Jack the Englishman

by H. Louisa Bedford

"Why not?"

"Oh, I think children should be kept away from the sight of painful things as long as possible."

"But there is nothing painful to see in visiting Jessie. She's a singularly pretty child, lying in bed and nearly always smiling. Don't you think the sooner children learn to think about other people the better?"

"Oh, I don't know; let them be happy as long as they can, poor mites. I don't believe in leagues for making children kind. It only turns them into self-conscious prigs."

"I quite agree, but to teach children to minister to others without being conscious of such ministry, is surely only teaching them the lesson of unselfishness. They should give out sympathy as a rose gives out scent. Besides, I really think the child will be lonely when I'm away. I've been staying about here purposely, as long as she was in danger, but next week I must be off again about my business. Mrs. Mason gives her all the necessary looking after she requires, but has no time for sitting with her or diverting her thoughts, and it struck me that the children looking in from time to time would be very delightful for her and for them."

"Oh well, Eva shall go with Jack sometimes, and the fowls are laying pretty steadily now, so I shall be able to send a few eggs occasionally."

"I knew you would do what I asked; you always do," Tom said, smiling at his sister.

"But it's too delightful to have you here to ask things." said Clarissa, bending down to kiss him.

The pleasure the children's visits gave at the cottage was mutual. On their side it was delightful to plan little gifts by way of a surprise to Jessie, in which they were aided and abetted by their home people, but Jessie on her side proved a capital companion, who could teach them quiet games, such as "Beggar my neighbour," etc., or she would tell them wonderful tales of the bush, of fires, or people who were lost, tales that were true, that she had picked up from one or another.

But, greatly as Jessie looked forward to her little visitors, the happiest hours of her week were still on Saturday and Sunday, when her clergyman friend came to see her, for he was making the most of the time of Jessie's enforced inactivity to talk to her and teach her about sacred things, and he found in her one of the brightest and most intelligent pupils he had ever had. She was fairly familiar with the Bible stories, but as must necessarily be the case in wide districts where one clergyman has to do the work of four, her definite Church teaching was of the slightest.