“Mrs Seaton wishes you to go, however,” said Mr Sherwood, gravely.
Miss Gertrude shrugged her shoulders. They had more than once differed as to the nature and extent of duty she owed to her step-mother. She said nothing, however, but rose.
“I’m going too,” said Clement. “Tudie, you must take me.”
“Cousin Charles, carry me!” entreated Claude.
“No, Clement; you are not to come unless you are sent for. And I’ll come back directly.”
Mr Sherwood took one turn in the garden, and came back to the cedar walk in time to hear the end of Christie’s story:
“And so, when the blind man heard the noise of so many people passing by, he wondered. And they told him that Jesus was passing by, and that all the people were following Him. And he asked, ‘Is it Jesus, who healed the ruler’s little daughter?’ Then he began to call out, as loud as he was able, ‘Jesus, Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me!’ And all the people told him to be still, and not make such a noise. But he thought, ‘Perhaps Jesus will never come this way again!’ so he cried out all the more.
“Well, Jesus heard him, and He stood still and waited till the blind man came up to Him. And then He said, ‘What wilt thou that I should do unto you?’ And the man said, ‘Lord, that mine eyes might be opened.’
“And with a single word that Jesus spoke, his eyes were opened; and he saw the earth, and the sky, and the wondering crowd, and Jesus. Just think how glad he must have been to come out of darkness to see so many beautiful things! And how good and kind Jesus was!”
“Will Jesus ever come again? And could He make me well and strong like Clement? Oh, I wish He would come!”