That night she forgot to look for robbers; she was too happy to think of them; but she did not forget the many blessings of the day when she repeated her usual thanksgiving. The same prayers she had often said she used that evening; but they went up from her heart, and were received in heaven for the Redeemer's sake.
CHAPTER XI.
JUDY M'GRATH.
Often, during school-hours on Monday, the promised visit to Owen M'Grath's came into Lucy's mind, and she longed for four o'clock to come, that she might be at liberty. School was over at last, and with the pleasant consciousness of having done well the duties of the day, Lucy tripped towards home. Julia Staples had tried several times to draw her into a whispered conversation, but she had resisted the temptation; and when Julia offered her an apple, and put her arm in hers, to draw her aside for a confidential chat, Lucy refused the gift and got away as soon as she could with politeness. She had learned that the first step towards doing right, is to keep as much as possible out of the way of temptation; and she knew that Julia's society roused her evil feelings.
"Dear me, how stuck-up somebody is!" said Julia Staples to one of her companions, as Lucy turned away.
Lucy heard the remark, and her face flushed slightly, but she made no reply.
Julia did not offer to accompany Lucy home, but with two of the scholars, who were much like herself, she walked behind the little girl, "making fun of her." Of this Lucy knew nothing. Lightly and rapidly she walked along, not looking behind her, but welcoming each turn in the road that brought her nearer home.
Rosa and Harty were standing at the door to meet her. "I do believe you were kept in," began Harty; "we have been waiting for you this half-hour."
"Come, come! young gentleman," interposed Rosa playfully, "you are in such a hurry to wait on the ladies, that the time seems long to you. It is but five minutes past four."
The teased, fretted expression that was coming over Lucy's face passed away in an instant, and Harty's impatience was changed to a smile.