"No," was the answer.
So she tried to explain in a very simple way, which both the children could understand, the sweet story of Jesus. "He is watching you, and Willie too," she said, "and He wants to help you to be good boys, so that you may grow up to be good He loves you very, very much. Will you let Him?"
"I wish 'e would," said Bob. "Don't you, Willie? On'y, I don't see as 'ow
I can tell 'im."
"Well," was the answer, "if you kneel down, and shut your eyes, and speak to Him ever so softly, He will hear you. Listen!" And kneeling down beside the children she prayed—"Dear Jesus, these two little boys want You to help them to be good. They want to be made fit to live in Your beautiful home. Please help them. Amen."
The children looked at her for a moment or two, awed by her manner.
Then Bob asked—
"Did 'e 'ear yer?"
"Yes, dear, He did," was the reply; "and if you talk to Him, He will hear you too. But now it is getting late and you must take this little chap home. Will you come again another night, and hear some more about Jesus?"
"We'd like to, wouldn't we, Willie?"
Willie nodded. He could hardly take his eyes off the beautiful face of the lady, and for once he felt too shy to say much, but when he was outside the door his tongue became unloosed.
"Wasn't she a pretty lady, Bob? Shall we go and see her again?"