"Indeed we do," said the children, in one breath.
"Well, supposing your mother had been well, and some poor sick woman, whom you had never seen before, lay here sick in my bed: would it have been more pleasant then for you to be very still, so as not to disturb her?"
The girls hesitated a moment, and then Annie said,—
"I think it would, mother; for it would be very cruel to make anybody suffer, I have heard you say."
"Then you could love a poor stranger enough to deny yourself some of your own pleasures for her sake; and you think it would make you happier to do so, do you?"
"Oh, yes, I am sure we should be happier," said little Susie.
"Well, my dear children, I cannot talk any longer now, but I want you to repeat this little verse after me until you can remember it:—
"Love is the golden chain that binds The happy souls above; And he's an heir of heaven that finds His bosom glow with love."
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