Then, gathering courage, Eva raised her tiny hand, and knocked. Once, and no answer came. Again, and with the same result. A third time, and then the merry voices of the children, and their gay laughter, ceased, and Eva hoped that her appeal was heard.
CHAPTER X.
THE VALLEY OF REST.
EVA waited for a moment, with as much patience as she could, in hopes that the door might now be opened for her. Vain hopes, for the ringing laughter and the merry voices began again; and once more Eva would have been discouraged, if the thought had not come that perhaps her gentle knocking had not been heard, and once more she tapped, louder this time, at the door.
A voice within immediately asked, “Who knocks?”
“I—Eva,” was the child’s reply.
“Eva may enter.”
Poor child! She thought the permission was useless, for the door remained as tightly shut as ever.