Mamma said she had answered very well; and that she was glad she knew what was right herself, whether she had made the others understand it or no.
"And you were quite right about Miss Ashton, my darling," she said; "for if I had not perfect confidence in her, and did not believe she would guide and teach my little girls as I would wish to do myself, I should not have put you under her care. And you must try to remember this, dear, if Miss Ashton should give you an order or rule which you think doubtful. Many things which would be right and proper for you at home would not be best in school; and, again, that which is wise and necessary in school would not do at home. In all this you must let her judge for you, and do as you are bid. Then you may afterwards tell me, and see what I have to say."
"Mamma," said Maggie, "I am afraid it will be harder to be good at school than it is at home."
"I daresay it will, Maggie: you will probably have some trials and temptations there which you would not have at home. But you must remember, dear, that our Father's strong and loving care is with us in the one place as well as in the other. When temptation creeps in, you have only to ask His help; and He will give you the strength and grace you need to bid it begone. And if we feel we are likely to be tempted, it must only make us all the more watchful, Maggie."
"Yes, mamma," said Maggie: "we must keep our hands all the more closely on the silver thread of conscience, and look all the more at the golden letters on the guide-posts, must we not?"
It was more than a year since Colonel Rush had first told his story of "Benito" to these dear children; but it never seemed to lose its freshness or interest for them; and he often wondered, and was grateful, as he saw how they had taken it home to themselves, making it fit into their own young lives, and of their own accord drawing all manner of sweet and useful lessons from it.
"And, grandmamma," continued Maggie to her grandmother, who was sitting by, "I found out this morning how there could be other work to do for Jesus in school besides studying and reciting well and obeying my teachers. I think Bessie was doing His work when she went and comforted Belle; and Gracie did a little bit of work for Him when she gave up her seat to her."
"Did my Maggie find nothing?" asked mamma.
"I'm most afraid I did not, mamma," said Maggie slowly; "at least, if I did, it was such a very little thing, it is not worth to speak about."
"But I should like to hear," said Mrs. Bradford.