Nellie Hellis

“ There was a silence after that until Katie came back with the dress over her arm, for Lancie had covered his face with his hands, and Dora knew he did not wish to be spoken to.
Again a deep thrill of joy had throbbed through the little cripple's heart. God knew what it cost him to lie so many weary hours in pain and weakness, and be cut off from the pleasures which all his brothers, down to Baby Phil, enjoyed. ”

“ You often have beautiful thoughts; you are quick to recognise the deeper, hidden meanings which the lessons of nature, and of our own lives, teach us. I heard what you said to Lancie about the coat of self-sacrifice, and was struck by the truth of your remarks and the insight they displayed. In proportion to the light that has been given you, my child, so will you be expected to mould your life."
"Oh, mother, how solemn and serious a thing you make of it all!"
"Life is solemn and serious, but remember you have only to live one day, nay, one hour at a time. ”

“ It is not the words that are spoken; it is the manner in which they are said that affects us. This speech of Robert's was just the most loving one he could have given her.
"It's about Connie," said Katie, breaking into tears again. "She's mean, and horrid and nasty. She makes use of me, and then laughs at me behind my back, and sneers at me because we are poor and I wear shabby clothes. I wouldn't have believed it of her."
"It's just what one might expect of the Paffords," said Robert, quietly. ”

“ Grainger broke it.
"This, too, is part of the trust," he said. "I want you to promise to be loving and kind to each other; you elder ones being gentle and patient with the younger, and the younger submitting themselves to the elder. I want you to promise that you will struggle bravely in the battle which all God's children must fight against selfishness, discontent, bad temper, and, in fact, everything that you know to be unlovely in God's eight. All of you, down to little Lottie there, have your besetting sins to fight against, and, with God's help, to overcome. ”

“ You know, dear, you are very young to have left school, and you must try to carry on your education for a while alone, or with such little help as Edgar or I can give you. I hope you will some day have the advantage of more lessons."
"Of course I must study, but I shall have plenty of time for everything," said Dora. "Now see here," and she began to use her pencil. "From half-past nine till twelve I shall teach the children. Then I shall take them out for a walk till one. After that, lessons again from half-past two till four." ”

“ I love you more. I know from what your mother has told me that you are not merely showing your repentance by words. Struggle on, dear boy, and with the help of God's Holy Spirit, which will be given in proportion as you ask, you will conquer nobly and bravely in the end."
"It's a beautiful letter," said Katie, as she handed it back to Robert, adding in a little outburst of love, "Oh? Isn't father good!" ”

“ But you must not talk any more, Robert dear. The quieter you keep yourself, the sooner you will be better. Lie still, and try to sleep."
He lay still, but he could not sleep, and gradually the void and blank in his mind became filled with memories. First of all, he recollected that his father was away; then the last evening he had spent at home returned to him, with the solemn trust which his father had reposed in his children, and the promise they had each and all given him. ”

“ She had determined to spare herself no labour that her pupils might learn easily, and Giles silently owned to himself that "Dora was a deal cleverer than he ever thought." They were all surprised when they heard the clock in the passage strike twelve. Even Lancie, tired as he often got of the lesson hours, had no wish to put away his books.
"Why, the morning hasn't seemed any time," said Olive. "Oh! Do let us go on with our geography a little longer. It's such fun to fancy ourselves a party of rich people travelling in Spain. Are you always going to teach us in this way, Dora?" ”

“ Grainger, gravely but fondly, "but you were sorry, and God forbid that I should ever bring up your sin against you. Be thankful you profited by your bitter experience. Your repentance brought your promise to your memory, and I know you have striven to keep it, for you have struggled with your besetting sins, and are steadily and surely overcoming them. Robert, I do not think we need speak of the past again." ”

“ Had it not been that on hearing of our trouble Miss Loam offered to take you and Dora on greatly reduced terms, you could not have remained at so good a school, and you must remember that your social position is very different from that of most of Miss Loam's pupils."
"Yes, and that's just what makes it so hard," rejoined Katie, with a sigh.
"Some of the girls would not think any the worse of you for being poorer than themselves, dear child," said her mother; "and there is no reason why you should not be friendly with them. ”

“ A burning blush overspread Robert Grainger's face.
"Ah! I thought as much," said Jack Turner, with a sneer. "Poor little thing! It's a pity it couldn't be tied to its mother's apron-strings, then she'd always see what her pretty dear was about."
"You've no cause to say that, Jack. Mother's always willing enough to let us have pleasure. You know it's only because my uncle was drowned that father and she can't bear the idea of any of their children skating. I'm sure if one's careful, there isn't any danger. ”

“ But though Dora, when giving her mother a good-bye kiss, had said they should certainly be back by ten, it was more than half-past when the cab drove up to the door, and eleven had struck before the whole family was again gathered beneath the same roof.
"Oh, Katie, we've had such a jolly time," said Lottie, as her sister and Edgar entered the room. "I'm not one bit sleepy, and we are all getting warm before we go to bed. ”

“ His mother fearing that his work the next day in the close, noisy city would prove more irksome than usual, and that he might find the house quiet when he came in, purposely gave the children their tea early and sent them for a walk under Mary's care. But he looked so cheerful and bright that she knew at once he was neither weary nor depressed.
"Where's Giles?" were his first words.
"In the schoolroom, working away at the Latin exercise he intends asking you to correct presently," replied Mrs. Grainger. "The little ones have gone out with Mary. Sit down, dear, and take your tea." ”

“ Edgar, the eldest, was sixteen, and for nearly a year had gone daily to a large wholesale warehouse in the City. Next came Dorothea, generally called Dora; she was a year younger, and was just now rejoicing in the fact that she had left school. Between her and the twins, Katie and Robert, was a difference of two years.
These were followed by Lancie, the dearest of her flock to Mrs. Grainger, for a mother, though full of tenderness for all her children, always loves the afflicted most. He was nearly eleven, but his pale face and pain-sharpened features made him look much older. ”

“ But, Lancie, you've put the thought in my head and the longing in my heart, and it won't be for want of trying if I do not devise some plan by which to earn money."
The "plans" that suggested themselves to Dora were to give music lessons, and to advertise, in a way that would cost nothing, for a pupil or pupils to share her brother's and sisters' lessons. But on hearing of her wish, her mother quietly said that she had set herself more than enough to do as it was, and she was too young and inexperienced to undertake the more responsible work of teaching the children of strangers. ”

“ This proved such a delightful occupation that she quite forgot the lapse of time till the sound of a church bell, tolling for an early service, brought her back to the real world in which she lived. Ten minutes to eight, and eight o'clock was the breakfast hour! It was impossible to dress properly. So having put on her clothes, she washed her face, hurried over a prayer, and ran downstairs. She was relieved to find Katie cutting bread and butter, and helping generally.
"I am so sorry to be late," she said, as she gave her mother a kiss. ”

“ But it was a very different Giles from the one who had left the breakfast-table. For the first time he began to see some of the true meaning of life. Christ had not pleased Himself, neither must he; and it made him glad to know that he, child as he was, could take his part in bearing the family trouble. The thought caused him to be very strong, and brave, and manly.
"No, I won't grumble," he said to himself. "I'll just try to do my best for Dora, and mother shan't ever know how much I hate doing lessons at home, and how badly I want to go to school. ”

“ Katie has set her heart upon the party, and else wouldn't have gone in her merino."
Dolly was Lancie's pet name for his eldest and favourite sister.
"It's not any great kindness," said Dora. "I don't suppose I should ever have worn the dress myself again. I think—" she paused a moment, then went on thoughtfully—"it seems to me, Lancie, that the more a thing costs us the more merit there is in doing it, and if it doesn't cost us anything, there's no merit in doing it. ”

“ Then her eyes came back and met her brother's.
"Robert," she said, "I can do it. I feel I can do anything because you and I are going to love each other and help each other to be good."
Ah! There is nothing like love. It makes the roughest road easy; the heaviest burden light. Oh, children! Love your good heavenly Father, and love each other; for love overcometh all things, love is stronger than death, and love will lift us from earth to heaven, and set us spotless at God's right hand.
CHAPTER X. ENDING AND BEGINNING.
DORA went up for her examination at the end of June. ”

“ Even if we should be better off in a year or two, there will certainly be no money to spare."
"Perhaps something will turn up," said Giles, hardly knowing what he meant by the frequently-heard expression, but hoping the words would show his sympathy and give comfort.
"You're a downright good fellow to talk to," said Edgar, greatly touched by the manner in which Giles had received his confidence, and accompanying the words with an affectionate squeeze of the little hand that was clasped in his own. ”

“ That look haunted him during the whole of the journey to Hendon, and the wish that he had been strong to resist temptation rose again and again in his heart. But his remorse grew less when he found himself gliding along over the smooth frozen surface of the water. He had learnt to skate with remarkable quickness, and on the larger space and clearer ground which he now for the first time enjoyed, he was gradually able to increase his speed, till in the excitement and the exhilaration caused by the delightful exercise, everything else was forgotten. ”

“ Grainger. "Those who start too hurriedly in the race are apt to come in last."
"Yes, I know, but I am so anxious to have things settled. As soon as the holidays are over, and that will be at the end of the week, will you let me take your place in the schoolroom and teach the children without any help from you?"
"You would find that no light task, dear."
"I am sure I could do it," said Dora. "I am quite aware Giles is often trying to one's patience. He asks the why and the wherefore of everything, and it is not always easy to explain. And then Lottie frequently loses her temper. ”

“ You shall have the loan of her board for as long as you require it. If you could go to the seaside for a month, it would do you all the good in the world. Couldn't it be managed?"
His last words were addressed to Mrs. Grainger, who had been an anxious listener to the conversation between him and Dora.
"Whatever is necessary shall be done," she said, quietly.
"Well, well, I'll tell my man to bring round the board," said the kind-hearted doctor, "and I'll look in again in a few days to see what effect the lying down and the medicine have taken," and bidding them good-bye, he bustled away. ”

“ But Giles was feeling very sore this morning, and he would not be taken from his grievance.
"All I can say," he continued, ignoring his brother's kind efforts, "is that I shan't try to do my lessons for Dora. When I'm sent to school again I'll work as well as anybody."
Edgar had not before realised that any additional responsibility would fall on him in consequence of his father's absence. Now he saw it was his duty to take his father's place to the utmost of his power, and talk to Giles as he would have talked had he been there. ”

“ And then at their visitor's reply, there was a chorus of:
"Many happy returns, many happy returns."
"Thank you," and Mrs. Armstrong gave them all a very affectionate look. "Now for my present," she went on, smiling. "I want you all to give me the pleasure of your company at tea this evening. It will make me so happy to see your bright, young faces round me. I hear that Katie has an invitation already, so I must not look for her. But I hope Robert will come straight from afternoon school, and I have no doubt Edgar will stay a little while when he calls to take you home. ”

“ He said lots of men don't even begin to study medicine till they're older than he. Perhaps in a few years, we shall be better off, and you'll be able to be a doctor after all."
Edgar was greatly touched.
"Giles," he said, "I had no idea you were such a dear, sympathetic old fellow! Anyway, you've made me feel that it will all come right. And I'll keep that hope steadily in view, and every spare hour I get I'll give to study. But remember, I shall never be too busy to help you with your Latin."
How wonderfully happy those words made Giles! He was so happy that he lay awake for a full half-hour ”