,transcribed from the #ahgb ,t4 ,nelson and ,sons edition by ,david ,price1 email ccx#jgdpglaf4org ,,little ,,alice',s ,,palace2 ,,or1 ,,the ,,sunny ,,heart4 ,,london3 ,t4 ,,nelson ,,and ,,sons1 ,,paternoster ,,row2 ,,edinburgh2 ,,and ,,new ,,york4 #ahgb4 i3,miss ,mason and ,lolly3 p#j4;jpg ,,chapter ,i4 ,the rain was pattering1 pattering steadily upon the roof of a little brown cottage that stood alone by the country roadside4 ,there had been a long and dreary winter1 and now the bright spring was coming1 with its buds and leaves and flowers1 to gladden the earth1 that had all the time seemed to be dead4 ,as the shower came down1 the little green blades of grass sprang up to catch the drops2 and they seemed almost to laugh and sing1 so full of joy were they when they could lift their heads from the dust4 ,it was so much sweeter to be out once more from their prison-house and to exult with all ,god's fair creation2 so they bathed themselves in the falling shower1 and made themselves fresh and clean2 and nobody would ever have believed that they came out from their dark beds in the earth4 ,little ,alice looked out of the windows of the brown cottage1 and saw them nodding gaily to her as they were taking their bath2 and so she smiled back again1 and talked to them from her perch in the window-seat as if they were brothers and sisters1 with eyes and ears to see and hear1 and hearts to return her love4 ,indeed1 there was no one else to whom she could talk the livelong day4 ,no father1 for he was dead2 no living brothers and sisters2 no mother at home1 for they were very poor1 and her mother must be gone at early dawn to labour for their food and clothing and shelter2--and so ,alice had to make companions of the blades of grass that nodded at her through the drops4 ,oh1 you beauties6 said she gladly2 and ,i know who made you1 too1 and what a great1 good ,god he is to send you here--bright little creatures that you are4 ,how pleasant it will be down by the brook-side when the sun comes out1 and you and ,i and the blue violets and the dandelions have our visiting-time together6 ,never a little girl had such joy as ,i have6 ,and ,alice put her face close to the pane1 and looked up into the sky to thank her kind heavenly ,father for sending her such blessings4 ,it seemed as if she could see him bending graciously down towards her1 as her ,sunday-school teacher had often represented him to her2 and then she thought of ,him who was upon the earth1 and who took up little children in his arms and blessed them2 and she put out her hands towards the heavens1 saying earnestly1 ,me1 too1 dear ,saviour3 bless me too6 ,so absorbed was she that she didn't hear anybody enter the room until a timid voice said1-- ,who were you speaking to1 ,alice8 ,there was such a woful figure by the door as she turned her head--no bonnet1 no shoes1 and a tattered frock1 all draggled with dirt and rain1 and the long1 uncombed locks straggling about the child's shoulders1 and such a blue1 pinched look in the thin face6 ,oh1 it's you1 ,maddie1 is it8 said ,alice1 jumping from the window and taking the hand of the new-comer4 ,but it was a pity to get so wet4 ,i'm glad you've come4 ,we'll keep house together till it clears away1 and then maybe we'll have a nice walk4 ,first we must dry your clothes1 though4 ,and she put some sticks in the fireplace1 and putting a match to them1 stationed ,maddie before the blaze1 while she held the skirt out to dry4 ,isn't it pleasant here8 asked ,alice1 with a beaming smile4 ,maddie looked around1 with a half shrug1 upon the cheerless room1 with its bit of a table and the one chair and the low1 curtainless window1 and then her eyes fell upon the scantily-clad little girl by her side2 and then she shivered1 as the dampness of her clothes sent a creeping chill through her frame2 but she didn't say it was pleasant4 ,aren't you afraid to stay here so much alone1 ,alice8 she asked1 giving another glance about the room4 ,but ,i never stay alone1 ,maddie6 answered the dear child4 ,i have plenty of company--',tabby1' and the flies1 and now and then a spider1 and everything that goes by the door1 and the clouds and the sunshine and the leaves and the--oh dear6 so many things1 ,maddie1 that ,i can't begin to tell you4 ,and she stopped short for want of breath4 ,and somebody you were talking to4 ,who was that8 asked ,maddie4 ,ah1 yes1 best of all6 ,don't you know1 ,maddie8 said ,alice1 sinking her voice to a whisper1 and gazing earnestly at her young companion4 ,miss ,mason told me how ,he is everywhere1 and sees and hears us1 and that he loves us better than our mother or father can do1 and watches over us and keeps us from all harm4 ,if you go to the school with me you'll learn all about it1 ,maddie dear4 ,no1 no2 ,i'm never alone though mother is gone all the long day4 ,do you see ,him1 ,alice8 asked ,maddie earnestly4 ,not as ,i see you1 ,maddie1 returned her companion with reverence2 but when ,i look up into the sky1 and sometimes when ,i sit here by myself and speak things that ,i have learned from my ,bible1 ,i seem to feel some strange brightness all above and around me2 and it's so real to me that it's just like seeing with these eyes4 ,miss ,mason says 'it's my soul that sees4' ,whatever it is1 it's very beautiful1 ,maddie4 ,and ,alice clasped her hands in a sort of ecstasy1 and drew near to the window to look up once more into the heavens1 whither her eyes and her heart so continually turned4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,the shower did not last long1 and the warm sun melted the diamonds from the grass1 so that it was soon fit for the little girls to go out into the freshness and enjoy the pleasant air4 ,don't you think this a pretty cottage8 asked ,alice1 as they stepped outside and stood looking upon her home4 ,see the moss all over the shingles2 how velvety it is6 ,tabby goes up there to sleep on the soft cushion in the sun4 ,and here's where ,i put my convolvuluses1 and they climb up and run all over the window and make such a nice curtain1 with the pink and blue and white and purple mixed with the green2 and they reach up to the very chimney1 ,maddie1 and hug it round1 and then trail down upon the roof4 ,oh1 ,i think it's elegant6 ,and here's my flower-bed1 right under the window1 where mother can smell the blossoms as we sit sewing when she has a day at home4 ,we take real comfort here1 mother and ,i1 ,maddie4 ,and so the little blithesome child prattled about her humble home1 while her companion looked in astonishment upon her1 wondering why it was that ,alice always seemed so happy1 while she was so miserable4 ,we'll go down by the brook-side now1 said ,alice4 ,there's my grand palace4 ,such hangings6 all blue and gold and crimson2 and carpets that your feet sink into2 and a great mirror1 such as the richest man couldn't buy4 ,don't you know what ,i mean1 ,maddie8 ,and ,alice laughed gleefully as they reached the brook-side1 and pointed to the heavens above1 so brilliant in the sunny radiance1 and down to the green and flowery turf beneath their feet1 and to the clear stream that reflected all things1 like the purest glass4 ,and she said1 ,now1 don't you like my palace1 ,maddie8 ,yes1 it's very pretty here1 said ,maddie2 but she didn't seem to feel about it as ,alice did1 who was in such good spirits that she could keep neither her feet nor her tongue still1 but frisked about the green like a young deer1 and chattered like a magpie1 only in far sweeter tones4 ,this is my bower1 said she1 lifting up the drooping branches of a willow and shutting herself and ,maddie within4 ,here ,i come for a nap when ,i am tired of play2 and the leaves rustle in the wind1 making a pleasant sound1 and the birds sit on the boughs and sing me asleep1 and ,i dream always happy dreams4 ,when awake1 ,i think about the pure river that my ,bible speaks of1 and the tree of life that is on either side1 and the beautiful light that isn't like the sun1 nor the moon1 nor the blaze of a candle1 but comes from the face of ,god1 and is never hidden from us to leave us in darkness4 ,maddie sat down upon a large stone that ,alice called her throne1 and looked eagerly up at her companion for more2 for ,alice's words seemed to her like some beautiful story out of a book4 ,did you ever go into any great house1 ,maddie8 asked ,alice4 ,no1 never1 said ,maddie4 ,i passed by ,mrs4 ,cowper's one day1 and looked in at the open door when somebody was coming out1 but ,i couldn't see much4 ,that's just where ,i went with mother1 said ,alice2 and little ,mary took me into a high room1 the walls all velvet and satin and gold1 so that my eyes ached for looking2 and there were such heaps of pretty things on the tables and all about the place2 but it didn't make me feel glad as ,i do when ,i get out here in my grand palace with these living1 breathing things around me4 ,o ,maddie1 there isn't anything on earth so beautiful as what ,god has made6 ,do you stay out here always8 asked ,maddie4 ,oh no1 said ,alice2 that would be idle4 ,when mother has work ,i stay at home to help her4 ,i've learned to sew nicely now1 and can save mother many a stitch4 ,to-day's my holiday1 and ,i can play with you as long as you please4 ,i've brought some dinner1 and we'll set a table in my dining- hall4 ,and she took from her pocket a little parcel1 and led ,maddie from the bower to a hollow near the brook1 where was a flat rock1 and there she spread her frugal fare4 ,there were two pieces of homemade bread and a small slice of cold bacon1 which she put upon leaves in the middle of the rocky table2 and gathering some violets1 she placed them in bunches here and there1 till the table was sweet with their delicious fragrance4 ,just as the children were about to help themselves to the food1 there came some little tired feet over the grass2 and a more forlorn figure than ,maddie's stood a few yards off1 looking shyly1 but wistfully1 at them4 ,now1 ,lolly1 you may just run home again as quick as you can1 said ,maddie sharply4 ,we haven't enough dinner for ,alice and me4 ,go1 now6 ,and she went towards her and gave her a slight push1 at which the child cried1 but without turning away or making a step towards home4 ,is that your sister8 asked ,alice1 going up to ,maddie4 ,yes2 she's always running after me1 returned ,maddie1 with an ill-natured frown4 ,poor little thing6 said ,alice4 ,i wish my sister ,nellie had lived4 ,i shouldn't be cross to her1 ,i know4 ,come here1 ,lolly3 you shall have some of my dinner4 ,and she led the little grateful child to the wild table1 that seemed to her like a fairy scene1 with the fresh leaf-plates1 and the pure sweet flowers breathing so delightfully4 ,mother makes capital bread--doesn't she1 ,maddie8 said ,alice1 as she ate her small portion with evident relish1 while she shared the remnant with her guests4 ,now1 ,maddie1 said she1 as they finished the repast1 you clear the table and wash the dishes1 and ,lolly and ,i'll go to my mirror to make ourselves nice to sit down1 and then ,i'll tell you the story my teacher told me the other day1 if you would like to hear it4 ,maddie gladly agreed to this2 and ,lolly gave herself up to the gentle hands of her new friend1 who took her to the brook and washed her face until the dirt all vanished and her cheeks were like two red roses4 ,then she took her pocket-comb1 and1 dipping it into the water1 made the child's hair so smooth that ,lolly didn't know herself when she looked into the brook1 and asked1 ,what little girl it was with such bright eyes and fresh rosy cheeks8 ,and when ,alice told her that it was herself1 she laughed with delight1 and said she would come every day to dress herself by ,alice's mirror if she could look so nice4 ,and then ,alice and ,maddie and ,lolly went to the bower for the story4 ,alice sat down on the grassy bank1 and ,lolly laid her head upon her friend's lap1 while ,maddie crowded close to her to listen4 ,i don't know that ,i can remember it very well1 said ,alice2 but ,i'll tell it as nearly as ,i can like ,miss ,mason4 ,she called it ',the ,little ,exiled ,princess1' and this is it4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,once upon a time there was a little girl no bigger than ,lolly here1 sitting in the dirt by the roadside1 crying4 ,her frock was all ragged and soiled1 and the tears had run over the dust upon her face1 making it streaked1 and disfiguring it sadly4 ,altogether1 she was a very miserable little object1 when a lady1 walking along the road1 suddenly came upon her1 and stopped to see what was the matter4 ,as the lady gazed upon the strange1 ragged little creature1 there came tears into her eyes1 and she said softly1 as if speaking to herself1-- ,who would think that this is the daughter of a great ,king8 ,the child1 seeing a beautiful lady before her1 jumped from the ground1 and1 with shame1 began to shake herself from the dirt that clung to her garments2 but the stranger1 taking no notice of her untidy condition1 clasped the child's fingers in her white hand1 and told her to lead her to her home4 ,it was a brown cottage1 very like mine1 only that one was hung with cobwebs1 and the dust was an inch thick upon the floor1 and the window was so begrimmed that scarcely any light came through4 ,ugh6 said the lady1 as she stood upon the threshold and looked in4 ,bring me a broom6 ,and she brushed away the hanging webs1 and made the floor neat and clean1 and taught the child to wash the window1 until the bright sun came in and played about the floor and upon the walls2 and then she made the little girl wash her face and hands1 and put on a better frock1 that she found in the chest4 ,now1 my little princess1 said she1 come outside for a while1 in the fresh air1 and ,i will talk to you4 ,why do you call me 'little princess'8 asked the child1 as they sat down upon the cottage-step1 while the birds twittered about them and the sweet breath of summer touched their cheeks4 ,because you are the daughter of a great ,king1 said the lady1 gently stroking her soft1 brown hair1 that she had found so tangled and shaggy1 but had made so nice and smooth4 ,my father was a poor man1 and he lies in the graveyard1 said the little girl1 as she looked wonderingly at her friend4 ,yes2 but ,i mean your heavenly ,father1 said the lady--he whom we call ,,god4 ,surely you have heard of him1 my dear child6 ,the little girl said that she had heard of him2 but1 from what she could learn1 the lady knew that she looked upon him as one that is afar off2 and she wished to teach her how very near he is continually1 even round about her bed and about her path1 and spying out all her ways4 ,do you live here all alone1 dear child8 asked she kindly4 ,her words were so sweet and gentle that they sounded like the murmur of the brook near the little child's home4 ,all day long alone1 while mother is away at her work1 answered the child1 with her eyes full of sad tears4 ,and what do you do with the weary hours8 ,do they not seem very dull and dreary to you8 asked the lady4 ,ah1 yes1 said the little one4 ,i have nobody to play with or talk to2 and ,i'm glad when the night comes and ,i can creep into bed and shut my eyes and forget everything4 ,what if you had some kind friend ever near1 to smile on you and bless you1--somebody to whom you could tell all your little sorrows as you are now doing to me8 said the lady4 ,would that be pleasant8 ,oh yes1 indeed6 returned the child4 ,will you stay8 for she had felt it very sweet to be sitting there with the kind lady's words falling like music upon her ear1 and her heart was lighter and happier than it had been in all her life4 ,i cannot always be with you1 said the lady4 ,but there is ,one who 'will never leave you4' ,how beautiful he has made everything about you6 ,and she looked upon the green earth1 with the peeping flowers1 and upon the delicate shrubs that skirted the roadside1 and the wild-roses and creeping plants along the hedges1 and then she looked up into the blue heavens1 with such an expression of love that the child gazed at her with rapture4 ,such a good ,god6 said the lady1 still looking up with the bright light upon her face4 ,and such a wondrously beautiful world1 where we may walk joyously1 with his love in our hearts as well as all about our path2 and yet we sit in the dust weeping1 and forget that he is our ,father1 and that he is watching for us to turn towards him--poor1 wandering1 wayward children that we are6 ,though the lady spoke as if to herself1 the child knew that she was thinking of her2 for she had not quite put away the shame of her first appearance2 and she touched her white hand timidly with her brown finger1 and said1 really in earnest1 ,i won't sit in the dirt again4 ,that's a dear child1 said her friend4 ,you must never again forget that1 although you are poor1 and must live in this world for a while1 you are in truth a little exiled princess1 and your glorious home is with the great ,king1 your ,father1 in the skies2 and it does not become the daughter of so great a ,king to put herself on a level with the beasts2 but you must lift yourself up more and more towards heaven4 ,the little girl looked at her1 and straightened her figure to its greatest possible height4 ,not to carry yourself proudly1 as the daughter of an earthly king might do1 continued the lady1 but be above doing a mean or low thing1 and try to be heavenly and pure1 like your blessed ,lord and ,father2 and then he will lift you up to his beautiful1 high throne4 ,the child's head drooped again1 and she looked despondingly at her teacher1 as if she did not really know what to do4 ,i'm going now1 said the lady2 but ,i shall come once a week to see how you get on4 ,i shall not expect the cobwebs to gather any more in the cottage1 nor the dust to collect upon the floor1 nor to shut out the sun from the window1 nor the little princess's face to be dirty and ugly2 because that would offend the pure and holy ,god1 who made this world fresh and clean and beautiful1 and expects his children to keep it so4 ,do you think you will remember ',our ,father'8 ',who art in heaven1' said the child1 calling to mind the prayer taught her some time in her life1 but long since almost forgotten4 ,not in heaven only1 dear child1 said the lady4 ,i want you to think of him as close beside you always1 wherever you go4 ,can you read8 ,a little4 ,the lady opened a pocket-,bible1 and drawing the little girl closer to her1 said1 ,now1 say after me1-- ',whither shall ,i go from thy ,spirit8 or whither shall ,i flee from thy presence8 ,if ,i ascend up into heaven1 thou art there2 if ,i make my bed in hell1 behold1 thou art there4 ,if ,i take the wings of the morning1 and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea2 even there shall thy hand lead me1 and thy right hand shall hold me4 ,if ,i say1 ,surely the darkness shall cover me2 even the night shall be light about me4 ,yea1 the darkness hideth not from thee2 but the night shineth as the day3 the darkness and the light are both alike to thee4' ,you see1 my dear child1 said she1 as she reverently closed the book1 we cannot get away from ,god if we would1 and surely we would not try to hide ourselves from so kind a ,friend and ,father if we could4 ,only when we are doing something that we are ashamed of do we shun the face of one who loves us2 and if we try to flee from the eye of ,god we may be sure we are guilty of some wickedness4 ,how much sweeter is it to do what we know will please him1 and look freely up into his face1 as a good child delights to meet his earthly parent's smile6 ,the lady rose to go1 and the child looked wistfully at her and then at the little ,bible4 ,ah yes2 ,i will give you this4 ,it will tell you what to do4 ,and she put the book into the child's hands4 ,you will read a chapter every day till ,i come8 ,the little girl gladly promised1 but was sad at the parting2 for never an hour passed so cheerily as the hour with the kind teacher4 ,you may be sure ,i'll come again1 for ,he sends me1 said the lady4 ,and she looked up once more with the heavenly face1 and then stooped till her soft lips touched the child's forehead2 and1 while the pressure of the gentle kiss thrilled through the very soul of the little girl1 her friend was gone4 ,,chapter ,,iv ,did she come again8 asked ,maddie1 who had got upon her knees in front of ,alice1 with mouth and eyes and ears wide open for the story4 ,oh yes2 many and many a time1 said ,alice4 ,and she taught the little girl to see her ,father's love in the trees1 and the flowers1 and all about1 as she walked amid his beautiful creation2 and she learned to be a neat1 tidy little girl1 instead of the dirty1 miserable creature that sat crying in the dirt by the roadside when she first saw her friend4 ,the lady taught her to look upon herself as greatly beloved by her ,father1 and after that she was not miserable any more4 ,did you ever see the little princess8 asked ,lolly1 raising her head from ,alice's lap and looking earnestly at her4 ,yes1 indeed4 ,every day since the lady came to her1 said ,alice4 ,she lives in the same cottage now2 but it has grown to be a beautiful place2 for ,god's flowers are all about it1 and ,god's sun streams in at the window1 and all over the mossy roof1 like a golden flood1--and ,god himself is always with her to keep her from harm and from being lonely or sad4 ,and as ,alice said this1 the tears glistened in her blue eyes1 as the dew-drops sparkle through the sunlight in the violets4 ,we'll go and see her now1 continued she2 and ,i'll show you two other little exiled princesses4 ,and she took ,lolly and ,maddie down by the brook-side1 and bade them look in her great mirror2 and there they saw themselves and ,alice--all children of the great ,king4 ,ah1 now ,i know6 said ,maddie1 clapping her hands4 ,you are the little princess1 ,alice1 and ,miss ,mason is the good lady4 ,is she so nice as all that8 ,just as nice1 dear ,maddie1 replied ,alice2 and if you and ,lolly will go with me to the ,sunday-school1 she'll tell us a great many more beautiful stories1 to help us on our way to our heavenly home4 ,but come4 ,it is nearly time for us to go now4 ,mother will be looking for me4 ,good-bye4 ,and the little girl with the sunny heart bounded into the cottage with a smile and a kiss for her mother4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,when ,alice left the children1 they went sauntering along the road towards home4 ,very slowly they walked1 and not joyously and hopefully1 as little children do who think of their father's house as the brightest and dearest spot in the whole world4 ,it was a long distance from the brown cottage of their friend2 but the freshness of the evening made it delightful to be out1 and they had been resting so many hours that they were not weary4 ,besides1 the twinkling stars came out in the sky1 and there was shining above them the calm1 bright moon2 and altogether it was so serene and lovely1 that they almost wished they could be always walking in some pleasant path that should have no unpleasant thing at the end--such as they felt their home to be4 ,presently they came to a bend in the road1 and a few steps from the corner was a low-roofed house1 a ruinous-looking place1 with rags stuffed in the broken window-panes4 ,there were green fields around it1 and tall trees gracefully waving near it2 but the old house spoiled the landscape by its slovenly1 shabby appearance4 ,a dim light was burning in the room nearest the children2 and as they approached1 they could see their father and mother sitting at a table1 eating their coarse supper of bread and cold salt pork4 ,lolly thought what a pleasant table ,alice had by the brook-side1 and the scent of the violets seemed even now to reach her1 and the music of the waters was in her ears1 and the bright1 happy face of her little playmate came freshly before her1 making the dingy room where her parents sat1 with the gloom of the dim light and the tattered dusty furniture1 still more uninviting and cheerless4 ,lolly lingered outside the door1 while ,maddie entered4 ,she sat down upon the step1 and called to mind all that ,alice had said to them that day4 ,she was younger than ,maddie by a year or two1 but her soul was older--that is1 it was more thoughtful and earnest2 and instead of dwelling always on the things of earth1 she had a wistful longing for something higher and better1 which ,alice's words had begun to satisfy4 ,the cool breeze played upon her cheek1 and the sound of the air1 as it rustled the leaves1 and the breath of the flower-scented meadows fell soothingly upon her senses2 and as she looked up into the starry sky1 with its myriads of gleaming lights1 and recalled the story1 she felt within herself that indeed she was a little princess as well as ,alice1 and that far above all the glory of the heavens her ,father was awaiting her return to the heavenly palace4 ,maddie and ,i mustn't forget these things1 said she to herself2 but must try to get ready for our better home4 ,so much was ,lolly thinking of the things she had heard in the story1 that she might have sat there in the dew all night1 but that her mother called her to eat her supper and go to bed4 ,maddie was already fast asleep upon a trundle-bed1 that was pushed under the great bed by day1 and drawn out at night2 for there were only the two rooms in the house1 and they had to make the most of all the space4 ,lolly had never felt the house so small and close as on this night2 for her soul was swelling with such large free thoughts1 that the four narrow walls of the bedroom seemed to press in upon her and almost to stop her breath4 ,she could not go to bed until she had opened the window and looked up once more into the bright sky2 and as she did so1 she said very earnestly1 ,o my ,father6 ,she did not know any prayers4 ,she had never been taught to call upon ,god4 ,most that she had ever heard of the other life was through ,alice's story that day2 and her heart was so glad of the knowledge1 that it already began to go out towards her heavenly home and her gracious ,father4 ,as she spoke these words1 there came such a happy feeling to her spirit--a feeling that she was not alone1 but that she was watched over and protected2 and with a sense of security and safety1 such as she had never before known1 she lay down beside her sister1 and was soon sweetly slumbering4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,lolly was awakened in the morning by the fretful voice of her mother1 as she went scolding about the house1 trying to pick up something for breakfast2 and she heard her father answering her in no pleasant mood1 and kicking about the floor whatever came in his way4 ,it was a sad awakening for poor ,lolly1 and1 for the minute1 it put wholly out of her mind the pleasure of the previous day1 and the lesson learned in the green and sunny place by the brook-side2 and she was sorely tempted to cover her head with the bed-clothes1 and sleep again1 until her parents were off to their work1 and then give herself up to idleness and play1 as she had always done4 ,but the bright happy face of ,alice came before her to help her1 and she was out of bed in a minute4 ,maddie1 ,maddie6 said she1 leaning over her sister and giving her the least bit of a shake in order to arouse her2 come1 get up4 ,the sun is shining on the wall1 and it is a beautiful day4 ,i want you to go with me for ,alice4 ,get away6 returned ,maddie in a huff4 ,i haven't slept half enough6 ,and1 settling herself again1 she dropped off into a heavier slumber2 while ,lolly1 seeing that it would do no good to disturb her1 dressed herself and went into the other room4 ,her mother was baking a cake1 and her father sat near1 idle4 ,both looked surprised to see ,lolly up so early4 ,there was a woollen-factory in the village1 perhaps half a mile away1 and they were off generally long before the children were up2 and ,maddie and ,lolly usually ate such pickings as they left upon the table1 and spent their days as they pleased1 with little thought or care from their parents4 ,lolly could not wait to get her breakfast4 ,she cared for nothing to eat1 now that her mind was intent upon some great thing1 and she sped away over the dewy grass to find her new friend4 ,she had never been in ,alice's house1 for they had only lived a little while in the place where they now were1 and ,maddie alone had found out their neighbour4 ,her sister would not always let her play with her1 and it was only a mere chance that led her to follow ,maddie the day before and get acquainted with ,alice4 ,i did not mean to say chance4 ,i would rather say a kind watchful ,providence--which is the true and right word for a ,christian to use2 because everything that happens in this world is governed by ,god's over- ruling power for some good purpose2 and ,lolly was led to the spot where her sister and ,alice were at play1 expressly that she might learn something of her bright1 eternal home4 ,now that she had seen the sunny-hearted little girl once1 it took her but very few minutes to find her again4 ,the distance seemed nothing at all2 and1 from the time she left her own door1 she could see the cheerful face all along her way1 making her walk very pleasant and not in the least lonely4 ,the cottage door was wide open1 and the sunlight lay in golden streaks on the floor at the entrance1 where ,tabby had stretched herself comfortably4 ,lolly could see into the little square room at the right4 ,the table was spread with a neat1 white cloth1 and ,alice and her mother were eating their breakfast together4 ,there were two white plates on the table1 and white cups and saucers1 and a smoking dish of porridge4 ,all this ,lolly could see as she stood hesitating near the door2 but1 in a minute1 ,alice caught a glimpse of her little1 shy face1 and ran to lead her in4 ,you must have some of this nice breakfast1 said she1 giving ,lolly a plateful of the porridge1 and pouring some milk on it from a small white pitcher4 ,lolly looked timidly at ,alice's mother1 to see if she might eat it2 and the kind pleasant smile she received made her feel quite at home1 so that she needed no further urging4 ,soon after the mother went away1 and left ,alice to put the room in order2 and1 when all things were right1 ,alice said she could go with ,lolly as well as not that day1 and they would make a pretty place of the shabby cottage2 for it was just in the best spot--so wild and shady and green4 ,it was rather a sorrowful task at the beginning1 and almost any other little girl than ,alice would have been quite discouraged4 ,there was a great deal of rubbish in the sitting-room1 and the floor and windows looked as if they had never known anything of soap and water4 ,maddie sat upon the top of a half-barrel1 swinging her brown1 soiled feet1 and playing with a black puppy1 that was snapping at her toes2 while the table was strewn with crumbs and dirty dishes from the morning's meal1 and chips and sticks and bits of rags were upon the floor4 ,she looked as if she had just got out of bed4 ,her face was dull1 and her hair showed no touch of brush or comb1 and her nails were long and dirty2 but she jumped from her perch with some signs of shame as she saw ,alice1 so neat and tidy1 at the door2 and she began to scramble about as if she wished to make things a little better4 ,may ,i help you to-day1 ,maddie8 asked ,alice4 ,i haven't any work at home1 and ,i like to get things tidy4 ,we'll make such a room of this before night6 ,and1 without another word1 she began in earnest to bring order out of strange confusion4 ,lolly was a capital helper1 because her heart was in the matter1 and she really wanted a pleasant1 cheerful home2 but ,maddie was content to look on1 and scarcely moved a finger to help4 ,they packed away the wood and chips in the closet under the lowest shelf1 and washed the dishes and set them up edgewise in their proper places2 and they mopped the floor1 and scrubbed the windows and table1 and brought boughs of evergreen to hang upon the nails around the walls and make it cheerful and pretty4 ,alice thought of this4 ,she said1 ,rich folks hang paintings on their walls--and these are ,god's pictures1 the work of his almighty fingers1 and so beautiful6 ,why not put them where we can always look at them1 and in them see his love and kindness8 ,lolly thought her the most wonderful little girl in all the world1 and clapped her hands for joy as she looked upon the altered room4 ,then they went outside1 and swept the sticks and chips from the lawn2 and ,maddie managed to hunt up a hammer and some old rusty nails1 and to help ,alice to fasten the loose boards upon the door1 which improved it more than anything else could do4 ,it was so low from the roof to the ground that by stepping on a chair they could easily reach2 and they trained a running rose-bush1 that had been long neglected1 and hung1 trailing1 over the grass1 so that it nearly covered the whole side of the cottage1 and would soon be like a bright green mantle over the dark walls4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,just as they had finished their labours1 and ,alice had prevailed upon ,maddie to put herself in a little better order1 and the three young friends had seated themselves upon the step to get something from ,alice's ,bible--some words of love and blessing1 as ,alice said1 from their heavenly ,father--there came a lady up the road towards them4 ,she was walking very slowly along1 with her parasol shielding her face1 so that it was quite concealed from the children2 but ,alice knew her dress1 and ran quickly to meet her1 crying joyously1 ,it is ,miss ,mason1 dear ,lolly6 ,maddie ran into the cottage and hid behind the door1 like a foolish little girl2 but ,lolly sat still1 very glad that the good teacher was coming to speak to her1 yet trembling with a sort of nervous fear2 because she was a shy little girl1 and so seldom saw strangers4 ,she wondered that ,alice dared go so fearlessly up and walk along1 with her hand in ,miss ,mason's hand1 and her face upturned towards the lady's1 while she talked as freely as if it had been herself or ,maddie listening4 ,but when ,miss ,mason stood by the step and stooped down to kiss her sun- burned cheek1 and said sweetly1 ,so this is your little friend ,lolly1 is it1 ,alice8 she did not wonder any longer2 for her heart leaped to meet the gentle lady1 and she could not take her eyes from such a kind and loving face4 ,where's ,maddie8 asked ,miss ,mason1 with a smile4 ,she could see her peeping through the crack of the door2 and1 understanding the case1 she said carelessly1-- ,i suppose she will join us by-and-by4 ,we will sit here and read in ,alice's book until she comes1 and then ,i want to talk to you4 ,alice told me you lived here1 ,lolly1 and ,i want you to go to the ,sunday-school4 ,we are very happy there1 are we not1 ,alice8 ,alice answered with a beaming face1 and she and ,lolly sat1 one on each side of the teacher1 and listened as she read to them from ,god's holy ,word4 ,she read first about the creation of this beautiful world1 and the garden where ,adam and ,eve were placed2 and1 when she had made ,lolly and ,maddie understand all about how sin came--for ,maddie1 attracted by the sweet voice and pleasant manner1 had crept softly from her hiding-place and curled herself upon the step behind the lady--,miss ,mason turned to the ,new ,testament and read to them a few verses about ,jesus1 who took upon himself our nature and suffered for our sins4 ,the children were much impressed by the story of the ,saviour's sufferings and death2 and when the teacher told them that every naughty word and deed of theirs was like a nail in the ,saviour's feet or hands1 they felt that they would never again do a wicked thing4 ,then she told them how impossible it would be for them to keep from sin without ,god's continual help2 and she taught them how to look up to him and ask for his aid and blessing4 ,and when she had made sure that they could say a short prayer1 and had obtained a promise from them that they would go every ,sunday to the ,sunday-school1 she kissed them all three very affectionately1 and went on to search for others of her heavenly ,father's wandering children4 ,when she had gone quite out of sight1 and they were taking another good look at the changed rooms1 that seemed so grand to them all1 ,lolly said thoughtfully to ,alice1-- ,do you think the great ,king will like to come here now8 ,he is here1 said ,alice reverently4 ,don't you feel it1 ,lolly8 ,we never see him1 you know1 as we see each other2 but we feel that he is near1 just as you feel that your mother is in the room even when the darkness hides her from your eyes4 ,lolly repeated the little prayer softly1 ,o my heavenly ,father1 ,i will try to love thee4 ,wilt thou not come unto me1 and be with me wherever ,i am1 and help me to be thy child8 ,and1 as she said the words1 she knew that ,god was with her1 and that from that hour there was a ,presence in the house that would drive away all the gloom1 and make such brightness as filled the cottage of her little friend4 ,it was time for ,alice to go2 but she lingered a little while longer to teach ,maddie how to prepare the supper1 so that when her mother came home weary from her labour1 there might be no more hard work for her to do1 but real comfort and rest4 ,now1 don't get tired of housekeeping1 said she1 as she tied on her sun- bonnet to go4 ,i shall run over some day to see how you get on2 and ,i'm sure it's so much prettier to be sweet1 and clean1 and tidy1 that you'll love to keep the house nice4 ,and away she tripped to make things pleasant for her own dear1 hard-working mother4 ,sunny little girl6 ,she knew how many tiresome steps her diligent hands and loving heart could save her poor widowed mother2 and in everything she did there was a tender thought of the warm heart against which her infant head had lain when her little feet and hands were weak and helpless4 ,she was glad now that they had grown strong to aid1 that she could give back some of the care and effort4 ,alice never dreamed of growing impatient in her mother's service4 ,she did not wait to be asked to help her1 but watched for opportunities1 and so proved a great blessing and treasure in the lowly cottage home1 that would have been very dismal and sad without her sunny1 buoyant little body4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,peter ,rand and his wife came lagging up the road as the sun was setting4 ,they had passed an uncommonly laborious day1 and were completely tired out with their toil4 ,they were very silent1 and were thinking what a sad1 miserable home was theirs1 and how little of cheer they had in life4 ,nothing seemed bright to them1 although the earth was like a paradise for greenness and fragrance and beauty4 ,as they drew near the house1 ,mr4 ,rand was very much surprised by the great change in the outward aspect of the place4 ,he could scarcely believe that he had not mistaken the road1 and come to some other cottage than the slovenly one that he had left in the morning4 ,his wife1 intent upon the supper that her hungry appetite craved1 had pressed forward in haste to prepare it4 ,as she entered the door1 however1 she started back with the strange feeling that she was in the house of some neighbour2 but ,pug1 the little dog1 ran frisking about her1 and convinced her that is was indeed her own house4 ,the table was set in the middle of the room1 and the dishes were arranged in nice order2 and just in the centre was ,lolly's pewter mug1 with a bunch of sweet1 blue violets to grace it all4 ,there was the savoury odour of the baking cake from the fire1 and the fumes of the steeping tea filled the room1 and already gave a sense of refreshing to the weary work-people4 ,the rags were taken from the windows1 and square bits of paper were pinned over the openings2 and the floor was neat and clean1 and the beautiful green boughs hung upon the walls1 and the children sat1 with clean hands and faces1 awaiting the return of father and mother4 ,they looked so bright and happy that the weary couple quite forgot their fatigue1 and chatted merrily over their pleasant meal1 praising the children for their thoughtful work1 and saying they didn't believe there was a more beautiful home in the world than theirs4 ,altogether1 it was a very happy evening4 ,maddie and ,lolly made their father and mother sit down quietly while they cleared off the table1 and washed the dishes1 and swept the crumbs away2 and then they all had a cozy little time1 talking of new hopes and plans4 ,for the change was so comfortable that it put life and spirits into every soul2 and the father said he would get some glass and putty and mend the windows2 and the mother would make some white curtains1 and the children would get evergreen and form it into wreaths to loop them up4 ,oh1 it takes so little to make a cheerful1 happy home6 ,it is only the idle and vicious that need be really miserable4 ,if ,god does not always give us plenty of money1 he furnishes us with so many rich things in this world of his1 that we may adorn even a lowly and barren place until it shall appear richer than the gayest palace4 ,maddie and ,lolly found this out through ,alice2 and every day they hunted the woods for mosses and flowers1 and their father made little shelves to put them on1 and formed many a pretty seat of twisted branches of trees2 so that by-and-by their cottage was one of the prettiest places anywhere around1 and attracted the notice of everybody that passed it4 ,miss ,mason came very often1 now that she had found them out2 and she not only prevailed on the parents to send their children to ,sunday-school1 but they themselves went regularly to church1 and tried to serve the great and holy ,god who had put it into the hearts of their children to make their earthly place of abode something akin to the better home4 ,so soon as they began to feel the presence of the heavenly ,king1 all the despondency and gloom vanished1 and1 even though poor and hard-working1 they were happy in the possession of such riches as nothing but the love and favour of our heavenly ,father can give4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,it was not very long after the children learned to look away from earth to the blest abode beyond the skies1 when ,lolly began to droop and grow weak and listless2 and1 although her parents and ,maddie thought it was but a trifling illness1 she herself felt that her ,father was about to call her home4 ,she was not afraid to die2 and1 when she grew so languid that her little feet lost the power to take her to the ,sunday-school1 ,miss ,mason and ,alice and the kind minister came often to talk to her of her approaching joy4 ,there was one beautiful little story that the minister used to tell her over and over again1 she liked it so much4 ,i do not know whether he made it1 or whether he got it from some book2 but ,i want to tell it to you1 for ,i like it as well as ,lolly did4 ,it is this3--,there was a bright1 beautiful butterfly that was about to die4 ,she had laid her eggs on a cabbage-leaf in the garden2 and1 as she thought of her children1 she said to a caterpillar that was crawling upon the leaf1 ',i am going to die4 ,i feel my strength fast failing1 and ,i want you to take care of my little ones4' ,the caterpillar promised1 and the butterfly folded her wings and breathed her last4 ,then the caterpillar did not know what to do4 ,she wanted some instruction with regard to her charge3 so she thought she would ask a lark1 that went soaring up into the blue sky4 ,at first the lark was silent1 and plumed his wings and went up--up--up1 as if to gather wisdom for his answer2 and then he came1 singing1 down and said1-- ',i'll tell you something about your charge2 but you won't believe me4 ,these young butterflies that you look for will become caterpillars4' ',poh6 poh6' said the old caterpillar4 ',i don't believe a word of it4' ',no2 ,i told you you wouldn't4 ,and what do you suppose they will live upon8' said the lark4 ',why1 the dew and the sweet honey from the flowers1 to be sure1' replied the caterpillar4 ',that is what all butterflies live on4' ',they won't1 indeed1' said the lark4 ',they will eat cabbage-leaves4' ,and he went soaring away again into the clear heavens4 ,presently1 back he came and said to the caterpillar1-- ',i'll tell you something stranger still about yourself4 ,you'll be a beautiful butterfly4' ,the caterpillar laughed at the idea2 but1 as she turned around and saw the eggs upon the leaf all hatched into little crawling caterpillars1 she was forced to believe what the lark had said concerning herself2 and she went about as happy as could be1 telling everybody what a glorious change would come to her after she had folded herself in her close chrysalis4 ,the minister told ,lolly that this caterpillar in the chrysalis was like us worms of the dust when lying in the narrow grave enshrouded in our death-robes2 and that1 like as the caterpillar bursts his darksome bonds and soars away upon butterfly pinions1 so shall we come forth from the tomb on the resurrection day1 and with angel-wings mount upward to the world of light and peace4 ,then he read a few verses to her from that beautiful account of the rising from the dead1 in the fifteenth chapter of the ,first ,epistle to the ,corinthians4 ,lolly would lie upon her sick-bed and fasten her earnest eyes upon him as he read and as he spoke so sweetly to her of the other life2 and then she would look away through the open window to the heavens above1 and seem to see the face of her ,father1 who was drawing her slowly to himself4