"You can if you like," the old woman said ungraciously; "you've more friends than I knew."
She turned away from the door as she spoke, and Melina coming forward, said very earnestly, with a grateful ring in her voice:
"How kind you are! just like Agnes! I was never invited out to tea before!"
[CHAPTER VI]
GOING OUT TO TEA
WHEN William Jones had told Mrs. Brown that Melina had quite turned over a new leaf he had spoken nothing but the truth; for a softening influence was at work in her heart—the influence of God's love. Since she had made the acquaintance of the little gentleman Melina had felt less lonely and embittered, and, impelled by a sense of deep gratitude towards him on account of his evident good will for her, she had continued to attend Sunday school, and had there been taught more of the Saviour whom Mr. Blackmore had spoken of as the one perfect Friend. At first the story of Christ's life on earth and His love for sinners had appeared to her a beautiful romance, too wonderful to be credited—that anyone could care for her enough to die for her had sounded incredible; but slowly the amazing truth was being revealed to her. The circumstances of her life had not changed, yet she herself was different; for she was learning to have faith in Jesus, and a new, sweet sense of happiness was creeping into her heart.
It was on a Wednesday when Melina received Mrs. Brown's invitation, and on Friday evening Mrs. Berryman called her into her bedroom, and, pointing to a brown-paper parcel on a chair, told her to open it and see what was inside. Melina did so, and then uttered a little cry of mingled astonishment and pleasure.
"Oh, Gran!" she exclaimed, "a new frock!—for me?"
"Yes," nodded Mrs. Berryman; "I bought it ready-made, but it's quite new."
"I see it is." The frock in question was of cheap, coarse blue serge, and could not have cost more than a few shillings, but Melina's face was expressive of the greatest delight as she fingered it. "Thank you, Gran," she said earnestly; "I may wear it to-morrow, mayn't I?"