That night, or rather just as the night was waning into the chill time that comes before the early morning, a messenger arrived from the Celestial City, and he and Matthew went away together, leaving his wife and children to follow after.
We are glad to be able to add, that, when her husband was gone over the river, and she could hear of him no more, Mrs. Reardon began to have "thoughts working in her mind," which gave her no rest day or night, so that she cried out even in her sleep, "Lord have mercy upon me, a sinner."
And the little children heard her, and then she and they earnestly began a pilgrim's life.
At Mrs. Reardon's request, Kate remained with them until an answer arrived to a touching appeal written by Mr. Heighington in the poor girl's behalf to a distant relative, a kind-hearted, motherly woman, who came up to town at once, and not only forgave the past, but gladly took Kate back with her to her humble but comfortable home.
There is little more to add to our story, and that little will be bright.
Of course Mrs. Reardon mourned long and deeply for her great loss; and the two little girls often talked to one another, when no one else was by, of their father who had always been patient with them, however much he was troubled by his failing health and his dread of "the wolf." But though these quiet talks made them sad for the time, they always cheered up when they thought of the Celestial City, with its golden gates, through which they felt so sure their father had entered. "And there are no wolves at that door," said they to one another. They used to cheer their mother too, with these encouraging words.
After a time, Polly and Bessie learned and understood that what people really meant when they spoke of "the wolf at the door," was poverty and want.
"It was God who kept the wolf from our door," said Bessie one day; "for if He had not put it into the hearts of good Mr. Marshall first of all, and then into poor Kate's, and then into kind Mr. Heighington's, we could not have kept him out, could we, mother? And it was He who put it into my heart to pray for His help. And I will love Him as long as I live; and so will you, Polly, and you, mother dear."
And so she did; and so did they all, as we have just been reading.
"The wolf" never went to their door again—not at all near it. Mrs. Reardon had to work hard, no doubt, and so did the little girls when they were older. But they did this very cheerfully; and as they had always a kind friend in Mr. Heighington, who took care to find them profitable employment, they got on very nicely indeed.