The child obeyed obediently; and then Mrs. Blundell brought forward her Bible, and read slowly and reverently the account St. Luke gives of the birth of Christ. When she had finished, they all joined in singing that grand old Christmas hymn, "While shepherds watched their flocks by night."
The mother's voice was tired, and much of its beauty had passed, but the children's notes were pure and sweet, and resounded through the house, thrilling many a weary heart with the triumphant words of joy:
"All glory be to God on high,
And on the earth be peace;
Good will henceforth from heaven to men
Begin and never cease."
[CHAPTER VII]
JIM BLEWETT VISITS THE BLUNDELLS,
AND INTERFERES IN THEIR CONCERNS
CLEAR and bright dawned Christmas morning, and the bells from the churches rang out their joyful notes, calling all the world to come and worship the newborn King, the Prince of Peace. It was a very quiet day for the Blundells. A neighbour came in to sit with Annie, to enable Mrs. Blundell and Maggie to attend the morning service at church. It was the same church where Mrs. Metherell worshipped; and after the service was over, they had a few words with the kind little woman.
Mrs. Metherell was in capital spirits, for she had received loving remembrances from her children, and a present of a warm Shetland shawl from her favourite lodger.
"It is pleasant to be remembered at Christmas," she said brightly. "One of my sons is an engineer settled in Hull, and the other's a clerk in a shipping office in Liverpool. Both are married and have families, but they don't forget their old mother. My only daughter's married too, and living in Dublin: she would like me to live with her, but I think a young couple's best alone. So you see I've no near relations in London, and I sometimes feel a bit lonesome. Your relatives live in the country, I suppose, Mrs. Blundell?"
"Yes, ma'am—many miles away."