Among the many troubles which had come to them of late, the poor child had well-nigh forgotten their old enemy. But, now, being weak from want of food, a sudden fear fell upon her, and she trembled as she glanced round the large empty room.
"I don't think he's in yet," said Bessie, in a whisper, "or we should see him. Oh, mother, what can we do to keep him out?"
"I've tried all ways," replied Mrs. Reardon, scarcely knowing what she said; "I don't know what to do!"
"Let us pray, mother," said Bessie, "and ask God to save us as He did David, out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear!"
Mrs. Reardon knelt down, but no words came. She had forgotten how to pray, and felt sick and confused like one in a dream. Polly, too, was silent, wanting courage to say what was in her heart. There was a few moments' pause, and then Bessie folded her little hands and said:
"Dear Lord Jesus, be pleased to take care of us, and keep the wolf from the door. Don't let him come near to hurt or destroy us. And, oh, dear Lord Jesus, make father better—and give us this day our daily bread."
Little Bessie had scarcely finished speaking, when a knock was heard at the door, which, low as it was, made them all start—although they must have known, of course, that a wolf would never think of knocking at the door—end Mr. Heighington entered the room, followed by Kate carrying a large basket of provisions, which she would have left and gone away again had not Mr. Heighington requested her to remain and assist Mrs. Reardon, who was evidently worn-out from fatigue, and want of nourishing food.
Before evening came, the room had assumed quite a different appearance; while Matthew, as he lay still and followed every movement of the young girl with his large hollow eyes, and heard how she had been the means, under God, of bringing help and deliverance in the hour of need, was very sorry for all the hard things that he had ever said of her.
He had been very hard, too, in his judgment of Mr. Heighington. He recollected the old clerk telling him of it at the time. And now, when he might justly have expected that God would be hard with him, he experienced instead nothing but tender mercy and loving-kindness, and a free pardon of all his sins for Jesus Christ's sake.
Mr. Heighington had already thought of a plan by which Mrs. Reardon would be able, with a little assistance, just at first, to provide for herself and the children, so that Matthew, as he said, had not a single earthly care. For the rest, he had cast down his burden at the foot of the cross, and so found peace with God—peace in believing—peace in Christ.