So will you fill their dear hearts with joy.”
“She is cleaning the steps,” said the Judge to himself, “and is enjoying it. Mrs. Blodgett has probably gone downtown, and after asking the Lord to forgive her she has yielded to temptation. It would be a shame to interrupt, seeing she enjoys it so much,” and with a broad smile on his face he sat down on the lowest step and waited.
As Bethany was coming down backward she did not see him until her hand, going out sideways, deposited the tin pail on his knees.
“O!” she exclaimed, and giving a great start she straightened herself.
There were beads of perspiration on her forehead and upper lip, and her cheeks were flushed.
“There!” she said at last, and she gazed composedly at the Judge, “I knew Satan would catch me.”
“Thank you,” he replied, quietly.
“O, Daddy Grandpa,” she cried, repentantly, “you don’t think I meant you—”
“What are you doing?” he asked, disregarding her question.
“Well,” she said, wearily, “I saw a little dust on these steps at lunch time, and I’ve been just crazy to wash them, just crazy.”