unhappy than I am now,’ said Lily.
‘I think if you wish to turn your grief to good account you must go a little deeper than this omission.’