"God will do what is best, dearie. You will pray for him, won't you?"
"Me pray for him every night. Will oo sing to Dod to make him better?"
"Why do you wish me to sing?"
"When I'm sick my mamma sings to Dod. I fink He hears better dat way, an' I det better. Will oo sing?"
"If you wish me to, I will."
"Let me det in oor lap den," and Marion, climbing up, made herself perfectly at home.
Nellie was not in a singing mood this evening, but the child's words had touched her. She thought they were alone--just two, to hear. Verse after verses she sang, and as she reached the chorus of the last verse she gave a start of surprise, suddenly ceased, and looked towards the door. A number of men's voices had taken up the chorus, and they were singing, not loud, but as softly as possible:
"Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe on His gentle breast,
There by His love o'ershadowed
Sweetly my soul shall rest."
Nellie had put Marion down now, had risen to her feet, and crossed the room to the door. Almost unconsciously the drivers had joined in that chorus. They had forgotten how it would startle the sweet singer, and when they saw Nellie standing in the doorway they were much abashed. They felt like a group of schoolboys caught in some act of mischief, and they longed to get away.
As Nellie looked upon them, a bright smile illumined her face. She surmised the purpose of their visit, and it pleased her.