Part 4.
SUCH a delightful summer Geraldine and Katie spent at Silversands! I wish I had time to tell you one half of what they did; of walks in the pretty lanes behind the house, whence they would return laden with wild flowers; of pleasant visits to the village with Aunt Barbara to the sick and the poor; and countless long plays and shell-hunts on the beach, when each newly-found treasure was stored up to take home. Geraldine learned to love Katie’s grandmamma and grandpapa as dearly as if they were her own; they were so gentle and loving, and on each face was the look of calm which indicates “a mind at perfect peace with God.” But it was Aunt Barbara who was the sharer of all their joys and sorrows, and indeed Barbara Rutherford was loved by everyone in the village. By the sickbed she had often stood bringing light with her presence, as she told of the great Physician who heals our souls, if we will but trust Him; and the blind and the aged listened for her coming as flowers wait for sunshine. For Barbara lived that inner life which looks not upon that which is outward only; well she knew the meaning of daily secret conflict with the evil of her own heart, but possessed of that grace which overcomes, she was kept in the narrow path walking with God, and the light of His countenance made her life bright.
Katie always liked Aunt Barbara’s “play lessons.” So each morning they sat with Barbara in the summer-house reading and spelling from an easy story-book with charming pictures, and finishing up with one of Barbara’s pretty stories. They loved, too, to go morning and evening to see the cows—Cowslip, Meadow-queen, and Beauty—milked, and each had a drink of the sweet milk.
Thus the happy days and weeks sped swiftly by, and a shade of color became visible in Geraldine’s pale cheeks. Mrs. Rutherford was delighted with the improvement and noted the increase in her appetite as a sure sign of returning health. But Barbara, who was more constantly with the child, marked a languor and depression would steal over her at times which was not natural and the short, irritating cough smote sadly on her ear, though she tried hard to banish her fears and believe her really better.
She was going upstairs one evening after the little ones were in bed, and just looked into the nursery to have a peep at them. Katie was fast asleep, but on drawing aside the curtain of the other cot she saw Geraldine’s face buried in the pillow and heard a suppressed sob.
“What is it, darling?” said Barbara, stooping over her.
In another instant the tiny arms were round her neck, and a burning little cheek touched hers. “O, I was so cross to Katie today,” sobbed Geraldine, “because she picked up some shells I wanted. She gave them to me directly, and kissed me, and told me not to cry. Will Jesus make me good? because I do so want to be one of His little lambs, and go and live with Him.”
A mingled thrill of joy and grief shot through Barbara’s heart as she pressed the sweet child to her bosom and sought to comfort her. She felt the Holy Spirit was indeed working in her little heart by showing her the evil there, and knew that He who had begun the good work would continue it.
Barbara’s sweet and quiet manner soon soothed away the sobs and restored sunshine to the little heart, and Geraldine, with her arms still round her kind friend, fell asleep.
Barbara gently disengaged herself, and stole away to her own room. There she fell on her knees, and prayed amidst fast-falling tears, “O, my Father, if it be Thy will, restore that little one to health; nevertheless, if Thou wilt take her to Thyself, let her be taught of Thee, and trained for heaven.” And a deep peace stole into her heart as she thought of the words, “He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom.” “Living or dying she is safe there,” thought she.
ML 01/30/1916