"Did God help her, mamma?"
"Yes, he did. He helped her to become submissive to his holy will,—to look beyond this world to her home in Heaven, where there is no sorrow nor suffering; and where the tears are wiped from every eye. He helped her, suffering and feeble as she is, to be the greatest blessing to the whole family, and to many others beside."
"How could she be that, mamma, when she can't get out of bed?"
"I will tell you, Maurice, how she has been a blessing to me. When I first knew her, I used sometimes to think I had great trials. Little things often vexed me. I watched Kitty day by day, bearing her sufferings without a murmur; happy through them all; thanking her Heavenly Father for every moment that she was free from pain. Do you think I could help trying to be patient under my trifling annoyances?"
"Does Kitty have the toothache?" asked Maurice.
"I don't know. Her agony is so much worse than toothache, I don't suppose she would notice it much."
[CHAPTER VII.]
MAURICE LEARNING PATIENCE.
THE visits of Maurice to the cottage were not always as sad as his first one had been. He was there when Kitty lay swinging in her hammock, and was delighted to be trusted to pull the rope softly, since the gentle motion was all she could bear.