But the child shook his head with a look of distress.
“I don’t know. I can’t remember. But in the boat it seemed just like it.”
Uncle Fred was much interested; but he judged it better to say no more on such an exciting topic. Bertie’s eyes glowed strangely, and his face, a little while ago so deadly pale was now flushed and hot, and the little frame still quivered with excitement, and perhaps with fear. It was evident that the child needed soothing, and he purposely turned the conversation into a channel that could not but be safe.
“Bertie,” he said, gravely, yet very kindly, “when you are frightened and troubled about anything, do you remember to ask God to take care of you and to make you brave and strong?”
Bertie looked up quickly and wistfully into the face above him.
“I do sometimes; I pray to God every day; but when I get frightened, I think I forget.”
“Do not forget again then, my child; for you will never pray to God in vain. He never forgets.”
Bertie’s glance was more touchingly appealing than before. It made Uncle Fred ask,—
“What is it, my child?”
Bertie’s lip quivered.