“Well, I wish to say something to you. You had a great fight when you came here, but I think to a certain extent you have conquered. Our ways were not your ways—everything was strange—and at first, my dear little girl, you rebelled, and were not very happy.”
“I was miserable—miserable!”
“But you have done, on the whole, well; and if your mother could come back again she would be pleased. I thought I should like to tell you.”
“But, please, Uncle Edward, why would mothery be pleased? She often told me that I was not to submit; that I was to hold my own; that——”
“My dear, she told you those things when she was on earth; but now, in the presence of God, she has learnt many new lessons, and I am sure, could she now speak to you, she would tell you that you did right to submit, and were doing well when you tried to please me, for instance.”
“Why you, Uncle Edward?”
“Because I am your father’s brother, and because I loved your father better than any one on earth.”
“Better than Aunt Frances?” said Evelyn, with a sparkle of pleasure in her eyes.
“In a different, quite a different way. Ay, I loved him well, and I would do my utmost to promote the happiness of his child.”
“I love you,” said the little girl. “I am glad—I am glad that you are my uncle.”