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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77064 ***
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Cover art]
+
+
+
+[Frontispiece: Wood Cottage]
+
+
+
+
+  WOOD COTTAGE
+
+  OR
+
+  SHELTERED AT LAST
+
+
+  _By_
+
+  M. E. DREWSEN
+
+  _Author of "Ben and Kit" "Hazel Glen,"
+  "Gracie and Grant," "The Old House," etc._
+
+
+  PICKERING & INGLIS
+  14 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON, E. C. 4
+  229 BOTHWELL STREET, GLASGOW, C. 2
+
+
+
+
+  Made and Printed in Great Britain
+
+
+
+
+  CONTENTS.
+
+  Safely Sheltered
+  Ben and Kit's New Clothes
+  A Prayer in the Wood Shed
+  Lambs of the Flock
+  Difficulties in the Narrow Path
+  Ben's Battle Begins
+  Ben's Return
+  Schoolboys
+  In the Storm
+  The Little Red House
+  The Sick Man and the Fallen Foe
+  What A Little Child can do
+  A Visit to the Sea
+  A Sunday Evening at the Sea-Side
+  Kittie in Trouble
+  Ben's Present
+
+
+
+
+WOOD COTTAGE;
+
+OR,
+
+SHELTERED AT LAST.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+SAFELY SHELTERED.
+
+It was between nine and ten o'clock in the evening, at the close of a
+hot summer's day.
+
+A few hours before there had been plenty of stir and excitement in
+the fields around Wood Cottage.  One hundred children belonging to a
+Sunday-school in the great city, had been playing and romping about
+through the day, and enjoying their yearly treat.
+
+They had been shouting and capering about on the meadows, while the
+sun shone bright and sweet breezes blew, and two or three hours
+before my story begins they had sung some of their little hymns about
+the love of Jesus, and then had started away back to London; back to
+the crowded alleys and the dull cheerless streets,--but they carried
+with them a happy remembrance of that sunny day spent in the pleasant
+fields, where they had sat in long rows upon the grass, and eaten a
+plentiful tea of cake and nice bread and butter, while kind ladies
+and gentlemen handed them mugs of sweet fresh milk to drink.
+
+A hundred children had started forth in the morning, but only
+ninety-eight returned in the evening.  Two of the little ones had
+found a new home.
+
+And now the sun had sunk behind a black, heavy cloud which was slowly
+coming up in the west, and the breeze which had fanned the faces of
+the children, was completely lulled; not a breath of air seemed to be
+stirring, and it had grown hot and oppressive; a solemn calm seemed
+reigning everywhere.
+
+The little birds had gone to their nests or crept under the bough of
+the trees.  The sheep in the meadow adjoining Wood Cottage had
+huddled up close together.  The old hen had gathered her chicks very
+close under her sheltering wings, and when the first distant roar of
+the thunder was heard, mothers came out of their cottage doors and
+called in the young urchins who "ought to have been in bed an hour
+ago."
+
+Harry Gray and his wife were sitting at their garden door when the
+pale lightning flashed across the sky.  Mrs. Gray had her baby on her
+knee, for he was restless with the heat, and would not sleep.
+
+"See; there is lightning, Harry," she said.  "There is going to be a
+storm.  Oh, how glad I am that our darling Kit is safe beneath our
+roof to-night!  You should have seen her, how she snugged down in the
+little crib between the clean sheets, and in a few minutes fell
+asleep.  I suppose she has not been in so comfortable a bed since she
+left me.  Poor lamb; what a life hers must have been!  I cannot bear
+to think of it now."
+
+"Yes; thank God little Kit is safe," replied the father; "but we must
+be very careful with her, she looks so tender, and be sure you don't
+over-feed her at first, wife, she has had but scanty fare and can't
+stand much yet.  Where have you put Ben?"
+
+"In the little room; I had a trouble at first to get her to sleep
+away from him, they've always been together, but she was so worn out
+that she fell 'over' while I was talking.  Before she lay down she
+put her hands together and said her little prayer that Ben had taught
+her; something like this it began:--
+
+  "Jesus, Lord, we come before Thee,
+  Much we need Thy tender care,
+
+He has been a good boy to her, and his heart seems set on her.  We
+must do what we can for him."
+
+"Ay, wife, while we have a crust he'll share it," and Harry Gray drew
+his hand across his eyes.
+
+"Ah! what a flash!" cried Mrs. Gray, holding her breath, as the whole
+heavens were lighted up.  Then followed a tremendous peal of thunder
+and some heavy drops of rain.
+
+They rose and went into the cottage after this, and the mother,
+giving baby Harry to his father, ran up to look again at little Kit,
+who opened her eyes, wakened by the heavy peal of thunder.
+
+Little Kit had been separated from her parents for more than three
+years owing to the cruel neglect of her aunt, Mrs. Rogers, to whose
+care she had been committed by her mother during a severe illness,
+and the little girl had lived a life of want and hardship since.
+
+The Grays had tried to find Kit, but Mrs. Rogers removed from one
+place to another, and at last they thought she had left the country.
+She had married an idle drunken fellow who had brought her to extreme
+poverty, and after she had obtained charge of Kit had gone from bad
+to worse, and exposed the delicate little baby in the London streets
+in order to gain money, then, fearing to be discovered, had hidden
+the child from her parents, in one of the slums of London.
+
+Some months before the children's treat Mrs. Rogers had died, and the
+little girl would have perished from want had not Ben Rogers, her
+cousin--a boy of nine or ten years--cared for her and loved her, and
+by selling matches earned a bare living for them both.  The man,
+Rogers, allowed them to use the room he slept in, but beyond this had
+taken little notice of the children until a few weeks before the
+treat, when, during a slight illness, Kit's pretty little prattle
+about the Lord Jesus had touched his heart, and caused him to feel
+more kindly towards the little girl.
+
+The two children had found their way to a Sunday school, and there
+had learned the good news of the Saviour's love, and they had been
+enjoying themselves with the other little ones in the Hornsey Meadows
+when accidentally discovered by Kit's mother, whose joy at finding
+her long-lost child was indeed great.*
+
+
+* See "Ben and Kit," companion volume to this.
+
+
+The peal of thunder wakened Kit, and when she first opened her eyes
+she was frightened.  The room was strange with its clean white bed
+hangings and neat furniture.  She had been used to a dull back room
+with a mattress on the floor for a bed, and on it she and Ben had
+slept each night.  Her mother's face was strange to her, though the
+yearning love displayed there would have comforted her little heart
+could she have seen it right.  But the glare of lightning terrified
+her, and she cried pitifully, "Ben, Ben, where are you?"
+
+Another instant Ben sprang into the room.  He pushed past Mrs. Gray
+and took Kit right out of her crib into his arms, while he tried to
+stop her sobs.
+
+"I'm here, Kit, don't cry," he said, patting her.  "Let her come with
+me into my bed, Ma'am, she ain't used to sleeping alone.  I always
+sung her to sleep."
+
+There was no other way, so the mother, whose heart longed to be all
+in all to the lost little one, gave her up for the time to her old
+protector, who certainly had earned his right to her love.
+
+"Kiss me, Kittie, for that is what I used to call you," she said,
+"and love me a little, darling.  I am very glad you love Ben; he has
+been a good kind boy to you."
+
+Kit put up her lips to kiss, and stroked her kind face that bent over
+her, then she clasped her arms round Ben and said, "Me does love Ben,
+he's a dood boy," and in five minutes both children were fast asleep.
+
+"Let them love each other, there's no fear but they'll get fond
+enough of us by and by, wife," said the father upon hearing about it.
+"We must remember she would have died had it not been for Ben; but I
+know how you feel about it.  Your poor heart has been starving so
+long, you feel you can't get right hold of her yet."
+
+After they had taken one more look at the sleeping children, and
+given God thanks for His goodness in restoring their lost darling,
+the father went to his little cash box and put thirty shillings in
+his wife's hand.
+
+"Go out to-morrow and buy the children the things they most need," he
+said, "I'm glad we've been able to put a little by, and I can spare
+you more for them when that's done.  We must keep Ben for the present
+at any-rate, and you'll find him a smart useful little chap, I think,
+and when he's had a little schooling we can get him a place as
+message boy.  Miss Randolphe, their teacher, told me yesterday she
+would speak to her friend, Mr. Goodall, who has a large stationer's
+shop near here, and she felt sure he would take Ben and give him a
+trial when he wanted him to make a start."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+BEN AND KIT'S NEW CLOTHES.
+
+For some hours the lightning flashed and the thunder rolled, but the
+children slept peacefully in their bed.  It was the mother who lay
+awake too overjoyed to sleep.  The morning dawned clear and bright,
+and everything out of doors smelled sweet and fresh after the rain.
+
+Little Kit sat on her father's knee at breakfast, with a basin of
+bread and milk before her.  She looked very pale and thin, though a
+sweet smile of content was on her lips.  She took a few spoonfuls,
+and then put the basin gently from her.
+
+"No more, now," she said.  "I wish we might take it to Tommy Perrin,
+he doesn't get such nice things."
+
+"Why Kit! we are ever so far away from the Perrins," answered Ben,
+"and this lady says that we are not going any more."
+
+"No, you shall never leave mother any more, Kittie," she said.  "And
+Ben, dear, call me Aunt.  I am your aunt, and Kittie's father is your
+uncle.  Try and remember to do so and please me, there is a good boy."
+
+Ben shook his head.
+
+"Kit and I always call folks by the same name, don't we, Kit?  and it
+seems awful strange to do different.  Couldn't you be my mother, mam,
+too?" said the little fellow, looking Mrs. Gray full in the face.
+"I'd help you as best I could; I'd dress Kit and little Harry and
+take them out walks; and I'd chop sticks and light fires; and I could
+cook herrings and carry water; and I'd go out and sell matches, and
+bring home the coppers to you."
+
+Mrs. Gray's eyes filled with tears.  "You are right, Ben," she said,
+"call us father and mother, and we'll all live happy together; you
+shall help me as much as you can, and we'll put you to school; and
+when you've learned to read and to write you shall be a message boy.
+Am I saying right, Harry?" she asked her husband.
+
+"You couldn't have spoken more to my mind.  If the little chap is
+honest and willing, we'll make a man of him, and try and be father
+and mother, if Rogers will let us.  Now, I must be off to work," he
+added, kissing Kit, and tossing baby Harry in the air.  "Take care of
+her, mother, and try and bring some roses into her cheeks, for she
+looks very tender."  And he shook his head rather sorrowfully.
+
+"You don't think there is anything really wrong, do you?" asked his
+wife, anxiously.
+
+"No, no, I hope not; but she'll need all your care; she has only
+eaten enough for her breakfast to feed a sparrow.  Take her into the
+fields, and give her fresh milk;--with God's blessing she'll get on."
+
+A neighbour, who had heard the good news of Ben and Kit's arrival,
+came in after breakfast with her arms full of clothes to lend the
+little ones till they were better provided for.
+
+"Here's some of Mary's and Billy's bits of things to dress them up
+in.  I was saying to my husband it will take Mrs. Gray some time to
+make them look decent; and we can spare these for a few days while
+she is rigging them up.  Said he, 'You're right, wife; suppose it had
+been our Mary!'"
+
+"I am sure you are very kind, Mrs. Brown; I was just wondering what I
+should do about the clothes, for I am going to take them to John
+Blair's to get a few ready-made things, till I have time to sew for
+them myself."
+
+Ben was standing by his aunt's side, and Kit was on her knee, looking
+rather shyly in her face.
+
+"This is the best frock Kit has got, and it's a pretty little one.
+Isn't it?" asked he, pointing to the little blue skirt they had been
+so proud of in former days.  "And this little hat," he went on,
+taking up the black straw with the faded violet ribbon.  "We used to
+think it grand, didn't we, Kit?  Somehow it looks very shabby against
+Baby's.  But his is so pretty."
+
+Mrs. Gray laughed, and neighbour Brown remarked,--with a shake of her
+head,--that "Ben was a wise boy for his age."
+
+The children were soon dressed as neatly as possible under the
+circumstances, and little Kit was placed in the perambulator, for her
+mother was afraid she would be tired, though they were not going very
+far.
+
+"I will carry baby," she said.
+
+"And I'll shove Kit," cried Ben.
+
+And so they started "to shop."  Kit greatly enjoyed the ride, and
+Ben's heart swelled with pride to see her looking so bright and
+happy, and he stamped his feet on the pavement as they went along,
+that he might hear the sound of the leather.  It was a long time
+since he had worn boots.
+
+"Is them your boots, Ben, making that noise?" asked Kit, turning
+round.
+
+"Yes, Kit; do you like to hear it?" asked he.
+
+Kit nodded her head and smiled.  At last they reached John Blair's,
+and Kit was taken out of the perambulator into the shop.  Her mother
+bought her a neat little print frock, pinafores, a cape, and a straw
+hat with a blue ribbon round, and then she tried on a jacket, which
+fitted her nicely, and ended by getting socks and shoes.
+
+"I have plenty of stuff by me to make underclothing," she said, "and
+a piece of light cloth that will do for another frock."
+
+So little Kit was fitted out for the present, and then came Ben's
+turn.  He had looked on with admiring eyes while each article was
+tried on to the little girl, and his admiration was told out by
+deep-drawn sighs.
+
+"Now, Ben, we must find something for you," said Mrs. Gray, as she
+looked at Kit with deep satisfaction, and imprinted a kiss on the
+sweet wistful little face.
+
+"Something for you, Ben," echoed Kit.
+
+"Never mind me," said he, "I'm good enough to push the coach."
+
+"Here's a jacket and knickerbockers that would just fit the little
+fellow, only six and sixpence, a real bargain, good strong tweed,"
+said the man who had returned with the articles.
+
+They are pronounced the "very thing," and so after Ben was supplied
+with a cap, boots, and stockings, the little party returned home with
+their parcels, and the children were dressed in their new things by
+the time the father returned for his dinner.
+
+He was charmed with the improvement that neat clothes made in both
+the children, and could hardly take his eyes off Kit, and when she
+lisped out, "Mother gave me these," the mother's eyes filled with
+happy tears.
+
+"Let's have tea on the green, wife, it will please the children, and
+Ben and Kit must each feel in one of my big pockets for a parcel,
+when I get home.  I saw something pretty in a shop this morning that
+I think will please my little girl."
+
+"And something for baby, too?" asked Kit.
+
+"Yes; I'll have something for Harry, too," replied the father as he
+prepared to return to work.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+A PRAYER IN THE WOOD SHED.
+
+About an hour after dinner Kit fell into a sound sleep, and her
+mother laid her in her little bed, thankful that she should get a
+good rest, for the least exertion seemed to fatigue her.
+
+Ben took the opportunity to look about him, as Mrs. Gray had given
+him leave to go where he liked, so long as he kept the cottage in
+sight.  He examined each corner of the little garden, for every plant
+and shrub was a wonder to the little fellow, who had lived all his
+days in the back streets of a squalid part of London.
+
+Half of the garden was laid out in cabbages, onions, beans, and
+parsley, with a border of sweet-smelling country flowers round it.
+The other half was a nice even plot of green grass, where Mrs. Gray
+hung her clothes to dry, but a wide-spreading apple tree threw a
+pleasant shade on the one side, and here the little family had often
+sat in the summer evenings, before Ben and Kit so unexpectedly joined
+them.
+
+There was a little shed, too, where the garden tools were kept, and
+beside it a hen-house and a dog's kennel, and next the hen-house,
+where the hens roosted and had their nests, was a small yard enclosed
+by wire-fence to keep them off the garden, and here a hole had been
+made into the field beyond, so that "Master Scott," as they called
+the Scotch grey cock, could roam about with his four companions,
+Speckle, Beauty, Black Bess, and Snowflake, without doing mischief.
+
+At roosting time, Mrs. Gray let them come round the cottage door to
+eat their supper, and then "Master Scott" would grow very bold and
+fly on to the kitchen dresser and give a triumphant crow.
+
+Ben asked if he might look into the hen-house, and Mrs. Gray said she
+would come and show him the hen that was sitting on thirteen eggs.
+
+"You must never disturb her, Ben; for, if she sits steadily, this day
+week there will be a brood of young chicks, and Kit and you shall
+each have one for your own."
+
+Of course, Ben was highly delighted, and promised to be careful.
+After this he went into the meadows and made friends with "Master
+Scott" and the old hen who had so carefully gathered her chicks under
+her wing the night before.
+
+It was hard work for Beauty to do this now, for her children were
+growing big and their heads would poke out from between her feathers,
+and though she stretched her wings ever so wide, the little black
+chick could find no room, but had to perch on her back.
+
+By the time Kit woke up, Ben had gathered her a bunch of buttercups
+and daisies, and then he asked permission to take her a walk.
+
+"Be very careful then, and only go a little way, Ben," said the
+mother, fearful lest any harm might come to her new found treasure.
+
+"I always take care of Kit, no harm comes to her when I'm by; does
+it, Kit?" said Ben, drawing himself up.
+
+"No, no horses run over me, or big boys knock me down.  Ben always
+takes me up in his arms and carries me safe home when I's tired.
+He's the bestest boy," and she looked at him in his new suit with
+great satisfaction.
+
+"Doesn't it seem strange, Kit, to be here," said Ben, as they walked
+up and down the road, "with good dinners, teas, nice clothes, and
+such beautiful hens and chickens."
+
+"Yes; and Jesus is here too, isn't He? and He gave us these nice
+things?  The lady said so."
+
+"Of course He is; and He helped your father and mother to find you.
+We ought to thank Him.  I believe it all comes because we went to the
+Sunday school.  See how we got the fine treat, and then how your
+mother came to the field and saw you crying, and found out that you
+were her little girl.  Kit, we ought to thank Jesus about it; the
+Sunday school belongs to Him!" said Ben, solemnly.
+
+"Where will we kneel down, Ben?"
+
+"There's a nice little shed would do," said Ben, "come along and I'll
+show you."  They opened the door of the out-house, and finding a
+clean spot, the children took hands and knelt as they had knelt many
+a time in the little back room at Peters Street.  "You first, Kit,
+then me next," said Ben.
+
+"Bless me, Jesus Lord, and Ben too," began Kit, "I'm very glad I've
+found my father and mother and baby, and You have given us all these
+nice things--Amen."
+
+"And take care of the Sunday school now we are not there," added Ben,
+"and help me to be handy to my new father and mother, and take us all
+to heaven, because you're the Saviour--Amen."
+
+The mother had watched them go into the shed, and wondering what kept
+them there, had stolen on tip-toe round to the other side, and looked
+in through a space between the boards.
+
+The sight she saw caused her unmingled astonishment.  She had no idea
+that the little ones had learned thus to pray and tell Jesus of their
+joys as well as their troubles.  Kittie's eyes were closed, and the
+light from the door fell upon her sweet serene little face, while
+Ben, with knitted brows, was moving his head from side to side, and
+clasping her hand firmly.
+
+"I'm glad we've thanked Him; now it won't look as if we had
+forgotten," he said as they rose.  "It would be real mean, you know,
+Kit, when God took such care of us in Peters Street.  Miss Randolphe
+said she would come and see us some day, and hear our verses.  We
+mustn't forget them.  Let's come under the tree and say them."
+
+Mrs. Gray stepped forward, and without appearing to have seen the
+children before, asked them to come and help her get tea ready, for
+father was coming in, and they were all to have tea on the green.
+She wanted them to carry out the cups and plates, and bread and
+butter, then after that she wished them to sing their hymns.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+LAMBS OF THE FLOCK.
+
+"Before tea, Harry must get his face washed," Mrs. Gray said, and
+taking baby on her knee, proceeded to sponge his rosy cheeks.  Harry
+screamed lustily.
+
+"I never scream when Ben washes my face," said Kit, who was watching
+the operation with great interest.
+
+"No, but you are older than Harry, and know better," said her mother.
+
+"I'm growing a bigger girl," said Kit, straightening herself.  "I'm
+_up to my head_,--see!" and she placed her hand on the top of her
+curly locks.
+
+"So you are," said her mother, laughing; "and down to your toes."
+
+"When Harry is up to my head and down to my toes, he won't scream
+when being washed," cried Kit.
+
+"I hope not," replied her mother, as Ben laughed merrily; "but see,
+he's a good boy now, and fit to be kissed; so we will lay him down on
+the grass to kick, while we set the table for tea."
+
+They spread a table-cloth on the green, and the children were
+delighted to help.  It was so different from anything they had done
+before.
+
+Ben carried out hassocks for Kit and himself, and the two ran back
+and forward with plates, cups, and spoons, and every time they came
+with a fresh article, baby Harry crowed and kicked afresh.
+
+"Now, that's the train in," said Mrs. Gray, "go to the gate, and look
+for father.  In a few minutes he should be here."  Soon they both
+returned to the house each holding the father's hand, and each
+carrying a parcel.  Ben waited while Kit's parcel was being opened,
+and then both children uttered a cry of delight.  A wax doll with
+blue eyes and flaxen ringlets made its appearance dressed in blue.
+
+"I couldn't resist bringing it to her," said Gray, "I guessed that
+she never had such before."  Kit hugged her new treasure much as her
+mother had hugged her the night before, while her eyes grew lustrous,
+and a bright flush spread over her cheeks.
+
+Ben quite forgot for the minute to open his parcel, he was so lost in
+admiration over Kit's doll.  But when he had time to think of his and
+had opened it he found himself the possessor of a First Reading Book
+crammed full with illustrations.  There were pictures of dogs and
+cats, horses, ships, soldiers, etc., etc.
+
+"Now, Ben, you must learn to read," said the father, when they had
+taken their places for tea, "so that in a few months you can go out
+and earn your living again like a brave boy."
+
+"So I will, if my own father, in Peters Street, will let me stay with
+you.  Oh!  I do hope he will.  But I haven't made you a bow for the
+fine book.  This is how we bow to the gentry when they give us
+coppers, isn't it, Kit?" and he stood up and made them all laugh
+while he pulled his front hair and then went head over heels all
+along the grass.
+
+Then Harry received his present, which was a squeaking pig, and it
+added to the merriment of the little party to see his pleasure, and
+to hear his funny little crows of delight mingling with the squeaks
+of the pig.
+
+Ben was merry that night.  He felt so happy, for Mr. Gray said he had
+gone to Peters Street in the middle of the day and had seen their old
+home.  He brought with him the little Sunday school books and a
+wallflower Kit prized.  He also had called on Mrs. Perrin, who had
+been a kind friend to them, and had had a long talk with her.  She
+told him much of Ben's faithfulness to Kit, and cried at the thought
+of losing the children.
+
+However, Gray asked her over with her children to spend the day at
+Wood Cottage in a fortnight's time, and she had promised to come.
+Rogers (Ben's father) was not at home, but Mrs. Perrin said she would
+give him the message that Gray left, and do her best to persuade him
+to give Ben up to them, and then she would write and let the inmates
+of Wood Cottage know the result.
+
+She had little difficulty about it, for Rogers wanted to go to sea,
+and his only drawback had been leaving the little fellow.
+
+Ben was very glad to get his few books again.
+
+"This one has our newest hymns in it," he said, pointing to the
+well-worn cover.
+
+"Let us hear it, Ben," said the mother.
+
+"Well, turn about then, Kit," said the boy, "you one verse and I the
+next."
+
+Kit laid her doll down with a fond look, and folded her arms while
+she repeated--
+
+  "We are lambs of the flock,
+    And no danger we fear,
+  While the voice and the call
+    Of our Shepherd we hear.
+
+  "We will follow, we will follow
+  His call to our home in the sky."
+
+
+Then Ben went on with the two next verses--
+
+  "Oh, the pastures are green,
+    And the flowers bloom around,
+  By the side of still waters
+    He will make us lie down.
+
+        "We will follow," etc.
+
+  "Oh, that all the dear lambs
+    Had a heart to reply,
+  When the good Shepherd calls
+    From His home in the sky.
+
+        "We will follow," etc.
+
+
+"That is very pretty, and nicely repeated too," said Kit's parents.
+Do you know any more?
+
+"I know a beautiful one about"
+
+  "I want to be like Jesus,
+  So lovely and so meek
+  For no one--one-----"
+
+
+"Marked" put in Ben--
+
+  "Marked an angry word
+  That ever heard Him speak."
+
+
+"And I like the verse," added Ben--
+
+  "I want to be like Jesus,
+    Engaged in doing good,
+  So that of me it may be said,
+    He hath done what he could."
+
+
+"Now, tell us what you heard in the Sunday school from the teacher,"
+said the mother.
+
+"Well," began Ben, "our teacher said we were like little lambs, and
+Jesus is the Good Shepherd; and He came down from heaven and died for
+us, so that we need not die for our sins; and she told us to love Him
+and trust Him; and He would take His little lambs in His arms and
+help them on, and give them all they require, and--and--" hesitated
+Ben.
+
+"And one day we will go to Jesus' happy place up there, and we want
+to be like Jesus," said Kit.
+
+While she was speaking, Ben rose with flushed cheeks, and pointed to
+the western sky where bright clouds were lying as the sun slowly
+descended.
+
+"Hark!  I think I can hear it!" he said, raising his head.  "Perhaps
+the time has come! oh, perhaps!"
+
+"What time?" they asked, wondering what the boy meant.
+
+"Why, for Jesus to come, of course.  See how bright it is! and I
+think I hear the sound of the trumpet!  Maybe the time's come--has
+it?"
+
+For a minute neither of the parents spoke.  Then the mother said: "It
+is the sun setting, and the sound you heard was a bell far away--but
+one day soon Jesus will come to take us home to Heaven."
+
+Ben sat down and watched the sky, looking rather disappointed.
+
+"I thought it was the trumpet.  Teacher said He might come any day,
+and that we were always to be looking out for Him, ready for the
+trumpet sound, when we would go up to be with Jesus."
+
+"Do you want to go so much, Ben?" asked the mother.
+
+"Yes, it would be nice; so nice.  We often hoped that Jesus would
+come every night when we were hungry and it was dark and
+cold,--didn't we, Kit?"
+
+"Yes; and Him is coming some day," said Kit, with a nod of her head.
+
+"I wonder if folks want Him as much when they have good houses and
+nice dinners, and beautiful gardens?" asked Ben in a slow and
+thoughtful tone, as if to himself.  "I wonder if Kit and I will want
+Him as much now!"
+
+Mrs. Gray had not an answer ready for Ben; she was putting one or two
+questions to her own heart--questions she could not very easily
+answer.  Tears filled her eyes, and she rose to put baby Harry to bed.
+
+So Ben sat very quiet, thinking over the matter till the silence was
+broken by the father saying:
+
+"We ought to want the Lord as much in the bright days, as in the
+dark.  I hope Kit and you will never stop speaking of Him.  He left
+all the brightness and the glory of heaven, and came down to this
+earth where all was sin and darkness.  They were dark sorrowful days
+for Him; but He came."
+
+"He came to save us, teacher said," put in Ben.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+DIFFICULTIES IN THE NARROW PATH.
+
+Three weeks after Ben and Kit entered their new home, Ben's school
+life began.  He was very proud to make the start, and went with great
+confidence, because he was able to say the alphabet correctly, and
+had learned to read a few little words.
+
+Miss Randolphe, their old Sunday school teacher, had called at Wood
+Cottage and given Mrs. Gray twenty shillings to be used for Ben's
+schooling.  She was very fond of the two children, and stayed some
+time with them, and spoke to them of the Saviour and His home, as she
+had done in times gone by.  She noticed that Ben looked a little
+sorrowful as she spoke, and she asked him if he was quite happy.
+
+"Come up the garden, and I'll tell you," he said.
+
+So Miss Randolphe took his hand and walked up to the garden seat.
+
+"Well, Ben," she asked kindly, "does anything trouble you?"
+
+The tears trickled down Ben's cheeks.  "It's jolly here, but when you
+spoke it seemed as if I used to love Him better," and Ben nodded
+toward the sky.  "Is it harder for folks to be good when they've got
+nice things?" he asked.
+
+"Do you find it harder to please Jesus here, Ben?"
+
+"Yes, things go wrong inside me," he answered, with a sob.  "Perhaps
+He doesn't take so much care of me now I've got father and mother.
+
+"That's not it, Ben dear; Jesus is just the same, He never changes.
+It is we who change.  Do you go to Him as much as you did?  Is it not
+that you do not feel to need Him so much now?"
+
+"I expect _that's it_," he answered.
+
+"And you must remember, Ben, that Satan is ever on the watch to tempt
+you.  It is hard to resist him, but you must do it.  If you trust in
+Jesus, who died for sinners, you are God's little child.  You may
+fail sometimes and do wrong, and make mistakes, but you are God's
+little child all the same.  It is far happier to be His obedient
+child than to wander from Him.  Before coming here you felt that you
+needed to ask God for your daily bread and for your clothes.  Ask Him
+just the same now, Ben.  In one day He could take away all these good
+things if He chose.  It is easier to keep near Him in the dark days,
+because we lean more on Him.  Do you understand, dear?"
+
+"Yes, I see it!" replied the little fellow, with a smile.  "I began
+to think perhaps it was Kit loved Jesus and not me!"
+
+"Just think of _His love_ to you, Ben.  He went straight to the cross
+for you and shed His precious blood to wash away your sin.  _His love
+never_ grows cold."
+
+"I'll never think He doesn't love me again, and I'll fight against
+Satan.  Only it's very hard, for there's a boy near here who teases
+me and mocks me, and sometimes I feel so cross and angry."
+
+"You can only overcome him by the Saviour's help.  Go and tell Jesus
+whenever you are tempted.  Now I shall give you two little printed
+texts to keep, and you must read them over sometimes.  The first is
+'Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever' (Heb. 13.
+8).  It is just as if '_yesterday_' was when He died on the cross for
+us.  'To-day' is now that He is helping us along the narrow pathway,
+and '_for ever_' is when we shall be with Him in glory.  The other
+text is 'To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of
+life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.'" (Rev. 2. 7).
+
+Ben was very pleased with the texts, and said he would pin them up
+over his bed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+BEN'S BATTLE BEGINS.
+
+Perhaps my little reader thinks that if he were a boy like Ben he
+would have no trouble after he reached such a happy home as Wood
+Cottage.  But that is a mistake.  When little children or grown-up
+people start on the narrow pathway they meet many foes who try to
+hinder them and make them unhappy.  First there is Satan himself, who
+does not honour the blood of Jesus, and who tries to make those
+unhappy who do.  And then we find that though our sins are all
+forgiven, and there is no judgment for us, yet our sinful hearts are
+still with us, and unless we are watchful, Satan will tempt us to
+grieve the Saviour.
+
+Now I will tell you of some kinds of difficulties little boys and
+girls have to contend with.
+
+Ben had lived very much as he pleased, or rather as best he could, in
+the old days when his parents were absent; and his thoughts were
+generally taken up with how to find bread for Kit and himself.
+Suddenly he was placed in a new home with kind friends, and food and
+clothes provided, and after a few days he almost longed to get roving
+about for himself again.  Not that he really wanted to get away to
+Peters Street, but _sometimes_ he cast a wistful eye back to the days
+when he brought home his coppers so proudly, and had little Kit "all
+to himself."
+
+Have we never after a change of circumstances looked back a little
+regretfully to the past scenes, though they were shady ones, when
+there was some little peculiar joy that made up for the trial?  Yes,
+many of us have!
+
+Kit was glad the first week or two to sit on her mother's knee, for
+she felt weak and weary, and it was a new pleasure for her to feel
+strong and loving arms around her.  Ben, who was weeding the garden,
+could see them through the open door; and he would say to himself a
+little bitterly--"Kit doesn't want me now."
+
+But it was only sometimes he felt jealous, for there were happy busy
+mornings when Ben made himself useful chopping sticks, carrying in
+coal, cleaning windows, weeding and tidying up the garden, and Kit
+would sit in her little chair and watch him and say, from time to
+time, "You is the bestest boy for work, Ben."
+
+After his work was done he would put on the two children's sun hats,
+and take them away into the meadows to gather daisies; and then all
+three would be very happy together.  Mrs. Gray said she found him a
+great help, and she didn't know what she would do without him, for he
+ran all her messages, and was "so handy on a washing day."
+
+A short distance along the road was a row of small houses, and Mrs.
+Gray knew by sight many of the people who lived there.  One family
+named Snow had very often attracted her notice.  It consisted of the
+father and mother and eight children.  A very unruly family they
+were, but the fact gave the mother little concern.  She took things
+"easy," and contented herself with putting the children out of doors
+when they "bothered" her, or giving an occasional whipping all round
+when needed.  She didn't believe in much punishment, and therefore
+passed over falsehoods and small thefts and fits of temper, as
+necessary faults with children.  "They would come right some day,"
+she said.
+
+The elder ones kept as much as possible out of her sight in play
+hours, and she did not know half the mischief they did.  There was
+one of the elder boys named Jim, who teased Ben a great deal.
+
+Jim found out that Ben had been a very poor boy, and had earned his
+living by selling matches, and it was a grand opportunity for him to
+turn tormentor.
+
+He would take off his cap to Ben as he passed him in the road, and
+say--"Have you got any matches to sell to-day, I'm wanting a light
+for my pipe."
+
+And then when Ben reddened and looked angry, he would make a low bow,
+and say--"I beg your honour's pardon, I must have made a mistake; I
+see you are a grand gentleman with a new suit on."
+
+This sort of thing was very hard for Ben to bear; he had never been
+mocked at before.  And one day, after Jim had been speaking in this
+way, Ben said to Kit--
+
+"I'm going to pay him out, Kit.  I shall give him something he'll
+_never_ forget."
+
+"What will you give him, Ben, dear; something nice to make him
+sorry?" she asked.
+
+"That's the trouble," muttered Ben, moodily.  "I oughtn't to fight
+now.  I've promised not to.  And of course I want to please Jesus,
+but I _can't_ bear it."
+
+Kit put her arms round the boy's neck and kissed him, and the anger
+melted away from his face.
+
+"P'haps Jim will soon turn into a good boy," she said.  "Let us ask
+Jesus to make him sorry."
+
+"That's the best way after all," answered Ben, as he returned her
+kiss.
+
+It was a bright sunny morning when Ben parted with Kit at the gate,
+and started for school for the first time.
+
+"Be sure and watch for me when I come home," he said.  Kit promised,
+and off he ran waving to her and the mother as long as he could.
+
+Jim Snow attended the same school, and as he had been learning to
+read for three or four years, he was in one of the higher classes.
+After the master had examined Ben, he placed him at the top of the
+infant class.  But he patted his head kindly and said, "You look a
+sharp boy, study hard and I will put you up higher."
+
+Ben would not have thought so much about being in the low class, for
+he was very anxious to get on, but when he raised his eyes, there was
+Jim looking through the glass partition of the next classroom at him,
+sneering and putting out his tongue and causing the others to laugh.
+
+Ben tried not to look or to heed him, though he felt the insult very
+keenly.
+
+The little fellow's heart swelled within him as he walked home, and
+some of the boys in the class ran by him crying, "Baby, baby."
+
+"I should like to show them I'm no baby," he said to himself, as he
+unconsciously clenched his fist.
+
+A minute after, as he neared the cottage gate, Jim overtook him.
+Ben's spirit rose as the boy asked, "If he would like to be carried
+home, as he was in the baby class; he surely was not fit to walk
+alone."
+
+"Be off, and stop your nonsense," said Ben, "or I will pay you back."
+
+Jim went on with his teasing talk, and Ben, forgetting all his good
+resolutions, flew at him.  Of course, Jim returned the blow, and so
+blow for blow was given, and for a minute the boys fought.
+
+Ben was strong and fearless, but Jim was the bigger, though he was
+not nearly so brave, and he might have given in, but a cry from the
+gate of Wood Cottage recalled Ben to his senses, and at the same
+moment a hand was laid on his shoulder.  A lady stood before the
+boys, saying, "Shame on you both, are you not afraid to stand
+fighting there with the eye of God looking upon you? and you are too
+big to strike such a little boy," she said, looking at Jim.  Ben's
+eyes turned towards the gate where Kit was standing with a distressed
+face.  She had stopped screaming when they left off fighting, and now
+her arms were spread out appealingly to Ben.
+
+Jim slunk off, muttering angry words.  He was rather glad to escape,
+for his courage had nearly forsaken him, but, as he turned to go, Ben
+saw that his lip was bleeding.
+
+Remorse set in directly; all his anger was gone, and Ben was
+miserable.  He would have given all that he had now to live the last
+ten minutes over again.  But that could not be; and Ben must reap
+what he had sown.  He stood irresolute.  The lady was beside him.
+
+"Where do you live?" she asked, kindly.  Something in the boy's sad
+face interested her, red and heated as it was with the last few
+minutes' work.  That work had left its effect in Ben's face, and he
+held his handkerchief to a scratch on his cheek.
+
+Ben glanced down the road where Kit stood waiting anxiously.
+
+"There," he answered, pointing with his hand, "but I've a good mind
+to run away and never come back; I would in a minute if it wasn't for
+that little girl standing there.  She would be awfully sorry, but I'm
+not fit to live in a place like that.  You see, I can't keep my
+spirit down."
+
+The lady put her hand on his shoulder, and drew him along with her
+towards Kit as she said--
+
+"There is One who would help you, little boy, if you would ask Him."
+
+The tears rolled down Ben's cheeks.
+
+"That's the worst bit of all," he answered.
+
+"How so, my boy?"
+
+"Because He's been--so--good, and I've tried to do what He wants me
+to, and now I've spoilt it all."
+
+They had reached the cottage gate, and Kit had slipped her hand into
+Ben's, and looked up wonderingly into the lady's face, while she drew
+some frightened sobs.
+
+"Tell your mother I'm sorry, very sorry, Kit.  I'll come back to you
+soon," said Ben, as he put Kit's hand gently on one side.  "But I
+can't come in now;" and he nodded to the lady.  He took a few quick
+steps forward, and was out of reach but not out of hearing as both
+cried after him, "Don't go away," and the stranger added, "Be a brave
+little soldier for Jesus, and don't run away."
+
+But Ben, though he hesitated a moment, went on with rapid steps
+towards the country.  Soon he began to run, and, after a few minutes,
+they lost sight of him.  Then they went inside the cottage and found
+Mrs. Gray hushing baby Harry to sleep.  She laid him down and then
+turned with surprise to hear what Mrs. Frankham had to tell of Ben
+and his fight with Jim Snow.
+
+"I hope you will excuse me for intruding upon you," she said, "but I
+am really sorry for the little fellow.  I believe he was teased by
+the big boy, for I had been watching them for some minutes; his
+temper got the better of him, but I think he is very grieved about
+it."
+
+Mrs. Gray thanked Mrs. Frankham for coming in, and then told her all
+she knew of Ben's history, and how he had only been with her for a
+short time.
+
+"He is a very wise little fellow, and so kind and willing.  We are
+very fond of him, and should be sorry, indeed, if any harm came to
+him.  But I think he'll come back, for the love he bears our Kittie,"
+she said.
+
+"Him said he'd come back," cried Kit, with quivering lip and eyes
+brimful of tears.
+
+"So he will, dear.  Don't fret," said her mother, "it isn't good for
+you."
+
+Before Mrs. Frankham left, she said that when passing again she would
+like to call and speak a word to the little fellow, for she felt sure
+he was trying to do right from what he had said to her.
+
+"You have taught him about the Lord Jesus, Mrs. Gray?"
+
+"I sometimes think he has taught me more, for many a word he has said
+about Jesus has gone deep into my heart."
+
+"Poor little fellow, he will be sorry; we have such a foe to contend
+with.  Tell him, from me, that if he loves the Saviour he must take
+Him as his Captain, and He will give him strength to stand as a good
+soldier, and not to yield to Satan and be overcome."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+BEN'S RETURN.
+
+The afternoon passed wearily to little Kit and her mother, for Ben
+did not return.  They went to the gate many times to look for him,
+and walked some way up the road, but Ben was not to be seen.
+Tea-time came, and Harry Gray returned.  He was very vexed and
+disappointed.
+
+"I hoped that we should be able to keep him and train him up well,
+for he gave good promise in many ways; it will be a pity if he goes
+back to the old place."
+
+"Ben said he would come back, and him speaks true.  Him's the
+_truest_ boy, father," urged Kit.  "Jesus can see him, and will make
+him came back."
+
+"Your faith is strong, darling, I shall go out after tea, and try to
+find him."
+
+But there was no need to go out after tea to look for him, for the
+next moment Kit was down from the table and had her arms round Ben's
+knees.
+
+He had just lifted the latch of the kitchen door very gently and
+walked in.  His face was quite calm, with a smile 'twixt hope and
+fear on it.  Before Mr. and Mrs. Gray could speak he walked straight
+up to the mother.
+
+"I'm awfully sorry I fought Jim this morning, and if you'll give me
+another chance I'll try and do better, though he mocks and laughs at
+me, and calls me 'Baby, in the low class,' I won't heed it.  I want
+to be--to be what the lady said, 'A brave soldier for Jesus.'  He
+never struck any one."
+
+"That's right, Ben dear.  It's all forgiven and forgotten--you won't
+do it again.  We're glad to have you home," said the mother, with
+fast filling eyes.
+
+And, holding out his hands to him, the father added, "Aye, we need to
+remember that He was mocked, and scourged, and crucified, and yet He
+never even threatened them, but prayed God the Father to forgive."
+
+"I'll try hard, and do like Him," said Ben.
+
+"Remember, boy, that when they laugh at you, if you _take it in fun_
+they'd soon stop.  Suppose they call you a 'Baby in the low class,'
+if you could just turn round and say, 'I know I'm in the baby class,
+but it isn't my fault, and I don't mean to stay there'; it would be
+better and more kind if you helped me with my lessons.'  If you said
+that, Ben, they would soon stop it."
+
+"There's some sense in that," said Ben, shrewdly.  "I'll try it
+to-morrow, though it will be very hard."
+
+"I am afraid it will.  When we do wrong, we must suffer; but I'll try
+and help you through it, lad."
+
+"You are kind," replied the little fellow.
+
+"He's the _kindest_ father," echoed Kit, for which she was well
+kissed, and they all laughed.
+
+"She was quite _sure_ you would come back, Ben!"
+
+"It was a good thing I _promised_ her, for I never told her a lie;
+and when I got into the old barn, up the road far away, I thought I
+couldn't face any of you again, for I knew you would not approve of
+fighting ways; but I remembered what the lady, our teacher, said
+about being a brave little soldier for Jesus, and I thought: 'If they
+will try me again, I'll go back, because I could never leave my
+little Kit.'  See, I nearly forgot what I had brought you, Kit."
+
+"Oh--h! oh--h! the beau-fullist little bird," she cried, as Ben drew
+a little dead nestling from his breast pocket.
+
+"But it's dead!--dead!" she added.
+
+"It was up at the stream yonder.  I went to give my face a wash after
+all the,--the,--you know what,--and the crying,--so I was having a
+good plunge when this little _bird_ flapped along the ground, and was
+frightened at all my splashin' I suppose, for it fell in the water,
+and then it scrambled out, and flew right into a hole in the wall.  I
+took off my stockings, and wading across lifted it out; but the
+little thing was nearly dead, and its heart was thumping at such a
+rate, and its beak kept opening and shutting till it died."
+
+Kittie's eyes opened very wide while Ben was telling this, and her
+cheeks flushed crimson.  She held the dead little thing so tenderly
+in her hands, while its tiny head fell over her fingers.
+
+"I will keep it like this, the darling birdie," said the little girl;
+and all the evening long she would not give it up.
+
+"We must bury it to-morrow, Kit, in your little garden.  I'll make a
+little box for its coffin, and dig the hole."
+
+But she stroked the pretty little yellow and brown feathers, and did
+not wish to think of to-morrow.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+SCHOOLBOYS.
+
+When Ben woke next morning he had a great load on his mind, for he
+had to face the boys again; but after a few words with the father, he
+felt better; and taking Harry Gray's hand in the breakfast hour, they
+went together to Jim's home.
+
+A knock at the door brought Mrs. Snow face to face with them.
+
+"This little chap forgot himself yesterday, and when the boys mocked
+him for being put in the low class, he struck at your Jim.  He is
+sorry for it, and wants to make up with him again."
+
+"Jim came in with his lip cut, and I found out that your boy had done
+it.  I suppose he has been used to that sort of thing, and we cannot
+expect much better from him.  As he is sorry, it's all right this
+time; and I hope he will behave himself better another day."
+
+"I never used to fight anybody," answered Ben.  "It's hard for a
+fellow to be called 'baby' because no one taught him to read before;
+but I mean to try not to fight Jim again.  You might ask him to leave
+off teasing me."
+
+Mrs. Snow looked at the eager face before her, and her better
+feelings prevailed.
+
+"Come here, Jim," she cried, diving at Jim, who was behind the door;
+"here's Ben Gray come to tell you he's sorry for fighting.  It's more
+than you would do.  Now don't you tease him again."
+
+Jim struggled to get free, and bursting away, cried--"I'll pay him
+out; see if I don't."
+
+Mrs. Snow's better feelings were quite overwhelmed now by her anger
+against Jim; and she went in search of him to promise him such a
+thrashing as he knew she would never carry out, while Harry Gray and
+Ben walked away.
+
+"Don't be afraid, boy, persevere and think twice before you act,"
+said the father, as they parted--the one for school, the other for
+work.
+
+Of course Ben had a great deal to contend with; but when he had once
+tried the right way, every fresh attack from the boys was easier to
+withstand.
+
+"That's the baby who had to go and beg Jim's pardon," said a close
+friend of Jim's to Ben on coming home from school the same day.
+
+Ben's cheeks flushed and he bit his lips, then he turned to the boy--
+
+"I am in the baby class," he said, "and it's enough to make you laugh
+to see such a big boy as I am there, but I'm not going to stay in
+it--I mean to try and get out in two weeks, and as you know such a
+lot you might help me to read.  I did tell Jim I was sorry, and so I
+_am_, because I've made a _lot_ of people sorry."
+
+It was a great effort for Ben to say this, but it had its effect; the
+boy didn't know what to reply, and ran off.
+
+After a few days the others left off teasing Ben about his lessons,
+for he was not afraid to own the truth,--and in a fortnight the
+master put him in another class.  But Jim did not forgive Ben.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+IN THE STORM.
+
+It was just such another day as when the Sunday School children had
+played about in the meadows six weeks before.  The rays of the sun
+were very hot, though a gentle breeze stirred the branches of the
+trees around.  Far in the distance was a dark line of cloud, but it
+was so far away that one did not notice it.
+
+Little Kit was looking rather pale; and when Ben ran in from school
+the mother said--
+
+"You might take Kit for a ride in the perambulator, Ben.  Be back in
+time for tea."  She could trust him perfectly with Kit now, as he had
+proved himself very careful, and after tucking the little girl
+comfortably into the "coach," she put pieces of bread and jam into
+their hands, and they started off towards the country.
+
+Ben was very anxious to show Kit a bird's nest he had discovered in a
+bush on the outskirts of a wood some distance away, but there would
+be plenty of time to reach the place and get back for tea, if they
+were quick.  So he ran along the shady side of the road, pushing Kit
+merrily.
+
+"The nest is empty now, Kit, but you'll like to see where the young
+birds were hatched.  It was such a cosy warm place."
+
+"Something like my little crib, Ben."
+
+"Very much like that, Kit, and you look like a little bird yourself
+at night, with your head peeping out and your eyes shining bright
+like beads."
+
+Kit laughed, "I wonder if angels watch over little birds at night?"
+
+"Well--father said not one of them falls to the ground without God
+knowing it, so may be they are watched over.  Folks say that little
+'birds' praise Him by their singing; anyhow it sounds as if they
+chirped something solemn at night when the sun has gone down.  I've
+heard them in that wood over there."
+
+"It's nice to think of little birds thanking Him, isn't it?" said Kit.
+
+"Yes; and we ought never to forget to thank Him also, for we've got
+far more nice things than they."
+
+As they passed along the hedgerow and neared the wood, Jim Snow
+sprang out upon them with a howl which caused Kit to scream with
+terror, whereupon he set up his mocking laugh.
+
+"I saw the young lady and her coachman coming along, and I thought
+I'd make her jump," he cried; "ha! ha!"
+
+"How _could_ you be so cruel, Jim? see how frightened she is," said
+Ben, indignantly.  "Big boys like you ought not to frighten little
+girls.  Never mind, Kit; he will not do it again."
+
+"Don't you be too sure," cried Jim, as he disappeared behind the
+bushes.
+
+It would have been wiser if Ben had turned homewards after this
+little affair, but he was so anxious to show Kit the bird's nest.  He
+watched till Jim ran off to the little stream where he had found the
+nestling for Kit a short time before, and then wheeled her onwards.
+At the stream, Jim joined Eliza (his sister next in age to himself),
+who was in charge of a little girl about a year old.  He spoke to her
+as if ordering her home, and then stopped to watch her proceedings
+for a few minutes.  She had taken the shoes and socks off the baby
+and was going to teach it to walk in the water.
+
+Poor little thing, it was grasped roughly round the waist, while its
+tiny feet were jumped up and down on the stones in the stream.
+
+"I shan't go home till I've given Jane a bathe, shall I, darling?"
+Jane screamed, and Eliza shook her.
+
+"I'm not going to stand any of that, so stop at once," she said, and,
+whilst trying to get a firmer hold of the child, it fell sideways
+into the stream.
+
+Of course, Jane screamed louder, and Eliza took her or tugged her up
+the bank as best she could; all her little garments dripping with
+water.
+
+"Won't you catch it," cried Jim, with a whistle.
+
+"Don't tell, Jim, and I'll wring out her things, and they'll dry
+before I get home."
+
+"Won't I though; you told about me the other day, didn't you?  But I
+must be off, wishing you good luck," and he ran away in the direction
+Ben and Kit had gone, leaving Jane to her fate.
+
+Eliza did her utmost to dry the clothes, and all the way home was
+planning the best method of getting over her scrape, if her mother
+should find it out.
+
+On went Ben with his little charge, quite unaware that they were both
+followed by Jim, who was very curious to know their proceedings.  A
+short distance up the road, on the side of a hill, Ben came to a
+gate, which was attached to a post by a chain slipped over it; he
+raised this, and pushed the perambulator into the meadow, and,
+lifting Kit out, told her to take his hand, while he pushed the
+"coach" up the rising ground, past some straggling bushes.
+
+"Now, we'll leave it here for a few minutes, Kit, while we scramble
+through this little hole in the fence into the wood, and you'll hear
+the birds sing, if you be quiet, and I'll show you the little nest
+Will Grant showed me.  We mustn't stay many minutes, because I
+promised to be back before father comes home to tea.  I'll take the
+shawl on my arm, in case you would like to sit on it."
+
+They scrambled through the little hole, and Ben searched about for
+the bush.  It was not so easy to find as he imagined, and it took him
+nearly a quarter of an hour before he hit on the right spot.
+
+Kit did not mind the delay, for she was busy filling her hands with
+all sorts of weeds and leaves and flowers, to take home to her
+mother.  At last the nest was found, which Will Grant had left hoping
+the bird might lay more eggs in it, and Ben lifted Kit to see it and
+feel it.
+
+"What's that?" cried Ben.
+
+They listened.
+
+"Sounds like funder," said Kit.
+
+A low distant roar was heard, which suddenly seemed to break over
+their heads.  At the same moment a shrill whistle sounded near them,
+and a tall man broke through the bushes.
+
+"What are you doing here?" he asked.  "Be off, sharp now.  You are
+disturbing the beasts, and you're 'trespassing.'"
+
+Ben started, and Kit clung to him.
+
+"What beasts, please Sir?  Are there any wild beasts about?" and Ben
+glanced round with a scared look.
+
+"No, no, rabbits and hares, and such like, which we want kept quiet.
+Another thing is, traps have been set all over the wood, and if you
+got your legs caught in them, it would be awkward."
+
+"It would never do for this little girl to get caught.  Would you
+please tell us where they are, Sir?"
+
+"Oh, all about; never come here any more.  It takes all my time
+keeping the public off."
+
+"We have nothing to do with 'publics.'  Father and mother wouldn't
+allow us to go inside one, please Sir," said Ben secretly rather
+afraid of the tall man, and wishing to be civil.
+
+"No, no; I was making no reference to the public houses," answered
+he, with a laugh.  "I daresay you are decent little folks, but you
+ought not to be here.  What did you come for?"
+
+"I came to show this little girl a real bird's nest in a bush here,
+but I won't come again.  You see, she was brought up in Peters Street
+and never saw one before."
+
+"Hum! she's a pretty little thing, and you ought to take her home at
+once, there's a tempest coming on.  See!"  A flash of lightning
+lighted up the wood, showing up for an instant every leaf and branch;
+then followed a peal of thunder.
+
+"It isn't safe to stay here; what are you going to do?"
+
+"The 'coach' is just outside the fence, I'll put Kit in and run home."
+
+The man hesitated; he had a kindly face when off duty; and the little
+pair touched a chord in his heart.
+
+"If the storm is heavy, just stop at the little red brick cottage
+along the road; my wife stays there; tell her I sent you; I have to
+go a little further before I turn in."
+
+He helped them through the bushes, saying, as he did so, "I can't
+think how you'll get along; the storm is going to be heavy; but you
+mustn't stay here."
+
+"We were saying coming along that God takes care of sparrows, so He
+is sure to look after us.  We are not afraid.  You might have been
+awful cross with us for coming in this here wood, instead of that you
+are helping us, you see.  It must be Jesus taking care of us."
+
+"I wish I never had to deal with worse characters than you," said
+Michael Craig, for this was his name.  "Go into the cottage as you
+pass.  Good-bye."
+
+Again the children scrambled through the little hole in the fence,
+and ran to the place they had left the perambulator; but to their
+dismay, it was gone.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+THE LITTLE RED HOUSE.
+
+The scene around had changed during the half-hour.
+
+Angry looking clouds were coming up on all sides, and heavy drops of
+rain were falling.
+
+"What _shall_ we do?" cried Ben.  "Your coach has been stolen, Kit.
+What will they say at home?  Oh dear--dear!  Some tramps have got it.
+We must follow on, and perhaps we'll overtake it."
+
+"I don't like the lightning, Ben," cried Kit.
+
+"And this rain will soak you through; keep close up to the hedge a
+few minutes, while I wrap you in the shawl.  It's a good thing I took
+that with us."
+
+He wrapped Kit up as warmly as possible, and made her sit down behind
+him while he kept the rain off her as best he could.  Tears of
+vexation rolled down his cheeks as he thought, "things seem to be all
+going wrong," and he absently put his hands in his pockets.  Doing
+so, he laid hold of the two little texts Miss Randolphe had given
+him--"Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day, and forever" (Heb.
+xiii. 8).  Her words occurred to his mind--Yesterday means long ago
+when He died on the cross for us and put away our sin; To-day means
+now while He helps us along the narrow path; and Forever, when we
+will be with Him safe in heaven.
+
+"All right," thought Ben, "if Jesus keeps the same, He won't forget
+_us_, but He'll help us safe through all this trouble we've got into.
+There's another flash, Kit!  We mustn't stay here, it is not safe; I
+heard father say, people are struck dead under trees and such like
+when the lightning flashes.  What was that!  It sounded like some one
+crying out?  Listen."  But a peal of thunder drowned every other
+sound.  "I suppose it was only my fancy.  Now Kit, stand on that old
+tree--that's it, and put your arms round my neck, and I'll sling the
+shawl right over your head and bind you on my back, and run away home
+as fast as I can, then I'll come back and look after the 'coach.'"
+
+Kit did as she was bid, and with his precious burden on his back, Ben
+ran as fast as he could down the hill.  The rain pelted upon them,
+and the little boy panted for breath, but he struggled on till the
+little red cottage came in sight.
+
+"We must try and get in here," he gasped, and upon reaching the door,
+he rapped.
+
+A woman past middle age opened the door, and looked greatly surprised
+at seeing Ben with the little girl's head peeping out above his
+shoulders.
+
+"Please let us in; the gentleman who walks in the woods to keep the
+public off, told us to come here till the thunder was over," cried
+Ben.
+
+The woman drew the children inside the door, and asked them to walk
+in and dry themselves at the kitchen fire, while they told her all
+that had happened.
+
+She had a sweet sad face, with grey banded hair, and though her dress
+was very plain, almost poor, yet it was very neat.  A younger woman,
+with a baby in her arms, stood by the fire.
+
+"It's an awful storm for such little children to be out in.  Tell us
+all about it, my lad, and how you met our Michael!" said the elder
+woman, lifting Kit on her knee.
+
+Thus encouraged, Ben began at the beginning and told all about the
+excursion, the bird's nest, the meeting with Michael, and the loss of
+the "coach."
+
+The women were loud in their sympathy, and said it was a strange
+thing that it should be stolen so quickly.
+
+"Directly I've taken little Kit home, I shall run and have another
+look round just in case someone has moved it and it is still
+somewhere about," said Ben.
+
+"Yes, it would be worth while to do that," she answered.
+
+While they were speaking, the sound of a hollow cough was heard in
+the next room, and a feeble voice asked--
+
+"Who is that?"
+
+"That's John," said the elder woman, rising and going towards the
+next room.
+
+"Who is John? your little boy?" asked Ben.
+
+"He was my little boy once, he's a big boy now, and he's very ill,
+but that would be nothing if I knew he was happy."  She returned in a
+minute, saying, "John wanted to see the children; he has always been
+fond of children."  Mrs. Craig lifted Kit up into the next room, and
+Ben followed.
+
+The sick man lay on a little bed in one corner; everything around was
+comfortable and neat, and a few flowers stood beside him in a tumbler
+of water.  His face was sallow and sunken, and his dark hair, which
+was long and straight, was brushed off his forehead; but he had a
+pleasant, kindly smile, and he greeted the children warmly.
+
+"I was always fond of little children," he said, shaking his head
+from side to side, and speaking with difficulty, for his breath was
+short and troublesome.  "The Lord said 'except ye become as little
+children.'  I wish _I_ could do that."  He went on to speak to them
+as well as he was able, asking them how they were caught in the
+storm, and so on.
+
+"They met Michael," said the mother, "and he sent them here.  Michael
+has a kind heart though he speaks sternly when on duty."
+
+Ben was standing by the window, and now and then casting anxious
+glances out at the storm, which seemed to be subsiding.  Suddenly he
+ran towards the door crying, "There's father passing."
+
+And so it was; Mr. Gray, with rapid strides, was passing up the hill,
+and heeding little the rain and storm.
+
+"Call him in, he is looking for you, no doubt," said Mrs. Craig, and
+Ben ran out and brought him in.  He, in his turn, was surprised, and
+very thankful to find the children safe.
+
+Ben's heart beat very quick at the thought of the perambulator, and
+he anxiously waited the moment when he should speak of it.
+Meanwhile, Mr. Gray, after hearing about the children, was having a
+little talk with the mother, who was telling him about her sick son.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+THE SICK MAN AND THE FALLEN FOE.
+
+Mrs. Craig had taken a fancy to Gray at once.  Something in his
+bright manly face had drawn out her confidence, and pointing to John
+on his sick bed, she said--
+
+"I wonder if you could cheer up my poor lad a bit; he's not so happy
+as I would like."
+
+"How's that?" he asked.  "Does he not know the One above as his
+friend?"
+
+"Ah, that's just what he wants, but you know the Lord, don't you? and
+I've asked Him to send some one here to speak to John, and now He's
+done it.  He's been a good son to me, and he's served the Lord too,
+but he's not quite at peace now, you understand."
+
+"How's that, my friend?" said Gray, sitting down at his bedside.
+"The Lord surely is faithful?"
+
+"He is faithful," slowly answered the sick man, "but I haven't
+been--I was a wild one once, but I turned to the Lord--and I believe
+I found the Saviour--and I tried to serve Him--and I taught the
+young--I always loved the children--but something went wrong in the
+Sunday School and I turned off, and after that I wandered from Him
+somehow--I don't right know how.  I haven't been faithful to Him, and
+I might have been a better son to _her_," pointing to his mother.
+
+"Never heed that, John," said the mother, eagerly, "I've forgiven all
+that.  You were always an obedient lad to me when you were at home."
+
+"I must take the children away now, for the mother is anxious to hear
+tidings of them, but I'll come in again and perhaps send a friend who
+can speak to you better than I."
+
+"We'll always make you welcome; be sure and come," said John,
+anxiously.
+
+"All right; I'll step in to-morrow and see how you are getting on.
+Meantime, thank you for taking such kindly care of the children."
+
+Harry Gray found it difficult to speak much about sacred things to
+others, but on turning to leave, he said to John, "Remember, friend,
+'The Rock never moves'; that's a comfort to me," and shaking hands
+all round he started forth with the children.
+
+The thought of the perambulator never occurred to Mr. Gray's mind,
+but poor Ben had not forgotten it.  With a great effort he said--
+
+"The coach is up by the wood, I think.  I couldn't find it when I
+started in the storm, and I was afraid Kit would catch cold, so I
+carried her to the lady's house as quick as I could, but I want to
+run back to look for it.  Can I go?"
+
+"Whew--w!  Let's hope the 'pram.' isn't lost, Ben.  You must have
+been careless about it.  Yes, run back, the storm is over now, and
+I'll come and meet you.  Mother couldn't part with it."
+
+No need to tell Ben to run; he scampered away as quick as his legs
+could carry him.
+
+All the branches of the trees and hedges were dripping after the
+recent shower, and the air was fresh and sweet.
+
+In a few minutes he reached the gate leading to the meadow, and the
+first object that met his eyes was the perambulator; the second
+object, Jim, sitting beside a bush, pale and frightened, his eyes
+swollen with crying.  He was moaning and holding his knees with both
+hands, while he rocked backwards and forwards.
+
+Ben bounded to the "coach" with an exclamation of surprise and
+gladness, and seized the handle as if to secure it from Jim, while he
+eyed him suspiciously.
+
+"I suppose you interfered with Kit's carriage?" he cried, wheeling it
+off.  "It was too bad, Jim, I had to carry her down the road.  What
+did you do it for?"
+
+"Stop that!" answered Jim, moaning again.  "I was just having a bit
+of fun.  It was safe enough, if you had only used your eyes better.
+Ah, dear! what will I do?"
+
+Ben felt half inclined to run off with his recovered treasure, but a
+better feeling prompted him to wait, and ask what was the matter.
+
+At first Jim did not reply, but upon Ben coming up to him, and asking
+if he were hurt, Jim broke down.
+
+"I've hurt my knee, and I can't walk.  Mother'll want to know where I
+am, and I shall never get home?"
+
+"I could help you," said Ben; "put your arm in mine."
+
+"It isn't a bit of good, I can't walk a step."
+
+"Will you get in the coach?  It is a very strong one, and I'll wheel
+you slowly," said Ben.
+
+Jim hung his head sullenly.  It was a very humbling thing for him to
+get on to Kit's carriage, and be pushed along by Ben, but it was the
+only thing to be done, and, though he felt very much ashamed when he
+remembered his past conduct, after pretending to object a little to
+the plan, he allowed Ben to help him on to the perambulator.  It was
+a good-sized double one, and so, without much difficulty, though
+suffering a great deal of pain, he seated himself.
+
+Very carefully did Ben wheel his vanquished enemy along, and very
+different were the feelings of the boys.
+
+"I'm glad I've got the 'coach,'" said Ben.  "Kit's mother _would_
+have been greatly upset if it had a been lost or stolen."
+
+"It would not have been lost or stolen," answered Jim, "I only
+wheeled it back into the bushes for fun."
+
+He did not say how the fun he had looked forward to, was to see the
+children search in vain, and commence their homeward walk in distress.
+
+"It wasn't _real_ fun," replied Ben.  "When did you get your knee
+hurt?"
+
+"I was up in a tree, and I fell down," he answered, shortly.  "You
+won't sneak about it, will you?"
+
+"No--no--o, but you had better tell the truth.  I will not say how
+you vented your spite on Kit and me, but don't do it again, Jim.
+Kit's a real nice little girl."
+
+"No, I won't; that's truth for once; especially if you don't sneak on
+me."
+
+Jim did not tell how he climbed the tree to watch Ben's dismay at the
+loss of the coach, neither did he tell how a vivid flash of lightning
+alarmed him so that he hurried down too quickly and so fell on his
+knee.  But he had been justly punished.
+
+Harry Gray met them half way and guessed pretty much how matters
+stood.  He spoke a word of stern, yet kindly warning to Jim, who was
+heartily glad when he reached his own home.  He was carried in to
+make the best of the adventure he could.  Ben, after a good tea, went
+very happily to bed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+WHAT A LITTLE CHILD CAN DO.
+
+Mrs. Frankham often passed Ben on the road to and from school, and
+she always had a kindly smile for him, and sometimes a pleasant
+cheering word.
+
+"Are you still trying to be a brave little soldier?" she asked the
+morning after the adventure in the wood.  And when Ben answered with
+a nod--"Yes, ma'am, as hard as I can:" she replied--"That's right;
+the Good Captain is watching, and it will be worth all the trouble
+when we get His smile."
+
+Ben gave her a pleased look.
+
+"Please ma'am, I heard father say last night he wanted to speak to
+you about going to see a poor man, who is ill and is not happy.  I
+think he is going to die.  Do go and see him!"
+
+"That I will most gladly: and will you go too?"
+
+"If you'll let me," replied Ben, "I would like to go and take him
+some flowers--he likes flowers."
+
+"I will come in after dinner, and speak to mother about it, Ben.
+By-the-bye, when does father come in--mid-day?"
+
+"A quarter-past one till a quarter to two," replied the little boy.
+
+"Very well, I will try to come then, and I shall bring some roses
+with me."
+
+At the appointed time Mrs. Frankham called at Wood Cottage, and heard
+all that Harry Gray could tell about John Craig.
+
+She was very much interested in the account of the family, and
+started off with Ben to pay them a visit.  Mrs. Craig received her
+visitors very gladly.
+
+"I am so anxious that poor John should get peace and rest in his
+Saviour, for I fear he has taken his father's complaint, and it may
+be he will never rise from his bed again.  He is used to my words,
+and though he listens he seems to get little good; but from you
+perhaps the arrow will strike him."
+
+"If the Lord guide it.  I trust He will give the right word, my
+friend."
+
+Mrs Craig led the lady and Ben into the neat little room, where John
+lay, and after speaking a few kind words to the sick man, Mrs.
+Frankham said "This little boy told me about you: he was so anxious I
+should come and speak to you: he has brought you some flowers, for he
+says you are fond of flowers."
+
+"So I am," replied John, faintly, and eagerly taking them from Ben's
+hand, he put them in a little glass, where the fragrant smell reached
+him.  "I like little boys too, I am so fond of little children."
+
+Ben sat on a stool near the bed, and the sick man scarcely took his
+eyes off him for some minutes, not till he forgot everything else in
+his desire to lay hold of the Words of Life.
+
+"What I want," said he, "is some one to speak to me of the Saviour.
+I have wandered from Him, and want to get back, if He will have me;
+but I sometimes wonder if He will."
+
+"You doubt His willingness.  Listen, His word says--'If we confess
+our sins, _He_ is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and
+cleanse us from _all_ unrighteousness' (1 John i. 9).  _He_ is
+faithful.  We forget Him; He never forgets us.  It is sad to grieve
+Him, but the only way is to confess it to Him, take a humble place
+before Him, and He will pardon for His own name's sake."
+
+"Tell me more; I see it plainer now," said John; and as he spoke a
+fit of coughing racked his feeble frame.
+
+Little Ben was sitting and watching first one and then the other
+intently.
+
+Mrs. Frankham continued, "In order to get rest and peace we need to
+see that we were lost; could do nothing to save ourselves; but that
+Jesus stretched out a strong arm to save us.  He undertook our cause,
+and bore our sin in His own body on the cross.  _There_ God punished
+sin.  _There_ Jesus put it away, and rose without it; and from heaven
+He offers a free pardon to all who flee to Him--who put their trust
+in Him."
+
+A smile lighted up the face of the sick man, and he forgot himself
+and his unfaithfulness, and began to praise the Saviour.  After a few
+more words, Mrs. Frankham said--
+
+"Can you rest in His love now?"
+
+"Yes; I can," he replied.
+
+"Don't look into yourself then, but fix your eye on Him.  Shall we
+pray together before we part?"
+
+"Yes, I was turning round for it," he said, trying to change his
+position in the bed.
+
+The lady prayed that Satan's fiery darts might be quenched by the
+poor sufferer keeping up the shield of faith, and that his eye might
+be fixed on Jesus.
+
+Then Ben and she left, both promising to come back again the next
+afternoon.
+
+The little boy was much concerned about poor John, and very anxious
+to know that he was going to live with Jesus in heaven.
+
+Next morning he rose early, and going into the field, plucked a posy
+of the best wild flowers he could, and then set off to Mrs. Craig's
+cottage and left them with her, for poor John.
+
+The old mother was delighted with the little boy's thoughtfulness,
+and she asked him in to see her son, who was also glad to speak a few
+kind words to Ben, and thank him heartily for the flowers.
+
+"I should like something with a strong smell," he said.  "It
+refreshes me."
+
+Ben returned and searched the garden until he found a piece of
+Southernwood, or "old man," as it is called.  Then, after school, he
+watched for Mrs. Frankham, and, all excitement, he cried out as soon
+as he saw her at the gate, "The poor sick man wanted a bit of
+something sweet, and I've got a bit of 'old man.'  Come and see him.
+Do come and tell him more; I want to see him again."
+
+"I thought of going on a little farther first, Ben," she said
+smiling; but as he urged her to go at once, she consented, and they
+set off to the little red cottage.
+
+Again a warm welcome was given, and John held the Southernwood
+between his hands, that the scent might revive him, while Mrs. Craig
+took Ben into the next room to show him some of John's attempts at
+painting, of which the mother was very proud.  Mrs. Frankham told
+John of Ben's anxiety to come and see him, and how he wanted to know
+that his soul was safe.
+
+The young man seemed much struck with the little child's desire, and
+it greatly pleased him.
+
+"Satan has been trying to tempt me to doubt, but my Saviour is near,
+and now if it pleases Him to take me I am both ready and willing to
+go."
+
+He spoke of his own worthlessness, and the Saviour's love, and
+pointed to a text which had been given him, "Whosoever will, let him
+take the water of life freely" (Rev. xxii. 17).
+
+He never doubted his Saviour's love and power again; instead, the
+blessed name of Jesus was ever on his lips till he was called home
+about a fortnight later.
+
+Little Ben was very glad that John was gone to be with Jesus, and
+after this he was a frequent visitor at Mrs. Craig's.  They liked to
+have him there, and Michael took a great interest in the boy.  Many a
+ramble did Ben get in the wood, by the gamekeeper's side; he knew how
+to escape the traps he had once feared, and Michael liked to hear him
+talk and repeat his little texts.  "Jesus Christ the same yesterday,
+to-day, and for ever" (Heb. xiii. 8), was still a great favourite
+with him.
+
+Mrs. Craig did sorrow of course, but she was very glad and thankful
+that her son had gone home so happily, and she was very grateful to
+Mrs. Frankham for coming so many times to see him.  Harry Gray, and
+his wife too, had stepped in several times and read passages from the
+Word of God to him.  Michael was often away when the visitors called,
+but the death of his brother had had a great effect on both him and
+his wife, and they seemed anxious to hear the truth.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+A VISIT TO THE SEA.
+
+One day in the end of August, a happy little party landed at a
+sea-side place from one of the river steamers on the Thames.  The
+children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder
+expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching
+the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle
+wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in
+the wake of the steamer.
+
+The little party consisted of Mrs. Craig, Michael, his wife and three
+children, and of Mr. and Mrs. Gray, Ben, Kit, and Harry.
+
+Harry was now a fine, strong boy, and able to run about.
+
+After they landed, the mother and children sat on the beach, while
+Michael and Harry went in search of their lodgings.  Both families
+had engaged rooms in the same row of cottages, and were within three
+minutes' walk of each other and close to the sea.
+
+Quite a friendship had been formed between them since John's death,
+and when Harry Gray proposed a week's visit to the sea, they fell in
+with it at once.  The fathers could only stay from the Saturday till
+Wednesday, and return and fetch their families home, but all were in
+high spirits at the prospect of a few days' holiday, and Ben and Kit
+were not among the least delighted.
+
+School discipline had very much improved Ben.  He had dropped his
+rough words, was beginning to read very well, and could write a
+little too, and Mr. Goodall promised to take him as his message boy
+in October, if he continued to make progress.
+
+Mr. Goodall had a shop of stationery, fancy goods, desks, work-boxes,
+trinkets, and better class ornaments.  So Ben was very anxious to get
+on with his lessons, and looked forward eagerly to again earning his
+living.
+
+Little Kit was fast losing her pale cheeks and thin limbs; a nice
+colour often showed in her face, and her arms and hands were getting
+quite plump and brown.  Her father and mother could scarcely bear her
+out of their sight, she was the light of their eyes.  Ben was often
+astonished at the fun and spirit she showed; though she was quiet and
+gentle at times, yet occasionally she made them all merry with her
+funny ways and lively pranks.
+
+The morning after their arrival at the sea, the little party were
+grouped upon the sand, the elder ones for the most part watching the
+children's enjoyment, and helping them to build up sand-houses, make
+heaps and holes, and fill their buckets with the salt water.  What a
+change this for the two little ones who, for almost all their lives
+had known no other pleasures than those to be found in Peters Street!
+After a while the children--Ben, Kit, Willie, and Nellie Craig--ran
+off to a piece of sand some little distance away, and the parents
+began talking together.
+
+They spoke of the one who was gone, and of his happiness with the
+Lord Jesus.  The poor old mother shed some tears, but they were not
+those of rebellion; she rejoiced to know that her son was beyond all
+sorrow and pain, and she was glad not to have "to leave him behind
+her," when her call came.  Michael being "off duty" had left his
+"stern" look behind, and was much enjoying a lounge on the beach.  He
+had felt the loss of his brother keenly, and had found great comfort
+in the friendship of Harry Gray, who was able to point to "John's
+Saviour."
+
+The two young mothers found plenty to talk about, as they sat with
+their babies beside them.  They spoke of past joys and sorrows, of
+little ones gone before--for each had lost a child--and of the
+different tempers and dispositions of those left under their care.
+
+"We thought our Kittie had neither temper nor faults, for some time
+after we found her, but now that her health is coming back, we find
+out she is a bit quick like the rest."
+
+"It is better they should have a little spirit, though it needs
+checking," replied Mrs. Craig.
+
+In the midst of their conversation they were startled by a cry from
+Kit, and in a moment Michael and Harry were on their feet.  The
+children had been busy digging, and had not noticed that the tide on
+coming in had formed quite a little island of the piece of sand on
+which they were playing.
+
+When little Kit lifted her eyes and saw herself surrounded by water,
+she was very frightened; and her sharp cry caused the two boys to
+look up, and the two men to rise to their feet.  The water was
+running quickly round the island of sand, and every instant reduced
+it in size.  Harry Gray and Michael took off their boots as quickly
+as possible, and ran to relieve the little company.  One caught up
+Kittie and Willie, and the other, Nellie; Ben, who was tugging away
+at his boots trying to get them off, waded through the water with
+them; and by the time they reached dry land, the island had
+disappeared.
+
+"I fort we was going to be drowned, and never see you any more,
+father," sobbed Kit, as she clung to his neck.
+
+"No fear, my darling, while I am here," he answered.
+
+"You will have to watch when the water comes in, children," said the
+mother laughing, as she received Kit from her father; "and now I
+think you had better all take off your shoes and socks, and wade in
+the sea."
+
+This proposal was quickly agreed to, and in a few minutes the
+children were paddling away.  Kit and Willie were a little shy at
+first, but soon got up their courage, and splashed away like the
+little ones around them; and baby Harry had his little legs rubbed
+with the salt water, and seemed quite to enjoy it.
+
+Willie Craig was rather a rough little boy; he had been humoured and
+spoilt by his mother while very small, and now she often found it
+difficult to control him.  While wading, he filled his hands with
+salt water and flung it over Ben.  The water ran down Ben's neck, and
+he turned round with an annoyed face to tell Willie to stop.  But
+Kit, who stood near, took it upon herself to correct Willie for
+teasing her "bestest boy," and, to the surprise of all, leaned
+forward and administered a hearty slap on Willie's back, but at the
+same time she overbalanced herself and fell into the water.
+
+Ben had her out in a moment, but all her clothes were wet, and little
+Kit was very much frightened, both at what she had done to Willie and
+the wetting she had got.  Her lip quivered with her sobs, and she was
+in much distress.
+
+"You are unfortunate this morning," said Michael, kindly.
+
+"It will do her no harm," said her father, laughing.
+
+"But Kittie was in a temper, I fear," added mother, "and that was the
+cause of her fall."
+
+Father opened his eyes very wide and whistled.  "Kittie in a temper!
+That's something quite new.  What have little girls to do with
+tempers?"
+
+"Oh, nothing at all," said Mrs. Craig, "and I'm sure Kittie did not
+mean it.  Willie is very rough at times."
+
+Kit hung down her head and began to cry, and Ben, though he was very
+much surprised to see her raise her little hand against anyone, yet
+came at once to her help.  He put his arms round her.
+
+"She didn't like to see me being splashed; she loves me that much,
+for she had only me at one time, and she forgot it was wrong, didn't
+you, Kit?  You'll see she'll make it up with him and be friends in a
+minute."
+
+Kit raised her blue eyes full of tears, and put up quivering lips to
+kiss Willie Craig, who, in his turn, was quite ashamed.
+
+And so Kit's first quarrel was made up, and her mother took her home
+to change her clothes, for they were wet through.
+
+"I didn't think Kit had such a spirit," said her father.  "It shows
+she is getting stronger though," he added, with some satisfaction.
+
+"Does it?" asked Ben, eagerly.  "Hoor-ay!" and he went head over
+heels along the sand, to the amusement of the rest of the party.
+
+They spent an hour or two during the afternoon in an open boat on the
+sea.  The children dipped their hands in the water, while Harry and
+Michael sang to them, and then they all joined in a hymn, and enjoyed
+the sweet sea-breeze which fanned their faces as the sun began to
+sink in the sky.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+A SUNDAY EVENING AT THE SEA-SIDE.
+
+On Sunday evening as they were taking a stroll, they observed a
+little crowd of people collected on the green sward above the cliffs.
+
+On drawing near they found that a young man was reading from the Word
+of God.  The little party of women and children seated themselves on
+a grassy mound to listen, while Harry and Michael stood among the
+people.  With a clear distinct voice the preacher sounded forth the
+words, "Seek ye the Lord while He may be found; call ye upon Him
+while He is near!" (Isaiah lv. 6).  "Behold, now is the accepted
+time, behold now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. vi. 2).
+
+Then closing the book he spoke to the young around him, those in
+health and strength.  He told them Christ was waiting to save them in
+patient grace.  He was offering them salvation without money and
+without price, for He had paid the debt they owed to a holy God.
+
+He told them they were sinners and not fit to stand before God
+without being washed in the blood of Christ.  "But," he added, "the
+blood has been shed, and God offers you a free pardon to-day, if you
+will put your trust in it."
+
+After he had invited his hearers, lovingly and earnestly, to cast
+themselves on Jesus just as they were, he began to show them what the
+consequences would be if they refused.  "The Lord Jesus will Himself
+shut mercy's door one day," he said, "and then if you refused Him
+while in life and health, it will be TOO LATE.  You will have to
+stand and knock at that closed door and cry, 'Oh, let me in; Lord,
+Lord, open to me,' and He will answer, 'I never knew you, depart from
+me.'  There will be no hope for you then, though you cry ever so
+loud, or ever so long, and nothing will be left for you but
+ever-lasting woe.  'Behold!  NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is
+the day of salvation.'"  Then he went on to say that once a vessel
+was wrecked in a dreadful storm, and the captain and his wife were
+cast upon a small rock not far from land.  They knew that unless they
+were soon rescued they must perish, for the waves were rising higher
+and higher, and would soon sweep them from the rock.  They were,
+however, discovered, and strong men threw out a rope to help them,
+which the captain tied round his wife's waist, and showed her at a
+given signal she must leap upon the wave and it would bear her in to
+shore--that the sailors would be able to draw her to land.
+
+It was her only chance.  But she did not embrace it.  Her husband
+urged her to leap, but she let the right moment go past, and leaped
+upon the wave when past, being engulfed by the one following it, and
+so was dashed upon the rock and killed.
+
+Again the speaker urged his hearers to beware of letting the present
+moment pass.  "You may not see another, or Satan may pluck the good
+seed out of your heart as you turn away from this spot.  'Seek ye the
+Lord while He may be found; call ye upon Him while He is near.'"
+
+Many who listened were deeply stirred.  Some had never been so urged
+before to come to Jesus, and little children (for little children are
+always foremost in a crowd) turned up grave and eager faces to the
+speaker.  Then he said a word to them.  He told them that the Saviour
+loved the little ones, and had invited them to come to Him; that
+Jesus had said "Suffer little children and forbid them not, to come
+unto Me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. xix. 14).
+
+The three little ones listened very attentively, and the elder folk
+were much solemnized.  Some that stood there had tasted a Saviour's
+pardoning love, and to them the gospel words were sweet.  Others had
+never, till lately, thought seriously over these things, and now
+conscience was speaking loudly, and the little word "now" rung in
+their ears.
+
+Along the cliffs and past the corn fields the Craigs and Grays wended
+their way.  The setting sun threw bright golden and crimson rays on
+all around, while the ocean lay calm as a lake beneath them.  Little
+Ben and Kit had never seen such a lovely sight, and as they walked
+along hand in hand they wondered "how heaven could be more beautiful
+than this."
+
+A day or two after the scene was completely changed, however.
+Driving rain fell, a chill east wind blew, the sky was cloudy, and
+the sea was rough.  In heaven, however, chilly blasts and clouds will
+never come, "for the former things are passed away" (Rev. xxi. 4);
+there it will be an endless summer of love and joy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+KITTIE IN TROUBLE.
+
+A year has gone.  Autumn has come again, and changes have taken place
+during that time at Wood Cottage.  A little baby sister arrived for
+Kittie, and she was very happy in the possession of her new treasure.
+Baby Ella was now three months old, and Kittie often held her in her
+arms for a few minutes, when mother was busy.  Harry was now at the
+age when he was continually in mischief; but he dearly loved his
+sister Kittie, and was a nice little playmate for her.
+
+Ben had been nine months at Mr. Goodall's as shop and message boy,
+and was getting on well.  He earned sufficient to keep himself in
+clothes now.
+
+But there had been an anxious time, too, at Wood Cottage; for one day
+the father had been injured at the wood-yard, and had been brought
+home in a cab, with a broken leg, and a slight cut on his head.
+
+This happened about six weeks after baby Ella's birth, and it was
+quite a shock to Mrs. Gray; for the cab drove up to the garden gate
+while she was hanging out some clothes.  Two men lifted her husband
+out, and his white pale face filled her with dismay.
+
+But the doctor assured her his injuries were not dangerous, and with
+care he would be back at work in six weeks' time.
+
+Every care was bestowed on him; but six weeks had passed, and he was
+not able to resume his work yet, for he had sustained a shock that it
+was not easy to get over.  Ben wheeled a large chair into the garden
+every morning after breakfast when fine, and here the father sat,
+well wrapped up, for an hour or two in the sunshine.  He was very
+anxious to get back to his work, and hoped to be able to do so in
+another week.  Meanwhile, Ben was a great help at home.  As soon as
+he was back from his work, he would throw off his jacket, and turn
+his hand to anything that eased the mother.
+
+He was not above doing many things to aid her in the house; and she
+looked forward gladly to the time he could return of an evening, for
+he could nurse Baby Ella, and wash and dress Harry or put him to bed;
+and when the evenings were fine, he took them very nice rambles,
+while Mrs. Gray got on with her sewing.
+
+One day Harry Gray had been limping slowly up and down the garden,
+and then sat down at the further end on a log of wood which lay there.
+
+After a few minutes he heard a sharp cry, and turning his head saw
+Kittie and Harry rolling on the ground by the kitchen door.  They had
+evidently had a fall.  He could not rise quickly, so the mother was
+first on the spot.  She raised the children up, and found that Harry
+had cut his forehead and hurt his knee, while Kittie had only grazed
+her arm.
+
+"This comes of disobedience," said Mrs. Gray, gravely, looking at
+Kittie as she led her, and carried the little boy into the house.
+
+"What is it all about?" asked the father.
+
+"Kittie has been disobedient," she answered, as she soothed Harry's
+cries and prepared to bathe his forehead.
+
+"I am sorry for that; come and tell me about it, Kittie."
+
+Kittie was sobbing piteously and holding her arm.  It was two or
+three minutes before she could reply:
+
+"Mother told me not to lift Harry, and I tried to carry him down the
+steps, and we both toppled down."
+
+"You see, father, Kittie is always trying to carry Harry, and he is
+far too heavy for her, and they have fallen once or twice.  This
+morning I forbade her to do it again, but she has disobeyed, and you
+see the consequence.  I told her I should punish her if she lifted
+him again; and, as she has done so, she must take her tea alone
+to-night; and see how poor Harry is hurt, too!"
+
+"How came you to be so disobedient, Kittie?" asked her father.
+
+"I forgot, father, and I wanted to lift him down the steps," sobbed
+the little girl.
+
+"But you said that before, Kittie.  Little girls must not forget.
+Perhaps father will take little Harry up the garden now; you had
+better stay here, we cannot speak to you till after tea."
+
+Father looked lingeringly back as he led Harry away, but he knew
+mother was right, and Kittie had been growing rather thoughtless
+lately; so he only said, "I am sorry."
+
+Of course Kittie was very miserable, and she did not know how to keep
+quiet.  "Mother, speak to me; don't look grave," she kept saying, and
+when she found her mother did not answer, she said, "and I s'pose God
+is angry too, and now there is a black spot made on my heart.  What
+shall I do?"
+
+"I am not _angry_, Kittie," replied her mother, "only very sorry, and
+you know what washes sin away, you know Whom to go to.  But I cannot
+talk to you now."
+
+"I am going to tell Jesus all about it, mother.  Can I kneel down?"
+
+"Oh! yes," replied her mother.  So Kittie slipped off her chair and
+sobbed and prayed, and her mother caught the words, "Wash me, and I
+shall be whiter than snow."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+BEN'S PRESENT.
+
+Soon Ben came in, and missing the little girl at the gate, cried,
+"Where's Kittie?"  Mrs. Gray looked towards the chair where she sat,
+and Kittie's tear-stained face told the story.
+
+"You haven't been naughty, have you.  O Kit!  What is it, mother?"
+
+"She has been lifting Harry again, and both have fallen, and he has
+got hurt.  You've heard me tell her not, Ben, many times; now she has
+to sit there and no one is to speak to her, and"--Mrs. Gray
+hesitated.  She dreaded carrying out the rest of the punishment.
+
+"And me's to have tea all alone," cried Kit.
+
+"Oh! what a pity!" said Ben, "O mother! isn't she sorry enough?"
+
+"She is sorry, I believe; but you must not beg her off, Ben," and
+Mrs. Gray made ready a plate of bread and butter and a mug of milk
+and carried them into the other room, saying, "Come, Kittie."
+
+Kittie followed, and Ben looked very forlorn.  Mrs. Gray put her up
+at the table in the little sitting room.
+
+"Do you love me?" asked Kittie.
+
+"Dearly," said her mother.
+
+"Now?" she asked again in surprise.
+
+"Yes, now."
+
+"When I'm naughty?"
+
+"Yes, but's it's a sorrowful kind of love."
+
+"Then, I'll never be naughty any more," said Kittie, clasping her
+mother's neck.
+
+"I hope not, darling," said the mother.  "Have you asked God to help
+you to be obedient?"
+
+"Yes, and to 'wash me whiter than snow,' and He's done it, hasn't He,
+mother?"
+
+"He has, dear.  He always answers when we pray aright.  Now you must
+take your tea quietly, and then come and get a kiss from father."
+
+"Have you _fordiven_ me?" asked the little girl anxiously.
+
+"I have, dear."
+
+"Is she all right, mother?" asked Ben eagerly.
+
+"Quite," answered the mother, with fast-filling eyes, "but I thought
+you were going to make some toast, Ben?"
+
+"So I was, but I can't do a thing when Kit isn't happy.  You know I
+never could," bending down to kiss baby in her cradle.
+
+They gathered round the tea table, but Ben ate nothing.  After a few
+minutes he asked, "How long is Kittie to stay there?"
+
+"Till she has finished her tea," said mother, with a longing look at
+the other door, which stood open, and from inside of which they heard
+deep drawn sighs.
+
+"May I see if she has finished?" asked Ben, starting up.
+
+"I think he might, dear," added the father.
+
+Ben was off in a twinkling.
+
+"The boy is eating nothing, and we've kept our word," added Gray.
+
+"So we have, and she's very sorry.  She may come now."
+
+"Kittie not hurt me again, she not mean it," lisped Harry.
+
+"Have you finished your tea, Kittie?" asked Ben.
+
+"Yes, it's all done," she answered, eyeing Ben to see what he thought.
+
+"And you are sorry, Kittie.  You won't try and lift Harry again, not
+till you are bigger, because mother says 'no,' and mother knows what
+is best."
+
+"I'll try and never be naughty not any more, Ben."
+
+"It grieves Jesus, you know?"
+
+"Yes, and makes black stains on my heart, but this one is washed
+away, Ben; I asked Him to make me whiter 'an snow, so it's gone."
+
+"I'm so glad; now come and kiss father, and I'll show you something."
+
+Father was only too glad to give the kiss, and then Ben brought out a
+present for Kit, and handed her a neat little testament.
+
+"I've got one, too; you see, I've been working extra hard lately, and
+Mr. Goodall has been more about the shop, because its 'stock-taking,'
+so to-day he called me in, and told me to choose a book for myself,
+and I said 'a testament for Kit, please,' so he gave me these
+two--one for each of us."
+
+Kittie was delighted, and felt the responsibility too, of having
+God's Word in her possession.
+
+"Please write our names in, and a text," said Ben, "and put in Kit's
+'with Ben's best love.'"
+
+"And put in Ben's 'with Kit's best love,'" echoed Kittie.
+
+"Yes, do?" added Ben.
+
+The father wrote, in both books, their names and a text.  In Kittie's
+it was, "Jesus said, 'Suffer little children to come unto Me'" (Matt.
+xix. 14), and in Ben's, "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day,
+and for ever" (Heb. xiii. 8).
+
+And now we must say "Good-bye" to the little ones.  Ben worked hard
+at his place and earned his master's esteem, and he knew no greater
+pleasure than to bring home his wages to his kind guardians.  He had
+many a difficulty to face, but he learned to look up and depend upon
+One who was ever ready to help him.  His own father, Rogers, was lost
+at sea about two years after he resumed his sea-faring life, and so
+Ben ever looked upon Mr. and Mrs. Gray as his parents after this.
+The love that sprung up between him and little Kit, when in poverty,
+continued unabated, and he was proud, as time went on, to make her
+many a nice present, while she learned to sew and mend for him.
+
+I am sorry to say Jim Snow did not improve much.  True, he did not
+tease Ben any more, but he went with bad companions, and one Sunday
+he and two other lads were drowned in the river, while boating.
+
+This had a great effect on Ben, and made him shun idle boys, while he
+thought much on that verse which Miss Randolphe gave him as a
+remembrance: "To him that _overcometh_, will I give to eat of the
+tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." (Rev.
+ii. 7).  He found kind and lasting friends in the Craigs, and the old
+lady, especially, always made him welcome, while Michael and his wife
+showed an increasing interest in the things of God.  The occupants of
+the little red cottage and those of Wood Cottage became fast friends,
+and many happy evenings were spent at both cottages.  On these
+occasions the hard times of early days would often be recalled and
+their praises would ascend to the Lord Jesus for His great love to
+them in giving Himself to save them from sin and for all His interest
+in their eternal welfare and His watchfulness over their lives while
+down here.  They had all trusted in Jesus and were indeed
+
+SHELTERED AT LAST.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77064 ***