“Yes, she died four years ago. I was but a child; but I remember her quite well.”
“My mother is dead too,” said Mrs Lee, with a sigh. “I wonder if she would have died if I had not left her? I was but a child—only sixteen—and we never can tell beforehand how things are to turn out. If I had only known! But, oh me! why do I vex myself with all these things to-night? It is too late now!—too late now!”
Christie was alarmed at her evident excitement. Laying her gently down on her pillow, and smoothing her hair, she said:
“If you please, ma’am, Mrs Greenly said I was not to speak to you, and that you must be kept quiet.”
With a strange sound between a sob and a laugh, she said:
“Ah, yes! It is easy for her to say, ‘Keep quiet;’ but all her good nursing does not reach my troubles. Oh, me; how weary I am! My mother is dead, and I have no sister; and my brothers have quite forgotten me. But if we could only be sure that what your sister says is true, about the Friend that cares for us, and who will bring us safe through all troubles!”
“It’s not Effie that says it,” said Christie, eagerly, “It’s in the Bible; and you may be quite sure it’s true.”
“I wouldn’t care so much for myself; but these poor little children who have no one but me, and I so weak and helpless. My heart fails when I think of all they may have to bear. I suppose my mother had just such anxious thoughts about me. Oh, if she had known all! but she could not have helped me here.”
“But the verse says, ‘A very present help in trouble,’” said Christie, softly. “That’s one difference between a heavenly Friend and all earthly friends.”
“Yes,” said Mrs Lee, languidly. Christie continued: