Hatty and Marcus | Page 3

Jesus' little children, and that she believed He had forgiven
her for all the past, and would help her to be a better girl. She sent
much love to her brothers and sisters, and said she wanted them to
forget every unkind word she had ever spoken to them, for she was
very sorry, and never meant to do so again.
Ever since Hatty could speak, her mother had been teaching her about
her Heavenly Father, and trying to make her love Him and wish to
serve Him. The little girl had always listened patiently, but Mrs. Lee
had never been satisfied that Hatty had made her choice to be among
the lambs of Jesus' flock, who love to hear their Shepherd's voice, and

try to follow Him. This letter, therefore, written in the frankness and
simplicity of childhood, had brought joy to the mother's heart. She
believed that the love of Christ had taken root in the soul of her child,
and that by God's grace it would grow and strengthen, and in time bear
such fruit as angels love to see.
Mrs. Lee had not only given the message Hatty sent to her brothers and
sister, but she had read her letter to them, praying silently that by
Hatty's example they might be led to choose God for their guardian and
guide.
Marcus had listened intently, and had been moved more than he cared
to show. When his mother laid the letter down, he said bluntly, "I have
nothing laid up against Hatty," and abruptly left the room.
Now as he stood on the pavement leaning upon the broom, he was
thinking of Hatty and her new resolution, and wondering if he should
ever make up his mind to do right. Of one thing he was sure, doing
wrong gave him no pleasure. He had been too well taught to be able to
commit any sin, without being reminded of it by his conscience, but to
obey that conscience was another thing.
Marcus could not help fancying that he should see some great change
in Hatty, that she would look differently, speak differently,--and he
made up his mind not to be at all pleased with her if she affected any
new, serious ways. This was but a momentary feeling, for Marcus
really loved his sister, and in the depths of his heart he rejoiced that she
had chosen the best portion, the only blessing that will last forever and
ever.

II.
Marcus spent so much time in meditating about Hatty and her new
resolution, that he had but just finished his task, when the carriage, so
anxiously desired, drove up to the door, and out jumped Mr. Lee,
followed in another moment by Hatty.

Marcus threw down his broom, and sprang forward, and before he
thought he had kissed Hatty several times. Marcus was not much in
favor of kissing,--he thought it was "girlish;" but now he was so really
glad, he did not think what he was about.
While Mr. Lee was attending to the removal of his carpet-bag, Hatty's
little trunk, and sundry baskets and packages with which the carriage
was loaded, Marcus and Hatty walked up the wide pavement together.
"You are a good sweeper, Marcus," said Hatty, looking at the clean
bricks upon which they were stepping.
Marcus did not answer; he was gazing straight into Hatty's face to see if
she were really altered. He could see no change, save that a few
freckles about her nose disfigured her uncommonly fair skin, and told
of the life in the open air she had lately led. Her red hair had not grown
a shade darker during her absence, although it was brushed a little
smoother than usual. Her bright, reddish brown eyes had their own
lively expression, and her mouth seemed as ready as ever to smile, until
all about it the tiny dimples came like little pin-pricks in her fair skin.
Hatty's face was not changed, certainly; and instead of having the grave
manner that Marcus expected, she was all joy at her return, and seemed
to have forgotten that she meant to be any better than any one else.
Hatty had not forgotten her new resolutions, and if Marcus could have
seen into her heart at the moment she stepped from the carriage, he
would have read a prayer that she might be able to live among her dear
brothers and sister like one of the lambs of the flock of Christ.
Meg and Harry had heard the sound of the carriage wheels, and were
on the door-step to receive Hatty. They first almost smothered her with
kisses; then Meg untied her bonnet strings with rough kindness, and
Harry seized her little travelling bag, as if it were his especial property.
Hatty was