"Does it mean you are dying?"
"I--I--oh, no, they soon get better."
He said this because he was so sorry for Grizel. There never was a more sympathetic nature than Tommy"s. At every time of his life his pity was easily roused for persons in distress, and he sought to comfort them by shutting their eyes to the truth as long as possible. This sometimes brought relief to them, but it was useless to Grizel, who must face her troubles.
"Why don"t you answer truthfully?" she cried, with vehemence. "It is so easy to be truthful!"
"Well, then," said Tommy, reluctantly, "I think they generally die."
Elspeth often carried in her pocket a little Testament, presented to her by the Rev. Mr. Dishart for learning by heart one of the n.o.blest of books, the Shorter Catechism, as Scottish children do or did, not understanding it at the time, but its meaning comes long afterwards and suddenly, when you have most need of it. Sometimes Elspeth read aloud from her Testament to Grizel, who made no comment, but this same evening, when the two were alone, she said abruptly:
"Have you your Testament?"
"Yes," Elspeth said, producing it.
"Which is the page about saving sinners?"
"It"s all about that."
"But the page when you are in a hurry?"
Elspeth read aloud the story of the Crucifixion, and Grizel listened sharply until she heard what Jesus said to the malefactor: "To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise."
"And was he?"
"Of course."
"But he had been wicked all his life, and I believe he was only good, just that minute, because they were crucifying him. If they had let him come down.--"
"No, he repented, you know. That means he had faith, and if you have faith you are saved. It doesna matter how bad you have been. You have just to say "I believe" before you die, and G.o.d lets you in. It"s so easy, Grizel," cried Elspeth, with shining eyes.
Grizel pondered. "I don"t believe it is so easy as that," she said, decisively.
Nevertheless she asked presently what the Testament cost, and when Elspeth answered "Fourpence," offered her the money.
"I don"t want to sell it," Elspeth remonstrated.
"If you don"t give it to me, I shall take it from you," said Grizel, determinedly.
"You can buy one."
"No, the shop people would guess."
"Guess what?"
"I won"t tell you."
"I"ll lend it to you."
"I won"t take it that way." So Elspeth had to part with her Testament, saying wonderingly, "Can you read?"
"Yes, and write too. Mamma taught me."
"But I thought she was daft," Elspeth blurted out.
"She is only daft now and then," Grizel replied, without her usual spirit. "Generally she is not daft at all, but only timid."
Next morning the Painted Lady"s child paid three calls, one in town, two in the country. The adorable thing is that, once having made up her mind, she never flinched, not even when her hand was on the knocker.
The first gentleman received her in his lobby. For a moment he did not remember her; then suddenly the color deepened on his face, and he went back and shut the parlor-door.
"Did anybody see you coming here?" he asked, quickly.
"I don"t know."
"What does she want?"
"She did not send me, I came myself."
"Well?"
"When you come to our house--"
"I never come to your house."
"That is a lie."
"Speak lower!"
"When you come to our house you tell me to go out and play. But I don"t.
I go and cry."
No doubt he was listening, but his eyes were on the parlor-door.
"I don"t know why I cry, but you know, you wicked man! Why is it?"
"Why is it?" she demanded again, like a queen-child, but he could only fidget with his gold chain and shuffle uneasily in his parnella shoes.
"You are not coming to see my mamma again."
The gentleman gave her an ugly look.
"If you do," she said at once, "I shall come straight here and open that door you are looking at, and tell your wife."
He dared not swear. His hand--
"If you offer me money," said Grizel, "I shall tell her now."
He muttered something to himself.