,transcriber's note3 ,unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed4 ,illustration3 ,david listening to the preacher in the church porch4 ,,little ,,king ,,davie ,,or ,kings and priests unto ,god ,,by ,,nellie ,,hellis ,author of ,little ,gladness1 ,roving ,robin1 ,bennie1 the ,bread-,winner1 ,martin ,drayton's ,sin1 ,rob and ,ralph1 etc4 ,,one ,,hundred ,,and ,,ninth ,,thousand ,illustration3 ,,inter ,,folia ,,fructus4 ,,london ,,jarrold ,,sons1 #aj #aa1 ,,warwick ,,lane1 ,e4,c4 ,all ,rights ,reserved #ahig ,,to ,,the ,,rev4 ,,william ,,john ,,knox-,,little4 ,,canon ,,of ,,worcester1 ,,etc41 ,,to ,,whose ,,teaching ,,she ,,owes ,,much1 ,,the ,,author ,,is ,,glad ,,to ,,dedicate ,,this ,,little ,,story1 ,,which ,,is ,,founded ,,on ,,one ,,of ,,his ,,sermons4 ,,and ,,on ,a ,,certain ,,incident ,,in ,,his ,,own ,,life4 ,illustration ,,contents4 ,illustration ,,chapter4 ,i4 ,,davie',s ,,history ,,ii4 ,a ,,day',s ,,work ,,and ,,its ,,wages ,,iii4 ,,davie ,,hears ,,strange ,,news ,,iv4 ,,in ,,the ,,hospital ,v4 ,,davie ,,gains ,a ,,new ,,name ,,vi4 ,a ,,bitter ,,disappointment ,,vii4 ,,the ,,longing ,,realized ,,viii4 ,,home1 ,,sweet ,,home ,,ix4 ,,good-,,bye ,,to ,,london ,illustration ,illustration ,,little ,,king ,,davie ,or1 ,kings and ,priests unto ,god4 ,illustration ,,chapter ,i4 ,,davie',s ,,history4 ,,it was a cold uncomfortable evening in ,january4 ,certainly the frost of the last few days had broken up1 but the raw chilliness that had come with the thaw was far more unpleasant than the sharp biting atmosphere of yesterday4 ,to make it worse1 a drizzling rain had set in at dusk1 which1 if not soaking in its effect1 caused the passengers to feel damp and cold to their very bones1 and made them hurry along on their several ways1 regretful that the frost was over1 and anxious to get home to a warm fireside as quickly as possible4 ,but it is an ill-wind that blows nobody any good1 and this change in the weather was hailed with delight by one class1 if by no other4 ,while the frost had lasted1 there had been no sweeping to do1 and boys and girls 7for to become a crossing-sweeper needs no apprenticeship1 and age and size are of little consequence7 were thankful enough when the thaw turned the hard frosty roads into streams of mud and gave them plenty of work once more4 ,among those who had shouldered their brooms that morning1 and had gladly gone forth to their old occupation again1 was little ,davie ,scott4 ,to look at him nobody would have thought he was twelve years old1 nevertheless that was ,davie's age4 ,poor little fellow6 ,during the greater part of his life he had lived in a close1 stifling street in ,westminster1 and want of fresh air and insufficiency of food had stunted his growth1 and given to his face that old1 pinched expression which is too common1 alas6 among the children of the poorer classes in the great metropolis4 ,with this1 there is generally a look of something else--of slyness1 of cunning1 and of depravity--which comes from a life already inured to sin and hardened in evil doing4 ,it is pitiful to see it2 for1 ignorant1 untaught1 often homeless1 half-starved1 and for the most part wholly uncared for1 what wonder is it that our little street ,arabs lead the lives they too often do8 ,but ,davie1 although he swept a crossing1 and1 in order to gain a few pence1 not unfrequently sang in the streets1 was widely removed from this class of children4 ,poor as he was1 in one thing he was rich2 he was rich in the love of a good mother4 ,there is no greater blessing than that4 ,indeed1 it is such an influence for good that however adverse the surrounding circumstances1 it rarely fails to produce a truthful and upright life in the child4 ,mrs4 ,willis had been twice married4 ,davie was born during the lifetime of her first husband1 who was a sober1 industrious man1 who thought nothing too good for the wife and little son1 whom he loved so dearly1 and for whom he worked so hard4 ,looking back upon past times1 ,mrs4 ,willis always regarded those four years of married life as a happy dream from which her husband's sudden death had rudely awakened her4 ,davie1 of course1 had no recollection of his own father1 but he had a clear1 and by no means an agreeable one1 of the man whom ,mrs4 ,scott had accepted for her second husband4 ,poor woman6 ,she never made a greater mistake than when she took ,james ,willis for better1 for worse4 ,it proved to be all worse and no better4 ,he was a drunkard1 and the years that followed were such that ,mrs4 ,willis always shuddered when she thought about them4 ,she soon found that if she would not starve1 she herself must earn the money for her own and ,davie's support4 ,indeed1 ,davie was a sore point between husband and wife4 ,he was no child of his1 and she might keep him1 he used fiercely to tell her4 ,as for the boy himself1 he was terribly afraid of his step-father--as he had reason to be--and on those rare occasions when ,james ,willis was in the house1 poor ,davie would creep out and wander for hours in the streets4 ,it was while thus aimlessly loitering about one evening that he followed a stream of people into ,westminster ,abbey4 ,that was the beginning of a new life for the boy4 ,he had always been fond of music1 a street-organ afforded him untold delight4 ,and he was never tired of humming over the tunes that were thus taught him1 for having heard them once1 ,davie's ear was sufficiently good to enable him to retain them correctly in his memory4 ,but this music in the ,abbey was unlike anything that he had ever listened to before4 ,the voices that1 clear1 and rich1 and sweet1 rose high at times above the low tones of the organ1 and again were all but drowned in the crash and the thunder that vibrated through the grand old building till the very roof seemed to echo to the sounds1 thrilled him with delight and awe4 ,davie had never dreamt there could be anything half so beautiful4 ,after that1 ,davie1 when driven by fear from home1 betook himself to the ,abbey2 or if it were closed1 he would walk about the streets till he found some other place of worship into which he could creep to hear the music4 ,that was the chief attraction for ,davie1 though he often wondered what the preacher was talking about4 ,but if he tried to listen1 he never understood4 ,he knew1 of course1 in a vague childish way1 that it was all about ,god1 and there his knowledge stopped4 ,he had learnt so much at the school to which his mother1 when she had a few pence to spare1 would send him for a week or two4 ,this1 however1 happened only at long intervals1 and1 to tell the truth1 ,davie was not sorry--to go with only half a dinner was a misfortune that did cause him grief1 but to keep away from school was a matter of rejoicing4 ,this irregular attendance was by no means conducive to rapid improvement1 and consequently poor ,davie was always drudging away in the lowest class4 ,again1 he hated to be obliged to sit still2 he was so singularly active and lithe1 and so accustomed to run wild in the streets1 that this forced inaction was irksome in the extreme4 ,the singing was the one thing that made it endurable1 of course he liked that1 and then1 home he would go to sing to the baby the song he had just learnt--that is1 if his step-father were not in4 ,for ,davie1 his mother said1 was wonderful handy with a baby1 and1 when nothing else would do it1 his voice would soothe its wailing cries and hush it to slumber4 ,so the years passed on until ,davie was eleven4 ,during that time two little children had been laid to rest in the cemetery1 and their places taken by two others--twins--a boy and girl1 who were named respectively ,tom and ,polly4 ,they were only a few months old1 when one day ,mrs4 ,willis was hastily summoned to the hospital to which her husband had been carried1 apparently lifeless4 ,he had met with a fearful accident while under the influence of drink1 and though severely injured1 would doubtless have recovered1 but the habit of years had so weakened and enfeebled his constitution1 that it had no strength to bear up against the shock4 ,for a week or two he lingered on1 then for the second time1 ,mrs4 ,willis found herself a widow4 ,after his death1 ,mrs4 ,willis's life1 though even harder than before1 was1 at any rate1 peaceful and quiet4 ,davie did his utmost to help his mother4 ,what she would have done without him1 she did not know2 she would just have had to go to the house1 she supposed4 ,he minded the twins while she was at her work1 he swept a crossing1 and he sang in the streets4 ,he did anything1 in short1 that was likely to bring in a penny4 ,and then they loved each other so6 ,perhaps that was the greatest comfort of all to her1 for1 poor woman1 she had not a friend in the world1 and had it not been for ,davie's love1 she would indeed have felt lonely4 ,somehow1 it gave her heart to struggle on4 ,yet it grieved her that he was obliged to work so hard for her1 and that she should never again be able to send him to school4 ,he was a very intelligent boy1 and she felt sure that if he had proper training1 he would be able to earn his living in a very different way from that of sweeping a crossing4 ,she taught him as much as she could1 to be honest and truthful1 and gentle in his speech and manner--just as his father used to be1 she would say to herself with a sigh--but more she could not teach him4 ,she thought it was very little1 but in reality it was a great deal2 of a still higher and holier life she could tell him nothing1 for she did not know herself4 ,so mother and son struggled on together until a year had passed since ,james ,willis's death4 ,during the summer months they had the greatest difficulty to make both ends meet1 but now1 in the depth of winter1 it was terribly difficult to find the wherewithal to live4 ,for days and days they were obliged to go with little food and less fire4 ,piece by piece the furniture had been taken to the pawnshop1 and on that morning when ,davie had gone to his crossing1 with broom in hand1 matters were so bad that it seemed impossible they could be worse4 ,and that brings us back to the beginning of the story4 ,but the history of that particular day1 or rather evening1 shall have a chapter to itself4 ,illustration ,illustration ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,a ,,day',s ,,work ,,and ,,its ,,wages4 ,,all day long ,davie had swept a crossing in ,harley ,street--he knew better than to sweep in a neighbourhood where the inhabitants were not rich--and in that long day's work had only earned fivepence-halfpenny4 ,it was very little1 less than he usually had1 but there seemed no hope of getting more4 ,the passengers were few on such a wretched night as this1 and as it was eight o'clock1 ,davie came to the conclusion that he had better make his way home1 and hope for better luck to-morrow4 ,had he been more fortunate1 he would have run quickly through the streets1 but ,davie's heart was heavy1 and light feet never keep company with a heavy heart4 ,so he went slowly on his way1 wishing that he had more than four-pence-halfpenny in his pocket--he had been obliged to buy some bread with one of the pennies--and wondering what they should do if his mother had not been able to finish and take back the four pairs of trousers which she had had from a wholesale tailors' firm4 ,it was her business to sew on the buttons1 make the button-holes1 put in the lining and pockets1 and1 in fact1 do everything except the machine work1 which had been done before they were given to her4 ,for the four pairs she would have one shilling and four pence4 ,if she had taken back her work there would be a fire and a supper awaiting him on his return1 but ,davie doubted very much that any such pleasure was in store for him4 ,his mother had been so ill during the last few days that she had often been obliged to put aside her work and lie down for an hour or two4 ,that morning she had been worse than usual1 ,davie could hardly bear to look at her1 she seemed so weak and poorly4 ,and forcing himself to speak cheerfully1 he had told her she wasn't to fret if she couldn't finish the trousers1 for that he was sure he should come home with a heap of coppers in his pocket--enough to last them for ever so long4 ,after such a speech it was dreadful to go back with only fourpence-halfpenny4 ,as ,davie went slowly down ,regent ,street1 his attention was attracted by the brilliant light that streamed from the windows of a church4 ,it was not in ,regent ,street1 but a few yards down a narrow turning that opened out into that main thoroughfare4 ,davie felt that he should like to go inside for a little while1 away from the damp and the cold1 but he doubted whether he should be allowed to do so1 because of his broom4 ,he might1 however1 be permitted to sit in the porch4 ,it would be better than nothing1 and perhaps he would hear some music4 ,that would be something quite new again1 for since ,davie had regarded himself as a family man1--that is1 that he had a mother and a baby brother and sister to think about and care for1--he had almost entirely given up going to the ,abbey4 ,to creep into the porch then and listen to the music would be quite a treat4 ,the outer door stood open1 and stepping inside1 ,davie found himself in a large porch4 ,there was a bench running round the walls1 and upon this he seated himself1 resolving that if nobody turned him out1 he would remain to hear the hymn which1 he had no doubt1 would be sung at the close of the service4 ,but he had not been there very many minutes before he became aware of another sound1 the sound of a voice so clear and ringing that at times ,davie almost caught the sense of the words as he sat there with the wall between him and it4 ,then it was so sweet that it quite fascinated him1 and he forgot everything in listening intently to the musical vibrations that1 from being scarcely distinguishable1 rose and swelled till they thrilled him through and through4 ,so absorbed was he in listening1 and so bent upon catching every echo of the voice1 that he was unconscious of the entrance of an old gentleman1 who1 on catching sight of the little crossing-sweeper1 stopped abruptly in his hurried passage across the porch4 ,illustration3 ,to creep into the porch and listen to the music would be quite a treat4 ,my child1 what are you doing there8 ,the voice was not in the least sharp1 nor was ,davie an individual to be easily frightened1 nevertheless he was considerably startled4 ,the fact was1 that for the moment he had almost forgotten his own existence4 ,the question suddenly awoke him to a recollection of who he was1 and where he was4 ,starting to his feet1 he gasped1 ,please1 sir1 ,i was only a-listening to what the preacher was a-saying4 ,but you can't hear out here1 can you8 ,yes1 sir4 ,what6 ,hear every word he says8 ,no1 sir1 not the words1 'tis the sound of it1 the roll of it like1 that ,i was a-listening to4 ,then emboldened by the kind look that was bent upon him1 he added1 ,please1 sir1 ,i may stay1 mayn't ,i8 ,if you like1 you may1 but why don't you go inside8 ,i've got my broom1 sir1 and ,i thought as how they wouldn't let me go in with that6 ,well1 then1 leave it outside4 ,leave it outside6 ,no1 that would be most unwise4 ,it might be stolen or get lost in some way4 ,davie's broom was his friend4 ,once lose it1 and he did not know how he should get another1 for brooms cost money1 and money was very1 very scarce4 ,the gentleman saw that he and his property were not to be parted4 ,would you really like to come inside8 he asked kindly4 ,yes1 sir1 just1 and ,davie having now thoroughly recovered his self-possession1 raised a pair of bright brown eyes to the questioner4 ,perhaps they1 even more than his words1 told the gentleman that he was in earnest4 ,come in with me then4 ,if you behave yourself properly1 there is no reason why you should not1 broom or no broom4 ,and with that1 he turned towards the door1 while ,davie1 in a state of eager expectation1 followed closely behind4 ,what a crowd1 to be sure6 ,nothing but heads1 heads1 heads1 and above the heads1 far away at the other end of the church1 looking down upon the people from the pulpit1 was the preacher4 ,his face was very pale1 almost as white as the surplice he wore1 and he had large black eyes that fixed themselves upon his hearers as if he would read their very thoughts4 ,all this ,davie took in at a single glance1 and it seemed to the boy that as he came into the church the black eyes fixed themselves upon him and watched him as he followed his guide--with difficulty1 for every available space was crowded with listeners--to a corner under the gallery4 ,if you like to stand1 you will be able to see as well as hear1 whispered the old gentleman1 pointing to a vacant seat upon a bench4 ,it was a great wonder that it was vacant1 but it was just in the corner1 and in such a dark corner too that no doubt it had been overlooked4 ,now1 if you'll give me your broom1 he continued1 ,i'll put it under here for you2 you won't inconvenience anybody with it then4 ,so saying he put the broom under the bench1 and giving a hand to ,davie1 assisted him to mount4 ,illustration ,illustration ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,davie ,,hears ,,strange ,,news4 ,,and now ,davie1 instead of being below1 was above the heads of most of the congregation1 and from his little dark corner under the gallery had a capital view of the whole scene--of the brilliantly lighted church1 of the great organ with its golden pipes far away out yonder1 of the crowds of people1 some standing1 some sitting1 and above all1 of that wonderful face in the pulpit1 with the large black eyes that looked straight and full into his4 ,they made ,davie feel quite uncomfortable2 he was glad when1 after a minute or two1 they removed their gaze to some other part of the church1 for then1 free from their fascination1 he could listen with delight to the musical tones of the voice that rang from one end of the building to the other4 ,then gradually his attention was drawn to the subject of the preacher's sermon4 ,so simple was the language in which it was couched1 that1 to his surprise1 ,davie found that he understood almost everything that was said4 ,in that discovery1 he forgot the music of the voice--except inasmuch as its sweetness made him feel happy in a half-unconscious manner--and began to follow the words4 ,then by degrees he grew breathless with interest1 and listened eagerly to every syllable4 ,the words that the preacher repeated most constantly were these3 ,unto ,him that loved us and washed us from our sins in ,his own blood1 and hath made us kings and priests unto ,god and ,his ,father2 to ,him be glory and dominion for ever and ever4 ,amen4 ,as ,davie not unnaturally and correctly supposed1 they were the text4 ,he knew too who was meant by ,him that loved us and washed us from our sins in ,his own blood1 though as for understanding it1 or in any way thinking that it had a personal reference to him or to any of his acquaintances1 ,davie did not4 ,religion was a mystery which no doubt the rich people who had money to spend and time to spare1 could comprehend easily enough4 ,it was not for the likes of him1 he thought1 and consequently he had never troubled himself with the subject4 ,but this clergyman was talking as nobody else had ever done4 ,he made ,davie feel somehow as if he had known ,him--the gentle1 patient ,man in ,god1 who had been poor1 and friendless1 and homeless1 who had suffered hunger and thirst1 who had remained night after night on the cold1 bleak mountain top1 and who had finally been put to a cruel and painful death4 ,and all this ,he would have done1 went on the preacher1 to purchase the life of any single one of us here to-night1 ay1 for the poorest1 most wretched man1 or woman1 or child1 in this vast city of ,london4 ,but ,he did not rest satisfied with having bought us with the price of ,his own blood1 with having spent long years of poverty and toil that ,he might know our sorrows and understand our griefs4 ,no1 ,he did more than that--,he made us 'kings and priests unto ,god6' ,o think of the grandeur of it1 think of the greatness6 ,he does not bind us to ,him with a bond of slavery1 but with the glorious liberty of kingship--'kings and priests unto ,god and ,his ,father4' ,oh6 ,my friends1 if we did but bear this in mind1 what trouble we should take1 what care and pains we should spend1 to make ourselves worthy of that honour--an honour that1 thank ,god1 can be claimed by all1 rich and poor1 high and low1 learned and ignorant4 ,that little fellow out yonder that sweeps his crossing in the street-- ,at these words the black eyes travelled once more to the dark corner under the gallery where ,davie stood1 and it seemed to the boy that the finger of the preacher pointed directly at him4 ,that little crossing-sweeper1 went on the preacher--while ,davie1 feeling quite sure now that the clergyman was talking to him1 listened with eyes that kindled and glowed1 and with a cheek that burned with excitement--can be as much a king unto ,god as ,queen ,victoria upon her throne4 ,uncared for1 ragged1 and ignorant1 he is dear in the sight of ,christ as the child who has been redeemed by ,his own blood4 ,what signify his rags if he be clothed right gloriously in the robe of righteousness8 ,of what matter his ignorance if he has the knowledge that will gain him life eternal8 ,and to think that because he has never been told all this1 he does not know that he can be a 'king unto ,god1' and has no idea of the honour which he has a right to claim as his own6 ,oh that ,i had it in my power to go forth and speak to him1 ay1 and to every other poor soul that is roaming the streets to-night1 and tell them of what ,christ has done for them2 bid them wash their robes in the blood of the ,lamb2 show them the high state that is theirs2 entreat them to give up the old1 and begin a new life worthy of their kingship1 and join with me and angels in the grand burst of praise and thanksgiving3--',to ,him be glory and dominion for ever and ever4 ,amen4' ,in the momentary silence that ensued1 the black eyes moved away from ,davie's corner4 ,but though their fascination was gone1 the words that had been uttered--directly to him1 as it seemed--still rang on in his ears4 ,such a train of thought did they awaken that the rest of the sermon was lost to the boy4 ,what did it all mean8 ,that he1 a little ragged crossing-sweeper1 could be a king unto ,god8 ,yes1 that was what the preacher had said1 and somehow ,davie felt that whatever he said must be true4 ,but how could he be a king8 ,in what way was the wonderful change to be effected8 ,if he did but know somebody who would explain it6 ,he would so like to understand it all4 ,the preacher knew1 of course4 ,ah6 ,if only he could get hold of him6 ,dirty1 ragged1 poor as he was1 he would tell him all he wanted to know1 for hadn't he said he wished that he could speak to him8 ,the sermon came to an end presently1 then followed a hymn4 ,though ,davie did not know the words1 his quick ear for music had made him long familiar with the tune1 and had he not been so absorbed in the subject that engrossed his thoughts1 he would have been singing away at the top of his voice4 ,but the passing thought had grown into a longing1 the longing into a resolution1 and he felt that whatever might be the consequences1 he must speak to the clergyman4 ,but how was he to obtain an opportunity8 ,that was the question4 ,two or three plans suggested themselves1 but all were dismissed as not likely to prove successful4 ,then he remembered the gentleman who had brought him into the church4 ,perhaps he could tell him what would be best to do4 ,but whether he could or could not1 he had looked so kind and spoken so gently1 that ,davie felt sure he would not at any rate be angry with him for having told him of his wish and asked for his advice4 ,yes1 he could not do better1 he concluded1 than beg the gentleman to help him4 ,the hymn over1 the people knelt to receive the benediction4 ,then1 while the vast congregation began slowly to move towards the door1 the organ once again resounded through the church4 ,the crush was great1 and ,davie found himself so pushed and squeezed1 that to get his broom from under the seat was a matter of difficulty4 ,when he had accomplished it1 he discovered to his dismay that he had lost sight of the kind old gentleman1 who1 during the service1 had stood within an arm's length of him4 ,so there was nothing for it but to act for himself1 and he decided to wait at the church door until the clergyman came out4 ,then he would go boldly up to him and ask him some of the many questions that he longed to have answered4 ,to stand at the door1 however1 ,davie found to be impossible2 the crowd of people would not permit it4 ,he was quite carried away by the stream1 and the utmost that he could do was to take up a position against the wall of the church4 ,but1 alas for the little crossing-sweeper6 ,no sooner had he planted himself and his broom in the very position from which he could get the best view of the people as they passed by1 than he was addressed by a voice at his elbow4 ,now then1 my boy1 move on4 ,i can't have you here4 ,there was no need to look up4 ,davie knew it was a policeman1 and that whatever he chose to say was a law to be obeyed4 ,nothing daunted1 however1 he determined to wait at the top of the street1 which was only a few yards distant4 ,on the wide pavement of ,regent ,street he would be a less suspicious object for vigilant eyes4 ,he felt confident that if he only kept a good look out for the clergyman he would be sure to see him1 for it was far more likely that he would turn into ,regent ,street than into the narrow1 dirty thoroughfare at the other end of the side street4 ,although the rain had ceased1 the pavements and road wore a miserably wet and unpleasant appearance4 ,it was very cold too4 ,davie shivered as he stood patiently waiting in the chill night air4 ,and he had need of patience1 for though the stream of people coming from the church gradually became thinner and then ceased altogether1 there was no sign of the clergyman4 ,davie began to fear that perhaps after all he had missed him4 ,he determined1 however1 to wait a little longer yet1 though there was no need now to keep a very attentive watch1 for the foot passengers were not very many1 and any person issuing from the side street could hardly have failed to be seen4 ,but if the foot passengers were few1 the road was so full of vehicles1 that their slow progress presently came to a complete standstill4 ,many of the carriages contained gaily-dressed people4 ,but as that was a sight that ,davie saw almost every night of his life1 it would have failed to excite his wonderment1 had he not noticed that most of the occupants were children4 ,that naturally aroused his interest4 ,and then how oddly1 and yet how grandly1 many of them were dressed6 ,there was one--a boy of about his own size--who was standing up and gazing out of his carriage window2 he was a perfect blaze of jewels1 and it quite dazzled ,davie's eyes to look at him4 ,not that he was very near the little crossing-sweeper4 ,indeed1 the carriage was almost in the middle of the road4 ,but it so happened that the rays of a lamp fell full upon the boy as he stood looking out at what was going on around him1 so that ,davie had the benefit of a splendid view of his small but magnificent person4 ,his tunic of blue and silver was studded with jewels4 ,his broad-brimmed1 drooping hat was decorated with a plume of feathers that touched his shoulder1 and just in the front was a glittering star of diamonds that shot out brilliant rays of light with every movement of its wearer's head4 ,davie could just see the hilt of a sword that also was sparkling with gems1 as was the gauntleted hand that rested on the window-ledge4 ,it was a sight that almost took away the little crossing-sweeper's breath4 ,who could he be8 ,where was he going1 and why were so many of the carriages full of grandly dressed children1 though none were so magnificent as the boy in the jewelled tunic8 ,no prince could be more splendid1 ,davie thought4 ,in this new interest1 he forgot everything else4 ,he even forgot the purpose for which he had taken up his place on the pavement4 ,and when the carriage moved slowly on1 he kept pace with it1 keeping his eyes fixed upon the boy who still stood at the window4 ,then all at once he saw another figure--that of a gentleman in a long black coat1 who was in the act of crossing the road4 ,it was a dangerous proceeding1 but he dodged in and out between the carriages in a manner that showed he was accustomed to crowded thoroughfares4 ,but why did ,davie suddenly start1 and1 grasping his broom1 rush off in pursuit1 regardless of horses and wheels8 ,a lamp from one of the carriages had shown him the pale face of the preacher to whom he had been listening in the church4 ,the boy and his jewels were instantly forgotten4 ,above the roar of the street ,davie seemed again to hear the clear1 ringing words1 ,kings and priests unto ,god4 ,and there is the clergyman4 ,davie has him in sight now1 but soon it will be too late4 ,if he would carry out that resolve of his1 it must be now or never4 ,there is not a moment to lose4 ,never mind the horses4 ,he is little and lithe1 and can be here1 and there1 and everywhere in a moment4 ,see1 he is under the nose of one1 and a wheel goes within an inch of his toes4 ,now1 by a spring1 he just saves himself from being trodden underfoot by a prancing steed that has waxed impatient at his own slow progress4 ,then--then there is a wild shriek--a piercing cry4 ,the boy in the glittering dress is suddenly jolted in his carriage4 ,the next moment he sees the pale face and still form of little ,davie as he lies motionless upon the ground1 crushed by the cruel wheel that has gone over him4 ,illustration ,illustration ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,in ,,the ,,hospital4 ,,it seemed to ,davie that he had been sleeping a very long while1 and that from time to time he had awakened to find himself in a strange place with strange people about him4 ,gradually these indistinct impressions became clearer1 and he began to think that he was in a hospital-ward--at least1 it very much resembled the place to which he had gone with his mother to see his step-father after his accident4 ,that was a hospital1 ,davie knew1 and so he supposed was this4 ,but how did he get here he had no remembrance of having been brought in4 ,was there nobody whom he could ask about it8 ,he would raise himself to see4 ,oh what was that--that terrible pain which took from him the power of moving1 and made him sink back upon the pillow1 white to his lips1 and wet with the cold perspiration that started to his brow8 ,again for a while ,davie knew nothing4 ,when next he opened his eyes he saw a kind face smiling down upon him4 ,he had seen it before1 seen it without thinking about it1 but now it somehow seemed to ,davie that it was a face he liked4 ,there1 now you're all right1 but you mustn't try to move1 because if you do you will hurt yourself4 ,we all have so much pain that we 'must' bear that it's a pity to make it more of our own accord1 isn't it8 ,davie tried to smile back an answer to the bright cheerful look that was bent upon him4 ,please1 sir1 ,i'm in a hospital1 ain't ,i8 he asked in a weak1 tremulous voice4 ,yes1 my boy4 ,what's happened to me8 ,was it an accident1 sir8 ,yes1 you managed to get yourself run over and so they brought you here to be made well again4 ,but indeed you must not talk any more4 ,now take this1 and the doctor held a spoon to ,davie's lips1 and then go to sleep4 ,perhaps when you wake you'll be better and able to talk4 ,though ,i am sure you won't1 if you try to move2 that's the very worst thing you can do4 ,and with that the doctor walked away1 leaving ,davie to fall almost immediately into a heavy sleep4 ,he awoke in pain1 yet feeling much more like himself than he had hitherto done1 and he quite enjoyed the food that the nurse brought him as soon as she saw that he was awake4 ,remembering the doctor's caution1 he lay still after that1 not attempting to move4 ,one of his legs was bandaged2 it felt stiff1 and odd1 and ached very much4 ,what was the matter with it1 he wondered4 ,the doctor had told him that he had been run over1 but he had no recollection of the circumstance4 ,stay1 though1 hadn't he rushed across a street when it was full of moving carriages8 ,then little by little it all returned to his memory4 ,the long day spent in sweeping his crossing1 the few pence he had gained1 the church1 the wonderful sermon he had heard1 his great desire to speak to the preacher1 and the waiting for him outside the church4 ,then he had seen somebody so grandly dressed that the sight took away his thoughts from everything else1 till suddenly he had recognised the clergyman for whom he was waiting4 ,he had darted after him1 and--there came a blank4 ,he could remember nothing else4 ,then he began thinking of his mother1 and at that thought grew restless4 ,opening his eyes1 he met those of the doctor1 who had spoken so kindly to him a few hours previously4 ,you are better now1 ,i can see2 that comes of obeying orders4 ,well1 what do you want to say to me8 ,please1 sir1 when shall ,i be well enough to go away8 ,i can't say3 it depends upon a good many things4 ,you will have a great deal to do with it yourself4 ,do exactly as you are told1 and you'll get well all the sooner4 ,the answer was vague1 but the cheerful voice made it sound hopeful1 and ,davie drew the conclusion that was most satisfactory to himself4 ,please1 sir1 he began again after a pause1 how long have ,i been here8 ,let me see4 ,to-day is ,saturday1 and you came in on ,wednesday4 ,three days now4 ,three days1 and it had seemed to him like a long sleep broken only by short intervals of half consciousness6 ,three days6 ,what would his mother think6 ,how anxious she would be about him6 ,perhaps1 though1 she knew why he had never returned home4 ,a flush rose in his cheek as he asked with trembling eagerness1 ,does mother know ,i'm here1 sir8 ,yes1 and she's been to see you4 ,davie thought that he could not have heard aright4 ,been here8 he repeated in a low tone of bewilderment4 ,yes1 but you were asleep at the time1 and so didn't see her4 ,she is coming again to-morrow4 ,now you may ask me one more question1 and ,i think that must be the last for the present4 ,davie thought that he had no other question to ask1 then remembered that he had1 and one1 too1 that he wanted very much to have answered4 ,please1 sir1 am ,i hurt very much8 ,not so much1 but it might have been more1 was the cheerful reply4 ,your collar bone is broken--that's why it hurt you so much when you tried to move just now4 ,and ,i am sorry to say your right leg is broken1 but ,i daresay you will be about again in a few weeks4 ,as for the collar bone1 that's just nothing at all4 ,it will be as right as ever in a week or two4 ,his collar bone and his leg broken6 ,the knowledge of the extent of his injuries overwhelmed him with such a rush of feeling that his eyes suddenly filled with tears1 and his lips quivered so much that though he tried hard to speak he could not utter a word4 ,i thought you were a brave boy1 or ,i should not have told you all this1 the doctor went on after a moment's pause4 ,indeed1 ,i've been thinking a good many things about you4 ,wouldn't you like to know why8 ,yes1 sir1 was the scarcely audible reply4 ,well1 ,i've found out something very curious--your name is ,david ,scott1 and so is mine4 ,now1 isn't that odd8 ,it was indeed4 ,davie had felt wonderfully drawn towards the good kind man with his cheerful smiling face4 ,but this last piece of information made him feel that he and the doctor were quite friends4 ,he gave him a very bright look by way of answer4 ,ah6 ,that's better1 ,i 'knew' you were a brave boy4 ,wouldn't you like me to call you ,david8 ,nobody ever calls me that4 ,mother always says ',davie1' and other people mostly say ',dave4' ,very well1 then1 ,i'll call you ,davie4 ,now1 ,davie1 do you know you've actually made me break my own rule8 ,five minutes ago ,i said there was to be no more talking1 and if ,i haven't been chatting away to you ever since4 ,that's what comes of having a namesake for a patient4 ,he disappeared with that1 and ,davie was left to think over the conversation4 ,how strange that he and the doctor should have the same name6 ,people who had were generally related to each other1 but the little crossing-sweeper felt sure that this gentleman could be no relative of his4 ,and there he was right2 it was merely one of those coincidences which are so often met with in life4 ,then what was that he had said about being brave8 ,evidently he expected him to be brave4 ,and so he would2 the doctor should not be disappointed in him4 ,he would bear his pain patiently1 and do exactly as he was told4 ,his resolution was no sooner made than it had to be put into practice1 for such a paroxysm of suffering came on that it was as much as ,davie could do to keep from crying out aloud4 ,presently1 however1 the intensity of the attack passed away1 and in the exhaustion that followed1 the poor little fellow once more fell asleep4 ,illustration ,illustration ,,chapter ,v4 ,,davie ,,gains ,a ,,new ,,name4 ,,the next day1 in the early part of the afternoon1 ,davie had a visit from his mother4 ,he cried a little when first he saw her1 he could not help that1 but he quickly brightened up again1 and became deeply interested in what she was telling him4 ,and no wonder1 for it was really a marvellous story4 ,she told him1 she had felt so much better after he had left her on the previous ,wednesday morning that she was able to finish the trousers1 take them back1 and get the money for them4 ,with that she had bought some coal1 and quite a nice little supper4 ,but1 alas6 no ,davie had come home to help eat it1 and all night long she had sat up for him1 getting more and more anxious as hour after hour went by4 ,as soon as possible the next morning she went out in search of him4 ,it had occurred to her that very possibly he had met with an accident1 and so she went to hospital after hospital to make inquiries4 ,and oh6 ,davie1 she said1 breaking off in her story1 and speaking in a husky voice1 you can't think how glad1 and yet how sorry1 ,i was to find you at last4 ,he gave the hand he held in both his own a sympathizing squeeze4 ,but ,i found something else besides you1 she continued1 after a moment's pause1 and in a steadier voice4 ,what do you think it was8 ,i don't see as there 'could' be anything else besides me4 ,yes1 but there was--'a five-pound note4' ,fancy that6 ,davie stared at her in utter astonishment4 ,he had heard of such a thing1 of course1 but he had never seen one1 and he had always thought of it with something approaching awe4 ,surely his mother must be joking6 ,ah6 ,you may well look surprised1 but it's true1 all the same for that4 ',whoever' gave it to you1 mother8 ,it has to do with your accident1 dear1 and perhaps we'd best not talk about that4 ,the doctor told me ,i wasn't to say anything that would upset you4 ,it won't upset me1 mother1 dear4 ,i'd like to know4 ,well1 it seems that the carriage that ran over you belonged to some rich people1 who were on their way to a grand ball that the ,lord ,mayor was giving to a lot of little ladies and gentlemen4 ,they were that sorry about you1 you can't think4 ,davie1 and the gentleman actually got out of his carriage and came along with you to the hospital4 ,and he left a five-pound note1 and said that as soon as ever your friends were heard of1 they were to have it1 and since that--but you are 'sure' this doesn't make you feel worse1 ,davie8 ,no1 it makes me better1 because when ,i'm listening to you1 ,i don't seem to feel the pain so much4 ,not content with that1 then1 the gentleman came here again the next day4 ,he came himself1 ,davie1 he didn't send a servant4 ,and he asked for my address1 and1 do you know1 his wife1 such a grand lady1 a ,lady something--,lady ,cloudesley1 that's it--actually came and saw me4 ,the twins were as dirty as they could be1 and the room in such a mess1 but down she sat1 and talked away as free as if she had been a poor woman herself4 ,but oh6 ,she was so gentle and kind1 and ,i declare1 if she didn't cry when ,i told her what terrible straits ,i'd been put to4 ,and she told me to take heart and not fret1 for she would give me work that would pay better than the trouser-finishing1 and that it wouldn't be long before she came to see me again4 ,she said1 too1 that she should come and see you as soon as ever she could4 ,davie was right when he told his mother that it made him better to listen to her4 ,it drew off his attention from himself1 and he made a great many inquiries about the lady on his own account4 ,it pleased him to hear about her and the little boy1 for he had often thought of him1 wondering what caused him to be dressed up in such a gorgeous fashion1 and where he could possibly be going4 ,he eagerly asked other questions about the ball4 ,did 'everybody' go dressed up like that8 ,what did the children 'do' when they got there8 ,but ,mrs4 ,willis only knew the bare fact that on the memorable night of ,davie's accident there 'had' been a ball at the ,mansion ,house1 and that the little boy in the carriage was the son of ,sir ,john and ,lady ,cloudesley1 the lady and gentleman who had been so kind to her4 ,davie1 however1 learnt more of the subject1 when about a week after that1 ,lady ,cloudesley came to pay her promised visit4 ,he was very shy for a little while1 and his ,yes1 my lady1 and ,no1 my lady1 the only replies which he ventured to make1 were uttered in a whisper4 ,but presently she began talking to him about her son1 her only child1 and then ,davie plucked up courage to tell her how he had seen him that night of the accident1 as the little gentleman stood looking out of the carriage window4 ,lady ,cloudesley took up the story from that point1 and went on to say that when she and her boy arrived at the ,mansion ,house1 the rooms were already full of children1 and how some were dressed like fairies1 and some like knights1 and some in national costumes4 ,davie looked puzzled at that2 he did not understand what was meant by national costumes4 ,and seeing it1 ,lady ,cloudesley paused to explain4 ,her little son1 for instance1 was dressed as the royal princes of ,france used many years ago to dress4 ,then the children had danced in beautiful rooms that were brilliant with a hundred lights1 and she told him what a pretty sight it was to see them gliding over the polished floor1 as their feet kept time to the music4 ,at that word ,davie grew more interested than ever4 ,music8 ,was there music8 ,yes4 ,was he fond of music8 ,ah6 ,wasn't he6 ,and that led to such delightful conversation that the little invalid forgot he was talking to a real lady as had a grand name1 and was quite sorry when at length she rose to wish him good-bye4 ,as she did so1 she took from a basket that she carried on her arm1 a lovely bunch of grapes1 and laid it on ,davie's bed within reach of his hand4 ,certainly he had seen as fine in the large shops in ,regent ,street1 but that he should ever taste such fruit had never entered his head in his wildest dream4 ,lady ,cloudesley left1 promising to come again some day1 and well pleased with the boy's evident amazement and delight4 ,by so small a thing as a word1 a look1 the simplest action1 or a gift so insignificant that it seems hardly worth the bestowal1 what happiness do we afford to our poorer brethren6 ,surely the vibration of their hearts' joy on earth must be sometimes so deep and so full that holy angels in heaven beholding it must feel the beat of the throb1 and be thrilled with the gladness that has first entered a human heart4 ,but the excitement caused by ,lady ,cloudesley's visit had been somewhat too much for ,davie1 and towards the evening he became restless with weariness and pain4 ,presently he fell into a light slumber4 ,in an hour or two1 however1 he awoke1 feeling rather worse than better4 ,his collar bone was nearly well now1 but his leg ached with a dull1 grinding pain that was hard to endure patiently4 ,davie thought that if he sang softly to himself1 it might help him perhaps to bear it1 and accordingly he began humming an air that he had often heard in the streets4 ,the tones1 though low1 were wonderfully sweet4 ,they reached the ears of the man on the bed next to that of the little singer1 and being fond of music1 he listened with delight and eagerness4 ,he and ,davie had struck up quite a friendship1 so he did not hesitate to beg a favour of him4 ,couldn't you sing a bit louder8 he asked1 when there came a pause in the humming4 ,yes1 ,i could1 but ,i was afraid1 as it might disturb some of the patients4 ,i don't see as how it could disturb them4 ,but don't you know something sweeter-like1 not quite such a merry tune4 ,there's my missus1 she's precious fond of singing hymns to get the little 'uns off to sleep4 ,couldn't you sing a hymn now8 ,i don't know the words2 ,i know lots of tunes4 ,well1 let's have a tune4 ,after all1 it don't so very much matter about the words4 ,rejoiced to find that his neighbour possessed a kindred soul1 ,davie was anxious to do his utmost to afford gratification1 and began ransacking his memory for an old fragment of a hymn that he had learnt long ago in his brief and irregular school-days4 ,he was successful beyond his hopes4 ,i know most all of the verses of one1 he said1 after thinking a few minutes4 ,it begins like this3 ',abide with me1 fast falls the eventide6' ,ah6 ,let's have that1 responded the man heartily2 it's a rare favourite with the missus4 ,accordingly ,davie began1 and now his voice1 clear and sweet to a degree1 penetrated to the farthest extent of the ward1 flooding it with a melody to which many a sufferer listened entranced1 and forgetting his pain1 lay soothed and comforted4 ,at a stated hour the patients were permitted to sing1 or visitors to sing to them1 but it was now late in the evening1 a time when almost perfect quietness was observed in the hospital4 ,the nurse1 therefore1 was on the point of telling ,davie that he must reserve his singing till the next day1 but glancing around1 she perceived that the look of pain on many a face was exchanged for a peaceful and happier expression1 and seeing such was the case1 she felt she could not silence the strains that were so powerful to soothe4 ,so she let him go on1 and in a few moments became almost as spell-bound as her charges1 by the rare sweetness of the boy's voice4 ,hold ,thou ,thy cross before my closing eyes2 ,shine through the gloom1 and point me to the skies2 ,heaven's morning breaks1 and earth's vain shadows flee2 ,in life1 in death1 ,o ,lord1 abide with me4 ,davie had not sung the whole hymn1 but he remembered the closing verse1 and encouraged by the silence1 and carried away by the feeling that music always stirred within him1 he put into that last one all the power of which he was capable4 ,the words1 ,abide with me1 rang from one end of the ward to the other1 and left echoes so sweet that one might well have believed that a choir of angels had taken up ,davie's song1 and that its distant strains were descending lightly to tell us for our comfort how near to this pain-ridden world of ours is that city of ,god1 where there shall be no more death1 neither sorrow1 nor crying4 ,the deep silence that followed was broken by a husky voice from the bed directly opposite to ,davie's4 ,its occupant was a middle-aged man1 who1 though he had been in the hospital only a few days1 had already proved himself to be of a singularly refractory and repellent disposition4 ,i have often heard that story about ,saul1 he said1 and how the wicked spirit was driven out of him by ,david's music1 but ,i never 'understood' it till now4 ,then in a steadier voice1 he continued1 ,i'd just got regular work1 after having had nothing to do for weeks and weeks4 ,and then ,i must needs tumble off that ladder1 and be laid up for ,i don't know how long1 and perhaps be naught but a poor cripple in the end4 ,ever since ,i've been in here ,i've felt as if ,i couldn't and 'wouldn't' bear it4 ,but1 my lad1 your singing has brought a better feeling over me4 ,it took me back again to the time when ,i was a little chap1 and used to hear my mother sing as she went about her work4 ,i hope you'll give us the hymn again to-morrow4 ,i guess there isn't one here as wouldn't feel the better for it4 ,ay1 you're right there1 said ,davie's next bed neighbour2 and ,i think1 he continued in a voice that expressed no small delight at the idea1 as how we'd best call him ',king ,davie4' ,he's been our ,king ,david to-night as one might say1 only somehow it don't seem natural like to say ,david to ,davie here4 ,king ,davie6 ,the words stirred up certain recollections in the boy's mind--recollections that were never long absent1 it is true1 but which now seemed awakened with an electric thrill4 ,in imagination he saw a crowded church1 a fervent1 impassioned preacher4 ,again he seemed to be one of the vast congregation1 and to be listening to that ringing voice as it cried with an exceeding earnest cry3 ,unto ,him that loved us1 and washed us from our sins in ,his own blood1 and hath made us kings and priests unto ,god and ,his ,father2 to ,him be glory and dominion for ever and ever4 ,amen4 ,he remembered the words and repeated them without a mistake1 so great was the impression they had made upon him4 ,the old longing1 too1 to know what they meant came back with doubled force4 ,he felt instinctively that they bore reference to those things that tended to his eternal peace1 and it occurred to him1 with a strange sensation of alarm that perhaps he might never get well again4 ,during the last day or two1 he had noticed a grave expression on ,dr4 ,scott's face4 ,and although he always answered his question of ,how long will it be before ,i shall be quite well again1 doctor8 with an encouraging ,not so very long1 ,i hope1 ,davie1 it seemed to the boy who was remarkably observant that it lacked the ring of heartiness with which his other questions were answered4 ,yes1 he might die2 younger children than he did every day4 ,on one or two occasions since he had been in the hospital1 a lady had come1 and sitting down by his bedside1 had read to him from the ,bible1 and talked gently and lovingly about many things of which he had never before heard4 ,she would be able to tell him what he wanted to know1 and having resolved to open his mind to her the next time she came1 ,davie felt comforted4 ,illustration ,illustration ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,a ,,bitter ,,disappointment4 ,,six weeks had passed away1 and ,davie was still in the hospital4 ,he had not at first made the rapid improvement that the doctors had anticipated4 ,after a while1 however1 he had mended1 and seemed to be going on fairly well1 when again there came a relapse1 and his recovery was considered doubtful4 ,the broken leg had progressed satisfactorily2 indeed he was able to use it a little1 and had on one or two occasions sat up for half an hour4 ,but it seemed as if the shock of the accident had been too much for the feeble body of the poor child1 weakened by a long period of insufficiency of food and scanty clothing4 ,dr4 ,scott feared that rapid consumption would set in1 and that his little namesake would never go alive from his care4 ,he was sorry1 for he had quite an affection for the gentle boy who rendered such willing obedience1 and had never been known to be discontented or impatient4 ,nor was he the only one to whom ,davie had endeared himself4 ,he had been removed to another ward1 but his singing was in as great request here as it had been in the other1 and every day at a certain hour1 he gladly did his best to impart the pleasure that the sweet tones of his voice never failed to afford to his hearers4 ,the name1 ,king ,davie1 had stuck to him1 and all over the hospital he was known by it4 ,after all1 there is a good deal in a name1 isn't there8 ,dr4 ,scott had said to him one day1 when it so happened that he had a spare moment in which to chat to his little favourite4 ,i don't know that there is1 ,davie had answered with that usual pleased expression of countenance which any attention from the doctor was sure to call forth4 ,there is in yours1 any way4 ,first1 we find out that it is the same as mine1 and then somebody goes and gives you a pet name that even ,i have adopted4 ,don't you think that a good deal8 ,this talk had taken place not long after that evening when ,davie's music had charmed away the evil spirit from the poor sufferer1 and when1 in the rush of feeling1 caused by the recollections awakened by the name that had been given him half in fun and half in earnest1 ,davie had made a certain resolution4 ,it had been carried out1 and over and over again he had been told the old1 old story1 and again and again had been explained to him the words that had puzzled him so much4 ,but though he knew it with his head1 he did not feel it in his heart4 ,it was still a matter in which he had no personal interest1 or rather1 it seemed to him so vast and infinite a subject that the part of a poor little crossing-sweeper1 destitute of learning1 of money1 and of everything else that is of value in the world's eye1 was swallowed up and lost in it4 ,so the old longing to understand remained1 and the cry of his spirit was still1 ,oh6 ,how ,i wish ,i understood4 ,it troubled the child that it was so4 ,sometimes1 for two or three days together1 he would forget about it4 ,he was very comfortable in the hospital1 he had nice things to eat and plenty of them2 everybody was good and kind2 his mother often came to see him1 and ,lady ,cloudesley had been on more than one occasion since her first visit4 ,so that ,davie seemed to have no want unsupplied1 and he would feel happy and at peace1 till suddenly the old thought would occur to him1 ,supposing ,i was to die6 ,again had come back that grave look on ,dr4 ,scott's face whenever he bent over him to feel his pulse and ask him how he did4 ,davie determined at last that he would beg the doctor to tell him honestly and candidly what his opinion was4 ,please1 sir1 he began rather hesitatingly1 ,i want you to tell me whether you think ,i ever 'shall' get well8 ,it seems to me that ,i ain't very much better now than ,i was ever so long ago4 ,well1 my boy1 ,i 'hope' you will get well again some day4 ,davie's brown eyes had a look of reproach in them1 as he said1 ,i'd like to know 'really4' ,if ,i've got to die1 ,i'd sooner be told4 ,then ,i will tell you1 replied the doctor in a graver tone than he had ever yet used in addressing his little patient4 ,what ,i said a minute ago is perfectly true2 we 'do' hope that you will get well1 but the improvement is very slow1 and you seem to gain very little strength1 so that it is really impossible to say how it will end4 ,that meant--for ,davie knew that the doctor even then was treating the subject in its lightest aspect--that of the two he was more likely to die than get well4 ,he shut his eyes1 and save for the slight quivering of his under lip1 lay perfectly still for a minute or two4 ,then looking up1 he laid one little thin hand on the doctor's large and healthy one1 and said simply and gratefully1 ,thank you for telling me4 ,i 'wanted' to know4 ,the doctor was touched4 ,is there anything you would like1 ,davie8 he asked4 ',anything' that ,i can get or do for you1 ,i will4 ,his face said ,no4 ,then suddenly the expression changed1 and the cheeks that had been so white a moment before1 grew flushed and rosy4 ,there 'is' something1 ,i can see1 ,king ,davie4 ,what is it8 ,don't be afraid to tell me4 ,oh6 ,if ,i might1 if ,i could1 ,i should 'so' like to see the gentleman as was a-preaching in the church ,i went into that night ,i got run over4 ,do you know his name8 ,no1 ,davie did not2 then he told the whole story1 while the doctor listened patiently and attentively4 ,i will try to find out who the clergyman was1 and perhaps ,i may write to him and ask him to come and see you1 he said1 when the tale came to an end4 ,oh6 ,thank you1 sir1 ,i-- ,but ,dr4 ,scott dared not allow himself to linger any longer1 and ,davie's thanks did not reach the ear for which they were intended4 ,he had1 however1 seen the look of joy that had lighted up the boy's face at his words1 and he resolved to go to the church and make the necessary inquiry on the very first opportunity4 ,he went that evening4 ,the church was open1 and a few inquiries of the verger quickly put him in possession of the desired information4 ,alas for ,davie6 ,it was by no means such as seemed likely to tend to a realization of his hopes4 ,the preacher on the night of the accident was a ,mr4 ,kilmarnock1 one of the most noted preachers of the day4 ,he had come from his parish in the north of ,england for the express purpose of preaching in that particular church on the evening in question1 and1 the verger said1 he believed it would be some time before he would again visit ,london4 ,dr4 ,scott felt very sorry for ,davie4 ,he could not forget the glad smile of delight which had illumined his face on hearing that at least an endeavour should be made to bring the clergyman to him4 ,he knew the poor little fellow would be bitterly disappointed at the result of his inquiries at the church1 and he quite disliked the idea of carrying the bad news to his bedside4 ,on his way thither1 he chanced to meet the head nurse of the ward into which ,davie had been carried1 when first brought into the hospital4 ,she had been much interested in his case1 and now stopped the doctor to inquire for his little patient4 ,having a few minutes to spare1 he told her of ,davie's wish and of his own disappointment4 ,the lady looked grave4 ,years ago ,i knew ,mr4 ,kilmarnock1 she said4 ,i think he should be told of the boy's desire4 ,dr4 ,scott laughed4 ,pardon me1 but what good would it do8 he asked4 ,consider the distance4 ,if he were in ,london and knew the particulars of the case1 he might come4 ,though even then1 ,i doubt whether the numerous calls upon his time would permit it4 ,after all1 you know1 it is only a little crossing-sweeper who wants to see him4 ,with that remark the conversation ended1 but the subject still remained in the lady's mind4 ,in vain she tried to put it aside4 ,again and again it returned1 and always with a deepened conviction that it was her duty1 at any rate1 to let the clergyman know of the effect that his words had taken upon the boy1 and of his earnest wish--probably a dying wish--to see him4 ,at last she could bear it no longer1 and getting pen and paper1 she sat down and related the circumstances as concisely as possible4 ,she did not beg ,mr4 ,kilmarnock to come4 ,she merely told him of the child's desire4 ,the letter written1 she felt greatly relieved1 and she was glad1 now it had been done1 that it was in time for the evening's post4 ,early on the following day a telegram was put into her hand4 ,a distressing case had come in during the night1 and she had been kept so constantly in attendance that she had not so much as once thought of ,davie4 ,when she opened the telegram1 however1 he and his wish flashed to her memory in a thrill of joy and thankfulness4 ,these were the words that met her eyes3 ,thank you for letting me know4 ,i hope to be at the hospital to-night4 ,illustration ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,the ,,longing ,,realized4 ,,it was dusk1 and ,davie was lying restless and in pain upon his bed4 ,he had not been so well ever since that talk with the doctor1 when he told him of his wish4 ,the doctor saw how excited and feverish he was from the eager way in which he questioned him when next he came to his bedside4 ,have you found out who the minister was1 sir8 ,do you think he'll come to see me8 ,it was really the kinder thing to tell him the worst at once4 ,suspense was bad for the boy4 ,yes1 ,davie1 ,i know who it was1 but he doesn't live in ,london4 ,he lives two or three hundred miles away1 and so you must give up all hope of having a visit from him4 ,why1 you don't mean to say you are going to cry about it6 ,that isn't like our ,king ,davie4 ,oh6 ,it don't signify4 ,it ain't of much consequence4 ,i-- ,evidently he did not wish his tears to be seen4 ,he had shed very few since he had been in the hospital--just on one or two occasions when he had been in intense pain that was all4 ,by the manner1 therefore1 in which he received the news1 ,dr4 ,scott knew he felt the disappointment keenly1 and he hurried away that the boy might have his cry out alone and in secret4 ,when he returned1 the subject was not resumed1 and ,davie managed to give him a parting smile4 ,the next day1 however1 on visiting his little patient1 ,dr4 ,scott was concerned to find him in a highly feverish state4 ,he would allow no talking1 and at once ordered a composing draught4 ,the medicine took prompt and good effect1 but even in his sleep ,davie was restless1 frequently moaning1 and talking rapidly and incoherently4 ,but as the hours passed1 he slumbered more quietly1 and from the happier expression upon his face1 his nurse knew that less harassing thoughts were passing through his brain4 ,that was true1 for ,davie was dreaming he was in that place of delight--,westminster ,abbey4 ,the organ1 he thought1 was pealing out a grand triumphant march1 and the voices of the choir boys sang out an answering response4 ,then1 as the music died away1 a minister got up in the pulpit and began to preach4 ,it was the same gentleman1 who1 during the last six weeks1 had been so frequently in ,davie's waking thoughts4 ,very attentively he listened to hear what he said1 but he was far away and could not catch the words4 ,this distressed him so much that he called out in a shrill1 eager voice1-- ,please speak louder4 ,i can't hear what you say4 ,what is it1 my poor child8 ,what can't you hear8 ,davie opened his eyes and--had he been dreaming1 or hadn't he8 ,for there1 leaning over him1 was the face he had seemed to see in his dream--the face of the clergyman who had preached that wonderful real sermon in the church near ,regent ,street4 ,it wore just the old earnest1 loving look1 only now1 as it bent down so near to his1 it appeared to ,davie that the dark eyes were full of yet deeper compassion and tenderness than they had been on that night many weeks ago4 ,and it was for him1 there could be no mistake about that now4 ,davie felt somehow as if he had known him all his life4 ,he raised himself in a sitting position1 and cried out eagerly1-- ,oh6 ,i am so glad you are come4 ,i've been wanting you ever so4 ,i want 'you' to tell me how ,i can be a king4 ,he did not ask in vain4 ,just for a moment ,mr4 ,kilmarnock failed to comprehend the child's meaning4 ,then the remembrance of his sermon flashed across his memory4 ,one brief earnest prayer went up from his heart that his words might be blessed to the poor little fellow1 and sitting down by his bedside1 he told him--without troubling ,davie to answer any questions--the story of man's disobedience1 of man's condemnation1 and of man's redemption4 ,davie1 listening1 understood it as he had never understood it before1 for the ,holy ,spirit directed the words1 and now they entered his heart with a new and marvellous meaning4 ,it was for him then that ,christ had died4 ,he had suffered that he might live a life of endless joy and happiness2 ,he had shed ,his blood that his sins--and ,davie felt now that they were many--might be washed away4 ,and all for love2 for love of him1 poor1 ragged1 ignorant ,davie6 ,and so1 dear child1 you see that whether you live or die1 you are ,christ's4 ,you are not afraid to die1 'now1' are you8 ,no4 ,the word came after a moment's pause1 and then ,davie lay for a while with closed eyes1 and with a look of restfulness and peace upon his face that it had not worn for many a day4 ,presently he went back to the old question4 ,please1 will you tell me now1 he asked1 as he looked eagerly at ,mr4 ,kilmarnock1 how ,i can be a king8 ,you said ,i could be a king that night1 you know4 ',kings and priests unto ,god and ,his ,father4' ,davie1 do you know what is the chief duty of a king8 ,he thought a moment before replying4 ,a king did so many things that it was puzzling to specify any particular one or even a few of them4 ,he's got to wear a crown1 and ride in a grand carriage4 ,then he makes laws1 and everybody must do as he tells them1 and he can do just what he likes4 ,no1 a king cannot do just what he likes any more than anybody else can1 and he has to obey the laws himself1 as well as see that his people obey them4 ,but ,i didn't mean that exactly4 ,a duty is not something we may or can do1 but something we 'ought' and 'must' do1 and a king's chief duty is to serve others1 not to be served himself4 ,he has to live for his people2 to see that they are ruled by just and wise laws2 to take care that their health and education receive proper attention4 ,in fact1 to study every day of his life how to make them happy1 and healthy1 and prosperous4 ,a king's whole life1 therefore1 is spent in service for others4 ,now1 ,davie1 if you really love ,christ1 you will want to prove it by serving ,him1 and you will feel so happy and glad in doing it4 ,that is what it means by 'kings and priests unto ,god4' ,a priest1 you know1 is the same as a minister1 and if they do their duty1 both kings and ministers spend their lives in working for1 and serving others4 ,when we love ,god then1 and serve ,him1 we are kings and priests unto ,him4 ,ah6 ,davie1 that's a grand and blessed thought1 and it should make us try very earnestly to please ,him4 ,we can never 'pay back' anything that ,god has done for us1 but we 'can' try to keep ,his commandments1 we 'can' be gentle1 and loving1 and patient1 and we need never let a day pass without doing something to help others and make them happy4 ,but supposing-- ,yes1 ,davie4 ,supposing ,i was to die4 ,i couldn't be a king then1 because ,i couldn't serve ,god4 ,i couldn't do 'anything' for 'anybody' then4 ,but ,davie1 don't you know that in heaven you will be able to serve ,god far more and far better than you could here8 ,shall ,i1 sir8 ,i didn't know it4 ,i thought as how there wouldn't be nothing to do up there4 ,that is a great mistake4 ,i can't say exactly what will be given you to do1 but it will be sure to make you happy and keep you always busy4 ,then1 ,davie1 it will be 'perfect' service4 ,here1 you know1 it is so natural for us to be selfish1 and impatient1 and discontented that no service of ours is quite free from evil of some sort4 ,but in heaven there is no sin1 and so it will be a perfect service1 holy and acceptable unto ,god4 ,again there came a pause in the conversation1 and again ,davie broke it4 ,i'm glad ,i shall be able to serve ,god in heaven1 he said simply and heartily1 because1 now ,i come to think of it1 perhaps after all there wouldn't be anything much that ,i could do for ,him here4 ,i was in the hospital some time before you awoke1 ,davie1 said ,mr4 ,kilmarnock1 with a slight change in his voice1 and the lady who was so kind as to let me know that you wished to see me1 told me many things about you4 ,she told me how hard you used to work to help your mother2 how bravely you have borne pain since you have been here2 and how patient and obedient you have been4 ,she told me another thing1 too1 though perhaps it was such a pleasure to yourself1 that you will scarcely believe me when ,i tell you that ,god would accept it as a service done to ,him4 ,i mean the delight you take in singing in order to please others and soothe away their pain4 ,you see ,i have learned a great deal about you1 ',king' ,davie4 ,the child muttered something about being so glad1 but the excitement1 caused by the clergyman's visit1 and the long talk were beginning to tell upon him1 and he lay back upon the pillow1 pale and exhausted4 ,the nurse was quick to observe it1 and brought him some light and nourishing food4 ,that revived him1 and he was able to give ,mr4 ,kilmarnock1 who had left his bedside for a little while1 a bright and affectionate smile of welcome on his return4 ,davie1 he said1 ,i have been to beg to be allowed to remain with you all night4 ,it is against the rules for a visitor to do such a thing1 but in this case it will be permitted4 ,so ,i shall sit by you and watch you till you go to sleep4 ,that was very nice4 ,it seemed to ,davie that he had nothing left to wish for now4 ,for a while he lay quite quietly2 then certain uneasy movements of his limbs1 and long-drawn breaths1 gave token of the return of another fit of restlessness4 ,is there nothing ,i can do for you1 my poor boy1 to make you more comfortable8 ,davie shook his head in answer to the low-toned1 compassionate inquiry of his new nurse4 ,poor little laddie6 ,i wish ,i could just take you up in my arms and bear all the pain for you myself4 ,oh6 ,will you8--,if ,i might--,i-- ,what ,davie8 ,if only you'd take me up and nurse me4 ,nobody has1 ever since ,i wasn't much bigger than a baby1 and mother-- ,he did not finish the sentence1 for a swift1 interrogatory glance at the nurse in charge had been answered in the affirmative4 ,how could she do otherwise when the doctor had said that very probably this would be the child's last night on earth1 and when the clergyman1 in order to get to him without delay1 had travelled hundreds of miles in the greatest haste8 ,so ,davie was lifted from his bed1 wrapped in a blanket1 and lay happy and content in the strong arms of the clergyman1 against whose breast the curly head nestled in perfect confidence and love4 ,then the eyelids drooped and ,davie slept1 but so quietly that1 as the hours went by1 ,mr4 ,kilmarnock frequently put his cheek close to the boy's lips1 for it was only by the slight wave of air he then felt1 that he knew he yet lived4 ,so1 motionless he sat with the child in his arms4 ,for1 though his limbs ached with the cramped position1 he took care that no movement should disturb him4 ,and all the while he was offering up silent prayer and praise--prayer that ,davie might be accepted in ,god's sight as one of ,his children redeemed by the precious blood of ,christ1 and praise and thanksgiving that he himself had been permitted to come to the wandering lamb1 and direct him home to the fold and the ,good ,shepherd4 ,and ,davie still slept--slept on till day-dawn1 when he awoke with a wonderful look of renewed life upon his face4 ,as the nurse took him from ,mr4 ,kilmarnock's arms and laid him in his bed again1 she whispered1 ,there is a change for the better1 ,i feel sure4 ,and she was right4 ,davie had been to the very borderland of death1 but that long sleep was the turning-point4 ,he awoke1 not to die1 but to live1 not yet to join that glorious company of kings and priests unto ,god1 in heaven1 but to render on earth1 for a while at any rate1 that greatest and most blessed of work which consists of service done to ,god and man4 ,illustration ,illustration ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,home1 ,,sweet ,,home4 ,,from the hospital1 ,davie was sent to a ,children's ,convalescent ,home1 a few miles distant from ,london4 ,never before had he been in such a place1 and he was very happy there4 ,it seemed quite like a palace to him1 with its large rooms and many appliances for the comfort and health of its inmates4 ,then1 how bright it was with flowers6 ,for it was spring time now1 and the earth was beginning to bring forth her loveliest and fairest blossoms4 ,they made the large garden sweet with fragrance1 and beautiful beyond description4 ,one corner of it was an especial favourite with ,davie4 ,it was a corner where the lily of the valley grew in rich profusion4 ,of all the flowers1 he thought this was the loveliest1 and he never wearied of looking at the tiny nodding bells and dark green leaves1 a charming contrast both in size and colour to the dainty1 spotless blossoms that leant against them for support4 ,from this corner1 too1 ,davie was the witness of another of ,god's marvellous works--and it afforded him even more pleasure than the lilies--the soaring lark1 which in its upward flight towards the blue sky overhead1 warbled forth such melody that the boy listened in wonder and delight1 yet always with a feeling that the bird was but giving utterance to its joy that the earth was so fair and beautiful1 and to its praise to ,god for the creation of the world and itself4 ,and many deeper lessons yet did ,davie learn from the lark4 ,doubtless they came home with all the more power because they were given in a language that was full of meaning to him--the wonderful language of music4 ,many pleasant events served to mark that happy time at the ,convalescent ,home1 but perhaps the proudest and happiest day of all to ,davie was that on which he received a letter from his dear friend--for as such1 though with the deepest respect1 he always thought of ,mr4 ,kilmarnock4 ,it was a beautiful letter1 full of wise counsel and affectionate encouragement1 and ended with the promise of another at no very distant date4 ,after a month's visit--but even that was all too short for ,davie--came his last day at the ,home4 ,although it was long ere the benefit had made itself apparent1 the strengthening food1 the care1 and the attention he had received ever since his accident1 brought about a good result in the end1 and he now looked a very different boy from the pale1 half-starved little crossing-sweeper of three months ago1 or even from the feeble invalid who had been sent from the hospital to gain strength and vigour in the pure country air4 ,his mother came to fetch him1 and quite a crowd collected to wish him good-bye1 for ,davie had made many friends among his young companions of the past month1 and it is difficult to say whether they were the more sorry to lose him1 or he to go4 ,the name he had won for himself in the hospital had followed him to the ,home4 ,and now they all called out in chorus1 ,good-bye1 ,king ,davie1 good-bye1 good-bye4 ,he was very silent during the journey1 and his mother1 thinking he was tired1 drew him up close to her side and made him lean upon her4 ,her shoulder made a comfortable resting-place for his head1 and as he sat with closed eyes and perfectly still1 ,mrs4 ,willis quite believed he was asleep4 ,but ,davie was not asleep4 ,he was thinking of what he had to do--of the future that lay before him4 ,it was by no means a bright picture4 ,it meant hard and disagreeable work1 and for 'home1' the bare room at the top of a high house in a dirty street in ,westminster1 where he and his mother1 and the little 'uns had lived1 and would live till the end of the chapter1 as ,davie supposed4 ,true1 it had not been so very dreary and uncomfortable once4 ,he remembered that on those days when they could afford to have a fire1 it had seemed to him cheerful and cosy enough4 ,but lately he had enjoyed far pleasanter quarters1 and he shrank from the bareness of the room1 with its two or three dingy pieces of furniture4 ,but that was wrong1 as ,davie knew right well1 as ,mr4 ,kilmarnock would have told him had he been there4 ,then he recalled certain passages of the clergyman's letter1 for it had been read to him so often that he now almost knew it by heart4 ,remember1 ,mr4 ,kilmarnock had said1 that you have resolved henceforth to serve ,god4 ,you must never go back from that2 and don't be afraid of what lies before you4 ,you must expect troubles1 but ,god will help you through them all4 ,recollect for your comfort1 that though ,he sometimes sends 'as much' as we can bear1 yet ,he never sends 'more' than that4 ,just go steadily on doing your duty2 live for 'others1' not for 'yourself1' and it will make you happy both in this world and the next4 ,such thoughts as these did good1 and though his heart was still heavy1 it was with quite a bright face that ,davie stepped out of the train at ,westminster4 ,some marks of the accident yet remained1 a slight limp was one of them1 and his mother was anxious that they should take a cab from the station to their home4 ,she had more than one reason for her proposal1 but that ,davie should not be over-fatigued was the chief4 ,he would not hear of it1 however1 declaring stoutly that he was quite equal to the walk4 ,but1 mother1 this isn't the right way1 he said1 as she took a turning that was certainly not in the direction of what for a long time had been home to him4 ,we don't live in ,brock ,street now1 ,davie1 was her reply4 ,i've taken a couple of rooms in ,ringdon ,road4 ,in ,ringdon ,road6 ,but that's quite a nice street4 ,the rent's ever so much higher there1 isn't it8 ,yes1 but you see ,i'm better off now than ,i have been for years4 ,lady ,cloudesley1 she's been that kind that ,i declare ,i've often felt quite queer about taking all the things she's sent me4 ,then better than that1 she's given me plenty of needlework1 and recommended me to other ladies1 and ,dr4 ,scott1 he's done the same4 ,i get well paid for it1 too4 ,how much do you think ,i earned last week1 ,davie8 ,i don't know1 mother4 ,thirteen shillings4 ,what do you say to that8 ,she was delighted with the look of incredulity with which this piece of information was received4 ,ah6 ,home isn't the same place as it used to be1 ,i can tell you1 she went on cheerfully4 ,that's 'one' reason why ,i wanted a cab2 ,i thought1 perhaps1 as how you wouldn't notice the way we went then1 and so you wouldn't know anything about the change till we got to ,ringdon ,road4 ,however1 ,i may as well go on and tell you all about it now4 ,we've got a good big room1 furnished quite pretty with some things that ,lady ,cloudesley sent me4 ,it's got a bed in it for the twins and me1 but you wouldn't know it in the day-time1 for there's a curtain to draw right across1 and then you'd take it for a regular sitting room4 ,then just opposite1 so that if you were bad and called out in the night1 ,i could hear you in a minute1 there's a nice little room that you're to have for your very own1 ,davie4 ,it ain't very big1 of course1 but it holds a bed1 and a chair1 and a bit of a table4 ,and1 as if that wasn't enough1 ,lady ,cloudesley sends a beautiful picture--leastways1 'tisn't a picture exactly1 it's a text done in gold and coloured letters1 and framed1-- ',he that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much4' ,those are the words4 ,lady ,cloudesley said as how she thought they'd be just the sort that you'd like4 ,and there are the twins6 ,they're grown so that ,i expect you'll hardly know them4 ,mrs4 ,willis stopped for sheer want of breath4 ,davie waited till she had recovered it4 ,i am sure ,i shall be able to go to work to-morrow1 he said bravely1 though his heart sank still lower at the near and by no means enchanting prospect of a day's sweeping in the streets4 ,i am quite well now1 you know1 and ,i can stand for a good long time without feeling tired4 ,there1 ,davie1 don't go saying nothing about that1 rejoined ,mrs4 ,willis hastily4 ,you aren't going to work at anything just yet1 ,i can tell you1 and then ,i hope it won't be at the sweeping business4 ,perhaps you won't mind seeing to the twins a bit1 but that's as much as you'll do at present4 ,time was-- and now from being husky1 ,mrs4 ,willis broke down completely1 and went on in a voice choked with sobs--time was when ,i couldn't help myself1 but was obliged to let you go on slaving and starving for me4 ,that's all altered now1 ,i hope4 ,if it's months and months before you get to work again1 you needn't fret4 ,never fear1 but ,i shall be able to earn enough for all4 ,there was no time for any reply from ,davie1 for they had now arrived at the house where ,mrs4 ,willis lodged4 ,and there1 on the door-step1 standing hand-in-hand and anxiously awaiting their arrival1 were the twins4 ,as their mother had said1 they were very much grown4 ,they were wonderfully improved too1 in looks1 being quite fat and rosy now4 ,and then they could walk quite quickly1 whereas when ,davie saw them last1 ,polly could only stand with the help of a chair1 while ,tom went from place to place on all fours4 ,but when ,davie1 led by the twins1 entered the room of which his mother had been telling him1 he could scarcely believe his eyes4 ,it more than answered the description4 ,it had two windows1 and was most comfortably furnished1 even to a square of carpet in the middle of the floor beneath the little centre table4 ,this same little table was just now groaning beneath the weight of a feast that was tempting to behold1 as was evidently the opinion of the twins1 for no sooner had they reached the door than they left their long absent and sorely-missed brother1 and rushing towards the more fascinating goodies1 clambered on their chairs with simultaneous shouts of-- ,can din now1 moder1 can din now ,dadie's tome4 ,they were good children1 however1 for when they found that their patience was to suffer a yet further trial1 they submitted quietly1 and sat sucking their thumbs with a relish that doubtless owed much to the anticipated richness of the plum-cake1 the centre of attraction to their longing eyes and watering mouths4 ,now1 ,davie1 just you look here4 ,he followed his mother across the passage and into another room--a very tiny one this time4 ,why1 it's 'beautiful6' ,you don't mean to say it's for 'me' to sleep in6 ,yes1 ,davie1 it's your very own4 ,you're going to have it all to yourself1 dear1 and if you feel bad from the children's noise1 you can just come in here and be quiet a bit4 ,you don't know what a pleasure it's been1 to get it all nice and comfortable for you1 against you come back4 ,davie tried to speak but he couldn't1 and his mother1 seeing how matters were1 and knowing his thoughts1 perhaps1 almost as well as he did himself1 put her arms around him1 and folded him in a close and warm embrace4 ,at that1 the tears that he had been struggling to keep back1 burst forth1 and for a few minutes he sobbed upon his mother's breast as though his heart would break4 ,oh6 ,mother1 ,i've had such bad thoughts4 ,i didn't want to come home1 and now it's all so nice and so comfortable4 ,i don't deserve it--,i don't deserve it4 ,she soothed and comforted him1 calling him her own ,davie1 her best of boys1 and many other loving names4 ,then1 his tears having ceased1 they went back to the other room4 ,it was quite a merry tea-drinking4 ,the twins were brimming over with happiness--as they were with plum-cake1 before the meal came to an end--and said such queer things that ,davie had no sooner finished laughing at one than he went off into a fresh peal at another4 ,smiles and tears kept close company with him that night1 but after all1 there were more of the former than of the latter1 and ,davie felt strangely happy when his mother came to tuck him up in his little bed in his tiny room4 ,left alone1 his thoughts turned into a more serious channel4 ,how good1 how very good1 ,god had been to him6 ,he would never be fearful again2 he would trust ,him for the future4 ,and had he not cause8 ,out of what had seemed at first nothing but a terrible misfortune had come the greatest blessings both to him and his mother4 ,how could he prove his gratitude and love8 ,he knew well enough1 though passively by faith yet actively by service4 ,looking up at that moment1 he saw the illuminated text on the wall at the foot of his bed2 a moonbeam fell upon it1 and by its light he was able to read the words3 ,he that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much4 ,they seemed wonderfully applicable to his case1 and somehow they reminded him of the other text he loved so dearly4 ,with the words of that upon his lips1 ,davie fell asleep4 ,illustration ,illustration ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,good-,,bye ,,to ,,london4 ,,the next morning1 ,davie again pleaded to be allowed to go forth with broom in hand to his old quarters in ,harley ,street4 ,his mother1 however1 would not hear of it1 nor would she allow the subject to drop till she had received a promise from him that he would take a whole week's holiday before attempting to do anything4 ,by the end of that time1 ,davie1 she said with a peculiar smile1 who knows but what something may have turned up for you8 ,the week was not over when ,lady ,cloudesley came4 ,doubtless ,mrs4 ,willis had her reasons for hinting at the chance of something turning up for ,davie1 for the lady had not been seated many minutes before1 turning to him1 she said1-- ,davie1 ,i have a proposal to make to you4 ,he had not the least idea what she meant1 but he answered readily1-- ,yes1 my lady4 ,i have been talking about you to a friend of mine--the ,vicar of ,st4 ,mary's in ,foster ,street4 ,i have been telling him how nicely you can sing1 and he says he shall be glad to have you in his choir4 ,you would like to go1 wouldn't you8 ,what1 go and sing on a ,sunday in the church1 do you mean8 ,yes1 and on other days too1 when there are services4 ,of course you will get paid4 ,you are to have five shillings a week4 ,five shillings a week1 and all for doing what would be the greatest pleasure to him6 ,davie's eyes sparkled4 ,and then your voice will be properly trained1 went on ,lady ,cloudesley1 and you will be taught to sing by note4 ,in time1 ,i shouldn't wonder if you became quite a great singer1 and able to earn ever so much money4 ,that was rather too much to believe1 but it was not surprising that ,davie's face was radiant with delight4 ,lady ,cloudesley's words had taken a great weight from his mind4 ,he had feared1 though he had not said a word to his mother1 that his limping gait would be a serious drawback in the sweeping business4 ,now1 if he could earn five shillings a week regularly1 there need be no thought of going back to street work4 ,but ,lady ,cloudesley was speaking again1 and if he would hear what she was saying1 he must put other matters aside4 ,i have made one other arrangement for you1 she said4 ,i did it without consulting your mother1 but ,i feel sure she will not object2 indeed1 ,i think she will be very glad that you should do what ,i propose4 ,i have arranged that you should attend the ,st4 ,mary's ,schools4 ,there you will learn so many things that ,i cannot even tell you what they will be4 ,you will like that too1 won't you1 ,davie8 ,he said yes1 but there was no quick response1 and no sudden light of joy flashed into his eyes as it had done when he had heard that he was to become a chorister4 ,recollections of certain wearisome days of long ago took away all charm from the prospect of a return to school routine1 and he had so long enjoyed the freedom of the streets that he disliked the idea of any kind of enforced restraint4 ,nevertheless1 he felt very grateful to ,lady ,cloudesley for taking so much trouble on his account4 ,he remembered1 too1 that he was lame now1 not to any great degree certainly1 but enough to take away the keen pleasure that he had once experienced in active employment4 ,i hoped you would like it 'very' much1 ,davie4 ,i daresay ,i shall after a bit1 my lady1 he replied1 and thank you for getting me into the school1 but just at first it's a bit startling to think of4 ,lady ,cloudesley smiled4 ,she understood quite well all that he had left unsaid1 and liked her little protg the better for his honesty4 ,from that time a new life began for ,davie1 a wonderful life1 and such a happy life that looking back upon the last year1 he quite pitied the poor little ,davie ,scott he had then been4 ,instead of something very much like a prison1 as ,davie had foolishly imagined the school would be1 it proved a delightful place4 ,very soon he could read quite fluently1 and that step gained1 learning was no longer a task but a pleasure4 ,of course with his heart in his work1 he made rapid progress1 and the faith ,mrs4 ,willis had always had in ,davie's intellectual powers1 if only he had the chance1 proved to be of good foundation4 ,as soon as he could write in a manner which he considered well enough1 he sent a long letter to ,mr4 ,kilmarnock4 ,if his week-days were pleasant to him1 his ,sundays were still more so4 ,then to sit in the chancel1 and join in psalm1 and hymn1 and anthem1 was to ,davie a delight indescribable4 ,it was not in his nature to do anything by halves1 but when it came to singing1 every effort was strained to produce a good and finished result4 ,and it was for the service and glory of ,god--in that to ,davie lay the greatest joy of all4 ,many a bright bit of pleasure1 too1 broke the regular daily work of the boy's life4 ,on two different occasions he spent a whole day in the country4 ,the beautiful things he saw there served for talk for many an evening afterwards4 ,then1 at intervals of three or four weeks1 he would pay ,dr4 ,scott a visit4 ,he was sure to be welcomed with a smile and a hearty hand-shake1 and there were always kind inquiries as to what he was doing1 and how he was getting on4 ,the boy would go away feeling all the happier for the encouraging1 ,bravo1 ,king ,davie6 which never failed to greet the announcement of his last achievement at school or in the choir4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,it was just about a year after ,davie's accident that one morning ,mrs4 ,willis received a letter4 ,as he was now the better scholar of the two1 it was passed over to him to read4 ,he recognised the handwriting in a moment4 ,oh mother6 he cried4 ,it's from ,mr4 ,kilmarnock4 ,i am 'so' glad4 ,i was beginning to think that he'd forgotten his promise to write again some day4 ,there was pride mixed with the pleasure with which he unfolded that letter4 ,before1 when he had received one1 he had been obliged to have it read to him1 now he could make it out for himself1 and1 thanks to the care with which it had been written1 it was so legible and clear that he did it without difficulty4 ,the nature of its contents was startling in the extreme4 ,mr4 ,kilmarnock wrote to ask ,mrs4 ,willis whether it would be pleasant to her to remove into the country8 ,if so1 he could offer ,davie a post as chorister in ,w-- ,cathedral4 ,i shall for the future1 said the writer1 reside at ,w-- during certain months of the year1 and as ,i take a great interest in your son1 it will be a satisfaction to me to be able to see him frequently4 ,i think1 too1 that country air will be better for his health4 ,as regards yourself1 my recommendation would keep you well supplied with plain needlework1 and as ,davie would receive a larger sum at ,w-- for his services than he does in ,london1 you would1 at any rate1 be no worse off than you are now4 ,talk it over with your son1 and let me know your decision4 ,there were a few more sentences1 but ,davie did not stop to read them4 ,oh1 mother1 shall we go8 he cried4 ,i don't know1 ,davie1 she said4 ,it's all come so sudden that ,i can't seem to get my thoughts together4 ',you'd' like it1 wouldn't you8 ,oh6 ,i should4 ,just think what it must be to 'live' in the country4 ,then there would be ,mr4 ,kilmarnock6 ,fancy seeing him as often as ,i see ,mr4 ,crawford4 ,mr4 ,crawford was the vicar of ,st4 ,mary's4 ,it seems to me that you care more for ,mr4 ,kilmarnock than for anybody1 said ,mrs4 ,willis in a tone that betrayed jealousy1 though she did not intend that it should4 ,davie looked up4 ,no1 mother1 ,i love you better than anybody in the whole world1 but ,i can't help loving ,mr4 ,kilmarnock too4 ,even now ,i can't think of him a-coming all that long way to see me in the hospital without feeling choky-like4 ,and then to sit as he did a whole night long with me on his lap1 and never moving an inch for fear of waking or hurting me4 ,i don't think there's many would have done that for a poor little chap like me1 as everybody thought was a-dying4 ,and there's other things besides that1 mother4 ,i know1 ,davie4 ,i don't mind1 and if you like we'll say no more about it1 but pack up and start off at once4 ,of course the question was not settled in quite such a hurry as that1 but the early spring found ,mrs4 ,willis's lodgings empty1 and she1 and ,davie1 and the twins comfortably settled at ,w-- in a cottage not far from the ,cathedral4 ,perhaps ,mrs4 ,willis went all the more willingly because ,lady ,cloudesley told her that she usually spent the summer months at ,w--1 and that when next there she would not fail to use her influence to get her work4 ,but after all1 ,london had not been left without regret4 ,saying good-bye to ,st4 ,mary's and the school1 ,davie declared to be horrid work1 and when it came to bidding ,dr4 ,scott farewell1 he half wished that they had never decided to go away4 ,but once at ,w--1 ,davie no longer regretted that they had come4 ,his joy at seeing ,mr4 ,kilmarnock was unbounded4 ,the clergyman was greatly concerned to see him so lame1 but he did not doubt that fresh air and country diet would soon effect an improvement4 ,and good medicines they proved4 ,when ,mrs4 ,willis perceived how well he was beginning to look1 how the old limp was gradually leaving him1 and how light-hearted and merry he always was now1 she too felt glad that they had exchanged the city for a country life4 ,and when a year or two had passed1 she could not imagine how she could have been so foolish as ever to have minded giving up her lodgings in the close1 dirty street in ,london1 for the pretty ivy-covered cottage that was her pride to keep the picture of order and cleanliness4 ,so all things worked together for good to ,mrs4 ,willis and her children4 ,the twins grew apace1 and ,davie was so happy that his life seemed one never-ending joy4 ,the new school was as delightful as the old1 and oh6 how great a happiness and honour it was to him to contribute his part towards that glorious music in the beautiful old cathedral4 ,fresh1 and clear1 and sweet1 rang out the young voice of the chorister1 and by the tone of deep feeling with which the words of prayer and praise were sung1 it was evident that ,davie uttered them with his heart as well as his lips4 ,nor did he forget to whom his happiness was owing4 ,god has been so good to me4 ,if only ,i could love ,him more1 if only ,i could serve ,him more6 was often his inward cry4 ,then he would remember one of the lessons that the lark had taught him4 ,what it could do1 it did with all its strength4 ,it took wing1 and getting as near to its ,maker as it could1 simply warbled forth its burst of joy and praise4 ,so in his home1 in his work1 and in his heart1 ,davie strove to render kingly service--to be faithful in the least4 ,and though1 of course1 he often fell short of his desires1 yet it was but to persevere the more earnestly in his onward and upward journey4 ,his mother1 noting him1 began to think that after all there must be something in religion4 ,so curiosity first led her to search into the matter1 and that led to something deeper--to a trust in ,christ as her ,saviour4 ,once when ,mr4 ,kilmarnock paid her a visit--a rare event1 for it was seldom he had a spare half-hour--she told him about it1 and how ,davie--though he had never known it--had been the means1 under ,god1 of leading her to the knowledge of ,christ and ,him crucified4 ,on his way to his home1 it so happened that the clergyman met ,davie returning from school4 ,doubtless it was the recollection of that conversation with his mother which caused ,mr4 ,kilmarnock's eyes to rest upon him with even more affection than usual1 and to say at parting--and what memories the words awoke in the boy's mind6 ,good-bye1 ,king ,davie4 ,remember that is a name which need not end with this life4 ,god grant that you may be worthy of it4 ,illustration3 ,the ,end4 ,illustration ,jarrold and ,sons1 ,printers1 ,london ,street1 ,norwich4