"I cannot tell," Miss Leighton answered musingly. "I—I shall be guided by circumstances."
"Oh, ma'am!" cried Barnes eagerly. "Don't be angry with me for saying this; but, if you could bring yourself to forgive Mrs. Pringle—"
"That will do," broke in Miss Leighton with a return of her usual imperious manner. "I can imagine what you were about to say. No, I'm not angry. You're a well-meaning soul, Barnes, but—you may go!"
Barnes needed no second bidding. She slipped quietly out of the room, fearing she had done more harm than good; whilst Miss Leighton leaned back in her easy chair, a prey to anxious thoughts. She had said she would go to St. John's on the following Sunday, and she meant to keep her word, for she really was curious to hear Mr. Maloney preach, and she hoped she might at any rate catch a glimpse of Peggy, though she determined, now, that she would not speak to her. How could she ignore the mother and notice the child?
[CHAPTER XIV]
CONCLUSION
IT was Sunday afternoon. The children's service at St. John's was nearly at an end; and now the Vicar had ascended into the pulpit to address a few simple words to his congregation before giving out the number of the concluding hymn. He took for his text the Saviour's promise, "He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness," and, in the first place, reminded his hearers that in a very few days, they would be commemorating the birth of Him Who is called "The Light of the World." Would they not try to follow Him? he asked.
Then he pictured the childhood of Jesus, and many a pair of bright young eyes grew earnest and thoughtful as their owners' interest was chained by the story which the Vicar knew so well how to tell, pointing out to the children that the Christ-Child should be their pattern, that, like Him, they should be good, and kind, and obedient. And that, if they trusted in Him, He would be their Saviour and their Friend.
Finally, he explained that darkness meant selfishness and sin, and that the child who was untruthful, or dishonest, or unkind, was walking in darkness, apart from God. And that to follow Jesus, they must learn to be gentle, and pitiful, and loving, and faithful in word and deed: then would Christ's promise be for them—"He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness!"
It was a very short sermon, but so simple that no child could fail to understand it; and when it was over, and the Vicar descended from the pulpit, Peggy Pringle, who, seated by her brother's side, had listened to every word Mr. Maloney had said with the closest attention, turned her face to Billy with a pleased smile curving her lips, and thus allowed an old lady close behind her, a sight of her profile.