"But was it not quite as warm there as here, my child?"
"I suppose so; but, mother, all the girls and boys laugh at us so. They say we are 'proud,' because we wear shoes and stockings."
"You must not mind being laughed at when you are doing right."
"But I can't see what wrong there is in going barefooted," said Annie.
"You are not now required to see the harm in it. All you have to do in this case is to obey."
"But won't you tell us why, mother?" persisted Susie.
"No, children, I shall not now tell you why. I have my reasons; and you must trust me now, and wait for an explanation until some future time."
* * * * *
ANNIE'S TEMPTATION
A few days after, Susie was not very well, and her mother thought best to keep her at home. Annie, however, was sent to school, as usual. As she was preparing to set out, she thought to herself,—