“Never mind, my child,” said Uncle Morris, patting her head as he spoke, “never mind. Never give up. Attack him again with your tiny spear. Resolve that you will yet conquer him, as little David did big Goliath, in the name of the Lord. A little girl can be what she wills to be, if she only wills in the name of Him who is the teacher and the friend of children.”
“I’ll try, Uncle,” said Jessie, with the fire of resolution kindling in her eyes.
“Heaven bless you, my child!” said the old man solemnly, as he placed his hands softly upon her head. “May you always be as frank and truthful as you have now been in confessing a fault to me which you must have been very strongly tempted to conceal. May Heaven bless you!”
Didn’t Jessie feel glad then! She was glad she had resisted the temptation to receive praise she did not merit; glad she had done right; glad her uncle was pleased with her. Happy Jessie! Had she by silence deceived her uncle, she would have felt guilty and ashamed. Now she was as peaceful and hopeful as love and duty could make her.
After dinner, seeing Guy take his cap as if in great haste, Jessie followed him to the door and said: “What makes you in such a hurry, every day, Guy? You have not stayed to talk to me for ever so long.”
“You have had company, you know, Jessie, and haven’t wanted me,” replied Guy, evasively.
“But I have no company to-day,” said Jessie. “Come, don’t go yet, there’s a dear, good Guy. Come into the parlor and tell me a story.”
“Not now,” replied Guy, opening the door. Then after a moment or two of silent thought, he shut the door and said, “If you will put on your cloak and hood I’ll take you with me.”
“Oh, good, good!” exclaimed the little girl; and after running to her mother for consent, she soon returned fitly equipped for a walk on that breezy November afternoon.
It being Wednesday and no school, Guy had the afternoon before him. He led his sister towards the village, telling her he was going to take her to see a good old lady of whom, he said, he was very fond.