1 files changed, 3244 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/35983.txt b/35983.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0ec4eb1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/35983.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,3244 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Little Nettie, by 
+Susan Bogert Warner and Anna Bartlett Warner
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Little Nettie
+       or, Home Sunshine
+
+Author: Susan Bogert Warner
+        Anna Bartlett Warner
+
+Release Date: April 27, 2011 [EBook #35983]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LITTLE NETTIE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Delphine Lettau and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+  LITTLE NETTIE.
+
+  [Illustration: MR. MATHIESON STALKED OUT OF THE HOUSE AND STRODE
+                 ALONG THE ROAD.]
+
+
+
+
+  LITTLE NETTIE;
+
+  OR,
+  HOME SUNSHINE.
+
+
+  BY THE AUTHOR OF "THE WIDE, WIDE WORLD,"
+  ETC., ETC.
+
+
+  LONDON:
+  FREDERICK WARNE & CO.
+  AND NEW YORK.
+
+
+
+
+  CONTENTS.
+
+  CHAPTER                                  PAGE
+
+     I.--_Saturday Evening's Work_           5
+
+    II.--_Sunday's Rest_                    23
+
+   III.--_Nettie's Garret_                  57
+
+    IV.--_The Brown Cloak in November_      67
+
+     V.--_The New Blanket_                  77
+
+    VI.--_The House-Raising_                88
+
+   VII.--_The Waffles_                      97
+
+  VIII.--_The Golden City_                 115
+
+
+
+
+LITTLE NETTIE;
+
+OR,
+
+HOME SUNSHINE.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+_SATURDAY EVENING'S WORK._
+
+  "Tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother."--
+                                        _Prov._ iv. 3.
+
+
+Down in a little hollow, with the sides grown full of wild thorn, alder
+bushes, and stunted cedars, ran the stream of a clear spring. It ran
+over a bed of pebbly stones, showing every one, as if there had been no
+water there, so clear it was; and it ran with a sweet soft murmur or
+gurgle over the stones, as if singing to itself and the bushes as it
+ran.
+
+On one side of the little stream a worn footpath took its course among
+the bushes; and down this path, one summer's afternoon, came a woman
+and a girl. They had pails to fill at the spring: the woman had a large
+wooden one and the girl a light tin pail; and they drew the water with
+a little tin dipper, for it was not deep enough to let a pail be used
+for that. The pails were filled in silence, only the spring always was
+singing; and the woman and girl turned and went up the path again.
+After getting up the bank, which was only a few feet, the path still
+went gently rising through a wild bit of ground, full of trees and low
+bushes; and not far off, through the trees, there came a gleam of bright
+light from the window of a house on which the setting sun was shining.
+Half-way to the house the girl and the woman stopped to rest; for water
+is heavy, and the tin pail, which was so light before it was filled, had
+made the little girl's figure bend over to one side like a willow branch
+all the way from the spring. They stopped to rest, and even the woman
+had a very weary, jaded look.
+
+"I feel as if I shall give up some of these days," she exclaimed.
+
+"Oh, no, mother!" the little girl answered, cheerfully. She was panting,
+with her hand on her side, and her face had a quiet, very sober look;
+only at those words a little pleasant smile broke over it.
+
+"I shall," said the woman. "One can't stand everything,--for ever."
+
+The little girl had not got over panting yet, but standing there, she
+struck up the sweet air and words,--
+
+  "'There is rest for the weary,
+    There is rest for the weary,
+    There is rest for the weary,
+      There is rest for you.'"
+
+"Yes, in the grave!" said the woman bitterly. "There's no rest short of
+that--for mind or body."
+
+"Oh, yes, mother dear. 'For we which have believed do enter into rest.'
+The Lord Jesus don't make us wait."
+
+"I believe you eat the Bible and sleep on the Bible," said the woman,
+with a faint smile, taking at the same time a corner of her apron to
+wipe away a stray tear which had gathered in her eye. "I am glad it
+rests you, Nettie."
+
+"And you, mother."
+
+"Sometimes," Mrs. Mathieson answered with a sigh. "But there's your
+father going to bring home a boarder, Nettie."
+
+"A boarder, mother!--What for?"
+
+"Heaven knows!--if it isn't to break my back and my heart together. I
+thought I had enough to manage before, but here's this man coming, and
+I've got to get everything ready for him by to-morrow night."
+
+"Who is it, mother?"
+
+"It's one of your father's friends; so it's no good," said Mrs.
+Mathieson.
+
+"But where can he sleep?" Nettie asked, after a moment of thinking.
+
+Her mother paused.
+
+"There's no room but yours he can have. Barry won't be moved."
+
+"Where shall I sleep, mother?"
+
+"There's no place but up in the attic. I'll see what I can do to fit up
+a corner for you--if I ever can get time," said Mrs. Mathieson, taking
+up her pail. Nettie followed her example, and certainly did not smile
+again till they reached the house. They went round to the front door,
+because the back door belonged to another family. At the door, as they
+set down their pails again before mounting the stairs, Nettie smiled at
+her mother very placidly, and said,
+
+"Don't you go to fit up the attic, mother; I'll see to it in time. I can
+do it just as well."
+
+Mrs. Mathieson made no answer, but groaned internally, and they went up
+the flight of steps which led to their part of the house. The ground
+floor was occupied by somebody else. A little entry-way received the
+wooden pail of water, and with the tin one Nettie went into the room
+used by the family. It was her father and mother's sleeping-room, their
+bed standing in one corner. It was the kitchen apparently, for a small
+cooking-stove was there, on which Nettie put the tea-kettle when she
+had filled it. And it was the common living-room also; for the next
+thing she did was to open a cupboard and take out cups and saucers,
+and arrange them on a leaf table which stood toward one end of the room.
+The furniture was wooden and plain; the woodwork of the windows was
+unpainted; the cups and plates were of the commonest kind; and the floor
+had no covering but two strips of rag carpeting; nevertheless the whole
+was tidy and very clean, showing constant care. Mrs. Mathieson had sunk
+into a chair as one who had no spirit to do anything, and watched her
+little daughter setting the table with eyes which seemed not to see her.
+They gazed inwardly at something she was thinking of.
+
+"Mother, what is there for supper?"
+
+"There is nothing. I must make some porridge." And Mrs. Mathieson got up
+from her chair.
+
+"Sit you still, mother, and I'll make it. I can."
+
+"If both our backs are to be broken," said Mrs. Mathieson, "I'd rather
+mine would break first." And she went on with her preparations.
+
+"But you don't like porridge," said Nettie. "You didn't eat anything
+last night."
+
+"That's nothing, child. I can bear an empty stomach, if only my brain
+wasn't quite so full."
+
+Nettie drew near the stove and looked on, a little sorrowfully.
+
+"I wish you had something you liked, mother! If only I was a little
+older, wouldn't it be nice? I could earn something then, and I would
+bring you home things that you liked out of my own money."
+
+This was not said sorrowfully, but with a bright gleam as of some
+fancied and pleasant possibility. The gleam was so catching, Mrs.
+Mathieson turned from her porridge-pot, which she was stirring, to give
+a very heartfelt kiss to Nettie's lips; then she stirred on, and the
+shadow came over her face again.
+
+"Dear," she said, "just go in Barry's room and straighten it up a little
+before he comes in--will you? I haven't had a minute to do it, all day;
+and there won't be a bit of peace if he comes in and it isn't in order."
+
+Nettie turned and opened another door, which let her into a small
+chamber used as somebody's bed-room. It was all brown like the other,
+a strip of the same carpet in the middle of the floor, and a small
+cheap chest of drawers, and a table. The bed had not been made up, and
+the tossed condition of the bed-clothes spoke for the strength and
+energy of the person that used them, whoever he was. A pair of coarse
+shoes were in the middle of the whole; another pair, or rather a
+pair of half-boots, out at the toes, were in the middle of the floor;
+stockings,--one under the bed and one under the table. On the table was
+a heap of confusion; and on the little bureau were to be seen pieces
+of wood, half-cut and uncut, with shavings, and the knife and saw that
+had made them. Old newspapers, and school-books, and a slate, and two
+kites, with no end of tails, were lying over every part of the room that
+happened to be convenient; also an ink-bottle and pens, with chalk and
+resin and a medley of unimaginable things beside, that only boys can
+collect together and find delight in. If Nettie sighed as all this
+hurly-burly met her eye, it was only an internal sigh. She set about
+patiently bringing things to order. First she made the bed, which it
+took all her strength to do, for the coverlets were of a very heavy
+and coarse manufacture of cotton and woollen mixed, blue and white; and
+then gradually she found a way to bestow the various articles in Barry's
+apartment, so that things looked neat and comfortable. But perhaps it
+was a little bit of a sign of Nettie's feelings, that she began softly
+to sing to herself,--
+
+  "'There is rest for the weary.'"
+
+"Hallo!" burst in a rude boy of some fifteen years, opening the door
+from the entry,--"who's puttin' my room to rights?"
+
+A very gentle voice said, "I've done it, Barry."
+
+"What have you done with that pine log?"
+
+"Here it is,--in the corner behind the bureau."
+
+"Don't you touch it, now, to take it for your fire,--mind, Nettie!
+Where's my kite?"
+
+"You won't have time to fly it now, Barry; supper will be ready in two
+minutes."
+
+"What have you got?"
+
+"The same kind we had last night."
+
+"_I_ don't care for supper." Barry was getting the tail of his kite
+together.
+
+"But please, Barry, come now; because it will give mother so much more
+trouble if you don't. She has the things to clear away after you're
+done, you know."
+
+"Trouble! so much talk about trouble! _I_ don't mind trouble. I don't
+want any supper, I tell you."
+
+Nettie knew well enough he would want it by-and-bye, but there was no
+use in saying anything more, and she said nothing. Barry got his kite
+together and went off. Then came a heavier step on the stairs, which
+she knew; and she hastily went into the other room to see that all was
+ready. The tea was made, and Mrs. Mathieson put the smoking dish of
+porridge on the table, just as the door opened and a man came in--a
+tall, burly, strong man, with a face that would have been a good face
+enough if its expression had been different and if its hue had not been
+that of a purplish-red flush. He came to the table and silently sat down
+as he took a survey of what was on it.
+
+"Give me a cup of tea! Have you got no bread, Sophia?"
+
+"Nothing but what you see. I hoped you would bring home some money, Mr.
+Mathieson. I have neither milk nor bread; it's a mercy there's sugar. I
+don't know what you expect a lodger to live on."
+
+"Live on his board,--that'll give you enough. But you want something to
+begin with. I'd go out and get one or two things--but I'm so confoundedly
+tired, I can't."
+
+Mrs. Mathieson, without a word, put on a shawl and went to the closet
+for her bonnet.
+
+"I'll go, mother! Let me go, please. I want to go," exclaimed Nettie,
+eagerly. "I can get it. What shall I get, father?"
+
+Slowly and weariedly the mother laid off her things; as quickly the
+child put hers on.
+
+"What shall I get, father?"
+
+"Well, you can go down the street to Jackson's, and get what your mother
+wants: some milk and bread; and then you'd better fetch seven pounds of
+meal and a quart of treacle. And ask him to give you a nice piece of
+pork out of his barrel."
+
+"She can't bring all that!" exclaimed the mother; "you'd better go
+yourself, Mr. Mathieson. That would be a great deal more than the child
+can carry, or I either."
+
+"Then I'll go twice, mother: it isn't far; I'd like to go. I'll get it.
+Please give me the money, father."
+
+He cursed and swore at her for answer. "Go along, and do as you are bid,
+without all this chaffering! Go to Jackson's, and tell him you want the
+things, and I'll give him the money to-morrow. He knows me."
+
+Nettie knew he did, and stood her ground.
+
+Her father was just enough in liquor to be a little thick-headed and
+foolish.
+
+"You know I can't go without the money, father," she said, gently; "and
+to-morrow is Sunday."
+
+He cursed Sunday and swore again, but finally put his hand in his pocket
+and threw some money across the table to her. He was just in a state not
+to be careful what he did, and he threw her crown-pieces where, if he
+had been quite himself, he would have given shillings. Nettie took them
+without any remark, and her basket, and went out.
+
+It was just sundown. The village lay glittering in the light that would
+be gone in a few minutes; and up on the hill the white church, standing
+high, showed all bright in the sun-beams, from its sparkling vane at the
+top of the spire down to the lowest step at the door. Nettie's home was
+in a branch road, a few steps from the main street of the village, that
+led up to the church at one end of it. All along that street the sunlight
+lay, on the grass, and the roadway, and the side-walks, and the tops of
+a few elm trees. The street was empty; it was most people's supper-time.
+Nettie turned the corner and went down the village. She went slowly: her
+little feet were already tired with the work they had done that day, and
+back and arms and head all seemed tired too. But Nettie never thought it
+hard that her mother did not go instead of letting her go; she knew her
+mother could not bear to be seen in the village in the old shabby gown
+and shawl she wore; for Mrs. Mathieson had seen better days. And besides
+that, she would be busy enough as it was, and till a late hour, this
+Saturday night. Nettie's gown was shabby too--yes, very shabby, compared
+with that almost every other child in the village wore; yet somehow
+Nettie was not ashamed. She did not think of it now, as her slow steps
+took her down the village street; she was thinking what she should do
+about the money. Her father had given her two or three times as much,
+she knew, as he meant her to spend; he was a good workman, and had just
+got in his week's wages. What should Nettie do? Might she keep and give
+to her mother what was over? it was, and would be, so much wanted! and
+from her father they could never get it again. He had his own ways of
+disposing of what he earned, and very little indeed went to the wants of
+his wife and daughter. What might Nettie do! She pondered, swinging her
+basket in her hand, till she reached a corner where the village street
+turned off again, and where the store of Mr. Jackson stood. There she
+found Barry bargaining for some things he at least had money for.
+
+"Oh, Barry, how good!" exclaimed Nettie; "you can help me carry my
+things home."
+
+"I'll know the reason first, though," answered Barry. "What are you
+going to get?"
+
+"Father wants a bag of corn-meal, and a piece of pork, and some treacle;
+and you know I can't carry them all, Barry. I've got to get bread and
+milk besides."
+
+"Hurrah!" said Barry; "now we'll have fried cakes! I'll tell you what
+I'll do, Nettie--I'll take home the treacle, if you'll make me some
+to-night for supper."
+
+"Oh, I can't, Barry! I've got so much else to do, and it's Saturday
+night."
+
+"Very good--get your things home yourself, then."
+
+Barry turned away, and Nettie made her bargains. He still stood by,
+however, and watched her. When the pork and the meal and the treacle
+were bestowed in the basket, it was so heavy she could not manage to
+carry it. How many journeys to and fro would it cost her?
+
+"Barry," she said, "you take this home for me, and if mother says so,
+I'll make you the cakes."
+
+"Be quick, then," said her brother, shouldering the basket, "for I'm
+getting hungry."
+
+Nettie went a few steps farther on the main road of the village, which
+was little besides one long street, and not very long either, and went
+in at the door of a very little dwelling, neat and tidy like all the
+rest. It admitted her to the tiniest morsel of a shop--at least there
+was a long table there which seemed to do duty as a counter; and
+before, not behind it, sat a spruce little woman sewing. She jumped up
+as Nettie entered. By the becoming smartness of her calico dress and
+white collar, the beautiful order of her hair, and a certain peculiarity
+of feature, you might know before she spoke that the little baker was a
+Frenchwoman. She spoke English quite well, but rather slowly.
+
+"I want two loaves of bread, Mrs. August, and a pint of milk, if you
+please."
+
+"How will you carry them, my child? you cannot take them all at the
+time."
+
+"Oh yes, I can," said Nettie, cheerfully. "I can manage. They are not
+heavy."
+
+"No, I hope not," said the Frenchwoman; "it is not heavy, my bread! but
+two loaves are not one, no more. Is your mother well?"
+
+She then set busily about wrapping the loaves in paper and measuring out
+the milk. Nettie answered, her mother was well.
+
+"And you?" said the little woman, looking at her sideways. "Somebody is
+tired this evening."
+
+"Yes," said Nettie, brightly; "but I don't mind. One must be tired
+sometimes. Thank you, ma'am."
+
+The woman had put the loaves and the milk carefully in her arms and in
+her hands, so that she could carry them, and looked after her as she
+went up the street.
+
+"One must be tired sometimes!" said she to herself, with a turn of her
+capable little head. "I should like to hear her say 'One must be rested
+sometimes;' but I do not hear that."
+
+So perhaps Nettie thought, as she went homeward. It would have been very
+natural. Now the sun was down, the bright gleam was off the village; the
+soft shades of evening were gathering, and lights twinkled in windows.
+Nettie walked very slowly, her arms full of the bread. Perhaps she
+wished her Saturday's work was all done, like other people's. All I can
+tell you is, that as she went along through the quiet deserted street,
+all alone, she broke out softly singing to herself the words,--
+
+  "No need of the sun in that day
+  Which never is followed by night;"
+
+and that when she got home she ran upstairs quite briskly, and came in
+with a very placid face, and told her mother she had had a pleasant
+walk--which was perfectly true.
+
+"God bless you, child!" said her mother; "you are the very rose of my
+heart!"
+
+There was only time for this little dialogue, for which Mr. Mathieson's
+slumbers had given a chance. But then Barry entered, and noisily claimed
+Nettie's promise. And without a cloud crossing her sweet brow, she made
+the cakes, and baked them on the stove, and served Barry until he had
+enough; nor ever said how weary she was of being on her feet. There were
+more cakes left, and Mrs. Mathieson saw to it that Nettie sat down and
+ate them; and then sent her off to bed, without suffering her to do
+anything more; though Nettie pleaded to be allowed to clear away the
+dishes. Mrs. Mathieson did that, and then sat down to darns and patches
+on various articles of clothing, till the old clock of the church on the
+hill tolled out solemnly the hour of twelve all over the village.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+_SUNDAY'S REST._
+
+  "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice
+  and be glad in it."--_Psalm_ cxviii, 24.
+
+
+Nettie's room was the only room on that floor besides her mother's and
+Barry's. It was at the back of the house, with a pleasant look-out over
+the trees and bushes between it and the spring. Over these the view went
+to distant hills and fields, that always looked pretty in all sorts of
+lights, Nettie thought. Besides that, it was a clean, neat little room;
+bare, to be sure, without even Barry's strip of rag carpet; but on a
+little black table lay Nettie's Bible and Sunday-school books; and each
+window had a chair; and a chest of drawers held all her little wardrobe
+and a great deal of room to spare besides; and the cot-bed in one
+corner was nicely made up. It was a very comfortable-looking room to
+Nettie.
+
+"So this is the last night I shall sleep here!" she thought as she went
+in. "To-morrow I must go up to the attic. Well, I can pray there just
+the same; and God will be with me there just the same."
+
+It was a comfort; but it was the only one Nettie could think of in
+connection with her removal. The attic was no room, but only a little
+garret used as a lumber-place; not boarded up nor plastered at all;
+nothing but the beams and the side boarding for the walls, and nothing
+but the rafters and the shingles between it and the sky. Besides which,
+it was full of lumber of one sort and another. How Nettie was to move up
+there the next day, being Sunday, she could not imagine; but she was so
+tired that as soon as her head touched her pillow she fell asleep, and
+forgot to think about it.
+
+The next thing was the bright morning light rousing her, and the joyful
+thought that it was Sunday morning. A beautiful day it was. The eastern
+light was shining over upon Nettie's distant hills with all sorts of
+fresh, lovely colours, and promise of what the coming hours would bring.
+Nettie looked at them lovingly, for she was very fond of them, and had a
+great many thoughts about those hills. "As the mountains are round about
+Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about His people;"--that was one thing
+they made her think of. She thought of it now as she was dressing, and
+it gave her the feeling of being surrounded with a mighty and strong
+protection on every side. It made Nettie's heart curiously glad, and her
+tongue speak joyful things; for when she knelt down to pray she was full
+of thanksgiving.
+
+The next thing was that, taking her tin pail, Nettie set off down to the
+spring to get water to boil her kettle. It was so sweet and pleasant--no
+other spring could supply nicer water. The dew brushed from the bushes
+and grass as she went by; and from every green thing there went up a
+fresh dewy smell, that was reviving. The breath of the summer wind,
+moving gently, touched her cheek and fluttered her hair, and said God
+had given a beautiful day to the world; and Nettie thanked Him in her
+heart, and went on rejoicing. Sunday was Nettie's holiday, and Sunday
+school and church were her delight. And though she went in all weathers,
+and nothing would keep her, yet sunshine is sunshine, and she felt so
+this morning. So she gaily filled her pail at the spring and trudged
+back with it to the house. The next thing was to tap at her mother's
+door.
+
+Mrs. Mathieson opened it, in her night-gown; she was just up, and looked
+as if her night's sleep had been all too short for her.
+
+"Why, Nettie! is it late?" she said, as Nettie and the tin pail came in.
+
+"No, mother; it's just good time. You get dressed, and I'll make the
+fire ready. It's beautiful out, mother!"
+
+Mrs. Mathieson made no answer, and Nettie went to work with the fire.
+It was an easy matter to put in some paper and kindle the light wood;
+and when the kettle was on, Nettie went round the room, softly setting
+it to rights as well as she could; then glanced at her father, still
+sleeping.
+
+"I can't set the table yet, mother."
+
+"No, child; go off, and I'll see to the rest.--If I can get folks up, at
+least," said Mrs. Mathieson, somewhat despondingly.
+
+Sunday morning that was a doubtful business, she and Nettie knew. Nettie
+went to her own room to carry out a plan she had. If she could manage
+to get her things conveyed up to the attic without her mother knowing
+it, just so much labour and trouble would be spared her, and her mother
+might have a better chance of some rest that day. Little enough, with a
+lodger coming that evening! To get her things up there,--that was all
+Nettie would do to-day; but that must be done. The steep stairs to the
+attic went up from the entry-way, just outside of Nettie's door. She
+went up the first time to see what room there was to bestow anything.
+
+The little garret was strewn all over with things carelessly thrown in
+merely to get them out of the way. There was a small shutter window in
+each gable. One was open, just revealing the utter confusion, but half
+showing the dust that lay on everything. The other window, the back
+one, was fairly shut up by a great heap of boxes and barrels piled
+against it. In no part was there a clear space or a hopeful opening.
+Nettie stood aghast for some moments, not knowing what to do. "But if
+I don't, mother will have to do it," she thought. It nerved her little
+arm, and one thought of her invisible Protector nerved her heart, which
+had sunk at first coming up. Softly she moved and began her operations,
+lest her mother downstairs should hear and find out what she was about
+before it was done. Sunday too! But there was no help for it.
+
+Notwithstanding the pile of boxes, she resolved to begin at the end with
+the closed window; for near the other there were things she could not
+move: an old stove, a wheelbarrow, a box of heavy iron tools, and some
+bags of charcoal, and other matters. By a little pushing and coaxing,
+Nettie made a place for the boxes, and then began her task of removing
+them. One by one, painfully, for some were unwieldy and some were
+weighty, they travelled across in Nettie's arms, or were shoved and
+turned over and across the floor, from the window to a snug position
+under the eaves, where she stowed them. Barry would have been a good
+hand at this business, not to speak of his father; but Nettie knew there
+was no help to be expected from either of them, and the very thought of
+them did not come into her head. Mr. Mathieson, provided he worked at
+his trade, thought the "women folks" might look after the house; Barry
+considered that when he had got through the heavy labours of school,
+he had done his part of the world's work. So Nettie toiled on with her
+boxes and barrels. They scratched her arms; they covered her clean face
+with dust; they tried her strength; but every effort saved one to her
+mother, and Nettie never stopped except to gather breath and rest.
+
+The last thing of all under the window was a great old chest. Nettie
+could not move it, and she thought it might stay there very conveniently
+for a seat. All the rest of the pile she cleared away, and then opened
+the window. There was no sash--nothing but a wooden shutter fastened
+with a hook. Nettie threw it open. There, to her great joy, behold, she
+had the very same view of her hills, all shining in the sun now. Only
+this window was higher than her old one and lifted her up more above the
+tops of the trees, and gave a better and clearer and wider view of the
+distant open country she liked so much. Nettie was greatly delighted,
+and refreshed herself with a good look out and a breath of fresh air
+before she began her labours again. That gave the dust a little chance
+to settle too.
+
+There was a good deal to do yet before she could have a place clear for
+her bed, not to speak of anything more. However, it was done at last,
+the floor brushed up, all ready, and the top of the chest wiped clean;
+and next Nettie set about bringing all her things up the stairs and
+setting them here, where she could. Her clothes, her little bit of a
+looking-glass, her Bible and books and slate, even her little washstand,
+she managed to lug up to the attic, with many a journey and much pains.
+But it was about done before her mother called her to breakfast. The two
+lagging members of the family had been roused at last, and were seated
+at the table.
+
+"Why, what have you been doing, child? how you look!" said Mrs.
+Mathieson.
+
+"How do I look?" said Nettie.
+
+"Queer enough," said her father.
+
+Nettie laughed, and hastened to another subject: she knew if they got
+upon this there would be some disagreeable words before it was over. She
+had made up her mind what to do, and now handed her father the money
+remaining from her purchases.
+
+"You gave me too much, father, last night," she said, simply; "here is
+the rest."
+
+Mr. Mathieson took it and looked at it.
+
+"Did I give you all this?"
+
+"Yes, father."
+
+"Did you pay for what you got, besides?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+He muttered something which was very like an oath in his throat, and
+looked at his little daughter, who was quietly eating her breakfast.
+Something touched him unwontedly.
+
+"You're an honest little girl," he said. "There! you may have that for
+yourself." And he tossed her a shilling.
+
+You could see, by a little streak of pink colour down each of Nettie's
+cheeks, that some great thought of pleasure had started into her mind.
+"For myself, father?" she repeated.
+
+"All for yourself," said Mr. Mathieson, buttoning up his money with a
+very satisfied air.
+
+Nettie said no more, only ate her breakfast a little quicker after that.
+It was time, too; for the late hours of some of the family always made
+her in a hurry about getting to Sunday school; and the minute Nettie
+had done, she got her bonnet--her Sunday bonnet--the best she had to
+wear--and set off. Mrs. Mathieson never let her wait for anything at
+home _that_ morning.
+
+This was Nettie's happy time. It never troubled her that she had nothing
+but a sun-bonnet of white muslin, nicely starched and ironed, while
+almost all the other girls that came to the school had little straw
+bonnets trimmed with blue and pink, and yellow and green ribbons; and
+some of them wore silk bonnets. Nettie did not even think of it; she
+loved her Sunday lesson, and her Bible, and her teacher, so much; and it
+was such a pleasant time when she went to enjoy them all together. It
+was only a little way she had to go, for the road where Mrs. Mathieson
+lived, after running down a little farther from the village, met another
+road which turned right up the hill to the church; or Nettie could
+take the other way, to the main village street, and straight up that.
+Generally she chose the forked way, because it was the emptiest.
+
+Nettie's class in the Sunday school was of ten little girls about her
+own age; and their teacher was a very pleasant and kind gentleman,
+named Mr. Folke. Nettie loved him dearly; she would do anything that Mr.
+Folke told her to do. Their teacher was very apt to give the children a
+question to answer from the Bible, for which they had to look out texts
+during the week. This week the question was, "Who are happy?" and Nettie
+was very eager to know what answers the other girls would bring. She
+was in good time, and sat resting and watching the boys and girls and
+teachers as they came in, before the school began. She was first there
+of all her class; and she watched so eagerly to see those who were
+coming, that she did not know Mr. Folke was near till he spoke to her.
+Nettie started and turned.
+
+"How do you do?" said her teacher, kindly. "Are you quite well, Nettie,
+this morning?" For he thought she looked pale and tired. But her face
+coloured with pleasure, and a smile shone all over it, as she told him
+she was very well.
+
+"Have you found out who are the happy people, Nettie?"
+
+"Yes, Mr. Folke; I have found a verse. But I knew before."
+
+"I thought you did. Who are they, Nettie?"
+
+"Those who love Jesus, sir."
+
+"Ay. In the Christian armour, you know, the feet are 'shod with the
+preparation of the Gospel of peace.' With the love of Jesus in our
+hearts, our feet can go over rough ways and hardly feel that they are
+rough. Do you find it so?"
+
+"Oh yes, sir!"
+
+He said no more, for others of the class now came up; and Nettie
+wondered how he knew, or if he knew, that she had a rough way to go
+over. But his words were a help and comfort to her. So was the whole
+lesson that day. The verses about the happy people were beautiful. The
+seven girls who sat on one side of Nettie repeated the blessings told
+of in the fifth chapter of St. Matthew, about the poor in spirit, the
+mourners, the meek, those that hunger and thirst after righteousness,
+the merciful, the pure in heart, and the peacemakers. Then came Nettie's
+verse. It was this:
+
+"Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in
+the Lord his God."
+
+The next girl gave the words of Jesus, "If ye know these things, happy
+are ye if ye do them."
+
+The last gave "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin
+is covered."
+
+Then came Mr. Folke's verse, and Netty thought it was the most beautiful
+of all.
+
+"Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to
+the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
+
+Then Mr. Folke talked about that city--its streets of gold, and the
+gates of pearl, through which nothing that defileth can by any means
+enter. He told how Jesus will make His people happy there; how they will
+be with Him, and all their tears wiped away. And Jesus will be their
+Shepherd; His sheep will not wander from Him any more; "and they shall
+see His face, and His name shall be in their foreheads."
+
+From school they went to church, of course. A strange clergyman preached
+that day, and Nettie could not understand him always; but the words of
+the hymn and Mr. Folke's words ran in her head then, and she was very
+happy all church-time. And as she was walking home, still the tune and
+the words ran in her ears,--
+
+     "Jesus all the day long
+     Is my joy and my song;
+   O that all His salvation might see!"
+
+So, thinking busily, Nettie got home and ran upstairs. What a change! It
+looked like a place very, very far from those gates of pearl.
+
+Her mother sat on one side of the stove, not dressed for church, and
+leaning her head on her hand. Mr. Mathieson was on the other side,
+talking and angry. Barry stood back, playing ball by himself by throwing
+it up and catching it again. The talk stopped at Nettie's entrance. She
+threw off her bonnet and began to set the table, hoping that would bring
+peace.
+
+"Your father don't want any dinner," said Mrs. Mathieson.
+
+"Yes, I do!" thundered her husband; "but I tell you I'll not take
+anything now; so leave your cooking till supper--when Lumber will be
+here. Go on, child, and get your work done."
+
+There were no preparations for dinner, and Nettie was at a loss, and did
+not like to say anything for fear of bringing on a storm. Her mother
+looked both weary and out of temper. The kettle was boiling, the only
+thing about the room that had a pleasant seeming.
+
+"Will you have a cup of tea, father?" said Nettie.
+
+"Anything you like--yes, a cup of tea will do; and hark ye, child, I
+want a good stout supper got this afternoon. Your mother don't choose
+to hear me. Mr. Lumber is coming, and I want a good supper to make him
+think he's got to the right place. Do you hear, Nettie?"
+
+"Yes, father."
+
+Nettie went on to do the best she could. She warmed the remains of last
+night's porridge, and gave it to Barry, with treacle, to keep him
+quiet. Meanwhile she had made the tea, and toasted a slice of bread
+very nicely, though with great pains, for the fire wasn't good; and the
+toast and a cup of tea she gave to her father. He ate it with an
+eagerness which let Nettie know she must make another slice as fast as
+possible.
+
+"Hallo! Nettie--I say, give us some of that, will you?" said Barry,
+finding his porridge poor in taste.
+
+"Barry, there isn't bread enough--I can't," whispered Nettie. "We've got
+to keep a loaf for supper."
+
+"Eat what you've got, or let it alone!" thundered Mr. Mathieson, in the
+way he had when he was out of patience, and which always tried Nettie
+exceedingly.
+
+"She's got more," said Barry. "She's toasting two pieces this minute. I
+want one."
+
+"I'll knock you over if you say another word," said his father.
+
+Nettie was frightened, for she saw he meant to have the whole, and she
+had destined a bit for her mother. However, when she gave her father his
+second slice, she ventured, and took the other with a cup of tea to the
+forlorn figure on the other side of the stove. Mrs. Mathieson took only
+the tea. But Mr. Mathieson's ire was roused afresh. Perhaps toast and
+tea didn't agree with him.
+
+"Have you got all ready for Mr. Lumber?" he said, in a tone of voice
+very unwilling to be pleased.
+
+"No," said his wife,--"I have had no chance. I have been cooking and
+clearing up all the morning. His room isn't ready."
+
+"Well, you had better get it ready pretty quick. What's to do?"
+
+"Everything's to do," said Mrs. Mathieson.
+
+He swore at her. "Why can't you answer a plain question? I say, _what's_
+to do?"
+
+"There's all Nettie's things in the room at present. They are all to
+move upstairs, and the red bedstead to bring down."
+
+"No, mother," said Nettie, gently, "all my things are upstairs already;
+there's only the cot and the bed, that I couldn't move."
+
+Mrs. Mathieson gave no outward sign of the mixed feeling of pain
+and pleasure that shot through her heart. Pleasure at her child's
+thoughtful love, pain that she should have to show it in such a way.
+
+"When did you do it, Nettie?"
+
+"This morning before breakfast, mother. It's all ready, father, if you
+or Barry would take up my cot and the bed, and bring down the other
+bedstead. It's too heavy for me."
+
+"That's what I call doing business and having some spirit," said her
+father. "Not sitting and letting your work come to you. Here, Nettie,
+I'll do the rest for you."
+
+Nettie ran with him to show him what was wanted; and Mr. Mathieson's
+strong arms had it all done very quickly. Nettie eagerly thanked him;
+and then seeing him in good humour with her, she ventured something
+more.
+
+"Mother's very tired to-day, father," she whispered; "she'll feel better
+by-and-bye if she has a little rest. Do you think you would mind helping
+me put up this bedstead?"
+
+"Well, here goes!" returned Mr. Mathieson. "Which piece belongs here, to
+begin with?"
+
+Nettie did not know much better than he; but putting not only her whole
+mind but also her whole heart into it, she managed to find out and
+to direct him successfully. Her part was hard work: she had to stand
+holding up the heavy end of the bedstead while her father fitted in the
+long pieces; and then she helped him to lace the cords, which had to be
+drawn very tight; and precious time was running away fast, and Nettie
+had had no dinner. But she stood patiently, with a thought in her heart
+which kept her in peace all the while. When it was done, Mr. Mathieson
+went out, and Nettie returned to her mother. She was sitting where she
+had left her. Barry was gone.
+
+"Mother, won't you have something to eat?"
+
+"I can't eat, child. Have you had anything yourself?"
+
+Nettie had seized a remnant of her father's toast, and was munching it
+hastily.
+
+"Mother, won't you put on your gown and come to church this afternoon?
+Do! It will rest you. Do, mother!"
+
+"You forget I've got to get supper, child. Your father doesn't think
+it necessary that anybody should rest, or go to church, or do anything
+except work. What he is thinking of, I am sure I don't know. There is no
+place to eat in but this room, and he is going to bring a stranger into
+it; and if I was dying I should have to get up for every meal that is
+wanted. I never thought I should come to live so! And I cannot dress
+myself, or prepare the victuals, or have a moment to myself, but I have
+the chance of Mr. Lumber and your father in here to look on! It is worse
+than a dog's life!"
+
+It looked pretty bad, Nettie thought. She did not know what to say. She
+began clearing away the things on the table.
+
+"And what sort of a man this Mr. Lumber is, I don't know. I dare say he
+is like his name--one of your father's cronies--a drinker and a swearer.
+And Mr. Mathieson will bring him here, to be on my hands! It will kill
+me before spring, if it lasts."
+
+"Couldn't there be a bed made somewhere else for Barry, mother? and then
+we could eat in there."
+
+"Where would you make it? I could curtain off a corner of this room,
+but Barry wouldn't have it, nor your father; and they'd all want to be
+close to the fire the minute the weather grows the least bit cool. No;
+there is nothing for me but to live on till Death calls for me!"
+
+"Mother, Jesus said, 'He that liveth and believeth in Me shall never
+die.'"
+
+"Oh, yes!" said Mrs. Mathieson, with a kind of long-drawn groan, "I
+don't know how it will be about that! I get so put about now in these
+times, that it seems to me I don't know my own soul!"
+
+"Mother, come to church this afternoon."
+
+"I can't, child. I've got to put up that man's bed and make it."
+
+"That is all done, mother, and the floor brushed up. Do come!"
+
+"Why, who put it up?"
+
+"Father and I."
+
+"Well! you do beat all, Nettie. But I can't, child; I haven't time."
+
+"Yes, mother, plenty. There's all the hour of Sunday school before
+church begins. Now do, mother!"
+
+"Well, you go off to school; and if I can, maybe I will. You go right
+off, Nettie."
+
+Nettie went, feeling weary and empty by dint of hard work and a dinner
+of a small bit of dry toast. But she thought little about that. She
+wanted to ask Mr. Folke a question.
+
+The lesson that afternoon was upon the peacemakers; and Mr. Folke asked
+the children what ways they knew of being a peacemaker. The answer,
+somehow, was not very ready.
+
+"Isn't it to stop people from quarrelling?" one child asked.
+
+"How can you do that, Jane?"
+
+Jane seemed doubtful. "I could ask them to stop," she said.
+
+"Well, suppose you did. Would angry people mind your asking?"
+
+"I don't know, sir. If they were very angry, I suppose they wouldn't."
+
+"Perhaps not. One thing is certain, Jane; you must have peace in your
+own heart, to give you the least chance."
+
+"How, Mr. Folke?"
+
+"If you want to put out a fire, you must not stick into it something
+that will catch."
+
+"That would make the fire worse," said one of the girls.
+
+"Certainly. So if you want to touch quarrelsome spirits with the least
+hope of softening them, you must be so full of the love of Jesus
+yourself that nothing but love can come out of your own spirit. You see,
+it means a good deal to be a peacemaker."
+
+"I always thought that must be one of the easiest things of the whole
+list," said one of the class.
+
+"You won't find it so, I think; or rather you will find they are all
+parts of the same character, and the blessing is one. But there are
+more ways of being a peacemaker. What do you do when the hinge of a
+door creaks?"
+
+One said "She didn't know;" another said "Nothing." "I stop my ears,"
+said a third. Mr. Folke laughed.
+
+"_That_ would not do for a peacemaker," he said. "Don't you know what
+makes machinery work smoothly?"
+
+"Oil!" cried Jane.
+
+"Oil to be sure! One little drop of oil will stop ever so much creaking
+and groaning and complaining, of hinges and wheels and all sorts of
+machines. Now, people's tempers are like wheels and hinges. But what
+sort of oil shall we use?"
+
+The girls looked at each other, and then one of them said, "Kindness."
+
+"To be sure! A gentle word, a look of love, a little bit of kindness,
+will smooth down a roughened temper or a wry face, and soften a hard
+piece of work, and make all go easily. And so of reproving sinners. The
+Psalmist says, 'Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and
+let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break
+my head.' But, you see, the peacemaker must be righteous himself, or he
+hasn't the oil. Love is the oil--the 'love of Jesus.'"
+
+"Mr. Folke," said Nettie, timidly, "wasn't Jesus a peacemaker?"
+
+"The greatest that ever lived!" said Mr. Folke, his eyes lighting up
+with pleasure at her question. "He made all the peace there is in the
+world, for He bought it, when He died on the cross to reconcile man with
+God. All our drops of oil were bought with drops of blood."
+
+"And," said Nettie, hesitatingly, "Mr. Folke, isn't that one way of
+being a peacemaker?"
+
+"What?"
+
+"I mean, to persuade people to be at peace with Him?"
+
+"That is the way above all others, my child; that is truly to be the
+'children of God.' Jesus came and preached peace; and that is what His
+servants are doing, and will do, till He comes. And 'they shall be
+called the children of God.' 'Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought
+also to love one another.'"
+
+Mr. Folke paused, with a face so full of thought, of eagerness, and of
+love, that none of the children spoke, and some of them wondered. And
+before Mr. Folke spoke again, the superintendent's little bell rang,
+and they all stood up to sing. But Nettie Mathieson hardly could sing;
+it seemed to her so glorious a thing to be _that_ sort of a peacemaker.
+Could she be one? But the Lord blessed the peacemakers; then it must be
+His will that all His children should be such; then He would enable her
+to be one! It was a great thought. Nettie's heart swelled with hope and
+joy and prayer. She knew whose peace she longed for first of all.
+
+Her mother had now come to church, so Nettie enjoyed all the services,
+with nothing to hinder. Then they walked home together, not speaking
+much to each other, but every step of the way pleasant in the Sunday
+afternoon light, till they got to their own door. Nettie knew what her
+mother's sigh meant, as they mounted the stairs. Happily, nobody was at
+home yet but themselves.
+
+"Now, mother," said Nettie, when she had changed her dress and come to
+the common room, "what's to be for supper? I'll get it. You sit still
+and read, if you want to, while it's quiet. What must we have?"
+
+"There is not a great deal to do," said Mrs. Mathieson. "I boiled the
+pork this morning, and that was what set your father up so; that's
+ready; and he says there must be cakes. The potatoes are all ready to
+put down--I was going to boil 'em this morning, and he stopped me."
+
+Nettie looked grave about the cakes.
+
+"However, mother," she said, "I don't believe that little loaf of bread
+would last, even if you and I didn't touch it; it is not very big."
+
+Mrs. Mathieson wearily sat down and took her Testament, as Nettie begged
+her; and Nettie put on the kettle and the pot of potatoes, and made the
+cakes ready to bake. The table was set, and the treacle and everything
+on it, except the hot things, when Barry burst in.
+
+"Hallo, cakes!--hallo, treacle!" he shouted. "Pork and treacle--that's
+the right sort of thing. Now we're going to live something like."
+
+"Hush, Barry, don't make such a noise," said his sister. "You know it's
+Sunday evening."
+
+"Sunday! well, what about Sunday? What's Sunday good for, except to eat,
+I should like to know?"
+
+"O Barry!"
+
+"O Barry!" said he, mimicking her. "Come, shut up, and fry your cake.
+Father and Lumber will be here just now."
+
+Nettie hushed, as she was bidden; and as soon as her father's step
+was heard below, she went to frying cakes with all her might. She
+just turned her head to give one look at Mr. Lumber as he came in. He
+appeared to her very like her father, but without the recommendation
+which her affection gave to Mr. Mathieson. A big, strong, burly fellow,
+with the same tinges of red about his face that the summer sun had never
+brought there. Nettie did not want to look again.
+
+She had a good specimen this evening of what they might expect in
+future. Mrs. Mathieson poured out the tea, and Nettie baked the cakes;
+and perhaps because she was almost faint for want of something to eat,
+she thought no three people ever ate so many griddle cakes before at one
+meal. In vain plateful after plateful went upon the board, and Nettie
+baked them as fast as she could; they were eaten just as fast; and when
+finally the chairs were pushed back, and the men went downstairs, Nettie
+and her mother looked at each other.
+
+"There's only one left, mother," said Nettie.
+
+"And he has certainly eaten half the piece of pork," said Mrs.
+Mathieson. "Come, child, take something yourself; you're ready to drop.
+I'll clear away."
+
+But it is beyond the power of any disturbance to take away the gladness
+of a heart where Jesus is. Nettie's bread was sweet to her, even that
+evening. Before she had well finished her supper, her father and his
+lodger came back. They sat down on either side the fire, and began to
+talk of politics, and of their work on which they were then engaged,
+with their employers and their fellow-workmen; of the state of business
+in the village, and profits and losses, and the success of particular
+men in making money. They talked loudly and eagerly; and Nettie had to
+go round and round them to get to the fire for hot water, and back to
+the table to wash up the cups and plates. Her mother was helping at
+the table, but to get round Mr. Lumber to the pot of hot water on the
+fire every now and then, fell to Nettie's share. It was not a very nice
+ending of her sweet Sabbath day, she thought. The dishes were done and
+put away, and still the talk went on as hard as ever. It was sometimes a
+pleasure to Nettie's father to hear her sing hymns of a Sunday evening.
+Nettie watched for a chance, and the first time there was a lull of the
+voices of the two men, she asked softly,
+
+"Shall I sing, father?"
+
+Mr. Mathieson hesitated, and then answered,
+
+"No,--better not, Nettie: Mr. Lumber might not find it amusing;" and the
+talk began again.
+
+Nettie waited a little longer, feeling exceedingly tired. Then she rose
+and lighted a candle.
+
+"What are you doing, Nettie?" her mother said.
+
+"I am going to bed, mother."
+
+"You can't take a candle up there, child! the attic's all full of
+things, and you would certainly set us on fire."
+
+"I'll take great care, mother."
+
+"But you can't, child! The wind might blow the snuff of your candle
+right into something that would be all a-flame by the time you're
+asleep. You must manage without a light somehow."
+
+"But I can't see to find my way," said Nettie, who was secretly
+trembling with fear.
+
+"I'll light you then, for once, and you'll soon learn the way. Give me
+the candle."
+
+Nettie hushed the words that came crowding into her mouth, and clambered
+up the steep stairs to the attic. Mrs. Mathieson followed her with the
+candle till she got to the top, and there she held it till Nettie had
+found her way to the other end where her bed was. Then she said "Good
+night!" and went down.
+
+The little square shutter of the window was open, and a ray of moonlight
+streamed in upon the bed. It was nicely made up: Nettie saw that her
+mother had been there and had done that for her, and wrought a little
+more space and order among the things around the bed. But the moonlight
+did not get in far enough to show much more. Just a little of this thing
+and of that could be seen; a corner of a chest, or a gleam on the side
+of a meal-bag: the half-light showed nothing clearly except the confused
+fulness of the little attic. Nettie had given her head a blow against a
+piece of timber as she came through it; and she sat down upon her little
+bed, feeling rather miserable. Her fear was that the rats might visit
+her up there. She did not certainly know that there were rats in the
+attic, but she had been fearing to think of them, and did not dare to
+ask, as well as unwilling to give trouble to her mother; for if they
+_did_ come there, Nettie did not see how the matter could be mended. She
+sat down on her little bed, so much frightened that she forgot how tired
+she was. Her ears were as sharp as needles, listening to hear the scrape
+of a rat's tooth upon a timber, or the patter of his feet over the
+floor.
+
+For a few minutes Nettie almost thought she could not sleep up there
+alone, and must go down and implore her mother to let her spread her bed
+in a corner of her room. But what a bustle that would make! Her mother
+would be troubled, and her father would be angry, and the lodger would
+be disturbed, and there was no telling how much harm would come of it.
+No; the peacemaker of the family must not do that. And then the words
+floated into Nettie's mind again, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for
+they shall be called the children of God." Like a strain of the sweetest
+music it floated in; and if an angel had come and brought the words
+straight to Nettie, she could not have been more comforted. She felt the
+rats could not hurt her while she was within hearing of that music; and
+she got up and kneeled down upon the chest under the little window, and
+looked out.
+
+It was like the day that had passed, not like the evening. So purely and
+softly the moon-beams lay on all the fields and trees and hills, there
+was no sign of anything but peace and purity to be seen. No noise of
+men's work or voices; no clangour of the iron foundry which on week-days
+might be heard; no sight of anything unlovely; but the wide beauty which
+God had made, and the still peace and light which He had spread over it.
+Every little flapping leaf seemed to Nettie to tell of its Maker; and
+the music of those words seemed to be all through the still air--"Blessed
+are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God."
+Tears of gladness and hope slowly gathered in Nettie's eyes. The
+children of God will enter in, by-and-bye, through those pearly gates,
+into that city of gold "where they need no candle, neither light of the
+sun, for the Lord God giveth them light."
+
+"So He can give me light here--or what's better than light," thought
+Nettie. "God isn't only out there, in all that beautiful moonlight
+world--He is here in my poor little attic too; and He will take just as
+good care of me as He does of the birds, and better, for I am His child,
+and they are only His beautiful little servants."
+
+Nettie's fear was gone. She prayed her evening prayer, and trusted
+herself to the Lord Jesus to take care of her; and then she undressed
+herself and lay down and went to sleep, just as quietly as any sparrow
+of them all, with its head under its wing.
+
+  "O day of rest and gladness!
+    O day of joy and light!
+  O balm of care and sadness,
+    Most beautiful, most bright!
+  On thee the high and lowly,
+    Through ages join'd in tune,
+  Sing, Holy, Holy, Holy,
+    To the great God Triune."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+_NETTIE'S GARRET._
+
+  "I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me."--_Psalm_ xxiii. 4.
+
+
+Nettie's attic grew to be a very pleasant place to her. She never heard
+the least sound of rats; and it was so nicely out of the way. Barry
+never came up there, and there she could not even hear the voices of
+her father and Mr. Lumber. She had a tired time of it down stairs.
+
+The first afternoon was a good specimen of the way things went on.
+Nettie's mornings were always spent at school; Mrs. Mathieson would
+have that, as she said, whether she could get on without Nettie or no.
+From the time Nettie got home till she went to bed she was as busy as
+she could be. There was so much bread to make and so much beef and pork
+to boil, and so much washing of pots and kettles; and at meal-times
+there was often cakes to fry, besides all the other preparations. Mr.
+Mathieson seemed to have made up his mind that his lodger's rent should
+all go to the table and be eaten up immediately; but the difficulty was
+to make as much as he expected of it in that line; for now he brought
+none of his own earnings home, and Mrs. Mathieson had more than a sad
+guess where they went. By degrees he came to be very little at home in
+the evenings, and he carried off Barry with him. Nettie saw her mother
+burdened with a great outward and inward care at once, and stood in
+the breach all she could. She worked to the extent of her strength,
+and beyond it, in the endless getting and clearing away of meals; and
+watching every chance, when the men were out of the way, she would coax
+her mother to sit down and read a chapter in her Testament.
+
+"It will rest you so, mother," Nettie would say; "and I will make the
+bread just as soon as I get the dishes done. Do let me! I like to do
+it."
+
+Sometimes Mrs. Mathieson could not be persuaded; sometimes she would
+yield, in a despondent kind of way, and sit down with the Testament, and
+look at it as if neither there nor anywhere else in the universe could
+she find rest or comfort any more.
+
+"It don't signify, child," said she, one afternoon when Nettie had been
+urging her to sit down and read. "I haven't the heart to do anything.
+We're all driving to rack and ruin just as fast as we can go."
+
+"Oh no, mother," said Nettie, "I don't think we are."
+
+"I am sure of it. I see it coming every day. Every day it is a little
+worse; and Barry is going along with your father; and they are
+destroying me among them, body and soul too."
+
+"No, mother," said Nettie, "I don't think that. I have prayed the Lord
+Jesus, and you know He has promised to hear prayer; and I know we are
+not going to ruin."
+
+"_You_ are not, child, I believe; but you are the only one of us that
+isn't. I wish I was dead, to be out of my misery!"
+
+"Sit down, mother, and read a little bit; and don't talk so. Do,
+mother! It will be an hour or more yet to supper, and I'll get it ready.
+You sit down and read, and I'll make the shortcakes. Do, mother! and
+you'll feel better."
+
+It was half despair and half persuasion that made her do it; but Mrs.
+Mathieson did sit down by the open window and take her Testament; and
+Nettie flew quietly about, making her shortcakes and making up the fire
+and setting the table, and through it all casting many a loving glance
+over to the open book in her mother's hand, and the weary, stony face
+that was bent over it. Nettie had not said how her own back was aching,
+and she forgot it almost in her business and her thoughts; though by the
+time her work was done her head was aching wearily too. But cakes and
+table and fire and everything else were in readiness; and Nettie stole
+up behind her mother and leaned over her shoulder--leaned a little
+heavily.
+
+"Don't that chapter comfort you, mother?" she whispered.
+
+"No. It don't seem to me as I've got any feeling left," said Mrs.
+Mathieson.
+
+It was the fourth chapter of John at which they were both looking.
+
+"Don't it comfort you to read of Jesus being wearied?" Nettie went on,
+her head lying on her mother's shoulder.
+
+"Why should it, child?"
+
+"I like to read it," said Nettie. "Then I know He knows how I feel
+sometimes."
+
+"God knows everything, Nettie."
+
+With that Mrs. Mathieson cast down her book and burst into such a
+passion of weeping that Nettie was frightened. It was like the breaking
+up of an icy winter. She flung her apron over her head and sobbed aloud;
+till, hearing the steps of the men upon the staircase, she rushed off to
+Barry's room, and presently got quiet, for she came out to supper as if
+nothing had happened.
+
+From that time there was a gentler mood upon her mother; Nettie saw,
+though she looked weary and careworn as ever, there was now not often
+the hard, dogged look which had been wont to be there for months past.
+Nettie had no difficulty to get her to read the Testament; and of all
+things, what she liked was to get a quiet hour of an evening alone with
+Nettie, and hear her sing hymns. But both Nettie and she had a great
+deal, as Mrs. Mathieson said, "to put up with."
+
+As weeks went on, the father of the family was more and more out at
+nights, and less and less agreeable when he was at home. He and his
+friend Lumber helped each other in mischief. The lodger's rent and board
+had been at first given for the household daily expenses; but then Mr.
+Mathieson began to pay over a smaller sum, saying that it was all that
+was due; and Mrs. Mathieson began to suspect that the rest had been
+paid away already for brandy. Then Mr. Mathieson told her to trade at
+Jackson's on account, and he would settle the bill. Mrs. Mathieson held
+off from this as long as it was possible. She and Nettie did their very
+best to make the little that was given them go a good way: they wasted
+not a crumb nor a penny. By degrees it came to be very customary for
+Mrs. Mathieson and Nettie to make their meal of porridge and bread,
+after all the more savoury food had been devoured by the others; and
+many a weary patch and darn filled the night hours because they had not
+money to buy a cheap dress or two. Nettie bore it very patiently. Mrs.
+Mathieson was sometimes impatient.
+
+"This won't last me through the week, to get the things you want," she
+said one Saturday to her husband, when he gave her what he said was
+Lumber's payment to him.
+
+"You'll have to make it last," said he gruffly.
+
+"Will you tell me how I'm going to do that? Here isn't more than half
+what you gave me at first."
+
+"Send to Jackson's for what you want!" he roared at her; "didn't I tell
+you so? and don't come bothering me with your noise."
+
+"When will you pay Jackson?"
+
+"I'll pay you first!" he said, with an oath, and very violently. It was
+a ruder word than he had ever said to her before, and Mrs. Mathieson
+was staggered for a moment by it; but there was another word she was
+determined to say.
+
+"May do what you like to me," she said, doggedly; "but I should think
+you would see for yourself that Nettie has too much to get on with. She
+is getting just as thin and pale as she can be."
+
+"That's just your fool's nonsense!" said Mr. Mathieson; but he spoke it
+more quietly. Nettie just then entered the room.
+
+"Here, Nettie, what ails you? Come here. Let's look at you. Ain't you as
+strong as ever you was? Here's your mother says you're getting puny."
+
+Nettie's smile and answer were so placid and untroubled, and the little
+colour that rose in her cheeks at her father's question made her look so
+fresh and well, that he was quieted. He drew her within his arms, for
+his gentle, dutiful little daughter had a place in his respect and
+affection both, though he did not often show it very broadly; but now he
+kissed her.
+
+"There!" said he; "don't you go to growing thin and weak without telling
+me, for I don't like such doings. You tell me when you want anything."
+But with that Mr. Mathieson got up and went off out of the house; and
+Nettie had small chance to tell him if she wanted anything. However,
+this little word and kiss were a great comfort and pleasure to her. It
+was the last she had from him in a good while.
+
+Nettie, however, was not working for praise or kisses, and very little
+of either she got. Generally her father was rough, imperious, impatient,
+speaking fast enough if anything went wrong, but very sparing in
+expressions of pleasure. Sometimes a blessing did come upon her from the
+very depth of Mrs. Mathieson's heart, and went straight to Nettie's; but
+it was for another blessing she laboured, and prayed, and waited.
+
+As the summer passed away, it began to grow cold, too, up in her garret.
+Nettie had never thought of that. As long as the summer sun warmed the
+roof well in the day, and only the soft summer wind played in and out
+of her window at night, it was all very well, and Nettie thought her
+sleeping-chamber was the best in the whole house, for it was nearest the
+sky. But August departed with its sunny days, and September grew cool in
+the evening; and October brought still sunny days, it is true, but the
+nights had a clear sharp frost in them; and Nettie was obliged to cover
+herself up warm in bed and look at the moonlight and the stars as she
+could see them through the little square opening left by the shutter.
+The stars looked very lovely to Nettie, when they peeped at her so in
+her bed out of their high heaven; and she was very content.
+
+Then came November; and the winds began to come into the garret, not
+only through the open window, but through every crack between two
+boards. The whole garret was filled with the winds, Nettie thought. It
+was hard work managing then. Shutting the shutter would bar out the
+stars, but not the wind, she found; and to keep from being quite chilled
+through at her times of prayer, morning and evening, Nettie used to take
+the blanket and coverlets from the bed, and wrap herself in them. It was
+all she could do. Still, she forgot the inconveniences; and her little
+garret chamber seemed to Nettie very near heaven, as well as near the
+sky.
+
+But all this way of life did not make her grow strong or rosy; and
+though Nettie never told her father that she wanted anything, her
+mother's heart measured the times when it ought to be told.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+_THE BROWN CLOAK IN NOVEMBER._
+
+  "How long, O Lord?"--_Rev._ vi. 10.
+
+
+November days drew toward an end; December was near. One afternoon Mrs.
+Mathieson, wanting Nettie, went to the foot of the garret stairs to call
+her.
+
+"Yes, mother. Coming."
+
+"Fetch down your school cloak, child."
+
+She went back to her room, and presently Nettie came in with the cloak,
+looking placid as usual, but very pale.
+
+"Somebody's got to go to Mr. Jackson's, but you ain't fit, child; you
+ate next to nothing at noon. You can't live on porridge."
+
+"I like it, mother; but I wasn't hungry. What's wanting from
+Jackson's?"
+
+Nettie put on her cloak, and took her basket, and went out. It was after
+sundown already, and a keen wind swept through the village street, and
+swept through Nettie's brown cloak too, tight as she wrapt it about her.
+But though she was cold and blue, and the wind seemed to go through
+_her_ as well as the cloak, Nettie was thinking of something else. She
+knew that her mother had eaten a very scanty, poor sort of dinner, as
+well as herself, and that _she_ often looked pale and wan; and Nettie
+was almost ready to wish she had not given the last penny of her
+shilling on Sunday to the missionary-box.
+
+"What do you want?" said Mr. Jackson, rather curtly, when Nettie's turn
+came to be served, and she had told her errand. "What!" he exclaimed,
+"seven pounds of meal, and a pound of butter, and two pounds of sugar!
+Well, you tell your father that I should like to have my bill settled;
+it's all drawn up, you see, and I don't like to open a new account till
+it's all square."
+
+He turned away immediately to another customer, and Nettie felt she
+had got her answer. She stood a moment, very disappointed, and a little
+mortified, and somewhat downhearted. What should they do for supper? and
+what a storm there would be when her father heard about all this, and
+found nothing but bread and tea on the table! Slowly Nettie turned away,
+and slowly made the few steps from the door to the corner. She felt
+very blue indeed; coming out of the warm store, the chill wind made her
+shiver. Just at the corner somebody stopped her.
+
+"Nettie!" said the voice of the little French baker, "what ails you? you
+look not well."
+
+Nettie gave her a grateful smile, and said she was well.
+
+"You look not like it," said Madame Auguste; "you look as if the wind
+might carry you off before you get home. Come to my house; I want to see
+you in the light."
+
+"I haven't time; I must go home to mother, Mrs. August."
+
+"Yes, I know! You will go home all the faster for coming this way first.
+You have not been to see me in these three or four weeks."
+
+She carried Nettie along with her; it was but a step, and Nettie did not
+feel capable of resisting anything. The little Frenchwoman put her into
+the shop before her, made her sit down, and lighted a candle. The shop
+was nice and warm, and full of the savoury smell of fresh baking.
+
+"We have made our own bread lately," said Nettie, in answer to the
+charge of not coming there.
+
+"Do you make it good?" said Madame Auguste.
+
+"It isn't like yours, Mrs. August," said Nettie, smiling.
+
+"If you will come and live with me next summer, I will teach you how to
+do some things; and you shall not look so blue neither. Have you had
+your supper?"
+
+"No; and I am just going home to get supper. I must go, Mrs. August."
+
+"You come in here," said the Frenchwoman; "you are my prisoner. I am all
+alone, and I want somebody for company. You take off your cloak, Nettie,
+and I shall give you something to keep the wind out. You do what I bid
+you!"
+
+Nettie felt too cold and weak to make any ado about complying, unless
+duty had forbade; and she thought there was time enough yet. She let
+her cloak drop, and took off her hood. The little back room to which
+Madame Auguste had brought her was only a trifle bigger than the bit
+of a shop; but it was as cozy as it was little. A tiny stove warmed it,
+and kept warm, too, a tiny iron pot and tea-kettle, which were steaming
+away. The bed was at one end, draped nicely with red curtains; there was
+a little looking-glass, and some prints in frames round the walls; there
+was Madame's little table covered with a purple cloth, and with her work
+and a small clock and various pretty things on it. Madame Auguste had
+gone to a cupboard in the wall, and taken out a couple of plates and
+little bowls, which she set on a little round stand; and then lifting
+the cover of the pot on the stove, she ladled out a bowlful of what was
+in it, and gave it to Nettie with one of her nice crisp rolls.
+
+"Eat that!" she said. "I shan't let you go home till you have swallowed
+that to keep the cold out. It makes me all freeze to look at you."
+
+So she filled her own bowl, and made good play with her spoon, while
+between spoonfuls she looked at Nettie; and the good little woman
+smiled in her heart to see how easy it was for Nettie to obey her. The
+savoury, simple, comforting broth she had set before her was the best
+thing to the child's delicate stomach that she had tasted for many a
+day.
+
+"Is it good?" said the Frenchwoman, when Nettie's bowl was half empty.
+
+"It's so good!" said Nettie. "I didn't know I was so hungry."
+
+"Now you will not feel the cold so," said the Frenchwoman, "and you will
+go back quicker. Do you like my _riz-au-gras_?"
+
+"_What_ is it, ma'am?" said Nettie.
+
+The Frenchwoman laughed, and made Nettie say it over till she could
+pronounce the words.
+
+"Now you like it," she said, "that is a French dish. Do you think Mrs.
+Mat'ieson would like it?"
+
+"I am sure she would!" said Nettie. "But I don't know how to make it."
+
+"You shall come here, and I will teach it to you. And now you shall
+carry a little home to your mother, and ask her if she will do the
+honour to a French dish to approve it. It do not cost anything. I
+cannot sell much bread the winters; I live on what cost me nothing."
+
+While saying this, Madame Auguste had filled a little pail with the
+_riz-au-gras_, and put a couple of her rolls along with it. "It must
+have the French bread," she said; and she gave it to Nettie, who looked
+quite cheered up, and very grateful.
+
+"You are a good little girl!" she said. "How keep you always your
+face looking so happy? There is always one little streak of sunshine
+here"--drawing her finger across above Nettie's eyebrows--"and another
+here,"--and her finger passed over the line of Nettie's lips.
+
+"That's because I _am_ happy, Mrs. August."
+
+"_Always?_"
+
+"Yes, always."
+
+"What makes you so happy always? You was just the same in the cold
+winter out there, as when you was eating my _riz-au-gras_. Now, me--I
+am cross in the cold, and not happy."
+
+But the Frenchwoman saw a deeper light come into Nettie's eyes as she
+answered,
+
+"It is because I love the Lord Jesus, Mrs. August, and He makes me
+happy."
+
+"_You?_" said Madame. "My child! What do you say, Nettie? I think not I
+have heard you right."
+
+"Yes, Mrs. August, I am happy because I love Jesus. I know He loves me,
+and He will take me to be with Him."
+
+"Not just yet," said the Frenchwoman, "I hope. Well, I wish I was so
+happy as you, Nettie. Good bye!"
+
+Nettie ran home, more comforted by her good supper, and more thankful
+to the goodness of God in giving it, and happy in the feeling of His
+goodness, than can be told. And very, very glad she was of that little
+tin pail in her hand she knew her mother needed. Mrs. Mathieson had time
+to eat the rice broth before her husband came in.
+
+"She said she would show me how to make it," said Nettie, "and it don't
+cost anything."
+
+"Why, it's just rice and--_what_ is it? I don't see," said Mrs.
+Mathieson. "It isn't rice and milk."
+
+Nettie laughed at her mother.
+
+"Mrs. August didn't tell. She called it reeso--I forget what she called
+it!"
+
+"It's the best thing I ever saw," said Mrs. Mathieson. "There--put the
+pail away. Your father's coming."
+
+He was in a terrible humour, as they expected; and Nettie and her mother
+had a sad evening of it. And the same sort of thing lasted for several
+days. Mrs. Mathieson hoped that perhaps Mr. Lumber would take into his
+head to seek lodgings somewhere else, or, at least, that Mathieson would
+have been shamed into paying Jackson's bill; but neither thing happened.
+Mr. Lumber found his quarters too comfortable; and Mr. Mathieson spent
+too much of his earnings on drink to find the amount necessary to clear
+off the scores at the grocer's shop.
+
+From that time, as they could run up no new account, the family were
+obliged to live on what they could immediately pay for. That was seldom
+a sufficient supply; and so, in dread of the storms that came whenever
+their wants touched Mr. Mathieson's own comfort, Nettie and her mother
+denied themselves constantly what they very much needed. The old can
+sometimes bear this better than the young. Nettie grew more delicate,
+more thin, and more feeble every day. It troubled her mother sadly. Mr.
+Mathieson could not be made to see it. Indeed, he was little at home
+except when he was eating.
+
+  "Scarce discerning aught before us,
+    On our weary way we go;
+  But one guiding star is o'er us,
+    Beaming forth the way to show.
+
+  "Watch we, pray we, that we sink not,
+    Journeying on while yet we can;
+  At a moment when we think not
+    We shall meet the Son of Man."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+_THE NEW BLANKET._
+
+  "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord."
+  _Ps._ cxxxiv. 2.
+
+
+It was very cold up in Nettie's garret now; the winter had moved on
+into the latter part of December, and the frosts were very keen; and the
+winter winds seemed to come in at one end of the attic and to just sweep
+through to the other, bringing all except the snow with them. Even the
+snow often drifted in through the cracks of the rough wainscoat board,
+or under the shutter, and lay in little white streaks or heaps on the
+floor, and never melted. To-night there was no wind, and Nettie had left
+her shutter open, that she might see the stars as she lay in bed. It did
+not make much difference in the feeling of the place, for it was about
+as cold inside as out; and the stars were great friends of Nettie's.
+How bright they looked down to-night! It was very cold, and lying awake
+made Nettie colder: she shivered sometimes under all her coverings;
+still she lay looking at the stars in that square patch of sky that her
+shutter-opening gave her to see, and thinking of the Golden City. "They
+shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun
+light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the
+throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of
+waters; and God shall wipe all tears from their eyes."
+
+"His servants shall serve Him,"--thought Nettie; "and mother will be
+there, and Barry--and I shall be there! and then I shall be happy. And
+I am happy now. 'Blessed be the Lord, which hath not turned away my
+prayer, nor His mercy from me!'" And if that verse went through Nettie's
+head once, it did fifty times: so did this one, which the quiet stars
+seemed to repeat and whisper to her, "The Lord redeemeth the soul of His
+servants, and none of them that trust in Him shall be desolate." And
+though now and then a shiver passed over Nettie's shoulders with the
+cold, she was ready to sing for very gladness and fulness of heart.
+
+But lying awake and shivering did not do Nettie's little body any
+good; she looked so very white the next day that it caught even Mr.
+Mathieson's attention. He reached out his arm and drew Nettie toward
+him, as she was passing between the cupboard and the table. Then he
+looked at her, but he did not say how she looked.
+
+"Do you know the day after to-morrow is Christmas Day?" said he.
+
+"Yes, I know. It's the day when Christ was born," said Nettie.
+
+"Well, I don't know anything about that," said her father; "but what I
+mean is, that a week after is New Year. What would you like me to give
+you, Nettie,--hey?"
+
+Nettie stood still for a moment, then her eyes lighted up.
+
+"Will you give it to me, father, if I tell you?"
+
+"I don't know. If it is not extravagant, perhaps I will."
+
+"It will not cost much," said Nettie, earnestly. "Will you give me what
+I choose, father, if it does not cost too much?"
+
+"I suppose I will. What is it?"
+
+"Father, you won't be displeased?"
+
+"Not I!" said Mr. Mathieson, drawing Nettie's little form tighter in his
+grasp: he thought he had never felt it so slight and thin before.
+
+"Father, I am going to ask you a great thing!--to go to church with me
+New Year's Day."
+
+"To church!" said her father, frowning; but he remembered his promise,
+and he felt Nettie in his arms yet. "What on earth good will that do
+you?"
+
+"A great deal of good. It would please me so much, father."
+
+"What do you want me to go to church for?" said Mr. Mathieson, not sure
+yet what humour he was going to be in.
+
+"To thank God, father, that there was a Christmas, when Jesus came, that
+we might have a New Year."
+
+"What--what!" said Mr. Mathieson. "What are you talking about?"
+
+"Because, father," said Nettie, trembling, and seizing her chance,
+"since Jesus loved us, and came and died for us, we all may have a New
+Year of glory. I shall, father; and I want you too. Oh do, father!" and
+Nettie burst into tears.
+
+Mr. Mathieson held her fast, and his face showed a succession of changes
+for a minute or so. But she presently raised her head and kissed him,
+and said,
+
+"May I have what I want, father?"
+
+"Yes--go along," said Mr. Mathieson. "I should like to know how to
+refuse you, though. But, Nettie, don't you want me to give you anything
+else?"
+
+"Nothing else!" she told him, with her face all shining with joy.
+
+Mr. Mathieson looked at her, and seemed very thoughtful all supper-time.
+
+"Can't you strengthen that child up a bit?" he said to his wife
+afterwards. "She does too much."
+
+"She does as little as I can help," said Mrs. Mathieson, "but she is
+always at something. I am afraid her room is too cold o' nights. She
+ain't fit to bear it. It's bitter up there."
+
+"Give her another blanket or quilt, then," said her husband. "I should
+think you would see to that. Does she say she is cold?"
+
+"No,--never, except sometimes when I see her looking blue, and ask her."
+
+"And what does she say then?"
+
+"She says sometimes she is a little cold," said Mrs. Mathieson.
+
+"Well, do put something more over her, and have no more of it!" said her
+husband, violently. "Sit still and let the child be cold, when another
+covering would make it all right!"--and he ended with swearing at her.
+
+Mrs. Mathieson did not dare to tell him that Nettie's food was not of a
+sufficiently nourishing kind: she knew what the answer to that would be;
+and she feared that a word more about Nettie's sleeping-room would be
+thought an attack upon Mr. Lumber's being in the house. So she was
+silent.
+
+But there came home something for Nettie in the course of the Christmas
+week, which comforted her a little, and perhaps quieted Mr. Mathieson
+too. He brought with him, on coming home to supper one evening, a great
+thick roll of a bundle, and put it in Nettie's arms, telling her that
+was for her New Year.
+
+"For me?" said Nettie, the colour starting a little into her cheeks.
+
+"Yes, for you. Open it, and see."
+
+So Nettie did, with some trouble, and there tumbled out upon the floor a
+great heavy warm blanket, new from the shop. Mr. Mathieson thought the
+pink in her cheeks was the prettiest thing he had seen in a long while.
+
+"Is this for _me_, father?"
+
+"I mean it to be so. See if it will go on that bed of yours, and keep
+you warm."
+
+Nettie gave her father some very hearty thanks, which he took in a
+silent, pleased way; and then she hastened off with her blanket
+upstairs. How thick and warm it was! and how nicely it would keep her
+comfortable when she knelt all wrapped up in it on that cold floor! For
+a little while it would; not even a warm blanket would keep her from the
+cold more than a little while at a time up there. But Nettie tried its
+powers the first thing she did.
+
+Did Mr. Mathieson mean the blanket to take the place of his promise?
+Nettie thought of that, but like a wise child she said nothing at all
+till the Sunday morning came. Then, before she set off for Sunday
+school, she came to her father's elbow.
+
+"Father, I'll be home at a quarter after ten; will you be ready then?"
+
+"Ready for what?" said Mr. Mathieson.
+
+"For my New Year's gift," said Nettie. "You know you promised I should
+go to church with you."
+
+"Did I? And ain't you going to take the blanket for your New Year's
+gift, and let me off, Nettie?"
+
+"No, father, to be sure not. I'll be home at a quarter past; please
+don't forget." And Nettie went off to school very thankful and happy,
+for her father's tone was not unkind. How glad she was New Year's Day
+had come on Sunday!
+
+Mr. Mathieson was as good as his word. He was ready at the time, and
+they walked to the church together. That was a great day to Nettie.
+Her father and mother going to church in company with her and with
+each other! And when they got to church, it seemed as if every word of
+the prayers, and of the reading, and of the hymns, and of the sermon,
+struck on all Nettie's nerves of hearing and feeling. Would her father
+understand any of those sweet words? would he feel them? would they
+reach him? Nettie little thought that what he felt most, what _did_
+reach him, though he did not thoroughly understand it, was the look
+of her own face, though she never but once dared turn it toward him.
+There was a little colour in it more than usual; her eye was deep in
+its earnestness; and the grave set of her little mouth was broken up
+now and then in a way that Mr. Mathieson wanted to watch better than
+the straight sides of her sun-bonnet would let him. Once he thought
+he saw something more.
+
+He walked home very soberly, and was a good deal on the silent order
+during the rest of the day. He did not go to church in the afternoon.
+But in the evening, as her mother was busy in and out getting supper
+ready, and Mr. Lumber had not come in, Mr. Mathieson called Nettie to
+his side.
+
+"What were you crying for in church this forenoon?" he said low.
+
+"Crying!" said Nettie, surprised. "Was I crying?"
+
+"If it wasn't tears I saw dropping from under your hands on to the
+floor, it must have been some drops of rain that had got there, and I
+don't see how they could very well. There warn't no rain outside. What
+was it for, hey?"
+
+There came a great flush all over Nettie's face, and she did not at once
+speak.
+
+"Hey?--what was it for?"--repeated Mr. Mathieson.
+
+The flush passed away. Nettie spoke very low, and with lips all of
+a quiver. "I remember. I was thinking, father, how 'all things are
+ready'--and I couldn't help wishing that you were ready too."
+
+"Ready for what?" said Mr. Mathieson, somewhat roughly. "All things
+ready for what?"
+
+"Ready for you," said Nettie. "Jesus is ready to love you, and calls
+you--and the angels are ready to rejoice for you--and I----"
+
+"Go on. What of you?"
+
+Nettie lifted her eyes to him. "I am ready to rejoice too, father."
+
+But the time of rejoicing was not yet. Nettie burst into tears.
+
+Mr. Mathieson was not angry, yet he flung away from her with a rude
+"Pshaw!" and that was all the answer she got. But the truth was, that
+there was something in Nettie's look of tenderness, and purity, and
+trembling hope, that her father's heart could not bear to meet; and,
+what is more, that he was never able to forget.
+
+Nettie went about her evening business, helping her mother, and keeping
+back the tears which were very near again; and Mr. Mathieson began to
+talk with Mr. Lumber, and everything was to all appearance just as it
+had been hitherto. And so it went on after that.
+
+  "Well I know thy troubles,
+    O My servant true!
+  Thou art very weary--
+    I was weary too:
+  But that toil shall make thee
+    Some day all Mine own;
+  And the end of sorrow
+    Shall be near My throne!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+_THE HOUSE-RAISING._[1]
+
+  "In your patience possess ye your souls."--_Luke_ xxi. 19.
+
+
+It grew colder and colder in Nettie's garret--or else she grew thinner
+and felt it more. She certainly thought it was colder. The snow came,
+and piled a thick covering on the roof, and stopped up some of the
+chinks in the clapboarding with its white caulking; and that made the
+place a little better: then the winds from off the snow-covered country
+were keen and bitter.
+
+     Footnote 1: A festival common in America on the completion of a
+                 house.
+
+One morning Nettie went to Barry secretly in his room, and asked him to
+bring the pail of water from the spring for her. Barry had no mind to
+the job.
+
+"Why can't mother do it," he said, "if you can't?"
+
+"Mother is busy and hasn't a minute. I always do it for her."
+
+"Well, why can't you go on doing it? You're accustomed to it, you see,
+and I don't like going out so early," said Barry, stretching himself.
+
+"I would, and I wouldn't ask you, only, Barry, somehow I don't think I'm
+quite strong lately, and I can hardly bring the pail--it's so heavy to
+me. I have to stop and rest ever so many times before I can get to the
+house with it."
+
+"Well, if you stop and rest, I suppose it won't hurt you," said Barry.
+"_I_ should want to stop and rest too, myself."
+
+His little sister was turning away, giving it up, when she was met by
+her father, who stepped in from the entry. He looked red with anger.
+
+"You take the pail, and go get the water!" said he to his son; "and you
+hear me! Don't you let Nettie bring in another pailful when you're at
+home, or I'll turn you out of the house. You lazy scoundrel! You don't
+deserve the bread you eat. Would you let her work for you, when you are
+as strong as sixty?"
+
+Barry's grumbled words in answer were so very unsatisfactory, that Mr.
+Mathieson in a rage advanced towards him with uplifted fist; but Nettie
+sprang in between, and very nearly caught the blow that was meant for
+her brother.
+
+"Please, father, don't!" she cried;--"please, father, don't be angry!
+Barry didn't think--he didn't----"
+
+"Why didn't he?" said Mr. Mathieson. "Great lazy rascal! He wants to be
+flogged."
+
+"Oh, don't!" said Nettie: "he didn't know why I asked him, or he
+wouldn't have refused me."
+
+"Why did you, then?"
+
+"Because it made my back ache so to bring it--I couldn't help asking
+him."
+
+"Did you ever ask him before?"
+
+"Never mind, please, father!" said Nettie, sweetly. "Just don't think
+about me, and don't be angry with Barry. It's no matter now."
+
+"Who does think about you? Your mother don't, or she would have seen to
+this before."
+
+"Mother didn't know my back ached. Father, you know she hasn't a minute:
+she is so busy getting breakfast in time; and she didn't know I wasn't
+strong enough. Father, don't tell her, please, I asked Barry. It would
+worry her so. Please don't, father."
+
+"_You_ think of folks, anyhow. You're a regular peacemaker!" exclaimed
+Mr. Mathieson, as he turned away and left her. Nettie stood still, the
+flush paling on her cheek, her hand pressed to her side.
+
+"Am I that?" she thought. "Shall I be that? O Lord, my Saviour, my dear
+Redeemer, send Thy peace here!" She was still in the same place and
+position when Barry came in again.
+
+"It's wretched work!" he exclaimed, under his breath, for his father was
+in the next room. "It's as slippery as the plague going down that path
+to the water: it's no use to have legs, for you can't hold up. I'm all
+froze stiff with the water I've spilt on me!"
+
+"I know it's very slippery," said Nettie.
+
+"And then you can't get at the water when you're there, without stepping
+into it--it's filled chuck full of snow and ice all over the edge. It's
+the most wretched work!"
+
+"I know it, Barry," said Nettie. "I am sorry you have to do it."
+
+"Why did you make me do it, then?" said he angrily. "You got it your own
+way this time. But never mind; I'll be even with you for it."
+
+"Barry," said his sister, "please do it just a little while for me,
+till I get stronger and don't mind; and as soon as ever I can I'll do it
+again. But you don't know how it made me ache all through, bringing the
+pail up that path."
+
+"Stuff!" said Barry. And from that time, though he did not fail to bring
+the water in the morning, yet Nettie saw he owed her a grudge for it all
+the day afterward. He was almost always away with his father, and she
+had little chance to win him to better feeling.
+
+So the winter slowly passed and the spring came. Spring months came, at
+least; and now and then, to be sure, a sweet spring day, when all nature
+softened; the sun shone mildly, the birds sang, the air smelt sweet with
+the opening buds.
+
+"There's that house-raising to-morrow, Nettie," said Mrs. Mathieson;
+"it's been on my mind this fortnight past, and it kills me."
+
+"Why, mother?"
+
+"I know how it will be," said Mrs. Mathieson: "they'll have a grand
+set-to after they get it up, and your father'll be in the first of it;
+and I somehow feel as if it would be the finishing of him. I wish almost
+he'd get ill--or anything to keep him away. They make such a time after
+a house-raising."
+
+"Oh, mother, don't wish that," said Nettie; but she began to think how
+it would be possible to withdraw her father from the frolic with which
+the day's business would be ended. Mr. Mathieson was a carpenter, and a
+fine workman, and always had plenty of work, and was much looked up to
+among his fellows.
+
+Nettie began to think whether _she_ could make any effort to keep her
+father from the dangers into which he was so fond of plunging. Hitherto
+she had done nothing but pray for him: could she do anything more, with
+any chance of good coming of it? She thought and thought, and resolved
+that she must try. It did not look hopeful; there was little she could
+urge to lure Mr. Mathieson from his drinking companions; nothing except
+her own timid affection and the one other thing it was possible to offer
+him--a good supper. How to get that was not so easy; but she consulted
+with her mother.
+
+Mrs. Mathieson said she used in her younger days to know how to make
+waffles[2], and Mr. Mathieson used to think they were the best things
+that ever were made: now, if Mrs. Moss, a neighbour, would lend her
+waffle-iron, and she could get a few eggs, she believed she could manage
+it still.
+
+     Footnote 2: _Waffles_, a species of sweet cake used on such
+                 festivals in America.
+
+"But we haven't the eggs, child," she said; "and I don't believe any
+power under heaven can get him to come away from that raising frolic."
+
+Nor did Nettie. It was to no power _under_ heaven that she trusted. But
+she must use her means. She easily got the iron from Mrs. Moss. Then she
+borrowed the eggs from Madame Auguste, who in Lent-time always had them;
+then she watched with grave eyes, and many a heart-prayer the while, the
+mixing and making of the waffles.
+
+"How do you manage the iron, mother?"
+
+"Why, it is made hot," said Mrs. Mathieson, "very hot, and buttered; and
+then, when the batter is light, you pour it in and clap it together, and
+put it in the stove."
+
+"But how can you pour it in, mother? I don't see how you can fill the
+iron."
+
+"Why, you can't, child; you fill one half, and shut it together: and
+when it bakes it rises up and fills the other half. You'll see."
+
+The first thing Nettie asked when she came home from school in the
+afternoon was, if the waffles were light?
+
+She never saw any look better, Mrs. Mathieson said. "But I forgot,
+child, we ought to have cinnamon and white sugar to eat on them. It was
+so that your father used to admire them; they won't be waffles without
+sugar and cinnamon. I'm afraid he'll think----but I don't believe you'll
+get him home to think anything about them."
+
+Mrs. Mathieson ended with a sigh. Nettie said nothing; she went round
+the room, putting it in particularly nice order, then set the table.
+When all that was right, she went up to her garret, and knelt down and
+prayed that God would take care of her and bless her errand. She put the
+whole matter in the Lord's hands; then she dressed herself in her hood
+and cloak, and went down to her mother. Mr. Mathieson had not come
+home to dinner, being busy with the house-raising; so they had had no
+opportunity to invite him, and Nettie was now on her way to do it.
+
+"It's turned a bad afternoon; I'm afraid it ain't fit for you to go,
+Nettie."
+
+"I don't mind," said Nettie. "Maybe I'll get some sugar and cinnamon,
+mother, before I come back."
+
+"Well, you know where the raising is; it's out on the Shallonway road,
+on beyond Mrs. August's a good bit."
+
+Nettie nodded and went out; and as the door closed on her grave, sweet
+little face, her mother felt a great strain on her heart. She would have
+been glad to relieve herself by tears, but it was a dry pain that would
+not be relieved so. She went to the window and looked out at the
+weather.
+
+  "Lord, Thy children guide and keep,
+    As with feeble steps they press
+  On the pathway rough and steep,
+    Through this weary wilderness.
+  Holy JESU, day by day
+  Lead us in the narrow way.
+
+  "There are stony ways to tread;
+    Give the strength we sorely lack.
+  There are tangled paths to thread;
+    Light us, lest we miss the track.
+  Holy JESU, day by day
+  Lead us in the narrow way."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+_THE WAFFLES._
+
+  "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways
+  my ways," saith the Lord.--_Isaiah_ lv. 8.
+
+
+The early part of the day had been brilliant and beautiful; then,
+March-like, it had changed about, gathered up a whole skyful of clouds,
+and turned at last to snowing. The large feathery flakes were falling
+now fast; melting as fast as they fell; making everything wet and
+chill, in the air and under the foot. Nettie had no overshoes: she was
+accustomed to get her feet wet very often, so that was nothing new. She
+hugged herself in her brown cloak, on which the beautiful snow-flakes
+rested white a moment and then melted away, gradually wetting the
+covering of her arms and shoulders in a way that would reach through
+by-and-bye. Nettie thought little of it. What was she thinking of? She
+was comforting herself with the thought of that strong and blessed
+Friend who has promised to be always with His servants, and remembering
+His promise, "They shall not be ashamed that wait for me." What did
+the snow and the wet matter to Nettie? Yet she looked too much like a
+snow-flake herself when she reached Mr. Jackson's store and went in.
+The white frost had lodged all round her old black silk hood, and even
+edged the shoulders of her brown cloak; and the white little face within
+looked just as pure.
+
+Mr. Jackson looked at her with more than usual attention; and when
+Nettie asked him if he would let her have a shilling's-worth of fine
+white sugar and cinnamon, and trust her till the next week for the
+money, he made not the slightest difficulty, but measured or weighed it
+out for her directly, and even said he would trust her for more than
+that. So Nettie thanked him, and went on to the less easy part of her
+errand. Her heart began to beat a little bit now.
+
+The feathery snowflakes fell thicker, and made everything wetter than
+ever; it was very raw and chill, and few people were abroad. Nettie went
+on, past the little bake-woman's house, and past all the thickly built
+part of the village. Then came houses more scattered--large handsome
+houses, with beautiful gardens and grounds, and handsome palings along
+the road-side. Past one or two of these, and then there was a space
+of wild ground; and here Mr. Jackson was putting up a new house for
+himself, and meant to have a fine place. The wild bushes grew in a thick
+hedge along by the fence, but over the tops of them Nettie could see the
+new timbers of the frame that the carpenters had been raising that day.
+She went on till she came to an opening in the hedge and fence as well,
+and then the new building was close before her. The men were at work
+yet, finishing their day's business; the sound of hammering rang sharp
+on all sides of the frame; some were up on the ladders, some were below.
+Nettie walked slowly up and then round the place, searching for her
+father. At last she found him. He and Barry, who was learning his
+father's trade, were on the ground at one side of the frame, busy as
+bees. Talking was going on roundly too, as well as hammering, and Nettie
+drew near and stood a few minutes without any one noticing her. She was
+not in a hurry to interrupt the work nor to tell her errand: she
+waited.
+
+Barry saw her first, but ungraciously would not speak to her nor for
+her. If she was there for anything, he said to himself, it was for some
+spoil-sport; and one pail of water a day was enough for him. Mr.
+Mathieson was looking the other way.
+
+"I say, Mathieson," called one of the men from the inside of the frame,
+"I s'pose 'tain't worth carrying any of this stuff--Jackson'll have
+enough without it?"
+
+The words were explained, to Nettie's horror, by a jug in the man's
+hands, which he lifted to his lips.
+
+"Jackson will do something handsome in that way to-night," said Nettie's
+father; "or he'll not do as he's done by, such a wet evening. But I've
+stood to my word, and I expect he'll stand to his'n."
+
+"He gave his word there was to be oysters, warn't it?" called another
+man, from the top of the ladder.
+
+"Punch and oysters," said Mathieson, hammering away, "or I've raised the
+last frame I ever _will_ raise for him. I expect he'll stand it."
+
+"Oysters ain't much 'count," said another speaker. "I'd rather have a
+slice of good sweet pork any day."
+
+"Father," said Nettie. She had come close up to him, but she trembled.
+What possible chance could she have?
+
+"Holloa!" said Mr. Mathieson, turning suddenly. "Nettie!--what's the
+matter, girl?"
+
+He spoke roughly, and Nettie saw that his face was red. She trembled all
+over, but spoke as bravely as she could.
+
+"Father, I am come to invite you home to supper to-night. Mother and I
+have a particular reason to want to see you. Will you come?"
+
+"Come where?" said Mr. Mathieson, but half understanding her.
+
+"Come home to tea, father. I came to ask you. Mother has made something
+you like."
+
+"I'm busy, child. Go home. I'm going to supper at Jackson's. Go home."
+
+He turned to his hammering again. But Nettie stood still in the snow and
+waited.
+
+"Father," she said, after a minute, coming yet closer and speaking more
+low.
+
+"What! ain't you gone?" exclaimed Mr. Mathieson.
+
+"Father," said Nettie, softly, "mother has made waffles for you; and you
+used to like them so much, she says; and they are light and beautiful,
+and just ready to bake. Won't you come and have them with us? Mother
+says they'll be very nice."
+
+"Why didn't she make 'em another time," grumbled Barry, "when we weren't
+going to punch and oysters? That's a better game."
+
+If Mathieson had not been drinking, he might have been touched by the
+sight of Nettie; so very white and delicate her little face looked,
+trembling and eager, within that border of her black hood, on which
+the snow crystals lay, a very doubtful and unwholesome embroidery. She
+looked as if she was going to melt and disappear like one of them; and
+perhaps Mr. Mathieson did feel the effect of her presence, but he felt
+it only to be vexed and irritated; and Barry's suggestion fell into
+ready ground.
+
+"I tell you, go home!" he said, roughly. "What are you doing here? I
+tell you I'm _not_ coming home--I'm engaged to supper to-night, and I'm
+not going to miss it for any fool's nonsense. Go home!"
+
+Nettie's lip trembled, but that was all the outward show of the
+agitation within. She would not have delayed to obey if her father had
+been quite himself; but in his present condition she thought perhaps
+the next word might undo the last; she could not go without another
+trial. She waited an instant, and again said softly and pleadingly,
+"Father, I've been and got cinnamon and sugar for you,--all ready."
+
+"Cinnamon and sugar--" he cursed with a great oath; and turning, gave
+Nettie a violent push from him, which was half a blow. "Go home!" he
+repeated--"go home and mind your own business, and don't take it upon
+you to mind mine."
+
+Nettie reeled, staggered, and coming blindly against one or two timbers
+that lay on the ground, she fell heavily over them. Nobody saw her; but
+that her father should have laid a rough hand on her hurt her sorely;
+it hurt her bitterly. He had never done so before; and the cause why he
+came to do it now rather made it more sorrowful than less so to Nettie's
+mind.
+
+She could not help a few salt tears from falling; and for a moment
+Nettie's faith trembled. Feeling weak, and broken, and miserable, the
+thought came coldly across her mind, _would_ the Lord not hear her,
+after all? It was but a moment of faith-trembling, but it made her
+ill. There was more to do that: the push and fall over the timbers had
+jarred her more than she knew at the moment. Nettie walked slowly back
+on her road till she neared the shop of Madame Auguste, then she felt
+herself growing very ill, and just reached the Frenchwoman's door to
+faint away on her steps.
+
+She did not remain there two seconds. Madame Auguste had seen her go by
+an hour before, and now sat at her window looking out to amuse herself,
+but with a special intent to see and waylay that pale child on her
+repassing the house. She saw the little black hood reappear, and started
+to open the door, just in time to see Nettie fall down at her threshold.
+As instantly, two willing arms were put under her, and lifted up the
+child and bore her into the house. Then Madame took off her hood, touched
+her lips with brandy, and her brow with Cologne water, and chafed her
+hands. She had laid Nettie on the floor of the inner room, and put a
+pillow under her head; the strength which had brought her so far having
+failed there, and proved unequal to lift her again and put her on the
+bed. Nettie presently came to, opened her eyes, and looked at her nurse.
+
+"Why, my Nettie," said the little woman, "what is this, my child? what
+is the matter with you?"
+
+"I don't know. But I must go home!" said Nettie, trying to raise
+herself. "Mother will want me--she'll want me."
+
+"You will lie still, like a good child," said her friend, gently
+putting her back on her pillow; "and I will find some person to carry
+you home--or some person what will bring your mother here. I will go
+see if I can find some one now. You lie still, Nettie."
+
+Nettie lay still, feeling weak after that exertion of trying to raise
+herself. She was quite restored now, and her first thoughts were of
+grief that she had for a moment failed to trust fully the Lord's
+promises. She fully trusted them now. Let her father do what he would,
+let things look as dark as they might, Nettie felt sure that "the
+rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" had a blessing in store for
+her. Bible words, sweet and long loved and rested on, came to her mind,
+and Nettie rested on them with perfect rest. "For He hath not despised
+nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath He hid His
+face from him; but when he cried unto Him, _He heard_." "Our heart shall
+rejoice in Him, _because we have trusted in His holy name_." Prayer for
+forgiveness, and a thanksgiving of great peace, filled Nettie's heart
+all the while the Frenchwoman was gone.
+
+Meanwhile Madame Auguste had been looking into the street, and seeing
+nobody out in the wet snow, she rushed back to Nettie. Nettie was like
+herself now, only very pale.
+
+"I must have cut my lip somehow," she said; "there's blood on my
+handkerchief. How did I come in here?"
+
+"Blood!" said the Frenchwoman; "where did you cut yourself, Nettie? Let
+me look!"
+
+Which she did, with a face so anxious and eager that Nettie smiled at
+her. Her own brow was as quiet and placid as ever it was.
+
+"How did I get in here, Mrs. August?"
+
+The Frenchwoman, however, did not answer her. Instead of which she went
+to her cupboard and got a cup and spoon, and then from a little saucepan
+on the stove dipped out some _riz-au-gras_ again.
+
+"What did you have for dinner, Nettie? you did not tell me."
+
+"Not much--I wasn't hungry," said Nettie. "Oh, I must get up and go home
+to mother."
+
+"You shall eat something first," said her friend; and she raised
+Nettie's head upon another pillow, and began to feed her with the
+spoon. "It is good for you. You must take it. Where is your father?
+Don't talk, but tell me. I will do everything right."
+
+"He is at work on Mr. Jackson's new house."
+
+"Is he there to-day?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+Madame Auguste gave her all the "broth" in the cup, then bade her
+keep still, and went to the shop window. It was time for the men to be
+quitting work, she knew; she watched for the carpenters to come,--if
+they were not gone by already!--how should she know? Even as she thought
+this, a sound of rude steps and men's voices came from down the road;
+and the Frenchwoman went to her door and opened it. The men came along,
+a scattered group of four or five.
+
+"Is Mr. Mat'ieson there?" she said. Madame Auguste hardly knew him by
+sight. "Men, I say! is Mr. Mat'ieson there?"
+
+"George, that's you; you're wanted," said one of the group, looking
+back; and a fine-looking tall man paused at Madame's threshold.
+
+"Are you Mr. Mat'ieson?" said the Frenchwoman.
+
+"Yes, ma'am. That's my name."
+
+"Will you come in? I have something to speak to you. Your little
+daughter Nettie is very ill."
+
+"Ill!" exclaimed the man. "Nettie!--Where is she?"
+
+"She is here. Hush! you must not say nothing to her, but she is very
+ill. She is come fainting at my door, and I have got her in here; but
+she wants to go home, and I think you had better tell her she will not
+go home, but she will stay here with me to-night."
+
+"Where is she?" said Mr. Mathieson; and he stepped in with so little
+ceremony that the mistress of the house gave way before him. He looked
+round the shop.
+
+"She is not here--you shall see her--but you must not tell her she is
+ill," said the Frenchwoman, anxiously.
+
+"Where is she?" repeated Mr. Mathieson, with a tone and look which made
+Madame Auguste afraid he would burst the doors if she did not open them.
+She opened the inner door without further preparation, and Mr. Mathieson
+walked in. By the fading light he saw Nettie lying on the floor at his
+feet. He was thoroughly himself now; sobered in more ways than one. He
+stood still when he had got there, and spoke not a word.
+
+"Father," said Nettie, softly.
+
+He stooped down over her. "What do you want, Nettie?"
+
+"Can't I go home?"
+
+"She must better not go home to-night," began Madame Auguste, earnestly,
+"it is so wet and cold! She will stay here with me to-night, Mr.
+Mat'ieson. You will tell her that it is best."
+
+But Nettie said, "_Please_ let me go home! mother will be so troubled."
+She spoke little, for she felt weak; but her father saw her very eager
+in the request. He stooped and put his strong arms under her, and lifted
+her up.
+
+"Have you got anything to put over her?" he said, looking round the
+room. "I'll fetch it back."
+
+Seeing that the matter was quite taken out of her hands, the kind little
+Frenchwoman was very quick in her arrangements. She put on Nettie's head
+a warm hood of her own; then round her and over her she wrapped a thick
+woollen counterpane, that to be sure would have let no snow through if
+the distance to be travelled had been twice as far. As she folded and
+arranged the thick stuff round Nettie's head, so as to shield even her
+face from the outer air, she said, half whispering,
+
+"I would not tell nothing to mother about your lip; it is not much. I
+wish I could keep you. Now she is ready, Mr. Mat'ieson."
+
+And Mr. Mathieson stalked out of the house and strode along the road
+with firm, swift steps, till, past Jackson's, and past the turning, he
+came to his own door, and carried Nettie upstairs. He never said a word
+the whole way. Nettie was too muffled up and too feeble to speak; so the
+first word was when he had come in and sat down in a chair, which he
+did with Nettie still in his arms. Mrs. Mathieson, standing white and
+silent, waited to see what was the matter; she had no power to ask a
+question. Her husband unfolded the counterpane that was wrapped round
+Nettie's head; and there she was, looking very like her usual self,
+only exceedingly pale. As soon as she caught sight of her mother's
+face, Nettie would have risen and stood up, but her father's arms held
+her fast. "What do you want, Nettie?" he asked. It was the first word.
+
+"Nothing, father," said Nettie, "only lay me on the bed, please; and
+then you and mother have supper."
+
+Mr. Mathieson took her to the bed and laid her gently down, removing the
+wet counterpane which was round her.
+
+"What is the matter?" faltered Mrs. Mathieson.
+
+"Nothing much, mother," said Nettie, quietly; "only I was a little ill.
+Won't you bake the waffles and have supper?"
+
+"What will _you_ have?" said her father.
+
+"Nothing--I've had something. I feel nicely now," said Nettie. "Mother,
+won't you have supper, and let me see you?"
+
+Mrs. Mathieson's strength had well-nigh deserted her; but Nettie's
+desire was urgent, and seeing that her husband had seated himself by the
+bed-side, and seemed to have no idea of being anywhere but at home that
+evening, she at length gathered up her faculties to do what was the best
+thing to be done, and went about preparing the supper. Nettie's eyes
+watched her, and Mr. Mathieson, when he thought himself safe, watched
+_her_. He did not look like the same man, so changed and sobered was
+the expression of his face. Mrs. Mathieson was devoured by fear, even
+in observing this; but Nettie was exceedingly happy. She did not feel
+anything but weakness; and she lay on her pillow watching the waffles
+baked and sugared, and then watching them eaten, wondering and rejoicing
+within herself at the way in which her father had been brought to eat
+his supper there at home after all. She was the only one that enjoyed
+anything, though her father and mother ate to please her. Mrs. Mathieson
+had asked an account of Nettie's illness, and got a very unsatisfactory
+one. She had been faint, her husband said; he had found her at Mrs.
+Auguste's, and brought her home; that was about all.
+
+After supper he came and sat by Nettie again, and said she was to sleep
+there, and he would go up and take Nettie's place in the attic. Nettie
+in vain said she was well enough to go upstairs; her father cut the
+question short, and bade Mrs. Mathieson go up and get anything Nettie
+wanted. When she had left the room he stooped his head down to Nettie
+and said low,
+
+"What was that about your lip?"
+
+Nettie started: she thought he would fancy it had it been done, if done
+at all, when he gave her the push at the frame-house. But she did not,
+dare not, answer. She said it was only that she had found a little blood
+on her handkerchief, and supposed she might have cut her lip when she
+fell on Mrs. Auguste's threshold, when she had fainted.
+
+"Show me your handkerchief," said her father. Nettie obeyed. He looked
+at it, and looked close at her lips, to find where they might have been
+wounded; and Nettie was sorry to see how much he felt, for he even
+looked pale himself as he turned away from her. But he was as gentle and
+kind as he could be! Nettie had never seen him so; and when he went off
+up to bed, and Nettie was drawn into her mother's arms to go to sleep,
+she was very, very happy. But she did not tell her hopes or her joys to
+her mother; she only told her thanks to the Lord; and that she did till
+she fell asleep.
+
+The next morning Nettie was well enough to get up and dress herself.
+That was all she was suffered to do by father or mother. Mr. Mathieson
+sent Barry for water and wood, and himself looked after the fire while
+Mrs. Mathieson was busy; all the rest he did was to take Nettie in his
+arms and sit holding her till breakfast was ready. He did not talk, and
+he kept Barry quiet: he was like a different man. Nettie, feeling indeed
+very weak, could only sit with her head on her father's shoulder, and
+wonder, and think, and repeat quiet prayers in her heart. She was very
+pale yet, and it distressed Mr. Mathieson to see that she could not eat.
+So he laid her on the bed when he was going to his work, and told her
+she was to stay there and be still, and he would bring her something
+good when he came home.
+
+He was as good as his word, and at night brought home some oysters, to
+tempt Nettie's appetite; but it was much more to her that he stayed
+quietly at home, and never made a move towards going out. Eating was not
+in Nettie's line just now; the kind little Frenchwoman had been to see
+her in the course of the day, and brought some delicious rolls and a jug
+of _riz-au-gras_, which was what seemed to suit Nettie's appetite best
+of all.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+_THE GOLDEN CITY._
+
+  "Blessed are the peacemakers."--_Matt._ v. 9.
+
+
+Several days went on. She did not feel ill, and she was a little
+stronger; but appetite and colour were wanting. Her father would not
+let her do anything; he would not let her go up to her garret to sleep,
+though Nettie pleaded for it, fearing he must be uncomfortable. He said
+it was fitter for him than for her, though he made faces about it. He
+always came home and stayed at home now, and especially attended to
+Nettie; his wages came home too, and he brought every day something to
+try to tempt her to eat; and he was quiet and grave and kind--not the
+same person.
+
+Mrs. Mathieson, in the midst of all her distress about Nettie, began
+to draw some free breaths. But her husband thought only of his
+child--unless, perhaps, of himself--and drew none. Regularly after
+supper he would draw Nettie to his arms, and sit with her head upon
+his shoulder; silent generally, only he would sometimes ask her what
+she would like. The first time he put this inquiry when Mr. Lumber
+was out of the way, Nettie answered by asking him to read to her. Mr.
+Mathieson hesitated a little, not unkindly, and then read--a chapter
+in the Bible, of course, for Nettie wished to hear nothing else. And
+after that he often read to her; for Mr. Lumber kept up his old habits
+and preferred livelier company, and so was always out in the evenings.
+
+So several days passed; and when Saturday came, Mr. Mathieson lost half
+a day's work, and took a long walk to a farm where the people kept
+pigeons, and brought home one for Nettie's supper. However, she could
+fancy but little of it.
+
+"What shall I do for you?" said her father. "You go round like a shadow,
+and you don't eat much more. What shall I do that you would like?"
+
+This time there was nobody in the room. Nettie lifted her head from his
+shoulders and met his eyes,
+
+"If you would come to Jesus, father!"
+
+"What does that mean, Nettie? You know I don't know."
+
+"It means, father, that Jesus is holding out His hand with a promise to
+you. Now, if you will take the promise,--that is all."
+
+"What is the promise, Nettie?"
+
+Nettie waited, gathered breath, for the talk made her heart beat, and
+then said, "'This is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal
+life.'"
+
+"How can a sinful man take such a promise?" said Mr. Mathieson, with
+suppressed feeling. "That is for people like you, Nettie, not me."
+
+"Oh, Jesus, has bought it!" cried Nettie; "it's free. It's without
+price. You may have it if you'll believe in Him and love Him, father.--I
+can't talk."
+
+She had talked too much, or the excitement had been too strong for her.
+Her words were broken off by coughing, and she remarked that her lip
+must have bled again. Her father laid her on the bed, and from that time
+for a number of days she was kept as quiet as possible; for her strength
+had failed anew, and yet more than at first.
+
+For two weeks she hardly moved from the bed. But except that she was so
+very pale, she did not look very ill; her face wore just its own patient
+and happy expression. Her father would not now let her talk to him; but
+he did everything she asked. He read to her in the Bible; Nettie would
+turn over the leaves to the place she wanted, and then point it out to
+him with a look of life, and love, and pleasure, that were like a whole
+sermon; and her father read first that sermon and then the chapter. He
+went to church as she asked him; and without her asking him, after the
+first Sunday. Nettie stayed at home on the bed, and sang psalms in her
+heart.
+
+After those two weeks there was a change for the better. Nettie felt
+stronger, looked more as she used to look, and got up and even went
+about a little. The weather was changing too, now. April days were
+growing soft and green; trees budding and grass freshening up, and
+birds all alive in the branches; and above all, the air and the light,
+the wonderful soft breath of spring, and sunshine of spring, made
+people forget that winter had ever been harsh or severe.
+
+Nettie went out and took little walks in the sun which seemed to do her
+good; and she begged so hard to be allowed to go to her garret again,
+that her father took pity on her, sent Mr. Lumber away, and gave her
+her old nice little room on the same floor with the others. Her mother
+cleaned it and put it in order, and Nettie felt too happy when she found
+herself mistress of it again, and possessed of a quiet place where she
+could read and pray alone. With windows open, how sweetly the spring
+walked in there, and made it warm, and bright, and fragrant too!
+
+Nettie wished she could sing, for she had often seen singing comfort
+her mother; but she had not the power to-day. She gave her the best she
+could. Her words, however, constantly carried hurt and healing together
+to her mother's mind. But when Nettie went on to repeat softly the verse
+of a hymn that follows, she was soothed, notwithstanding the hinted
+meaning in the words. So sweet was the trust of the hymn, so unruffled
+the trust of the speaker. The words were from a little bit of a book of
+translations of German hymns which Mr. Folke, her Sunday-school teacher,
+had brought her, and which was never out of Nettie's hand.
+
+  "As GOD leads me, so my heart
+    In faith shall rest.
+  No grief nor fear my soul shall part
+    From JESUS' breast.
+
+  "In sweet belief I know
+  What way my life doth go;
+  Since GOD permitteth so,
+  That must be best."
+
+Slowly she said the words, with her usual sober, placid face; and Mrs.
+Mathieson was mute.
+
+For some weeks, as the spring breathed warmer and warmer, Nettie
+revived; so much that her mother at times felt encouraged about her. Mr.
+Mathieson was never deceived. Whether his former neglect of his child
+had given him particular keenness of vision in all that concerned her
+now, or for whatever reason, _he_ saw well enough, and saw constantly,
+that Nettie was going to leave him. There was never a wish of hers
+uncared for now; there was not a straw suffered to lie in her path,
+that he could take out of it. He went to church, and he read at home;
+he changed his behaviour to her mother as well as to herself, and he
+brought Barry to his bearings. What more did Nettie want?
+
+One Sunday, late in May, her father came into her room to see her. He
+kissed her, and said a few words, and then went to the window and stood
+there looking out. Both were silent for some time, while the birds sang
+on.
+
+"Father," said Nettie.
+
+He turned instantly, and asked her what she wanted.
+
+"Father," said Nettie, "the streets of the heavenly city are all of
+gold."
+
+"Well," said he, meeting her grave eyes, "and what then, Nettie?"
+
+"Only I was thinking, if the _streets_ are gold, how clean must the feet
+be that walk on them!"
+
+He knew what her intent eyes meant, and he sat down by her bed-side and
+laid his face in his hands. "I am a sinful man, Nettie!" he said.
+
+"Father, 'this is a faithful saying, that Jesus Christ came into the
+world to save sinners.'"
+
+"I don't deserve He should save me, Nettie."
+
+"Well, father, ask Him to save you, _because_ you don't deserve it."
+
+"What sort of a prayer would that be?"
+
+"The right one, father; for Jesus does deserve it, and for His sake
+is the only way. If you deserved it, you wouldn't want Jesus; but
+now '_He_ is our peace.' Oh, father, listen, listen to what the Bible
+says." She had been turning the leaves of her Bible, and read low and
+earnestly, "'Now we are ambassadors for God, as though God did beseech
+you by us; we pray you, in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.'
+Oh, father, aren't you willing to be reconciled to Him?"
+
+"God knows I am willing!" said Mr. Mathieson.
+
+"_He_ is willing, I am sure," said Nettie.
+
+There was a long silence. Mr. Mathieson never stirred. Nor Nettie
+hardly. The words were true of her,--"He that believeth shall not make
+haste." She waited, looking at him. Then he said, "What must I do,
+Nettie?"
+
+"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ."
+
+"How, child?"
+
+"Father, the best way is to ask Him, and He will tell you how. If you
+are only willing to be His servant, if you are willing to give yourself
+to the Lord Jesus--are you willing, father?"
+
+"I am willing--anything!--if He will have me," said Mr. Mathieson.
+
+"Then go, father!" said Nettie, eagerly, "go and ask Him, and He will
+teach you how; He will! He has promised. Go, father, and ask the
+Lord--will you? Go now."
+
+Her father remained still a moment--then he rose up and went out of
+the room, and she heard his steps going up to the unused attic. Nettie
+crossed her hands upon her breast, and smiled. She was too much
+exhausted to pray otherwise than with a thought.
+
+Then slumber stole over her, and she slept sweetly and quietly while the
+hours of the summer afternoon rolled away. Her mother watched beside her
+for a long while before she awoke, and during that time read surely in
+Nettie's delicate cheek and too delicate colour what was the sentence
+of separation. She read it, and smothered the cry of her heart, for
+Nettie's sake.
+
+The sun was descending toward the western hill country, and long level
+rays of light were playing in the tree-tops, when Nettie awoke.
+
+"Are you there, mother?" she said--"and is the Sunday so near over? How
+I have slept!"
+
+"How do you feel, dear?"
+
+"Why, I feel well," said Nettie. "It has been a good day. The gold is
+all in the air here--not in the streets." She had half raised herself,
+and was sitting looking out of the window.
+
+"Do you think of that city all the time?" inquired Mrs. Mathieson, half
+jealously.
+
+"Mother," said Nettie, slowly, still looking out at the sunlight, "would
+you be very sorry, and very much surprised, if I were to go there before
+long?"
+
+"I should not be very much surprised, Nettie," answered her mother, in a
+tone that told all the rest. Her child's eye turned to her sorrowfully
+and understandingly.
+
+"You'll not be very long before you'll be there too," she said. "Now
+kiss me, mother."
+
+Could Mrs. Mathieson help it? She took Nettie in her arms, but instead
+of the required kiss, there came a burst of passion that bowed her head
+in convulsive grief against her child's breast.
+
+Ashamed of her giving way, Mrs. Mathieson checked herself and dried her
+tears. Nettie lay down wearily.
+
+"I will stay here, mother," she said, "till tea is ready; and then I
+will come."
+
+Mrs. Mathieson went to attend to it.
+
+When Nettie went into the other room, her father was sitting there. She
+said nothing, however, and even for some time did not look in his face
+to see what he might have to say to her. She took a cup of tea and a
+biscuit, and ate an egg that her mother had boiled for her. It was when
+supper was over, and they had moved from the table, and Mrs. Mathieson
+was busy about, that Nettie turned her eyes once more upon her father,
+with their soft, full inquiry. He looked grave, subdued, tender--she
+had heard that in his voice already; not as she had ever seen him look
+before. He met her eyes and answered them.
+
+"I understand it now, Nettie," he said; then drew her close within his
+arms; and without one word Nettie sat there, till for very happiness and
+weariness she fell asleep, and he carried her to her room.
+
+There was a great calm fell upon the family for a little time thereafter.
+It was like one of those spring days that were past--full of misty
+light, and peace, and hope, and promise. It was a breath of rest.
+
+But they knew it would end--for a time; and one summer day the end came.
+It was a Sunday again, and again Nettie was lying on her bed, enjoying
+in her weakness the loveliness of the air and beauty without. Her mother
+was with her, and knew that she had been failing very fast for some
+days. Nettie knew it too.
+
+"How soon do you think father will be home?" she said.
+
+"Not before another hour, I think," said Mrs. Mathieson. "Why, what of
+it, Nettie?"
+
+"Nothing----" said Nettie, doubtfully. "I'd like him to come."
+
+"It won't be long," said her mother.
+
+"Mother, I am going to give you my little dear hymn-book," said Nettie
+presently; "and I want to read you a hymn now, and then you will think
+of me when you read it. May I?"
+
+"Read," said Mrs. Mathieson; and she put up her hand to hide her face
+from Nettie. Nettie did not look, however; her eyes were on her hymn,
+and she read it, low and sweetly--very sweetly--through. There was no
+tremor in her voice, but now and then a little accent of joy or a shade
+of tenderness.
+
+Mrs. Mathieson's head bowed as the hymn went on, but she dared not give
+way to tears, and Nettie's manner half awed and half charmed her into
+quietness. When the reading ceased, and Mrs. Mathieson felt that she
+could look toward Nettie again, she saw that the book had fallen from
+her hand, and that she was almost fainting. Alarmed, instantly she
+called for help, and got one of the inmates of the house to go after
+Mr. Mathieson. But Nettie sank so fast, they were afraid he would not
+come in time. The messenger came back without having been able to find
+him; for after the close of the services in the church Mr. Mathieson had
+gone out of his way on an errand of kindness. Nettie herself was too low
+to ask for him, if indeed she was conscious he was not there. They could
+not tell; she lay without taking any notice.
+
+But just as the last rays of the sun were bright in the leaves of the
+trees and on the hills in the distance, Mr. Mathieson's step was heard.
+One of the neighbours met him and told him what he must expect; and
+he came straight to Nettie's room. And when he bent down over her and
+spoke, Nettie knew his voice, and opened her eyes, and once more smiled.
+It was like a smile from another country. Her eyes were fixed on him.
+Mr. Mathieson bent yet nearer and put his lips to hers; then he tried to
+speak.
+
+"My little peacemaker, what shall I do without you?"
+
+Nettie drew a long, long breath. "Peace--is--made!" she slowly said.
+
+And the peacemaker was gone.
+
+  "There's a rest for little children.
+    Above the bright blue sky,
+  Who love the blessed Saviour,
+    And to His Father cry,
+  A rest from every trouble,
+    From sin and danger free,
+  There every little pilgrim
+    Shall rest eternally.
+
+  "There's a home for little children,
+    Above the bright blue sky,
+  Where JESUS reigns in glory,
+    A home of peace and joy;
+  No home on earth is like it,
+    Nor can with it compare,
+  For every one is happy,
+    Nor can be happier there.
+
+  "There are crowns for little children,
+    Above the bright blue sky;
+  And all who look to JESUS
+    Shall wear them by-and-bye,
+  Yea, crowns of brightest glory,
+    Which He shall sure bestow
+  On all who love the Saviour
+    And walk with Him below."
+
+
+
+
+TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE
+
+Hyphenation is inconsistent, and some of the punctuation is non-standard.
+The helpful French lady appears as Madame Auguste in the narrative,
+but as Mrs. August when she is addressed in English. One instance of
+Mathison was changed to match all the Mathiesons.
+
+One additional change was made to the text:
+
+ "That would make the fire worse," said one of girls.
+ now reads:
+ "That would make the fire worse," said one of the girls.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Little Nettie, by 
+Susan Bogert Warner and Anna Bartlett Warner
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LITTLE NETTIE ***
+
+***** This file should be named 35983.txt or 35983.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/9/8/35983/
+
+Produced by Delphine Lettau and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.