"How did he feel towards them?"
"Oh, but I am not like that," said Matilda again.
"You must be, if you are His child."
"Must I?" said Matilda, the tears dropping from her eyes quietly. "How can I? If you only knew, Mr. Richmond!"
"No matter; the Lord knows. Tell Him all about it, and pray to be made so like Him and to love Him so well that you may love even this unkind friend."
"I don't think she is my friend," said Matilda; "but it don't make any difference."
"No, it does not make any difference."
"Mr. Richmond," said Matilda, timidly, after a moment, "won't you pray with me?"
Which the minister instantly did. Matilda wept quietly all the time of his prayer, and after they rose from their knees, leaning her head on Mr. Richmond's shoulder, where she had poured out her troubles once before. Her friend let her alone, keeping his arm round her kindly, till the child raised her head and wiped her eyes.
"Do you feel better?" he whispered then. Matilda answered "yes," in an answering whisper.