Mrs Vane clasped the eager little hand that touched hers, and sighed.
“But, mama, He could do it. He opened blind eyes many times while He was on earth, and His being in heaven now would make no difference. He could do it, I suppose,” said Frederica, not knowing very well what to say.
“And will He, do you think, if I ask Him? Mama will ask Him too, and you and Tessie.”
“He could do it if He chose. But perhaps it means not such things we are to ask for, but that He would teach us, and make us wise and good, and forgive us our sins, and take us to heaven when we die,” said Frederica. “And you are very happy as you are, dear! You don’t care very much about it, do you?” said she, kissing softly the beautiful blind eyes that were wet, though they were smiling, too.
“Frederica, love, you are making your sister unhappy, I fear,” said her mother anxiously. “My darling, come to me!”
Selina kissed her mother gently two or three times. “Unhappy! no, mama. It was only for a moment, and it was for you that I wished it, mama, more than for myself.”
Her mother could only murmur fond words over her, as she caressed her tenderly.
“But it cannot be true, all that Fred has been saying,” broke in Tessie. “It is a pity. But it is only one of Fred’s ideas.”
“But it must be true, because Jesus said those very words, only I suppose we do not understand it yet,” said Frederica. “We will read more. And, mama, Selina will see when she gets to heaven.”
Mrs Vane uttered an exclamation of impatience and astonishment.