"But after Adam learned that in God's sight he was just as precious as the greatest man in the land, because Jesus came from heaven and took the form of a servant, and made Himself of no account, so that by His precious life and death, souls might be saved, why, Adam couldn't feel the same after he learned that lesson, could he now? Just to think that God gave as much for him as for the greatest king that ever lived."
"And for me too?" said Margaret, as if half in doubt.
"Of course. King and working man, queen and you, stand on the same level, as far as the soul's salvation goes. And when one lays right hold of this, and believes in the truth of it, one can't look down all the while. We begin to look up, and ask that God's Holy Spirit, who has taught us this much, will come into our hearts and help us to live our religion."
Many other talks followed. A few words at a time, but always to the purpose; and, what was still more effectual, the sight of Sarah's living faith shown in every act of kindness, patience, industry, cheerfulness, and self-devotion as she went about the house, helped to deepen the impression already made on Margaret's mind.
Her silence, too, taught something. She was ready to tell whatever it would please Margaret to know. Afterwards Mrs. Livesey alluded to these communings and talks by her sick bed, and said how pleasant it had been to hear about what was going on outside.
"But," she added, "never a sharp word nor an ill word about anybody ever crossed that girl's lips. Watching her and listening to her, I might have been a little lass at school again. Me, too, that is old enough to be her mother, and with six children of my own. Well, God has been very good. He has shown me a bit of myself, and made me glad and willing to learn better ways than I ever cared about before."
There was time for thought, heart-searchings, prayer, and some progress on the new path, before husband and wife met again. Each had suffered a severe bodily shock, and both required quiet and a longer rest than was at first anticipated.
They met again in their own home six weeks after the eventful day on which they parted at the hospital. Adam was allowed to leave the building, and attend as an out-door patient; but even then, Margaret was not strong enough to attend to her household duties.
Of course there was great rejoicing amongst the small Liveseys when father came home, and before he arrived there, many a fellow workman gave him a hearty greeting on the way. If the right hand had not been still in a sling, and otherwise protected, It must have stood many a grip from horny-handed toilers at Rutherford's.
It would be loss of time to try to describe the meeting between Maggie and her husband. The joy of both was too great to be expressed in words. Adam, never a great talker, and Maggie, given to express herself with much freedom of speech, were alike on this occasion.