“It is more blessed to give than to receive,” said Uncle Morris, as they walked through the soft snow to the next cottage.
Jessie dwelt upon that remark, saying to herself, as she silently trudged by her uncle’s side—
“That is so, I really do believe. I always did like to receive, to have those I love give me something. But I really think I felt happier in giving Uncle Morris his watch-pocket, and in taking poor Madge home, than I did in receiving my skates, or rubber boots, or any thing else I ever had given to me. It’s queer it should be so, but so it is. Yes, it is more blessed to give than to receive. I’ll remember that as long as I live.”
These musings were broken by their arrival at Mrs. Moneypenny’s. Here they found poor Jack, Guy’s protégé. He had arrived from the hospital the day before. His leg, though still sore and stiff, was healed. Long confinement had made his face thin and pale. But he was very glad to find himself at home again, and was very busy helping his mother get the turkey, sent the day before by Uncle Morris, ready for the oven.
Here again Jessie found grateful hearts. After some other remarks, the old lady said—
“That nephew of yours is a wonderful boy, Sir. There ain’t another such boy in all Duncanville. Only think, Sir, how he, a gentleman’s son, has milked and fed my cow, twice a day, ever since my Jack, there, was hurt! Why, Sir, we should all have been in the alms-house if it hadn’t been for him. May the dear lad never know what trouble means!”
“I’d die for Guy Carlton, any day!” said Jack, his eyes glistening with grateful tears as he spoke.
“Rather strong language that, my lad!” observed Mr. Morris.
“Well, I would, Sir. He’s been so good to my poor mother, I’d do any thing for him. I never knew such a boy as Guy Carlton,” rejoined Jack, with a warmth that defied contradiction, if it did not carry conviction.
Having again drawn on the contents of the basket for the supply of Mrs. Moneypenny’s table, they withdrew followed by a cloud of good wishes from the hearts and lips of Jack and his mother.