Kate had betaken herself to her favourite place, the hearthrug. She was silent until Lucy had reached the middle verse of ‘Almost persuaded,’ which she sang with due impressiveness. Then a sorrowful little voice quavered:–
‘I’m so lonely. I thought we were going to have such a nice time.’
Lucy at once got up. ‘Are you, dearie? Would you like some supper?’
‘No, I don’t want anything; I’m lonely and miserable,’ quavered Kate.
‘Well, then, we’ll go up to bed.’
Once in their room Lucy continued: ’I don’t think we want a light, do we?’ And sitting on the bed, her heart beating until her voice was uncertain, she put her arm round Kate’s waist, and began, ’Katie, dear, I’ve been wanting to have a special talk with you for a long time. You know I was saved six months ago, and I have been praying for you to be saved, too, but I’ve found it hard to talk to you about it. I’m so glad we’re alone to-night.’
’Didn’t you know I wanted you to talk to me? Haven’t you heard me crying every night in bed? I do want to be saved,’ and Kate burst into tears.
’Darling, I didn’t know. I’ve been stupid and shy; but I’m sorry. You can be saved just now. We’ll kneel down right here,’ said Lucy. The sisters knelt beside their bed, and Lucy led Kate step by step into the Kingdom of God. She knew she was a sinner? ‘Oh, yes,’ sobbed Kate. She was sorry for her sins? ‘Yes.’ She would give them up? every one? and would live henceforth only for God? ‘Yes!’ Then Jesus was saying, ‘Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.’ Did Kate believe it? ‘Yes!’ Then we’ll sing together the words I sang the night I was saved, ‘I do believe, I will believe that Jesus died for me.’ Together the sisters sang the chorus, just as if they were in a meeting; then they both prayed, and kissed one another, and got into bed.
Lucy went over it all, and praised the Lord for giving her the joys of salvation, first to herself, and now to the one she loved best in all the world, and so fell asleep.
Surely the angels looked down that night and smiled upon the sisters, the elder destined to be a patient, plodding, burden-bearer in the heavenly warfare, and the younger a great warrior in the Kingdom of Heaven, one of the saints and most successful field officers of the great Salvation Army.