MRS. HILTON had said, on parting with Dora, the daily need of grace and patience to meet the demands made upon her at her uncle's house, would prove a valuable discipline for herself. Dora soon saw her mother had judged rightly, and though at times she found her cousins very trying, Harry and she were fast friends; for though, like most boys, he was often thoughtless, he had a kind heart, and was really sorry when by his conduct he had given pain to any one whom he really loved.
Dora told him stories, heard his lessons, proved his sums, found his various schoolboy possessions, which, before her coming, had almost always been lost when most wanted by their owner.
Eva, too, loved her cousin, and though the spoiled child was often fretful and exacting, still Dora contrived to amuse and occupy her, and quarrels in Mrs. Grange's nursery were by no means so frequent as they had been when Dora entered it for the first time.
Constance gave by far the most trouble, but even her sullen temper at times gave signs that she felt the power of gentleness, and Dora was hopeful and thankful.
But was Dora herself always patient and gentle? Ah, no; truth compels me to say that she was not, and her saddest, darkest days were those on which she had been impatient with the children, or quick to take offense at some hasty word from her aunt. But at such times, as soon as she was able to get away to her room, her Bible seemed almost to open of its own accord at a verse marked by her mother before leaving home, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:99If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)); and, though the page was often wet with her tears, yet Christ, as a risen, loving Savior, became more precious to her soul as she tasted the sweetness of His pardoning and restoring grace.
Long, loving letters, too, from her mother and Miss Lang were a great comfort and help to her. Grace Bell, too, proved herself a good correspondent, and her letters not only kept Dora informed of what was going on among friends and neighbors at Riversdale, but sometimes as she read she almost fancied herself seated in her old place in the Bible Class, listening to the voice of her much-loved teacher. Part of one such letter Dora has given me permission to copy for my readers:—
“How I wished you could have been with us at the Bible Class last week, for I know you would have enjoyed it; but as you were many miles away, I must try to tell you a little about our lesson, even though I know my pen will not do justice to Miss Lang's words.
“We read 1 Sam. 25, then Miss L. talked to us about the power of gentleness as shown in the history of Abigail in a very beautiful, impressive way. I cannot tell you all she said, only a few words here and there just as I remember them. One thing I hoped I should not forget was, that although we are not told anything in the Bible about the girlhood of Abigail, we may be almost sure that she had helped to make her home a happy one by being as gentle and sweet tempered as daughter or sister as she was in after years as a wife.
Annie Mayne asked if it did not seem strange that Abigail, with her beauty, and wisdom, should have been married to such an ill-tempered, unlovable man as Nabal must have been?
“Miss Lang reminded us that in Eastern countries girls are, as a rule, married very young, and have no voice in the matter, not even being consulted, and are seldom if ever allowed to see their future husbands till the marriage has really taken place.
“It must have been a moment of the deepest possible interest when Abigail met David. What a scene when four hundred armed men, all eager to avenge, with their swords, the insult Nabal had offered to their beloved commander, turned from their purpose by the gentle pleading of one woman.
“Then we turned to a verse in the first Epistle of Peter, I think we may call it one of her favorites, she quotes it so often, 'The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.' (1 Peter 3:44But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. (1 Peter 3:4).)”
The unvarying kindness of Mr. Grange, too, was a great help and comfort to Dora. When, on returning home in the evening, he noticed Dora was looking paler or more tired than usual, he would often propose taking her for a walk, and as his visits were always welcomed by the poor, Dora soon made several friends among the suffering and lonely ones to whom she was introduced by her uncle.
The weather toward the end of August became very sultry and oppressive. Mrs. Grange evidently suffered more than usual, and became so ill as to be unable to leave home, so the hope of being able to spend a short time in the country, about which the children had been thinking and talking for many weeks, had, much to their disappointment, to be given up; and as much of Ann's time was taken up in waiting upon her mistress, the children were by degrees left almost entirely to Dora's care, and though she often thought of the happy days she spent at Myrtle Cottage, and longed for a quiet talk with her mother, her life was far too busy a one to leave her much time for sadness, and she was learning the blessedness of seeking to make others happy.
One evening Mr. Grange returned from the counting-house earlier than usual, and after spending an hour in the room of his wife, entered the nursery with a smiling face, and asked Dora if she would like to go for a walk with him. Like to go out with Uncle Edward! Indeed she would, for her head ached, and she felt that fresh air and change of scene would be a great treat to her; still she hesitated.
“Come, Dora, make haste," her uncle said kindly.
Dora looked wistfully out of the open window, then answered, "I really do not think I ought to go this evening, uncle, as Eva is not very well and likes to have me put her to bed; and I promised Harry I would help him to cut out a card-board model of a windmill, and—”
But Mr. Grange did not give Dora time to finish her list of reasons for remaining at home, by saying, "You must allow me to decide the question for you. Ann is coming to take your place. A walk will do you good, and your aunt and I both feel that in your loving care for us and ours you are in danger of neglecting yourself.”
How glad and grateful Dora felt as she listened to her uncle's encouraging words. It did not take long to put on hat, jacket, and gloves; but before leaving her room she knelt for a few moments, and with a full heart thanked the Lord for this fresh proof of His loving kindness, then ran downstairs.
Mr. Grange was waiting for Dora at the hall door. A quarter of an hour's walking took them through the town into a suburb where the houses were small and poor-looking. Groups of ragged children were playing on the doorsteps, and untidy women lounged about and chatted with each other.
Dora and her uncle walked on for some time in silence. At last he said, "We are going to see a King's daughter, Dora.”
She looked up quickly. The light that shone in her uncle's face helped her to understand his meaning, and she answered with a smile, "One of the Lord's hidden ones, as mother would say, I expect, uncle.”
“Yes, Dora; my old friend, Ada Lee, is one of whom it may truly be said that, though poor in this world's goods, she is rich in faith. You will find in Miss Lee one who will prove, I am sure, not only a loving friend but a wise counselor to you, Dora.
“I should not have been content for you to be with us so long without knowing one whom I value so highly, were it not that Miss Lee only returned home last week from friends living at a distance from N.”
As Mr. Grange ceased speaking, he stopped before a small but very neat-looking house. A little girl opened the door in answer to his knock, and Dora followed her uncle through a dark passage and up a narrow staircase. Their guide then opened a door, and in another moment Dora heard the cheery voice of her uncle saying, "Miss Lee, I have brought my niece, Dora Hilton, to see you; I expect you will soon be great friends, for both can say of the Lord Jesus, 'He loved me, and gave himself for me.'" (Gal. 3:2020Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. (Galatians 3:20))
Miss Lee did not rise to receive her visitors, but her smile and the words of welcome as she greeted them were so bright and pleasant that Dora was quite at home with her at once. Perhaps she could not have told any one what it was about Miss Lee that attracted her so strongly, but unconsciously to herself, Dora was learning how real and blessed are the bonds that unite the children of God to each other.
“It is always a great treat to me to have a visit from a young Christian," Miss Lee said in a low, sweet voice. "Shall I tell you why, dear?" she added, turning to Dora. "Just because I know the lambs are very dear to the heart of the Lord Jesus, who, as the Good Shepherd, gave His life for the sheep. But sometimes I find a lamb of Christ's fold gets sick, or very very tired, or sometimes has wandered away from Him. And the Lord, who knows that though I cannot go out, I love Him and long to do something for Him, often sends one of His own here, and gives me the joy of serving Him in His little ones. And there really is a bright side in not being able to walk: I do not mean only because I know it is my Father's will for me to sit still, but because I am always at home, so that any of my young friends who may need a word of help or comfort know just where to find me.”
The hour spent in Miss Lee's little room passed all too quickly for Dora, and when she said good-bye to her new friend it was with a promise of paying another visit at no very distant date.
During their walk home, Dora learned from her uncle that for more than ten years Miss Lee had been quite unable to walk, and that, though few would have guessed the truth from her bright face and cheerful manner, she often suffered from attacks of severe pain.