Again a solemn hush, broken at length by Lulu’s voice in low, sweet tones, “Papa, I think he has heard our prayers. I do begin to love him in my heart and to want to be his.”
“‘Bless the Lord, oh, my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name!’” ejaculated her father, his tones tremulous with emotion. Then, as she rose from her kneeling posture, he drew her to his breast and held her there in a long, tender embrace ere he bade her good-night, and sent her away to her rest.
CHAPTER XXI.
Quite early the next morning, fully half an hour before breakfast time, Lulu and Grace came hand in hand, and with loving greetings, to the side of their father’s couch.
The young faces were very bright, and looking searchingly into Lulu’s, he thought it wore a sweeter expression than he had ever seen on it before.
“Papa, I am very happy this morning,” she said softly, putting her arm round his neck and laying her cheek to his.
“I am very glad, my darling,” he responded, “your happiness lies very near your father’s heart.”
“It’s because Jesus loves me, papa,” she went on, in low, earnest tones. “Oh, I find his love is even sweeter than yours! though that has always been so sweet to me. Oh, now I’m glad to belong to him, and I want to serve him all my days! it seems strange that I haven’t always wanted to.”
“It is passing strange,” he sighed, “that it is not the joy of every human heart to belong to him and do him service.”
“Papa, I want to be good and do every thing he tells me. Do you think I shall ever be naughty again? disobedient to you? willful? passionate?”