"Oh, yes, I have!" pointing to the half empty cup.
"Do you like coffee?"
"Very much; but Bridget can't make it nice."
"I'll teach her."
She brought a pillow and laid the weary head tenderly upon it; gave the wondering child a kiss, and ran away saying, "Lie there, and remember there are three persons who love you, papa, mamma and your humble sister."
What power there is in a few kind words. Life looked very different to poor Gertrude, viewing it from the new aspect. She had long ago committed to memory a verse of Scripture. "Ask and ye shall receive." She had with her whole heart asked God to help her, and how speedily relief had come. Her thoughts were not distinct, as I have given them; but there was an indefinite feeling, that her heavenly Father was nearer than she had thought; and was watching over her, together with a resolution to cast her cares, for the future, on him.
Before she had begun to expect Marion back, she heard laughing in the hall. How pleasant it sounded.
"No, I can't take both, my dress is too long. I'll carry the cup; and you may take the waiter."
Before they entered the room the pleasant aroma had revived the sick child; and oh, how good it did taste! Bridget stood by, her face lighted up by such a look of pleasure that it made her almost handsome.
"Now finish clearing off the dishes," said Marion, in that clear, decided tone which servants love to obey. "I'll be down directly and put away all the dainties. Do you think you shall remember about the coffee?"