The first and most important letter was written to Ruth’s dear father and mother. The next to Ned, and the third to all of the Blue Birds of Happy Times Nest. Here, she wrote as she pleased and told them about her trip, how interested Aunt Selina seemed to be, about the secret name she had given the new Blue Bird and all of the fine things Aunt Selina was going to do just as soon as plans could be talked over. As the letter drew to a close, Ruth begged her friends to write every day and not undertake any important work until she came home.
The last letter took a long time to write and Aunt Selina was fully awake before Ruth had finished.
“Laws, Child! Do you know the time? What would your mother say if she knew I kept her daughter out of bed until after nine o’clock? If the letters are finished you must go straight to your room.” And Aunt Selina rang for Sally.
That night as Ruth slept soundly, Aunt Selina lay thinking over all her grand-niece had told her. As she thought of all her wasted years and of all the wonderful good she might have done with her leisure time and wealth, she turned her face to the wall and shed bitter tears of regret.
Then recalling Ruth’s advice to fill her mind with something good and helpful, the old lady vowed to pick up the frayed ends of her life and ask Ruth how to use her money and time to create some lasting good for others. As she smiled contentedly over the idea of her grand-niece of tender years advising and helping her, an old lady of three score and ten, the Bible text flashed into her mind—“And a little child shall lead them.”
Then Aunt Selina fell into a restful, health-giving sleep such as she had not had in years.