"Here we are," said John Clark (with a very uneasy feeling) as they entered a gate by the roadside, and drew up before an old-fashioned looking farmhouse. His wife was not prepared to take the children immediately. Her husband had said nothing about bringing them back with him that day, and during his ride home he had begun to wonder what sort of welcome she would give the little ones, and whether she would make the house a little uncomfortable for him.
However, he put on a cheery face, and a cheery voice, as he called out throwing the reins to a laborer who stood by,
"Here we are, Sarah; I've brought these young ones back with me. This is your aunt; Rose and Robin, go and kiss her," he added, lifting the children out.
"What on earth have you brought these children for?" said his wife, who had by this time reached the doorstep.
She was looking down upon them as they stood, or rather tottered on the pathway, for the long ride in a cramped position had caused them to feel very unsteady on their legs, and Robin almost fell over when he was first set on his feet.
"I brought them," answered her husband, "because poor Alice is dying."
For a moment Mrs. Clark was silenced by the news, then she stood quite still with her hands at her sides and looked at the children, while she said,
"And I suppose you think I can take three children in without a minute's notice, three useless children; there is not one that can help himself, and I am sure that boy will be always in mischief along with Jack."
"Well we must make them welcome, poor motherless things; isn't that little one just the size of our Nelly whom we lost?"
Mr. Clark hoped to touch his wife's feelings by that statement. Some years before her little girl of a year old of whom she was very fond had died, and since then she had gradually become sad and irritable.
She stood for a moment uncertain whether to take this pretty motherless little one into her arms, at the remembrance of her own dead baby, or treat it as an intruder — as one who could never take the place of the child she had lost. Ill temper would most likely as usual have prevailed, had not little May felt hungry and tired of Rose's arms, and made a piteous face at Mrs. Clark, saying, "Mum, mum."
"Here, give that child to me," she cried, taking it from Rose. "Since you have come, I suppose we must find room for you, though where to put you all I don't know." The woman turned from the bigger ones as she spoke, and gave May a gentle squeeze, and pressed a kiss on her soft cheek, saying, "I'll take you and keep you for my own baby."
Had not the farmer taken the other two by the hand, they might have stood upon the gravel path all night, for Mrs. Clark shut the door as she entered the house. She wanted to have a good cry over May, for the sight of the child, and the feel of her in her arms, had wakened all her disappointed, rebellious feelings on the loss of her own child. She had never held a baby since its death.
"Sarah has a queer temper," sighed the farmer as he led the children in, and found the kitchen empty. His wife and May were nowhere to be seen.
"Well, now, what shall I do with you two little ones? You are hungry and tired, I know. Take off your hats and jackets, and sit on this little stool. It doesn't seem cheery for you, but perhaps Jack will come in soon and stir up the place."
Rose felt very desolate. She looked round the large kitchen, with clean sanded bricks, white dresser, and long row of plates and dishes, with a kind of awe. She saw the large kitchen clock which was ticking in the corner, and all the bright pots and pans on the mantel, yet it did not look like home, and a lonely feeling crept over her as the thought of "Mother" came back; so she sat down on the little wooden stool, and tried to lift Robin, by taking him round his waist, into her lap. He was so bewildered that he forgot to struggle, and sat in a most uncomfortable and sliding position while the farmer opened the kitchen door leading to the passage, and called, "Susan."
He called three or four times without receiving any answer; finally a young woman opened a door on the opposite side of the passage, put out her head and cried, "Yes, Master?"
She had a bright, kindly face, with rosy cheeks and dark brown hair, which was drawn back and gathered behind her head under a white cap.
Susan was busy cleaning pots and pans in the dairy when she was called, and had been preparing for the next day's churning. As she rubbed and brightened the tins and basins, and set them on the wide shelves, she sang to herself, and so busy had she been, that she did not hear her master and the children enter. She was singing,
"Now I have found a Friend,
Jesus is mine;
His love can never end,
Jesus is mine."
"I've brought the children you heard me telling your Mistress about the other day. I've brought them rather unexpectedly, and I want you to make the little ones comfortable; it is so lonesome for them."
"I'll be ready in a minute, Master," answered Susan, pulling down her sleeves and apron, and calling a little girl named Jenny to go on wiping out the pans, she proceeded to the kitchen with a bright and happy face.
Susan had learned that secret which alone can make us truly happy. She had learned, first, that she was sinful and helpless — that in her dwelt no good thing, and then she learned that all is to be found in Christ — salvation, peace and joy. Now Jesus was her Friend, and she could sing with gladness,
"Jesus is mine,"
and with a heart set free and happy in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, she could tell the glad tidings to others, and could forget about herself and soothe and sympathize with the brokenhearted.
It makes grown-up people and children so happy when they have peace with God. They are not afraid to die, and while they live, they can look up to heaven and know that their Father is there, that He cares for them every day, and everything that happens to them in this world is for their good.
But how can we have peace with God?
We are sinners and He is holy. No sin can enter His presence, and we cannot put our own sins away. God formed a plan by which we may be brought near to Him. He sent His beloved Son into the world to take the guilty sinner's place. God says that "the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)), and that "whosoever believeth in Him . . . [hath] everlasting life." John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).
Now, those who rest in the finished work of Christ, and believe He died in their place and rose again (showing that sin is put away and God is satisfied), have eternal life, and peace with God.
Susan believed on Jesus, and so had peace with God.
When she entered the kitchen, there were the children. "Are these all?" she asked, as she kissed them, and smiled to see both crowded onto the little wooden stool.
"No," answered Rose, brightening as she saw Susan's kind face. "There's little May, and I want her so much. A lady has carried her away, and I am afraid May will be frightened without me."
"I don't like the person who took May," said Robin, sternly. "She did not look a bit kind, and I believe she is going to hurt her, or something." As Robin said this, his eyes grew very large and his cheeks very rosy, and he pressed his little red lips tightly together.
Susan tried not to laugh as she unbuttoned his coat, but the farmer said,
"Hush, lad! you must not say things like that, or your aunt will punish you. But you are going to be a good little lad, I think, and Susan will look after you. Give them some tea and toasted scones, and ask your mistress where they shall sleep. She has taken the baby away. It reminds her of our little Nelly who died five years ago, and I think she will take kindly to her for the sake of her own. She is very much like our Nelly was when she died, just the same size. Maybe it will help to soften her heart," murmured the farmer, as he went quickly out into the farmyard.