As Jesus did for men.
It will seem strange to many who read these words, but it is the truth, that never before, and never after, in her whole life did she know such a rush and ecstacy of gladness as she knew then.
“Dear friends,” she said at last, “I thank you very much. As long as I live I will be your friend; and I hope you will not be afraid to go with me into this new life that Mr. Knight has made possible for us. I will see him on Monday morning, and on Monday evening, after work-time, I will let you know what he says.”
CHAPTER XVI.
CHRISTMAS DAY.
“You are not like most women, my daughter Tom; you can keep a secret?”
“But not from you, dear. I will tell you what you want to know, really, if you put it in that way.”
Mr. Whitwell and his favourite daughter were spending a cosy evening together in the library at Hornby Hall. The lamps which lighted the room were shaded, the curtains were drawn, and the fire burned brightly. Tom sat on a low chair by her father’s side, and he laid his hand lovingly on the short curls of her closely-cropped head. “Now, tell me if I understand you rightly, Tom,” he said. “Instead of the usual pocket-money which has been your share—a Benjamin’s portion always, you know, because you are my youngest—you want me to give you a pound a month. Next, you wish me to forget that I have a mortgage on John’s land, which, indeed, as you say, I no longer hold since you have it. I am not going to ask you to tell me what is in your heart to do, Tom; but you are too sensible not to remember that business is business and right is right. I cannot afford to make John a present of that deed, and he would not accept it if I did.”
“But he is dreadfully in want of money, isn’t he, father?”
“Yes, he is; and so will you be soon if you try to make twelve pounds a year do for your necessities. Does it not cost you half-a-crown each time you go to London, even travelling by third class? And you would not be content to go up less frequently than once a week; for what would your young Crusaders do if they did not see you, and what would happen to your old and sick people here if you never had a shilling to give them?”
“But a pound a month would not be all I should have. I have learnt how to earn money by my own talents and industry. Has not that a grand sound?”