“Yes, take her up to the spare room nearest your own, Lulu,” said the captain, “and see that she has everything she needs.”
“And we will have her tea sent up to her,” added Violet.
“She took that in the village, my dear,” said the captain, “and as she is very weary had better get to bed as soon as she can. I see that her trunk has already been carried up.”
“O sir, how kind, how kind you are to me!” Marian exclaimed sobbingly, putting her hand into his and lifting grateful eyes to his face.
“Ah, my poor child, it would be a great delight to me could I but relieve all your sorrows,” he returned in moved tones. “That is beyond my power; but cast all your burdens on the Lord and he will sustain you, fulfilling to you his gracious promise, ‘As thy days, so shall thy strength be.’ You need rest; do not lie awake grieving, but try to obey the scriptural injunction, ‘casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you.’”
“O sir, I believe it!” Marian responded in deeply grateful tones; “for otherwise he would never have raised up such a friend as you are proving yourself to be. How shall I ever thank one who shows himself far kinder than my own father?”
“Yes, my dear girl, my good husband feels for you very much as he does for his own children when they are in trouble,” Violet said feelingly, as Marian turned to say good-night to her. “Lulu, dear,” she added, “try to make sure that your guest has everything that can add to her comfort.”
“I will, Mamma Vi,” Lulu answered in pleasant tones.
“And stay with Marian only long enough to see to that,” added the captain; “for her journey has fatigued her greatly and she needs rest more than anything else.”