Nettie lifted her eyes to him. "I am ready to rejoice too, father."
But the time of rejoicing was not yet. Nettie burst into tears.
Mr. Mathieson was not angry, yet he flung away from her with a rude "Pshaw!" and that was all the answer she got. But the truth was, that there was something in Nettie's look of tenderness, and purity, and trembling hope, that her father's heart could not bear to meet; and, what is more, that he was never able to forget.
Nettie went about her evening business, helping her mother, and keeping back the tears which were very near again; and Mr. Mathieson began to talk with Mr. Lumber, and everything was to all appearance just as it had been hitherto. And so it went on after that.
| "Well I know thy troubles, |
| O My servant true! |
| Thou art very weary— |
| I was weary too: |
| But that toil shall make thee |
| Some day all Mine own; |
| And the end of sorrow |
| Shall be near My throne!" |
CHAPTER VI.
THE HOUSE-RAISING.[1]
"In your patience possess ye your souls."—Luke xxi. 19."