The next girl gave the words of Jesus, "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."
The last gave "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered."
Then came Mr. Folke's verse, and Netty thought it was the most beautiful of all.
"Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
Then Mr. Folke talked about that city—its streets of gold, and the gates of pearl, through which nothing that defileth can by any means enter. He told how Jesus will make His people happy there; how they will be with Him, and all their tears wiped away. And Jesus will be their Shepherd; His sheep will not wander from Him any more; "and they shall see His face, and His name shall be in their foreheads."
From school they went to church, of course. A strange clergyman preached that day, and Nettie could not understand him always; but the words of the hymn and Mr. Folke's words ran in her head then, and she was very happy all church-time. And as she was walking home, still the tune and the words ran in her ears,—
| "Jesus all the day long |
| Is my joy and my song; |
| O that all His salvation might see!" |
So, thinking busily, Nettie got home and ran upstairs. What a change! It looked like a place very, very far from those gates of pearl.
Her mother sat on one side of the stove, not dressed for church, and leaning her head on her hand. Mr. Mathieson was on the other side, talking and angry. Barry stood back, playing ball by himself by throwing it up and catching it again. The talk stopped at Nettie's entrance. She threw off her bonnet and began to set the table, hoping that would bring peace.
"Your father don't want any dinner," said Mrs. Mathieson.