"But why must we have our lamps lighted. Esther?" asked the little one; "I go to sleep all night." "Yes," said Esther; "but every night before I go to sleep I trim and light my lamp, and then, if the King were to come, I should only have to jump up and run out to welcome Him." "But I should take hold of your hand, Esther!" said the little man. "Oh, but the King says we must _obey_, Ernest; it is of no use thinking you will do all those things. You might not be able to find me in the dark, nor find the King. He tells us to ask for the Golden Oil, and to trim the golden lamp, and we have nothing to do but obey." Esther pressed his little hand, and they hastened on. Presently, just by the side of the road I saw a Herald standing, with an open book in his hand, and though I could not catch all the words he said, I saw that the children understood. "I do not like to go in," little Ernest was urging, as he pulled back Esther's hand; "I am afraid to." "But the Herald says, 'Whosoever _will_,' that means you, Ernest darling." Then they turned in under an archway, Ernest, now that his mind was made up, running on before. Esther waited just inside the gate. She could not follow right into the chamber where the Oil was given away, for each one who would get his vessel filled with the Golden Oil must go in alone to receive it. In a very few minutes Ernest came out again, bearing the golden pitcher full of Golden Oil. His face was radiant, and as he took Esther's hand once more, he looked up into her face with large, wondering eyes. "Esther," he said, "the King came down and spoke to me Himself, and put His hand on my head, and charged me to listen to the Herald's message, and to obey." Esther's eyes glistened. "Is He not a gracious King, Ernest?" she said. As my eyes followed these children I perceived that the possession of the Golden Oil seemed to bring them happiness and peace. Everywhere they went they did loving little actions, said kind little words. Sometimes I wondered at the very smallness of these actions and words; and yet, as I noticed the faces brighten on whom they fell, I knew that they were understood and appreciated. By-and-by Esther joined the group of children from whom she had parted but a while ago. The sun had risen higher in the heavens, and had begun to descend by the time she and Ernest returned to them; but still they were where they had been, and were occupied in much the same way as before. The tall boy in the grass had sauntered away for a walk with another companion, and though he again passed the Herald, his warning voice was still unheeded. Esther sat down by the girl whom I had observed as being anxious about the Golden Oil, and as little Ernest ran to play with some other children Esther said, "I wish you had been with us, Allea; we have had such a happy morning." "I cannot see that a walk with a little prattling brother can give such delight," she answered.