,,hatty ,,and ,,marcus2 ,,or1 ,first ,steps in the ,better ,path4 ,,by ,,aunt ,,friendly1 ,,author ,,of ,,kate ,,darly2 ,,or1 ',,it ,,will ,,all ,,come ,,right4' ,,new ,,york3 ,,anson ,d4 ,f4 ,,randolph1 ,no4 #fhc ,,broadway4 #ahei4 ,entered according to ,act of ,congress1 in the year #ahei1 by ,,anson ,d4 ,f4 ,,randolph1 ,in the ,clerk's ,office of the ,district ,court of the ,united ,states1 for the ,southern ,district of ,new ,york4 ,,edward ,o4 ,,jenkins1 ,printer ,stereotyper1 ,no4 #bf ,frankfort ,street4 ,illustration3 ,,aunt ,,barbara4 ,,hatty ,,and ,,marcus4 ,i4 ,hatty ,lee had been on a visit to her grandmother1 and now she was coming home4 ,mrs4 ,lee had hard work that morning to keep her young people in order1 for ,hatty was a favorite with her brothers and sister1 and they were wild with delight at the idea of seeing her again4 ,hatty was only ten years of age1 and ,marcus1 her brother1 thought because he was two years older he was almost a man1 and quite able to give ,hatty advice on all subjects4 ,he pretended a great contempt for girls1 but the fact was he had missed his little playmate sorely1 and was full of glee at the thought of her return4 ,he showed his pleasure in a noisy way that made the house not very comfortable for any one else4 ,old ,aunt ,barbara had twice put her head out of her bed-room door1 to tell him he was the roughest1 rudest boy in the world1 and would drive her crazy if he did not behave himself2 but ,marcus still ran up stairs1 jumping up three steps at a time1 with his heavy shoes1 and sliding down the balusters1 hallooing as he went1 as if he were riding a race in an open meadow4 ,meggy1 a mischievous little girl of six1 joined her shouts with those of ,marcus1 while ,harry1 her next brother1 was busy collecting all his new playthings in the hall1 that he might show them to sister ,hatty as soon as she arrived4 ,as drums and trumpets were among his favorite toys1 they of course had to be brought out1 and thoroughly tried to prove that they were in perfect order4 ,while all this tumult was going on in the hall1 ,mrs4 ,lee was vainly trying to hush the continual cries of her little baby1 who1 though only five weeks old1 seemed to have remarkably strong lungs for its age1 and to promise to resemble the rest of the family in his willingness to use them4 ,mrs4 ,lee was not very strong1 and she was getting quite worn out with the screams of the baby1 when old ,aunt ,barbara came stepping into the nursery1 and declared that she was certain if she could take the child a moment1 she could quiet it4 ,aunt ,barbara put the baby on her lap1 and began to say to it some of the queer old rhymes she had heard in her childhood1 seventy years ago4 ,it is not likely that the baby understood aunt ,barbara's funny stories1 and wanted to listen1--but this is certain1 it stopped crying1 and soon closed its eyes and fell into a sweet sleep4 ,when there was silence in the nursery1 the noise in the hall sounded all the louder4 ,mrs4 ,lee stepped to the door quickly1 as if she were going to speak severely to the children1 but something within her whispered that they had no idea of the pain their frolic was giving1 and that it was joy about their sister's return that made them so unusually full of glee4 ,when ,mrs4 ,lee reached the head of the stairs1 her face had a sweet motherly expression1 and before she spoke1 she could not help smiling to see little ,harry blowing away at his trumpet with all his might1 and marching up and down the hall as if he were a fat little soldier on parade1 while they jumped up and down1 and screamed with delight1 to see how fast ,marcus could move on his smooth-backed horse4 ,mrs4 ,lee knew that in their present state of mind it would be next to impossible to keep the children perfectly quiet1 and she resolved to employ them about something1 that they might not waste their energy in making a noise4 ,marcus heard somebody at the head of the stairs1 and he looked up with an expression of provoking mischief1 as if ready to receive another scolding from aunt ,barbara4 ,when he saw his mother's kind1 pale face bending towards him1 he felt a little ashamed of the thoughtlessness which had made him forget that her weak head might have suffered from what he called his fun4 ,well1 ,mother1 he said looking up cheerfully1 how soon do you think ,hatty will come8 ,not for an hour yet1 my son1 said the mother1 kindly2 and1 meanwhile1 ,i have something for you to do4 ,i want you to sweep the pavement1 from the door-step to the gate1 that it may look neat and tidy to ,hatty when she comes home4 ,here1 ,meg1 you go get me a broom1 and ,i'll set to work in a twinkling1 said ,marcus1 jumping down from the balusters1 with a deafening stamp of his heavy shoes4 ,the sound seemed to touch every nerve in ,mrs4 ,lee's head1 and she drew her eyebrows together with an expression of pain2 but she only said1 quietly--,i must have a pair of slippers for you to wear in the house1 ,marcus1 and then you can take off your shoes1 when you come in1 as your father does4 ,o that will be first-rate1 said ,marcus1 with delight4 ,i should like dog's-heads for the pattern2 won't you begin them to-day1 ,mother8 ,i will make them as soon as ,i can1 said the mother1 with a languid smile4 ,meg now came running along the hall1 carrying the broom by the brush end1 while the handle went knock1 knock1 along the floor1 keeping time to the skipping motion with which she generally moved4 ,marcus seized the broom1 and began to flourish it this way and that way1 across the wide pavement1 as if he meant to be rapid1 if not particularly thorough1 in his work4 ,now1 ,harry1 said ,mrs4 ,lee1 quietly1 mother wants you to make a nice fence with your blocks all round your playthings4 ,meg will get them for you4 ,from a closet under the stairs ,meg soon dragged out a box in which were ,harry's stores of blocks1--playthings of which he never tired1 and which never wore out4 ,the little fellow set to work very patiently2 and then ,mrs4 ,lee said1 ,come1 ,meg1 ,i will take you with me4 ,meg gave her hand to her mother1 and skipped up the stairs1 ready to take in good part anything that should happen4 ,mrs4 ,lee led her to a small room at the end of the hall1 and said1 ,now listen to me1 my little darling4 ,you are to sleep in here with ,hatty1 and she is to help you dress1 and to be very kind to you4 ,i want you to be very careful not to hurt any of ,hatty's things1 and to mind her1 when ,i am not with you4 ,if you do as ,i say1 you will be sure to get on well4 ,meg gave a little jump1 and perched herself on the edge of the bed1 as she said1 ,o how nice1 ,mother6 ,i am so glad4 ,it is a great deal pleasanter than being in the old nursery with ,jane4 ,don't sit on the bed1 ,meggy1 said ,mrs4 ,lee1 helping the little thing gently down--and smoothing the tumbled place she had made on the clean counterpane2 ,you know ,hatty likes to keep her bed very nicely4 ,hatty can't lock the door now--and say1 ',you can't come in1 ,meg4' ,it is my room1 too1 now1 said ,meg1 and ,i shall have a right to come in4 ,i hope my little girls will get on very pleasantly together1 said ,mrs4 ,lee1 gently4 ,jesus' little children never quarrel1 never speak bad1 angry words4 ,well1 ,i won't1 ,mother1 if ,i can help it1 said ,meg1 and she put up her mouth to be kissed1 as if that mother's kiss could ensure her doing right4 ,while this conversation was going on up stairs1 ,marcus had stopped in the midst of his work1 and was actually still1 for a moment1 while his face bore the marks of deep thought4 ,marcus did not feel altogether comfortable about the way he had spoken to ,aunt ,barbara that morning2 he knew he had done wrong1 and that brought to his mind a letter his mother had received from ,hatty during her absence4 ,hatty had written that she was very sorry for all the naughty things she had ever done1 and that she had made up her mind to be one of ,jesus' little children1 and that she believed ,he had forgiven her for all the past1 and would help her to be a better girl4 ,she sent much love to her brothers and sisters1 and said she wanted them to forget every unkind word she had ever spoken to them1 for she was very sorry1 and never meant to do so again4 ,ever since ,hatty could speak1 her mother had been teaching her about her ,heavenly ,father1 and trying to make her love ,him and wish to serve ,him4 ,the little girl had always listened patiently1 but ,mrs4 ,lee had never been satisfied that ,hatty had made her choice to be among the lambs of ,jesus' flock1 who love to hear their ,shepherd's voice1 and try to follow ,him4 ,this letter1 therefore1 written in the frankness and simplicity of childhood1 had brought joy to the mother's heart4 ,she believed that the love of ,christ had taken root in the soul of her child1 and that by ,god's grace it would grow and strengthen1 and in time bear such fruit as angels love to see4 ,mrs4 ,lee had not only given the message ,hatty sent to her brothers and sister1 but she had read her letter to them1 praying silently that by ,hatty's example they might be led to choose ,god for their guardian and guide4 ,marcus had listened intently1 and had been moved more than he cared to show4 ,when his mother laid the letter down1 he said bluntly1 ,i have nothing laid up against ,hatty1 and abruptly left the room4 ,now as he stood on the pavement leaning upon the broom1 he was thinking of ,hatty and her new resolution1 and wondering if he should ever make up his mind to do right4 ,of one thing he was sure1 doing wrong gave him no pleasure4 ,he had been too well taught to be able to commit any sin1 without being reminded of it by his conscience1 but to obey that conscience was another thing4 ,marcus could not help fancying that he should see some great change in ,hatty1 that she would look differently1 speak differently1--and he made up his mind not to be at all pleased with her if she affected any new1 serious ways4 ,this was but a momentary feeling1 for ,marcus really loved his sister1 and in the depths of his heart he rejoiced that she had chosen the best portion1 the only blessing that will last forever and ever4 ,,ii4 ,marcus spent so much time in meditating about ,hatty and her new resolution1 that he had but just finished his task1 when the carriage1 so anxiously desired1 drove up to the door1 and out jumped ,mr4 ,lee1 followed in another moment by ,hatty4 ,marcus threw down his broom1 and sprang forward1 and before he thought he had kissed ,hatty several times4 ,marcus was not much in favor of kissing1--he thought it was girlish2 but now he was so really glad1 he did not think what he was about4 ,while ,mr4 ,lee was attending to the removal of his carpet-bag1 ,hatty's little trunk1 and sundry baskets and packages with which the carriage was loaded1 ,marcus and ,hatty walked up the wide pavement together4 ,you are a good sweeper1 ,marcus1 said ,hatty1 looking at the clean bricks upon which they were stepping4 ,marcus did not answer2 he was gazing straight into ,hatty's face to see if she were really altered4 ,he could see no change1 save that a few freckles about her nose disfigured her uncommonly fair skin1 and told of the life in the open air she had lately led4 ,her red hair had not grown a shade darker during her absence1 although it was brushed a little smoother than usual4 ,her bright1 reddish brown eyes had their own lively expression1 and her mouth seemed as ready as ever to smile1 until all about it the tiny dimples came like little pin-pricks in her fair skin4 ,hatty's face was not changed1 certainly2 and instead of having the grave manner that ,marcus expected1 she was all joy at her return1 and seemed to have forgotten that she meant to be any better than any one else4 ,hatty had not forgotten her new resolutions1 and if ,marcus could have seen into her heart at the moment she stepped from the carriage1 he would have read a prayer that she might be able to live among her dear brothers and sister like one of the lambs of the flock of ,christ4 ,meg and ,harry had heard the sound of the carriage wheels1 and were on the door-step to receive ,hatty4 ,they first almost smothered her with kisses2 then ,meg untied her bonnet strings with rough kindness1 and ,harry seized her little travelling bag1 as if it were his especial property4 ,hatty was a particular little soul1 and the way ,meg took hold of the new blue satin ribbons of her leghorn flat1 hurt her as much as if ,meg had given her one of the twisting little pinches she knew so well how to inflict4 ,hatty was going to twitch away1 but instead of the twitch came a bright blush on her cheek1 that she should have so soon been near being out of patience1 when again among the little ones at home4 ,as a kind of punishment to herself1 she let ,meg lay aside her bonnet1 and suffered ,harry to run off with her pretty travelling bag1 without saying a word4 ,where's ,mother8 asked ,hatty1 eagerly1 passing along the hall1 and going directly up stairs4 ,here1 here1 my child1 said the mother1 as she met her on the landing1 and folded her affectionately in her arms4 ,very pleasant it was to ,hatty to receive that mother's tender kiss1 but dearer still were the words which were1 breathed in her ear3 ,god bless you1 my darling1 you are dearer to me than ever4 ,hatty understood her mother's earnest words1 and she could have echoed them1 you are dearer to me than ever4 ,that was exactly what she felt4 ,the mother who had talked to her of the blessed ,jesus1 and taught her ,his words and ways1 was dearer than ever1 now that she had resolved to follow ,him4 ,in silence ,hatty and her mother ascended the short flight of stairs that led to the upper hall2 then the little girl asked eagerly--,but where is the baby8 ,i have not seen him yet--or ,aunt ,barbara1 either4 ,so you did think of ,aunt ,barbara4 ,i didn't know but you had forgotten me entirely1 you were so taken up with your grandma1 said the old lady1 coming slowly out of the nursery4 ,no1 indeed1 ,i had not forgotten you1 said ,hatty1 and she kissed her affectionately4 ,hatty had not forgotten ,aunt ,barbara2 she had had painful reasons for remembering her4 ,the unfortunate1 disrespectful words she had spoken to the old lady1 had risen up to her again and again1 and made her pray with double earnestness to be forgiven for ,jesus' sake4 ,aunt ,barbara led the way to the nursery1 and there on the bed lay the baby1 the pet of the house4 ,o what a dear1 tiny little creature6 said ,hatty1 bending over it1 with a look half wonder and half affection4 ,i never saw such a little baby before2 that is1 ,i don't remember ,harry very well1 when he was so young1 she added1 for ,hatty was trying to be truthful1 even about trifles4 ,harry was twice as big at the same age1 said ,aunt ,barbara4 ,he always was a bouncer4 ,hatty stooped down to kiss the wee mouth of the sleeping baby1 but ,aunt ,barbara pushed her roughly back1 and said impatiently3 ,don't1 child6 don't1 you'll wake him4 ,mamma does not say ,i mustn't6 sprang to ,hatty's lips1 for she was sadly quick-tempered1 but again a blush of shame took the place of hasty words4 ,he will wake soon1 said ,mrs4 ,lee1 quickly but quietly1 and then1 ,hatty1 you can hold him in your arms2 he is not much heavier than your dolly1 ,susan4 ,thank you1 ,mother4 ,i should like that1 said ,hatty2 she felt that her mother had wished to speak quickly to keep her from wrong words1 and she was grateful for the kindness that would help her to do right4 ,now1 ,hatty1 you had better come to your room1 and take off your things4 ,to our room1 said ,meg1 with a saucy1 mischievous look4 ,hatty turned towards her mother with a sudden glance of inquiry4 ,yes1 said ,mrs4 ,lee1 you are to have ,meg for a room-mate4 ,hatty's face flushed1 and ,mrs4 ,lee hastened to add1 ,i thought you would like to help me1 and you can do so best by taking ,meg with you1 and having a little charge over her4 ,hatty looked very soberly1 as she answered1 ,i should like to help you1 ,mother4 ,mrs4 ,lee opened the two lower drawers of the bureau1 and said1 you see ,i have put some of ,meg's clothes here2 when you need any more you can come to me for them4 ,but1 ,mother1 where are all my presents1 and my pretty things8 ,that is too bad6 ,i have always kept them so nicely in those drawers6 said ,hatty1 hastily4 ,mrs4 ,lee did not speak for a moment2 she opened a door leading into a large lighted closet1 and then said1 ,here1 my darling1 you will have a place for all you want to keep particularly nice2 see1 ,i have put your presents in this drawer1 and your books are there above1 on the shelf4 ,i have put a little table here for your ,bible1 and you must not forget to 'enter into your closet1' to pray to ,him who seeth in secret4 ,o1 ,mother1 you are so very kind and ,i am so very hasty1 exclaimed ,hatty2 ,i will not forget to do as you say1 for indeed ,i need it4 ,you will have to be very patient with me1 ,mother1 for ,i am afraid ,i shall have hard work to keep my resolutions4 ,trust in ,god for help to struggle against your faults1 and in the end you will conquer1 said the mother1 with an affectionate kiss1 and then she left her little daughter alone4 ,hatty had led an easy1 quiet life with her grandmother for the last three months1 and had had but little temptation to give way to her hasty temper4 ,now she began to realize that it would be quite another thing1 where at almost every moment she was called on to give up her own will and pleasure for that of others2 but she was not disheartened4 ,god has promised to give his strength to those who really wish to serve ,him1 and on this promise little ,hatty relied4 ,in her closet she knelt and asked the blessing of ,heaven on her poor efforts1 and she rose cheerful and happy4 ,,iii4 ,when ,hatty had arranged her clothes once more neatly in her own room1 she began to wonder what had become of ,marcus1 and she concluded to go in search of him2 she met him in the hall4 ,he seemed much excited1 and said1 ,o ,hatty1 what beautiful bantams6 ,i have put them in a barrel1 and carried all the packages grandma sent1 to the kitchen1 and now ,i want to know where we shall keep them8 ,hatty was not quite pleased that ,marcus should take the bantams so immediately under his protection1 though she had brought them as a present to him4 ,she checked the feeling of annoyance1 and said pleasantly1 ,they are yours1 ,marcus1 so you can plan for them as you think best2 but perhaps you could manage to make a coop1 as you do not go to school to-day4 ,marcus was delighted with the presents1 and resolved to set to work immediately to get the pets into comfortable quarters before ,sunday4 ,hatty put on her sun-bonnet1 and they both were soon very busy in the yard1 planning for the chicken coop with as much interest as if they were going to build some wonderful specimen of architecture which all the world would admire4 ,marcus found in the wood-house a large packing box1 and after much hammering he succeeded in knocking out one side1 so the chickens could have their feet on the ground in their new home4 ,chickens are like the ,irishman who liked a mud floor that would never wear out1 and never need washing1 said ,marcus1 with the air of one who was instructing some ignorant person4 ,yes1 grandma has all her coops made that way1 said ,hatty1 who was well pleased to show that she understood the subject4 ,marcus now selected a board of the right length1 and had just begun to split it up into slabs for the front of the coop1 when he heard ,aunt ,barbara's bed-room window go up4 ,marcus did not raise his eyes1 but he could not stop his ears1 and he had to hear the shrill tone that called out1 ,stop6 stop6 ,marcus ,lee6 ,marcus rested his hatchet on the board1 and looked up4 ,you are a wasteful boy6 began ,aunt ,barbara4 ,you ought to be ashamed to cut up that good board6 ,don't mind her1 said ,marcus1 in an undertone1 as he resumed his work4 ,wait a minute1 ,marcus1 said ,hatty2 and then raising her voice she called out1 ,aunt ,barbara1 we want a coop for the chickens--some dear little bantams ,i brought from grandma's6 ,chickens6 said ,aunt ,barbara1 much as if she had said bears6 ,what on earth did you bring them here for8 why1 they'll ruin everything in the garden1 and crow so in the morning nobody can sleep4 ,we are going to shut them up1 ,aunt ,barbara1 and that will keep them out of mischief1 said ,hatty1 trying to speak pleasantly4 ,take your own way6 take your own way6 ,its never any use for me to say anything6 said ,aunt ,barbara1 and her window was put down with such a force that made the glass rattle4 ,marcus had expected to hear ,hatty answer in her usual hasty way1 and he was quite surprised to see that she did not seem at all angry1 and now had no unkind remarks to make about ,aunt ,barbara4 ,he did not know that ,hatty had been obliged to cast one look up to the clear sky1 to remember the ,great ,being who was looking down upon her1 before she dare trust herself to speak1 nor did he know that she was now wondering why ,aunt ,barbara should be so unlike her dear1 dear grandma4 ,marcus kept steadily on at his work1 but ,hatty did not feel satisfied about it until she had asked her mother if there was really any harm in what they were doing4 ,after ,mrs4 ,lee had given them free permission to go on1 the morning passed pleasantly away in watching ,marcus1 and she was quite surprised when the dinner bell rang4 ,o dear6 said ,hatty1 we shall have hardly time to put ourselves in order for the table4 ,although ,marcus knew that it was his mother's express wish that he should never come to the table without looking neat and tidy1 he paid little regard to his personal appearance2 but there was something in the eager way in which ,hatty hastened to brush the hair she had been too much inclined to neglect1 that had its influence on him4 ,hatty was in her seat before her father was at the table1 and a pleased smile crossed her face as she saw that ,marcus had been using the clothes brush1 and combing his straight black hair off his high forehead4 ,the dinner hour was always a pleasant time at ,mrs4 ,lee's1 for then all the family were together1 and some interesting conversation was sure to take place4 ,marcus was a restless boy1 active in body and mind4 ,he enjoyed his father's society1 and affected to think that he was the only one in the family who was really a suitable companion for a boy of the mature age of twelve6 ,mr4 ,lee was a merchant2 he had lately met with large losses1 but he did not allow himself to be saddened by misfortunes that left his home untouched1 and all his dear ones alive and well4 ,mr4 ,lee was a tall1 slender man1 with a bright1 expressive eye1 and a large1 pleasant mouth1 and his children thought him the handsomest man in ,hyde1 the large inland town where he lived4 ,during the dinner-hour on the day about which we are writing1 ,mr4 ,lee was talking of a plan for building an ,orphan ,asylum1 about which the citizens of ,hyde were greatly interested4 ,marcus listened to his father's remarks1 and seemed to think himself called upon to reply4 ,he did so1 and showed uncommon quickness and good sense for a boy of his years in what he said4 ,mrs4 ,lee modestly made some suggestions1 which her husband thought particularly useful2 but ,marcus' lip curled as his mother spoke1 in a way which it was well for him escaped his father's observation4 ,after dinner1 ,mr4 ,lee was obliged to hurry away1 but not too soon to give ,hatty a kiss1 and to say to her how pleasant it was to see her face once more at the table4 ,when ,mr4 ,lee was gone1 ,mrs4 ,lee resumed the subject about which they had been talking1 and sketched what she thought would be an improvement on the internal arrangement of the proposed building4 ,now don't1 ,mother6 said ,marcus4 ,what do women know about such things8 ,what do boys know8 you had better say6 said ,hatty1 hastily taking part with her mother4 ,any sensible boy of twelve knows more about such things than a woman6 said ,marcus1 turning to leave the room4 ,stop1 ,marcus1 said ,mrs4 ,lee1 gently4 ,marcus stopped1 but did not approach his mother4 ,she stepped to his side and said3 ,marcus1 there was once a boy of twelve who had more wisdom than the learned doctors in the ,jewish ,temple4 ,he1 of course1 knew more than his mother4 ,yet he went down with her to ,nazareth1 and was subject unto her4 ,even he was not above honoring his father and mother4 ,will you not try to imitate him8 ,marcus was softened by his mother's gentle manner1 and he answered3 ,if ,i don't behave as ,i ought to you1 ,mother1 it is a great shame2 and then he was again turning away4 ,again he was detained4 ,hatty laid her hand on his arm and said3 ,marcus1 ,i did not speak rightly to you just now4 ,i was angry4 ,i am sorry4 ,hatty blushed painfully when she spoke1 and it was evident the acknowledgment cost her a great effort4 ,i did not notice it1 said ,marcus1 hurrying away4 ,hatty felt a little hurt at the way her apology was received1 but her mother took her by the hand1 and said3 ,that is right1 ,hatty4 ,confess your faults one to another1 and pray one for another4 ,you must not forget ,marcus in your prayers4 ,hatty was silent a moment1 and then her mother said3 ,come now1 my dear1 the baby is awake1 and you will have an opportunity to see his queer little blue eyes1 and to hold him in your lap4 ,hatty was delighted when she reached the nursery1 to be allowed to take the tiny being in her arms1 and to hold his pretty soft hand in hers4 ,meg and ,harry seemed to think it was a very attractive sight to see ,hatty with the baby on her lap1 and they left their soap-bubbles and came to stand about her4 ,at this moment ,aunt ,barbara came in4 ,she did not seem to notice ,hatty and the baby4 ,her eyes at once fell upon the bowl full of soap-suds ,meg had placed on a chair4 ,dear6 dear6 exclaimed ,aunt ,barbara1 what are the children coming to8 ,why1 they waste soap as if it grew1 instead of cost money6 ,here1 ,meg1 pour this away directly1 and don't do such a thing again6 ,it won't help it to throw it away1 said ,meg4 ,i want to blow bubbles4 ,shan't have it6 shan't have it6 said little ,harry1 holding tight to the edge of the bowl with his little fat hands4 ,aunt ,barbara1 said ,mrs4 ,lee1 very gently1 ,i told the children they might blow bubbles a little while this afternoon4 ,jane mixed the soap for them1 that they need not be wasteful4 ,its little use savin' in such a house as this6 said ,aunt ,barbara1 and she walked away as if she were particularly injured4 ,marcus now came in to tell how happy and contented the chickens seemed in the new coop4 ,he saw some evidences of displeasure on the faces of ,meg and ,harry1 and he exclaimed1 ,i met ,aunt ,barbara in the hall1 with her indignation strut on4 ,what's up8 ,marcus1 my son1 ,i cannot bear to hear you speak in that way of any old person1 especially of ,aunt ,barbara4 ,but she is too tiresome and provoking1 ,mother4 ,if ,i want a piece of twine for a kite-string she calls it wasteful1 and-- ,yes1 broke in ,meg1 and when ,i want to play tea1 she won't let me have a bit of milk or sugar1--that is1 if mother is not here4 ,hush1 hush1 my children1 said ,mrs4 ,lee1 with a look of pain4 ,come1 sit down all of you1 and ,i will tell you a story4 ,marcus liked to hear stories as well as little ,meg herself1 and he forthwith sat down on the floor1 where he could look straight into his mother's eyes4 ,mrs4 ,lee began3 ,once there was a little orphan girl1 only seven years old4 ,her father and mother died1 and she did not know what was to become of her4 ,now this little girl had an aunt1 who was the widow of a clergyman4 ,this aunt had a little cottage of her own1 and just enough money to live quietly and comfortably by herself4 ,she knew if she took the little orphan to her home1 she must deny herself a great many comforts to which she had always been accustomed2 but she resolved to do it4 ,the little girl was very glad when she found that she was not alone in the wide world1 and she soon learned to love the kind aunt who did so much for her4 ,sometimes she was surprised to see what care her aunt took1 that nothing should be wasted2 and she often wondered why her aunt did not buy herself a new bonnet1 or a new dress1 which she seemed to need4 ,she did not know that her aunt had to practice so much care and economy1 to give her a home4 ,by and by1 when she grew older1 she understood all this1 and tried to be like a daughter to the friend who had been so kind to her4 ,her aunt's queer little ways only made her feel1 then1 that it was for her she had learned to save even the shreds she cut off when she was sewing4 ,after the orphan girl was grown1 she was married to a very kind gentleman4 ,this gentleman was so grateful to the aunt for her care of the orphan1 that he wanted her to come and live with them in her comfortable home2 but ,aunt ,barbara said-- ,there1 there1 ,mother6 you have let it out1 exclaimed the children in a breath4 ,don't1 don't1 said ,hatty2 what did ,aunt ,barbara say1 ,mother8 ,she said1 your old aunty is queer and notional1 and maybe you would be happier without her4 ,no1 no1 let me stay here alone2 ,i shall be quite contented to know my little orphan is so well taken care of6 ,it was of no use urging ,aunt ,barbara1 so we had to let her have her way4 ,now1 my children1 you know how ,aunt ,barbara got her very economical ways1 and ,i hope you will have patience with her1 for my sake4 ,indeed1 ,i will6 said ,hatty1 looking up with her eyes full of tears4 ,i won't tease her any more1 said ,meg1 nestling at her mother's side4 ,marcus was silent2 he felt too deeply to speak1 how ill a return he had made to ,aunt ,barbara for her kindness to his mother4 ,but how came ,aunt ,barbara here8 asked ,hatty1 with much interest4 ,i will tell you1 said ,mrs4 ,lee4 ,we had been married three years1 when ,i had a little1 helpless1 sickly baby4 ,i was too feeble to take proper care of it1 and your father was obliged to be too much away from home to give me any help4 ,aunt ,barbara heard how weak and pale ,i was looking1 and what a poor1 suffering baby ,i had4 ,then the old lady let her little home to a stranger1 and came one day to us4 ,she said she could not sleep for thinking of me and the little one1 and she had come to take care of us4 ,and what good care she took of us6 ,she seemed to know just what ,i wanted4 ,i was young1 then1 and there were many things about which ,i was as ignorant as you are4 ,aunt ,barbara had nourishing food made for me just when ,i needed it1 she took the care of the housekeeping from me1 and so nursed me that ,i soon began to feel strong again4 ,but ,i have not told you about the poor baby4 ,aunt ,barbara could not do too much for that baby4 ,it was a cross little thing1 crying even when it was not sick4 ,aunt ,barbara was never out of patience with it4 ,she attended to its food1 got up with it at night1 and even when ,i was well enough to take it with me again1 she was hardly willing to give it up4 ,all this watching and nursing was too much for ,aunt ,barbara2 she has never been well since4 ,when her rheumatism keeps her awake at night1 she is often irritable and inclined to find fault the next day4 ,when ,i feel tempted to be out of patience with her1 ,i have only to remember that it was for me and my little baby she came here1 and that for us she wearied herself until her health gave way4 ,mother1 said ,hatty1 in a whisper1 was ,i that little sickly baby that ,aunt ,barbara was so patient with8 ,yes1 my darling1 was ,mrs4 ,lee's reply4 ,the many impertinent1 hasty1 impatient words that she had spoken to her old aunt1 returned to ,hatty's mind1 and she resolved to ask ,god to give her strength to make amends for the past4 ,it is a sad truth1 said ,mrs4 ,lee1 that old people have much less patience shown towards them than little children have1 yet they need it quite as much4 ,god has so arranged it1 that those who are watched over and taken care of when they are helpless babes1 should in their turn nurse and comfort the feeble old age of their parents4 ,remember1 my children1 old age makes people in one way like infants2 that is1 it leads them to be irritable and troublesome1 and often helpless1 and these defects should be borne with tenderly1 as your father or ,i would soothe that dear baby on ,hatty's lap4 ,god has taught in his holy book the greatest respect to the aged1 and his eye sees with displeasure even a rude look cast towards one who is grey-haired4 ,the children were all silent4 ,mrs4 ,lee saw that they were moved1 and in her heart she prayed that ,god would grant a blessing upon the earnest words she had spoken1 and save her dear ones from falling into the sin so offensive to the ,holy ,one of ,israel4 ,,iv4 ,when ,hatty went to bed1 on the evening of her return1 she found ,meg fast asleep1 and apparently as much at home as if she had always had a right to talk of our room1 instead of being one of the children in the nursery4 ,hatty looked at the little brown face lying on the pillow1 and the long dark lashes hiding the mischievous eyes1 and she felt that she loved her little sister dearly1 and would be willing to be put to a great deal of inconvenience to be of service to her4 ,when ,hatty knelt that night in the quiet closet her mother had given up to her use1 she did not forget to pray that she might be patient and gentle with ,meg1 and so win her confidence as to be able to lead her to the ,saviour1 who loves to call the little ones ,his own4 ,hatty's short reading in the ,bible that evening was about the crucifixion of our ,saviour1 and as she prepared to lie down1 she wondered how he could have borne such suffering without one murmur4 ,hatty had a perfect horror of pain4 ,her skin was thin and delicate1 and even the grasp of a rough hand on her arm was sure to leave a bruise4 ,her usually pleasant face was clouded over by a scratch or a pin-prick1 and her tears often fell fast for a wound that many children would have met with a smile4 ,hatty was naturally very sensitive to pain1 and that was not her fault2 but she had never yet begun to try to bear it patiently1 as a part of her christian duty4 ,as she lay down that night1 she resolved to be more patient under1 little trials1 and to make light of little pains4 ,hatty's new resolution was soon put to the test4 ,she had hardly put her head on the pillow1 before she became conscious that her couch was anything but a bed of roses4 ,meg had consoled herself for going to sleep in a strange room by herself1 by munching hard crackers until that pleasure was lost in the new joy of the dreams of childhood4 ,the bed was strewn with the crumbs1 and through her thin night-dress ,hatty could feel them in all directions4 ,after brushing them this way and that way1 ,hatty jumped out of bed with an angry bound1 and proceeded to light the candle and rectify the mischief in a systematic manner4 ,the troublesome little thing6 exclaimed ,hatty1 as she saw a half-eaten cracker lying in ,meg's loosened grasp4 ,she ought to be punished for it6 ,at that moment ,hatty thought of her resolution to be patient under trifling discomforts1 and a feeling of mortification came over her4 ,very quietly she brushed away the offending crumbs1 gently she removed the half-eaten cracker1 and then she knelt to ask forgiveness for this new exhibition of her hasty temper1 ere she again lay down to rest4 ,hatty was soon in a sweet sleep2 but shortly after midnight she was awakened by a feeling very much as if a broom-handle were thrust against her1 while at the same time ,meg exclaimed1 ,do move1 ,hatty1 you crowd so4 ,i wish you would'nt come on my side of the bed4 ,meg was a thin bony little creature1 and the children all dreaded a punch with her sharp elbows almost as much as one of her scientific pinches4 ,hatty's tender side actually ached1 but she made an effort to say1 gently1 ,meg1 you must be dreaming2 wake up6 ,i am not asleep at all6 said ,meg1 pettishly4 ,i wish you would move6 ,hatty passed her hand along the seam of the sheet 7,mrs4 ,lee used her old-fashioned sheets on the children's beds7 to assure herself that she was on her own side of the bed1 and then she was going to tell ,meg that it was she who was out of place2 but something checked her1 and she only said1 pleasantly1 ,never mind1 ,meg1 where the middle of the bed is1--you shall have all the room you want2 and making way for her little friend with the sharp elbows1 ,hatty composed herself again to sleep1 with a far happier feeling than if she had contended for her rights4 ,once she was going to say1 ,o ,meg1 it hurts me still where you punched me1 but she checked the words1 and thought how trifling was such a pain compared with the nails in the hands of our great example1 who has bid us follow him in his patience1 as well as in perfect purity4 ,hatty's long ride from her grandmother's1 a distance of sixteen miles1 and the excitement of her return home1 made her sleep very soundly1 when not disturbed1 and she would gladly have continued her nap until the rousing bell gave forth its summons4 ,meg was something like the uneasy birds who twitter at midnight on their perches1 and wake at dawn to sing1 as if they never knew the need of rest4 ,by the first grey streak of morning she began to stir1 and was soon wide awake and full of glee at finding herself in her new quarters4 ,hatty turned her back resolutely1 but in vain4 ,meg was not to be so easily disposed of4 ,hatty was going to say some hasty words to ,meg1 as she twitched away from her1 when ,meg pleaded1 ,do wake up1 sister ,hatty4 ,it is ,sunday morning4 ,sunday morning6 that thought brought ,hatty to herself--and making an effort to throw off her sleepiness1 she turned towards ,meg1 and said1 ,well1 then1 give me a nice kiss to begin the day4 ,meg gave the kiss with real good will1 and then1 nestling up close to ,hatty1 she began to talk as if her tongue needed violent exercise to make up for being quiet all night4 ,before many minutes were over1 ,hatty had set that little tongue at ,sunday work1 repeating all the hymns and ,bible verses that ,meg had learned during the three months that ,hatty had been away from home4 ,meg was full of eager questions about her hymns and her verses1 and ,hatty had an opportunity of giving the little one some sweet lessons about the loving ,saviour and what ,he wishes in ,his lambs1 that she would have lost if she had given way to her selfish wish for a longer nap4 ,we do not know1 when we give way to our own whims1 instead of being unselfish1 what opportunities of usefulness we may be losing4 ,if we do one duty well1 some higher and more important duty generally follows close upon it4 ,hatty took a pleasure in making ,meg look particularly nice that ,sunday morning1 and she was well pleased when her mother smilingly remarked at breakfast that ,meg showed very plainly that she had fallen into good hands4 ,hatty needs a little attention1 herself1 added ,mrs4 ,lee1 and she glanced at the irregular white line which separated the two heavy masses of waving red hair on each side of ,hatty's head4 ,hatty would rather have gone without her breakfast than had her hair parted4 ,hatty was apt to fret about being hurt all the while the operation was going on1 and ,mrs4 ,lee actually dreaded to propose what1 if borne cheerfully1 would have been but the work of a moment4 ,happily for ,hatty at that instant her thoughts were called in a different direction by ,marcus' sudden question-- ,where is ,aunt ,barbara this morning8 ,even the question showed some interest in the old lady2 and ,mrs4 ,lee hailed it as an indication of a better state of feeling in her son4 ,aunt ,barbara is not very well this morning2 she did not get up as early as usual1 said ,mrs4 ,lee4 ,shan't ,i go up to see if ,i can do anything for her8 said ,hatty1 eagerly4 ,she will be down soon1 ,i think2 but you may go1 said the mother1 pleasantly4 ,hatty ran up stairs1 and knocked very gently on ,aunt ,barbara's door4 ,who is it8 ,what do you want8 answered ,aunt ,barbara's voice from within4 ,it is ,hatty4 ,can ,i do anything for you8 said the little girl4 ,no6 was at first the decided answer2 then followed a sudden call ,stop1 stop1 child4 ,come in a moment4 ,hatty stepped in1 but felt like drawing back as ,aunt ,barbara stood there1 half dressed1 with her grey hair uncovered1 and her thin1 shrivelled arms bare4 ,don't stare as if you were frightened1 said ,aunt ,barbara1 quickly4 ,old people are not generally very beautiful to look at6 ,can ,i do anything for you8 said ,hatty1 pleasantly4 ,yes1 if you want to4 ,i can't find my pocket4 ,perhaps you can see it4 ,aunt ,barbara wore a pocket tied on under her dress with a string1 and she had been for some moments looking for it1 as she was ready to put it on4 ,hatty glanced round the room1 and was delighted when she saw a piece of white ,marseilles peeping out from under the tumbled bed-clothes4 ,she sprang towards it1 and handed the pocket to the old lady1 who took it without a word1 and went on dressing herself4 ,hatty began to pick up the things about the room1 and to throw open the bed2 for she knew ,aunt ,barbara would not think of going down to breakfast until the room was a little in order4 ,aunt ,barbara did not seem to notice her2 but when she had tied the strings to her close-quilted muslin cap1 and pinned a broad black ribbon round it1 she said3 ,come1 now1 child1 its not worth while your breakfast should get cold while you are waiting on me4 ,hatty's face brightened1 and she said1 eagerly3 ,i should be glad to do anything for you1 ,aunt ,barbara4 ,you may have more chance than you want1 if ,i feel like this many mornings1 said ,aunt ,barbara1 very sharply4 ,aunt ,barbara was not very pleasant at breakfast that morning4 ,nothing seemed cooked to suit her4 ,the fact was1 the poor old lady was not well1 and had no appetite1 and that made everything seem out of the way to her4 ,hatty could not help noticing how pleasantly her mother took ,aunt ,barbara's comments on the breakfast1 that would have put many housekeepers out of patience4 ,when nothing on the table seemed to suit ,aunt ,barbara1 ,mrs4 ,lee quietly sent out for a bit of ham to be boiled2 and when it came in1 she seemed pleased that the old lady ate a few mouthfuls1--complaining at first that it was done a trifle too much1 and in the end making way with it all4 ,mr4 ,lee did not seem to notice that ,aunt ,barbara was not well1--at least he did not ask about her health2 and ,hatty thought at first it was not quite right in her father1 and she wondered that he should do anything so unlike himself4 ,by-and-by she noticed that all the topics he brought up were such as were likely to interest ,aunt ,barbara4 ,he spoke of meeting an old minister who used to live near her own home1 and told how cheerfully he talked of his long1 active life1 and of the happy time when he should meet his ,master in heaven4 ,then he brought up the new orphan asylum1 which was always sure to enlist ,aunt ,barbara's attention2 and at last she seemed to forget her pains1 while listening to his account of the meeting on the subject he had attended the evening before4 ,hatty felt pleased as she saw the shadow passing from the old lady's face1 and she glanced across for ,marcus to sympathize in her satisfaction4 ,he did not see her1 but ,hatty noticed that he placed a comfortable chair1 after breakfast1 near the window where ,aunt ,barbara best loved to sit1 and drew a footstool up to it4 ,marcus did not think that anybody observed him1 but two hearts were made glad by this little effort of kindness4 ,mrs4 ,lee and ,hatty both saw that ,marcus' feelings towards ,aunt ,barbara had undergone a happy change4 ,marcus' feelings had been touched1 but feelings are a poor dependence for doing right1 without principle4 ,hatty was delighted at the idea of going to church once more in her dear native town4 ,she felt that it would be a new and better thing to be there1 now that she could count herself among those who were glad at the thought1 ,god is in ,his holy temple4 ,hatty began1 in her impatience1 to make her preparations in very good season4 ,she had laid out on her bed all the things she expected to wear1 when her mother called her to come into the nursery4 ,hatty went promptly as far as the door1 but she moved across the floor more slowly when she saw that her mother had a comb and brush in her hand4 ,i hope we shall have no trouble about the hair1 this morning4 ,it needs parting1 sadly1 said ,mrs4 ,lee1 in her gentle way4 ,hatty's mind was made up at that moment2 her mother might pull as hard as was necessary1 she would not say a word if it hurt her ever so much4 ,mrs4 ,lee used the comb very carefully1 yet it was disagreeable1 almost painful to ,hatty's delicate skin4 ,she shut her mouth tight1 however1 and thought of her resolution to bear little hurts pleasantly1 and actually got through without a murmur4 ,when the hair was brushed smoothly1 ,hatty's face looked very sweet from the effort she had made to do right1 and she well deserved the affectionate kiss her mother pressed on her lips4 ,perhaps ,i could help ,aunt ,barbara get ready for church1 said ,hatty1 one right action leading to another4 ,aunt ,barbara is not well enough to go1 to-day4 ,i am very sorry1 on my own account as well as on hers4 ,it is ,communion day1 and ,i had hoped to go to church1 for the first time in many weeks4 ,but cannot you go1 ,mother8 said ,hatty1 earnestly4 ,no1 my dear1 said ,mrs4 ,lee1 quietly4 ,i do not like to leave ,aunt ,barbara with no one to wait upon her4 ,i promised ,betsy1 yesterday1 that she should go out this morning1 and ,jane will be busy with the baby and ,harry4 ,hatty was silent for a moment2 a struggle was going on in her mind4 ,at length she looked up with a beautiful1 bright expression on her face1 and said1 ,i will stay with ,aunt ,barbara1 if you could trust her with me4 ,i do not want you to be kept at home4 ,mrs4 ,lee knew the effort it must have cost her little girl to give up the pleasure for which she had been so eagerly preparing1 but she did not refuse her kind offer4 ,thank you1 my darling2 ,i shall feel quite easy leaving ,aunt ,barbara with you4 ',i was sick and ye visited me1' our ,saviour says1 and then adds1 ',inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these1 ye have done it unto me4' ,that thought makes taking care of the sick doubly pleasant4 ,and now1 darling1 instead of putting on your own things1 which are all laid out so nicely1 you will have to help me to get ready4 ,hatty was glad to be kept very busy that she might not have a moment to regret her choice1 and she made herself so actively useful1 that ,mrs4 ,lee was not at all too late in joining the group waiting for her in the hall below4 ,why6 are you not going1 ,hatty8 exclaimed ,marcus1 as his sister appeared at her mother's side4 ,hatty is going to stay with ,aunt ,barbara4 ,she may need some attention1 and ,i did not like to leave her alone1 said ,mrs4 ,lee4 ,marcus looked up in surprise4 ,he knew with what eagerness ,hatty had spoken in the morning of being at church1 and could not but wonder at the sudden change1--she looked so cheerful4 ,one glance at the sweet1 bright expression of her face1 convinced him of the generous motive that had kept her at home4 ,marcus began to think there was some strength in ,hatty's new resolution to do right4 ,v4 ,aunt ,barbara's room was in the back building1 and the entrance to it was on the first landing to the front stairs4 ,the old lady had chosen that room1 when she came to ,mrs4 ,lee's1 because no one had ever occupied it2 for she said1 ,i never did turn anybody out1 and ,i never mean to4 ,there ,aunt ,barbara had collected about her all her favorite pieces of old-fashioned furniture1 her dark mahogany secretary-bureau1 with its bright brass rings held fast in the mouths of wrinkled old brass faces1 and her curtained bed1 with all its festoons and fringes4 ,when ,hatty stepped into the room1 she saw ,aunt ,barbara sitting bolt-upright in a stuff1 straight-backed chair1 and looking not much in the humor for little visitors4 ,aunt ,barbara1 mother thought perhaps you would like some one with you this morning1 and so ,i have brought in my ,sunday books1 and will sit here1 if you like1 said ,hatty1 in a cheerful tone4 ,i don't mind your sitting here1 if you choose1 was the old lady's reply4 ,hatty did not know what to say next1 so she mounted into one of the high1 stiff chairs1 and took up a book and tried to read4 ,her eyes would wander to ,aunt ,barbara1 sitting up straight and still1 and looking out of the window at the sky4 ,at length ,hatty said1 ,do lie down1 ,aunt ,barbara2 ,i am sure you would be more comfortable4 ,let me fix your pillows nicely for you4 ,i never go to bed when ,i can sit up4 ,i was not brought up to loll about and make myself sick by being lazy1 said ,aunt ,barbara4 ,hatty tried to read for a few moments more2 then ,aunt ,barbara moved1 and she looked at her again4 ,the old lady evidently wanted something she could not find in her pocket1 and yet did not feel like getting up4 ,hatty glanced her eyes round the room1 and saw ,aunt ,barbara's spectacles on the mantel-piece4 ,she jumped up and handed them to her4 ,you may give me my ,bible1 if you choose1 said ,aunt ,barbara1 in a pleasanter tone than she had used that morning4 ,hatty laid the great ,bible on ,aunt ,barbara's lap1 and for a few moments the old lady seemed nodding2 but she soon began to rub her spectacles as if they were not clean1 and then she put her hand to her head1 and said1 old folks can't sit and read all day like young ones4 ,that is just what grandma tells me1 said ,hatty2 and she says young people ought to remember that1 and learn a great many ,bible verses to think about when they are too sick or too old to read4 ,but if they did not do that when they were young1 said ,aunt ,barbara1 did grandma say what they should do then8 ,she did not say anything about that1 said ,hatty1 looking puzzled4 ,in another moment she added1 in her most pleasant way1 would not you like me to read to you a little1 ,aunt ,barbara8 ,if you can make that little tongue of yours go slow enough1 for me to understand1 you may try1 said ,aunt ,barbara4 ,hatty drew her chair close up to ,aunt ,barbara1 and was going to ask when she should begin1 when the old lady said1 pettishly1 ,go round to the other side1 child6 don't you know that's my deaf ear8 ,hatty moved as she was requested1 and then ,aunt ,barbara told her to read the #ajc;d ,psalm4 ,hatty was a very pleasant reader1 and she had lately taken great pains not to speak too rapidly4 ,aunt ,barbara must have been pleased1 for she kept ,hatty reading1 reading1 until the family came home from church2 and when she turned to leave the room1 she said1 ,thank you1 child2 ,i think going to your grandma's has done you good4 ,mrs4 ,lee had not told ,aunt ,barbara of ,hatty's letter about her new resolutions1 yet the old lady felt that some change must have taken place in ,hatty to make her willing to give up her own pleasure to sit in that quiet room with a sick1 fretful old woman1 as ,aunt ,barbara knew herself to be that morning4 ,hatty enjoyed her afternoon at ,sunday school all the more for the sacrifice she had made2 and when the children all gathered in the parlor before tea to say their catechism and ,bible verses to their father1 she felt as if she were one of the happiest little girls in the world4 ,mrs4 ,lee was all the afternoon with ,aunt ,barbara1 and when night came the ,doctor was sent for1 and ,jane and ,betsy were called in to help ,mrs4 ,lee to get the poor old lady into bed1 for she was very sick4 ,the ,doctor looked soberly1 and said the disease must have been coming on some time--that there was a great deal of irritation in her system1 and he could not say how her sickness might end4 ,hatty and ,marcus heard the ,doctor say these words in the hall as he went out4 ,the tears came into ,hatty's eyes1 and she said to her brother1 ,how ,i wish we had never spoken a wrong word to ,aunt ,barbara6 ,marcus did not reply1 but he walked away to his room1 to lie awake with sad1 repentant thoughts4 ,mrs4 ,lee had no idea how rude her children had often been to ,aunt ,barbara2 her presence had been some check upon them1 though she had heard enough to give her pain4 ,aunt ,barbara had led for many years a quiet life1 and the noise and restlessness of children tired and worried her2 and latterly she had been far from well4 ,mrs4 ,lee had been for some weeks confined to her room1 and during this time ,aunt ,barbara had had much to bear from ,marcus and the little ones2 but she never complained to ,mrs4 ,lee1 though she daily grew more harsh in her own manner to the children4 ,a little gentleness1 a little patience on the part of those who were young1 healthy and happy1 would have done much to make poor old ,aunt ,barbara more pleasant and cheerful4 ,,vi4 ,now came an anxious period in ,hatty's home4 ,mrs4 ,lee1 and a nurse who was hired for the purpose1 spent their time in ,aunt ,barbara's room1 while the ,doctor came and went with a troubled1 serious air4 ,on ,hatty1 meanwhile1 fell the care of ,meg and ,harry4 ,hatty found having ,meg in her room by no means so troublesome as she had expected4 ,meg's desire to meddle with ,hatty's things1 and to put them out of order1 seemed to have gone now that she could say our room4 ,she even made herself a kind of guardian against ,harry's inroads2 and when she heard his little feet pattering that way1 she would get in advance of him with her swift skips1 and have the door shut before he reached it4 ,hatty found it quite impossible to keep the children quiet1 so she managed to have them in the garden as much as she could1 in pleasant weather1 that they might not disturb ,aunt ,barbara4 ,at the foot of the wide walk that led down between the flower beds1 was a pleasant arbour1 and here ,hatty made a kind of a little home of her own4 ,marcus put up a tight box on one of the seats1 and there ,hatty kept a store of books and playthings for herself and the children1 to make the place attractive1 and looked so bright and happy herself1 that when ,marcus came from school he was glad to leave the dull1 quiet house1 to join the circle in the arbour4 ,hatty was busy sewing there1 one day1 while ,meg made a parasol for her doll1 of a maple leaf1 and ,harry drew a long-necked squash up and down the walk for a carriage4 ,suddenly ,hatty heard ,marcus come out the back door1 whistling a cheerful tune4 ,hatty tucked her work in her pocket1 and quickly picked up some bits of bright-colored worsted that were scattered over her dress4 ,marcus came down the walk1 kicking a ball before him1 and leaped into the arbour with a regular bound4 ,well1 ,hatty1 he exclaimed1 ,i was head of my class to-day1 and did not get a mark for being late1 either4 ,so ,i stand a chance for the prize yet4 ,were you not late8 asked ,hatty1 with surprise4 ,o yes6 answered ,marcus1 with a laugh4 ,the boys were all on their knees when ,i went in1 but ,i opened the door quietly1 and nobody heard me2 so ,i got off famously4 ,but what did you say when your name was called8 ,you did not tell an untruth1 ,marcus8 said ,hatty1 anxiously4 ,no1 indeed6 said ,marcus1 indignantly4 ,i am above that6 ,i don't understand it at all1 said ,hatty1 uneasily4 ,why1 this was the way4 ,when ,mr4 ,briggs called over the names for punctuality1 some how or other his attention wandered just before he got to my name1 and he skipped it1 so ,i did not have to answer at all4 ,after ,mr4 ,briggs went out ,i looked at my name1 and there was a cross after it for punctual2 so you see it is all right1 and my chance for the prize is as good as ever4 ,i would rather have a brother who told the truth1 than one who got the prize1 said ,hatty1 earnestly4 ,dear ,marcus1 won't you tell ,mr4 ,briggs about it8 ,i shall do no such thing4 ,girls are so silly6 ,you never can make them understand anything1 said ,marcus1 hastily4 ,but ,hatty did understand4 ,she felt that ,marcus had acted a lie for the sake of winning the prize he so greatly desired4 ,she knew he would be angry if she said anything more about it2 but she could not be silent and let him do wrong1 without one more effort4 ,after a moment1 in which she asked ,god to help her to keep down her own quick temper if ,marcus should make a harsh reply1 ,hatty said3 ,marcus1 you know what mother tells us about the book where what we call secret things are written down1 to be read on the great day when all things will be known4 ,something will stand against your name1 there1 worse than a mark for being unpunctual4 ,dear ,marcus1 do tell the truth1 and not mind the prize4 ,you will not care about the prize when you are happy with the beautiful angels in ,heaven2 but you will love to remember how you did right1 when it came so very hard4 ,it had cost ,hatty a great effort to say all this1 and now she burst into tears4 ,girls are so silly6 said ,marcus1 impatiently4 ,i wish you would not set up to lecture me1 ,miss8 and the brother walked angrily away4 ,for shame6 ,for shame6 shouted little ,meg1 who had been an unnoticed listener to the conversation1 and her slender finger was pointed at her brother4 ,he took no notice of her2 and she turned to ,hatty1 and threw her arms round her neck1 and said3 ,don't cry1 sister4 ,meg will be a good girl4 ,i will try very hard4 ,will you1 ,meg8 said ,hatty1 brightening4 ,then ,i shall be very happy4 ,now ,meg had only wanted to say something to comfort ,hatty1 and had spoken the first words that came into her mind1 without thinking what they meant4 ,when she saw ,hatty seem so much pleased1 she thought to herself3 ,i do mean to try1 if ,hatty wants it so very much4 ,at that moment ,harry's voice was heard in loud1 angry screams4 ,hatty and ,meg ran to the spot from whence they came4 ,marcus walked sheepishly away1 as they appeared1 ashamed to own that in his ill-humor he had been teasing his little brother4 ,harry was a sweet-tempered1 affectionate little fellow1 ready to put up his mouth to kiss anybody who smiled upon him2 but now he had been too far provoked to bear all patiently4 ,marcus had run away with his yellow carriage and dashed it against a stone1 until all the seeds that had been riding about so comfortably were scattered far and wide on the grass4 ,then1 because he looked displeased1 and said1 ,naughty boy6 ,marcus had perched him on the high chicken-coop1 and left him to scream for himself1 or roll off as he best could4 ,hatty took the little fellow in her arms and wiped away his tears4 ,she promised to hunt with him for a beautiful squash1 larger than the one he had lost1--and he was soon comforted1 and began to smooth her face and say1 ,dear ,hatty--,hatty so dood4 ,yes1 ,hatty is so good1 echoed ,meg4 ,sister is only trying to be good1 said ,hatty1 modestly4 ,but the praise of the little ones went to her heart4 ,marcus was sulky towards ,hatty all the noon4 ,he did not go out to help her feed the bantams1 though she went through the room where he was1 with the food in her hand1 to give him a chance1 if he wished1 to join her pleasantly4 ,hatty loved her brother1 and since she had been making an effort to govern her temper1 she had enjoyed being with him4 ,he1 too1 found in her a very pleasant companion4 ,she was ready to listen to him when he talked1 and let herself be instructed1 though she sometimes knew as much as he did about the subjects of which he was speaking4 ,marcus did not teaze ,hatty much of late1 as she had learned to laugh1 herself1 even when he warmed his hands by her red hair1 or asked her if she was so hot-tempered that she had set her head on fire in a passion4 ,marcus was glad that day when it came time for him to go to school again1 though he generally thought the intermission quite too short4 ,he missed ,hatty1 and he felt uneasy about what she had said4 ,an uncomfortable feeling was at his heart4 ,he was acting a lie6 ,the truth had been plainly told him1 and he could not forget it4 ,,vii4 ,marcus was very cross to ,hatty for a day or two after their conversation in the arbour2 and whenever he was in the house he kept the children perpetually uncomfortable with his teasing4 ,hatty had all this to bear in silence1 for she would not trouble her mother with complaints when she had so much on her mind4 ,saturday came1 and ,marcus was to be at home all day4 ,hatty actually dreaded it4 ,she did not know how she should get through so many hours1 with ,marcus about the house1 so she resolved to go early to the arbour1 and perhaps he would not follow her there4 ,marcus lounged about by himself for a while1 and at last1 out of loneliness1 he went down to the arbour1 too4 ,hatty looked up pleasantly as he drew near1 and said3 ,why can't you get a book1 ,marcus1 and read something to ,meg and me8 ,to ,meg and you6 said ,marcus1 contemptuously4 ,a pretty business for a boy of twelve6 ,hatty did not like contempt1 and she answered1 hastily3 ,i am only two years younger than you are1 and mother says ,i am farther advanced in some of my studies6 ,hurrah for the red-head2 touch her1 and she goes off like a brimstone match6 said ,marcus1 triumphantly1 for he was tired of having all the crossness on his own side4 ,hatty's hair isn't red1 said ,meg1 angrily4 ,i heard a lady say1 the other day1 it was beautiful auburn hair2 and she said ,hatty was sweet-looking and good1 and that is more than anybody will say of you4 ,bad boy6 bad boy6 ,go away6 said ,harry1 lifting his fat little leg and trying to kick ,marcus with his wee foot4 ,hatty could not reprove the children1 for she herself had set the example of speaking angry words4 ,heartily ashamed of herself1 she said3 ,i am very sorry ,i spoke so to you1 ,marcus2 it was not right4 ,i ought not to mind being put with ,meg1 for she is a dear little girl1 and ,i love her very much4 ,and ,i love ,hatty1 and you shan't be cross to her1 said ,meg1 putting her arms round ,hatty4 ,it was ,hatty who was cross1 said the little girl1 sadly4 ,poor ,hatty is only trying to be good4 ,she does wrong very1 very often4 ,hatty dood6 ,hatty dood6 said ,harry1 nestling at her side4 ,marcus walked away1 without saying another word4 ,he took his fishing-rod1 and ,hatty saw him no more that day4 ,when ,marcus came home in the evening he was very tired4 ,the family had all done supper4 ,he took what he wanted1 alone1 and then went up to bed without saying good-night to any body4 ,when he got into his own room1 he saw on the floor by his bed a beautiful pair of slippers1 with dogs' heads worked neatly upon them4 ,he took off his heavy shoes4 ,how comfortable the slippers felt to his tired feet6 ,such an excellent fit--so loose and easy6 ,how kind in mother to make them6 he thought4 ,when could she have had the time4 ,marcus was going to rush to the door of ,aunt ,barbara's room to thank his mother1 when he saw a little note lying on the table4 ,he broke it open and read3 ,dear ,marcus3 ,it has made me very sad all the week to think you were displeased with me4 ,i love you very dearly1 and cannot bear to have you look at me as if you did not care for me4 ,i know ,i made you angry by speaking about the mark at school4 ,if ,i had not cared for you ,i should not have spoken as ,i did4 ,i hope you will yet tell ,mr4 ,briggs4 ,perhaps ,i am too naughty myself to give anybody advice4 ,please forgive me all ,i have ever done wrong to you4--,i began to work these slippers as soon as ,i got home from grandma's1 and they were only finished this week4 ,i hope they will fit you4--,won't you be pleasant to-morrow morning to your sister ,hatty8 ,marcus read the note1 with the slippers on his feet4 ,he felt ashamed of his unkindness to his little sister1 and he resolved to meet her pleasantly in the morning4 ,marcus did not go to sleep until late that night1 but we will not tell what was the subject of his thoughts4 ,the next morning ,marcus' ill humor seemed to have all passed away4 ,he made no apology to ,hatty for his late rudeness1 but she was generous enough to forget the past4 ,she did not now in her turn sulk and pout1 and so keep up the quarrel1 but she received him as cheerfully as if nothing had happened4 ,marcus wore the new slippers1 and declared he had never had a present that suited him better1 and ,hatty was repaid for all her trouble4 ,hatty fancied that at church ,marcus was more attentive than usual1 and once she thought she saw him wipe his eyes1 as if he were affected by something the clergyman said2 but she was soon afraid she had been mistaken1 for he began to look about as usual1 and even exchanged a glance of recognition with one of his acquaintances in the gallery4 ,hatty felt anxious for her brother1 and she was particularly tender and kind in her manner towards him all day1 and in the evening1 when she went to bed1 she prayed earnestly that ,god would soften his heart1 and lead him to do right4 ,hatty had not forgotten that ,marcus had acted a lie1 and she remembered that our ,heavenly ,father is a ,god who hateth a lie4 ,,viii4 ,monday morning rose bright and clear4 ,for many days ,aunt ,barbara had been steadily gaining1 and now she was coming down stairs1 for the first time4 ,hatty felt it a pleasure to wait upon her mother1 while she assisted the old lady to dress1 and even ,marcus seemed pleased to be useful4 ,he and ,jane carried down the old-fashioned easy chair1 which ,aunt ,barbara particularly fancied1 and then he drew a small table near it1 placed a footstool beside it1 and stood waiting to see if he could be of any further assistance4 ,mr4 ,lee helped ,aunt ,barbara down very tenderly1 and looked at her as affectionately as if she were a dear little child instead of a poor invalid1 tottering with age and sickness4 ,marcus expected to hear ,aunt ,barbara say1 ,this room is too light for anybody1 or ,my6 who could have chosen such a place for my chair8 but he was mistaken4 ,aunt ,barbara sunk down among the pillows which ,hatty had arranged1 quite exhausted1 and for a while was too weak to say one word4 ,mrs4 ,lee brought her a glass of wine1 and a light biscuit1 and when ,aunt ,barbara had taken them she seemed better4 ,then she looked round the cheerful library1 and said1 ,how pleasant it is here1 and how nicely you have prepared for me6 ,and you helped1 too1 ,marcus2 that was kind6 ,i am very glad you are pleased6 said ,marcus2 and away he ran to school1 feeling more light-hearted than he had done for many days4 ,mrs4 ,lee said she would take care of the children in the nursery1 as ,jane must be busy1 and leave ,hatty with ,aunt ,barbara4 ,hatty was glad to be trusted1 and she brought her sewing1 and took a low seat near the old lady4 ,aunt ,barbara did not seem inclined to talk at first1 and ,hatty kept very quiet1 though every now and then she opened her mouth as if she were going to speak1 and then shut it again quickly4 ,hatty had learned that there are often times when older people do not care to hear even pleasant young voices4 ,she had found out that a little happy child may show a great deal of unselfishness by keeping quiet1 when she would gladly let her tongue speak out the joy that is in her heart4 ,hatty tried to think over all the hymns she had ever learned1 and so be silent until ,aunt ,barbara should choose to speak4 ,hatty's lips were beginning to feel quite stiff with their unusual effort1 when ,aunt ,barbara said1 ,hatty1 my dear4 ,hatty looked up suddenly1 7,aunt ,barbara had never called her my dear before17 but she only said ,what1 ma'am1 and then waited to see what would come next4 ,do you love your grandma8 asked ,aunt ,barbara4 ,indeed ,i do6 said ,hatty1 warmly4 ,she is the dearest and sweetest old lady in the world6 ,she is older than ,i am1 ,i believe1 and a great deal more wrinkled1--at least ,i have heard so6 said ,aunt ,barbara4 ,i don't know1 ,i never thought about that2 she looks very sweet to me6 said ,hatty1 with a puzzled look4 ,i have had a notion1 said ,aunt ,barbara1 that children did not like old people1 and perhaps ,i have not tried to make myself pleasant to them4 ,do you think if ,i tried to be like your grandma you could love me1 too8 and the old lady looked earnestly at the little girl4 ,o ,aunt ,barbara1 ,i love you now6 said ,hatty affectionately2 and you grow more like grandma every day4 ,dear child6 said ,aunt ,barbara1 and she laid her thin hand on the head of the little girl4 ,after a moment's pause she went on--,hatty1 ,i think ,i must have been very cross before ,i was sick2 somehow everything seemed wrong to me4 ,i am sorry6 ,i and ,marcus and ,meg and all of us are sorry we were so naughty4 ,it was our fault1 ,aunt ,barbara1--and we mean to be better1 said ,hatty1 eagerly4 ,poor old ,aunt ,barbara did wrong1 too1 child4 ,god has laid her on her bed of sickness to think1 and he has raised her up again for some good purpose4 ,perhaps he wanted to give her an opportunity to be more like what a person ought to be1 who has had more than seventy years of blessings1 and who has the promise of a home in ,heaven4 ,aunt ,barbara means to try not to be fretful1 and you children must have patience with her if she don't always speak just as she should4 ,the old lady was in earnest1 and tears rolled down her cheeks4 ,hatty rose and wiped them away1--then she kissed ,aunt ,barbara1 tenderly1 and said1 ,we will never think any harm of what dear ,aunt ,barbara says1--for we all love you1 and mean to make you very happy4 ,aunt ,barbara now asked ,hatty to sing some sweet hymns2 and she looked so quiet and peaceful as she listened1 that ,hatty could not help thinking that ,jesus must be very near to old people1 who are almost at the golden gate of ,heaven4 ,from that time ,hatty was much with ,aunt ,barbara2 and it was touching to see how hard the old lady tried to be gentle and pleasant4 ,hatty's example had a great influence on the other children4 ,meg learned to skip more softly as she passed ,aunt ,barbara's door2 and ,harry never ate an orange without pattering along to ,aunt ,barbara's room1 to give her a taste4 ,in their hearts the children often acknowledged that it was their own thoughtlessness which had brought about much of the old lady's harshness2 and now that they were more gentle and considerate1 they found her a dear1 kind friend1 who had pleasant stories to tell1 of days gone by2 and with her ,hatty had many sweet talks of the loving ,saviour1 whom they were both striving to serve4 ,,ix4 ,when ,marcus came home from school on ,monday afternoon1 ,hatty was in the garden1 picking a bouquet to put in ,aunt ,barbara's room4 ,he stepped quietly behind her and put his hands round her waist1 before she heard him coming4 ,she looked round1 expecting to see his face full of fun2 but it was very sober1--and he said1 quietly1 ,i have lost the prize1 ,hatty6 ,did you miss a lesson to-day6 said ,hatty1 eagerly4 ,i have not made a mistake this term1 and ,i don't mean to1 if ,i can help it1 said ,marcus1 rather proudly4 ,not a mark for misconduct8 said ,hatty1 anxiously4 ,a mark for tardiness stands against my name4 ,i have told ,mr4 ,briggs4 ,hatty turned towards her brother1 and kissed him tenderly4 ,he did not push her away1 but1 putting his arm round her waist1 he walked a few moments along the path in silence2 then he said1 ,i have had a talk with ,mr4 ,briggs1 that ,i hope ,i shall never forget4 ,i thank you1 ,hatty1 for being a true sister to me4 ,here ,marcus broke away from ,hatty1 and ran into the house before she could speak a word in reply4 ,hatty finished gathering the flowers1 but her thoughts were not on her bouquet1 but on her brother4 ,in her heart she thanked ,god for prompting him to take this first right step1 and earnestly she prayed that he might go steadily forward in the path that leadeth unto life4 ,x4 ,the weeks flew by1 and ,aunt ,barbara was able first to take a short drive1 and then to be in the air hour after hour4 ,one ,saturday ,mr4 ,lee pushed back his chair1 after dinner1 and looking pleasantly round on his children1 said1 ,what do you all say to a visit to ,mr4 ,sparrow's peach orchard to-day8 ,the young faces flushed back a glad response1 and every little voice was raised in a joyous welcome to the proposal4 ,aunt ,barbara must go1 too1 said ,meg1 giving the old lady a protective look1 which1 although it was quite absurd1 sprang from real kindness4 ,yes1 ,aunt ,barbara must go1 of course1 said ,mr4 ,lee1 smiling4 ,and ,hatty1 ,hatty so dood1 put in ,harry1 as he laid his plump hand caressingly on ,hatty's white arm4 ,yes1 every one must go1 if the carriage is as full as the shoe where the old woman lived1 with that wonderfully large family4 ,i hope none of us will have to be whipped and sent to bed1 said ,meg1 laughingly4 ,no1 no4 ,you shall all have peaches and bread1 instead1 said ,mr4 ,lee1 with a quizzical look4 ,the children all laughed so much at what they thought a charming witticism on their father's part1 that they could hardly hear his voice when he spoke again to say they must be ready in an hour2 and then away he went1 to give orders about the carriage4 ,at the first mention of the excursion ,marcus had darted away to get his fishing-tackle in order2 for he knew there was a famous trouting stream on ,mr4 ,sparrow's farm1 and he meant to have sport1 for which he cared more than for bushels of peaches4 ,the hour passed quickly away in busy preparation for the coming pleasure1 and all were ready when the great family carriage ,mr4 ,lee had borrowed from his brother1 came up to the door4 ,the horses seemed as full of glee as the children1 and ,mr4 ,lee could not leave them to attend to the ladies4 ,marcus assisted ,aunt ,barbara very carefully down to the gate1 and handed her in so dexterously that she was able to take her seat without complaining of twisting her joints with the exertion4 ,then ,mrs4 ,lee was escorted with great ceremony1 by ,marcus1 and placed at ,aunt ,barbara's side4 ,jane 7with the baby in her arms7 and ,hatty took up the middle seat4 ,marcus was to sit with his father1--but what was to become of ,harry and ,meg4 ,the little things looked disconsolate as they saw the places filling up2 but ,hatty called out1 cheerily1 ,i will hold ,meg1 and ,marcus said1 almost in the same breath1 ,harry must sit on my knee1 that all the gentlemen may be together4 ,all de dentlemen todedder6 said ,harry1 with a pompous look1 as he stood ready to be lifted to the place of honor assigned him4 ,now are all packed in tight8 said ,mr4 ,lee1 as he drew up the reins in his hand4 ,all right6 was the merry shout within1 and away went the horses1 as if they enjoyed the sport4 ,the swift motion through the cool air made ,hatty glad to draw close round her the shawl she had thrown over her bare neck and arms2 and ,mrs4 ,lee reached forward to fold the baby's blanket closely about it4 ,hatty soon found ,meg rather heavy1 and she might have made the whole party uncomfortable by complaining1--but she had learned that one way of doing right is1 to check all complaints about trifles1 and to be as cheerful as possible4 ,after a while ,meg slipped quietly down into the bottom of the carriage1 and said she had a charming seat there on the baby's strong basket4 ,she did not say that she saw sister ,hatty was weary1 and wished to relieve her4 ,little ,meg was learning something of ,christian kindness2 so true is it that where one child in a family is really trying to do right1 all the others soon catch something of her spirit4 ,it was a real treat to the children to be fairly outside the town1 among green fields and pleasant woods4 ,mrs4 ,lee had to keep her head bobbing this way and that way1 to see a flock of turkeys that made ,meg laugh2 or a wild flower that pleased ,hatty2 or a pretty moo cow that ,harry thought quite extraordinary4 ,marcus1 meanwhile1 was sitting up beside his father1 and trying to talk learnedly of crops and fallow-land1 good timber1 and pretty fair orchards4 ,his father listened when he spoke1 and quietly corrected his mistakes1 without showing him the least sign of contempt1 or making him feel his youth unnecessarily4 ,mr4 ,lee saw that ,marcus was bent upon appearing like a man1 and he only tried to make him a sensible1 accurate little man1 instead of putting him down in a way likely to provoke him4 ,all ,marcus' mannish ways went off1 suddenly1 when the carriage drew up at ,mr4 ,sparrow's door4 ,he leaped from his seat1 and without waiting to hand out the ladies and children1 he gave a merry shout1 and started off for the brook at a pace that most men find neither easy nor comfortable4 ,good farmer ,sparrow was away in the orchard2 but stout ,mrs4 ,sparrow helped ,aunt ,barbara out as well as if she had been a man2 and by that time ,mr4 ,lee had tied the horses1 and was ready to lift down the children2 ,meg came out with a flying skip1 and ,hatty bounded down cheerfully2 but ,harry was so sleepy1 that his father had to lift him as if he were a bag of meal4 ,the sight of the peach orchard was enough to fill the children with astonishment1--the rich fruit looked so beautifully1 hanging on the bending boughs4 ,aunt ,barbara was placed on a comfortable chair by the window2 ,mrs4 ,lee took the baby1--and then ,jane and the children went out into the peach orchard1 with ,mrs4 ,sparrow4 ,the farmer's wife knew exactly to what trees to take them2 and she reached up and picked two of the largest peaches ,hatty had ever seen1 and placed one in the little girls' hands4 ,away went ,hatty back to the house with her treasures1 and when she had given them to ,aunt ,barbara and her mother1 she was ready for her own pleasure4 ,hatty was learning to think of others first1 even in trifles4 ,mrs4 ,lee had told the children just how many peaches they must eat2 and after they had come up to the number she named1 they enjoyed going about with ,mrs4 ,sparrow1 and watching her while she filled the large basket that had been placed in the carriage1 in front of ,mr4 ,lee1 for the purpose4 ,hatty could not help thinking1 as she looked at the trees loaded with the beautiful fruit1 how kind it was in our ,heavenly ,father to make so much that is pleasant to the eye and good for food1 that we may take without breaking any of his commandments4 ,she pitied poor ,eve1 if the forbidden fruit looked anything like those tempting peaches1 and was glad that there was no serpent at farmer ,sparrow's that pleasant day4 ,hatty forgot that there is temptation every where1 if not quite in the form that was tried upon ,eve4 ,after the children had enjoyed the orchard to their hearts' content1 little ,harry grew tired1 and ,jane took him to rest4 ,mrs4 ,sparrow and her strong maid carried in the heavy basket of peaches1 and ,hatty and ,meg had permission to wander about to look at the chickens1 the bee-hives1 or anything else that might interest them4 ,meg was full of glee1 and would gladly have chased the chickens1 handled the young ducks1 and teazed the turkey-gobbler till he was quite in a passion4 ,hatty checked her as gently as she could1 and managed to keep her for some time from doing any actual mischief4 ,meg was charmed when she got to the bee-hives4 ,she had lately heard ,marcus discoursing1 in his most learned manner1 as to the habits and peculiarities of bees1 and she was curious to see these wise little insects in their own home4 ,hatty was glad to find her at last so absorbed as to be willing to be quiet a moment1 and1 a little relieved from her anxiety1 she turned away to look at a curious plant that was growing in a small swampy place1 into which the surplus water from the large back-yard was made to flow4 ,the plant was1 indeed1 worth looking at2 it was the pitcher plant1 or side-saddle-flower1--every leaf of which is so formed as to hold water4 ,she walked round and round it1 looking into each pitcher-like leaf1 and thinking of the wonderful variety which ,god has chosen to make even in the forms of the leaves1 not to speak of the many-hued flowers4 ,turning accidentally towards ,meg1 ,hatty saw her slender brown arms pushing with all their might against one of the hives1 and it was evident from ,meg's determined air that she had made up her mind to do something--some mischief1 ,hatty concluded1 of course1 and hurried to the spot4 ,she only reached it in time to see the hive tumbling over1 while a swarm of angry bees came forth to avenge themselves for this overthrow of their home4 ,the very impulsiveness of character1 which made ,hatty open to temptation from a hasty temper1 now made her think and act quickly4 ,she saw at once the danger that ,meg was in1 from the angry insects4 ,it was but the work of a second for ,hatty to throw her light shawl completely over ,meg--the child's straw hat--holding it at such a distance from her face and arms that the stings of the insects could not reach her4 ,then1 with one hand1 ,hatty held her white sun-bonnet close together in front1 while she extended the other1 to lead ,meg4 ,over ,hatty's bare neck and arms the bees now settled1 and began to vent their anger in sharp stings that made her scream with pain4 ,the cries of the children quickly brought ,mr4 ,lee and ,farmer ,sparrow1 who had been taking a survey of the place1 together4 ,farmer ,sparrow bade ,mr4 ,lee keep at a distance1 as soon as he saw1 from the over-turned hive1 and from the moving black spots on ,hatty's fair neck and arms1 what was the matter4 ,mr4 ,lee found it hard to keep away from his children when they were in such trouble1 but he knew it was best to obey4 ,with a dexterous turn of the shawl1 ,farmer ,sparrow shut the bees up in it1 while he bade ,meg run for her life4 ,she needed no second command1 and was soon sobbing in her father's arms4 ,the few bees who had escaped from the shawl settled upon ,farmer ,sparrow1 but he minded them no more than if they were so many flies1 for the sagacious insects knew him too well to sting him4 ,stand quite still1 child6 said ,farmer ,sparrow to ,hatty1 in a tone of command4 ,it would have been hard for ,hatty to obey1 covered as she was with the tormenting bees1 but for the belief that the prayer for help that she had sent up to ,god in her distress was about to be answered4 ,one by one ,farmer ,sparrow picked off the bees with his hands1 and slipped them into the shawl1 which he held like a bag4 ,they seemed to own him as a master1 and not one offered him a disrespectful sting4 ,when ,hatty was freed from her tormentors she was in a piteous plight1 her neck and arms being spotted over with the painful stings4 ,hatty struggled hard to bear them patiently1 and ,farmer ,sparrow declared she was a perfect soldier4 ,mrs4 ,lee and ,mrs4 ,sparrow were now on the spot4 ,the latter hastened to bind indigo on the wounded parts1 and poor ,hatty soon presented an odd appearance1 her white face peering out from her blue wrappings4 ,farmer ,sparrow excused himself from any further attendance upon the party1 as he must secure his beloved bees ere they were lost to him4 ,the sun was now sinking in the west1 and ,marcus1 laden with the results of his successful trouting1 came whistling up to the farmhouse4 ,he heard1 in silence1 the story of ,hatty's misfortune2 but when his mother came quite to the end1 ,marcus walked up to his sister1 and kissing her fondly1 said3 ,you are a splendid girl1 ,hatty4 ,you ought to have been a boy6 ,then1 turning to ,meg1 his indignation burst upon her1 and he could not find words strong enough to express his anger at her mischief1 and his conviction of the severity of the punishment she deserved4 ,meg could only reply in sobs4 ,poor ,meg is punished sufficiently by seeing her sister suffer4 ,i think she will not soon forget this lesson6 said ,mrs4 ,lee1 kindly4 ,meg did not know the harm she was doing6 added ,hatty1 pleadingly4 ,i only wanted to look inside1 said poor ,meg1 in the midst of her sobs4 ,i thought the wise little bees knew too much to hurt us6 ,i hope my little ,meg will remember1 hereafter1 'to touch not1 taste not1 handle not' what is not her own1 said ,mrs4 ,lee1 soberly4 ,indeed1 ,i will try1 answered ,meg1 earnestly4 ,do kiss me1 ,hatty1 and the child turned her swollen face towards her generous sister4 ,hatty kissed her1 and assured her the pain of the stings was almost gone1 and that she should soon be quite well4 ,mr4 ,lee was now ready with the horses1 and the little party set out for home4 ,as ,hatty rode along in the carriage1 and all seemed so tenderly interested for her1 the little girl went back in memory to the time before she started on that all important visit to her grandmother4 ,she recalled the frequent reproofs she then received from her mother1 the stern displeasure of her father1 her constant quarrels with ,marcus1 her impatience with ,meg1 and the saucy replies of the child4 ,it seemed strange to her to remember that even ,harry did not then like to be with her1 and that she thought it quite a trial to be left with ,aunt ,barbara even for a few moments4 ,were all changed1 or was the change in herself8 ,when she thought all around her severe1 cross1 or quarrelsome1 must not the fault have been in a great measure her own8 ,hatty could not bear to think of her old naughty self1 and she turned with pleasure to the happy present4 ,god had given her the wish to do right1 and granted his blessing on her sincere efforts4 ,how near and dear now seemed that ,heavenly ,father to his little one2 she realized that ,he was at her side2 she needed not to wait until she reached home to thank ,him for his mercies4 ,into her heart she knew ,he was then looking1 and beholding her gratitude there4 ,little ,hatty felt very happy as she glanced round on the kind faces1 beaming lovingly on her4 ,surrounded by such affection1 she could bear almost anything4 ,yes1 ,hatty ,lee1 who once so dreaded pain1 knew now that wrong1 angry feelings1 in herself1 or the disapproval of her earthly parents1 or the smile of her mother withdrawn1 were far greater trials than the slight sufferings her body had been called to endure4 ,,xi4 ,hatty's wounded neck and arms healed rapidly1 but the red spots remained for many days to remind all the family of the late accident1 and make them more tender than usual in their manner to the courageous little girl4 ,marcus seemed to have quite changed his opinion of his sister1 and felt called upon to treat her with marked respect1 and to honor her with many long talks on his favorite subjects4 ,hatty heard his footstep in the hall1 as he was returning from school one afternoon1 shortly after the accident4 ,she knew that on that day was to be awarded the prize for which he had so faithfully labored1 and which he had been induced to forfeit for the sake of truth4 ,she felt great sympathy for him1 and was planning in her own mind how she could best cheer him under his disappointment1 when he threw open the door1 and with a joyous bound sprang towards her4 ,look1 ,hatty6 he said1 as he laid on her lap the richly bound copy of ,virgil which he had so desired for its own sake1 as well as a mark of his teacher's approval4 ,it is mine1 given in the presence of the school1 by ,mr4 ,briggs6 said ,marcus1 with a joyous smile1 ,and ,i owe it all to you1 ,hatty4 ,i am so glad6 said ,hatty1 with real pleasure4 ,but you do not owe it to me1 ,marcus4 ,yes1 ,hatty1 continued ,marcus1--,mr4 ,briggs knew all about my being late1 and he was waiting for me to acknowledge it2 if ,i had not ,i should have lost his confidence1 and the prize would never have been mine1 he said3 as it was1 no other boy stood as high as ,i did6 ,isn't it splendid8 ,i am very1 very glad1 repeated ,hatty4 ,is it not better always to try to do right1 ,marcus6 she added softly4 ,marcus opened his mouth as if to speak1 then turned silently away4 ,that evening ,mrs4 ,lee sat in the library1 in the twilight1 with ,marcus and ,hatty4 ,she too had heard about the prize1 and had rejoiced with her son1 with a silent prayer in her heart that he might see the wisdom of the ,better ,path1 and be led always to do right by the happy results which had followed the step that had cost him such an effort4 ,after the subject of the prize had been discussed1 a feeling of quietness stole over the little group2 perhaps all had their own serious thoughts at that twilight hour4 ,come1 ,hatty1 said ,mrs4 ,lee1 pleasantly1 can you not recite a hymn for us8 ,mrs4 ,lee almost feared that ,marcus would walk away at this proposal1 as he had often done before1 on similar occasions2 but he sat down at his mother's side1 and listened1 while ,hatty repeated1 in a voice of deep feeling1 the hymn1--,ashamed of ,jesus4 ,mother1 said ,hatty1 earnestly1 when she had done speaking1 ,do you think anybody in a ,christian country was ever ashamed of ,jesus8 ,there are few in a christian country1 my dear1 who would be willing to be called infidels1 or heathen1 said ,mrs4 ,lee1 soberly2 and ,i doubt if there are any young people who have heard of ,jesus1 who would not shrink from the thought4 ,though this is quite true1 there are many who are ashamed of ,jesus--many children1 ,i fear6 ,o ,mother6 what do you mean8 said ,hatty1 earnestly4 ,i mean1 said ,mrs4 ,lee1 there are many who are ashamed to have it known that they wish to serve him4 ,they would rather their best actions should be attributed to any cause1 than a desire to do ,his will4 ,they hide their best feelings1 and struggle to show indifference when holy things are named1 in a way which proves them at heart to be ashamed of ,jesus4 ,alas1 poor foolish children6 what will be their lot when he is ashamed of them1 in the presence of his ,father in ,heaven6 ,marcus had laid his head on his mother's hand1 as he sat beside her1 and now she felt the hot tears trickle over it4 ,hatty was questioning in heart whether she could be so situated as to be ashamed of ,jesus1 when ,marcus suddenly rose1 and said3 ,i am afraid ,i have been ashamed of ,jesus6 ,let me say now to you1 dear ,mother1 and to ,hatty1 that ,i do wish to serve ,him1 and ,i want you both to help me4 ,we will together ask ,god for his help1 which is better than any human arm1 my dear son1 said ,mrs4 ,lee1 solemnly4 ,the mother knelt down with her children1 and earnestly implored ,god's blessing on their young hearts4 ,fervently she asked the ,great ,heavenly ,friend so to guide and sustain them in the upward path1 that they might at last be gathered to his ,eternal ,home1 with all those that love ,him in sincerity and truth4 ,when they rose from their knees1 ,hatty's heart was too full of joy for words4 ,she walked to ,marcus' side1 and putting her arm about him1 kissed him1 with a deep1 trusting affection she had never felt before4 ,now came in ,aunt ,barbara1 leading little ,harry1 full of glee1 while ,meg followed1 with her usual cheerful skip4 ,let us have one more hymn before supper1 said ,mrs4 ,lee1 as she gathered the little group around her4 ,we will have ',i want to be like ,jesus1' and only those must sing who really feel what they say4 ,mrs4 ,lee began in her own clear1 sweet voice4 ,hatty quickly followed1 and ,marcus united with her in trembling tones1 with sober earnestness4 ,meg1 with her childlike warble1 and even little ,harry1 felt that he wanted to be like ,jesus1 and tried to lisp in sweet accord his ,saviour's name1 blending his baby notes with those that fell from ,aunt ,barbara's faltering tongue4 ,how welcome to the father's ear1 as he returned from his daily toil1 was that evening hymn6 ,at the closing verse his manly tones were heard as a deep1 full echo to the rest1 while devout thanksgiving filled the mother's heart4 ,and ,hatty--little ,hatty--she felt almost too happy for earth2 and fully she realized the truth1 that ,wisdom's ways are pleasantness1 and all her paths are peace4 ,transcriber's ,note3 ,the table below lists all corrections applied to the original text4 p4 #jji3 added pair of quotes and say1 ',you can't come in1 ,meg4' p4 #jji3 added open quotes ,jesus' little children never quarrel p4 #jaa3 obey that consicence - conscience p4 #jaf3 ,i did'nt know - didn't p4 #jbg3 removed wrong quotes ,marcus was softened - ,marcus p4 #jeh3 normalized a store of books and play-things - playthings p4 #jif3 added period that love ,him in sincerity and truth4