"Yes, yes, so He does," Miss Holcroft put in hastily. "I believe in the old proverb: 'God helps those who help themselves.' It is very true."
As Marigold ate her tea, her eyes kept wandering to the wall opposite where she was seated, to an oil painting that represented a little curly-haired boy who appeared to her to bear a strong likeness to her brother Rupert. At last, seeing Miss Pamela noticed what was attracting her attention, she ventured to ask who was the original of the picture.
"That was your father at ten years old," Miss Pamela answered; "and a very good likeness it was considered."
"Oh!" Marigold exclaimed, with excitement in her tones. "It is exactly like our Rupert at home!"
A slight smile crossed Miss Pamela's face, and was gone in an instant; but Marigold had noticed it, and it emboldened her to add—
"Mother says Rupert is the living image of father."
"Then he must be a very handsome boy," Miss Holcroft declared.
"And he is a very good boy too!" the little girl cried, anxious to make an impression in her brother's favour; "and so clever!"
After the meal was over, Marigold accompanied her aunts to the drawing-room, and sat with her hands folded in her lap whilst Miss Pamela talked to her, saying she hoped she meant to be a good girl, and do her best to please them.
"Indeed I will try, Aunt Pamela," she answered earnestly.