But while I pondered on these things, I saw a little glimmering light in a casement, and seemed drawn to approach near enough to see what it was. As I came close I could see the interior of a small chamber; hard by on a couch lay Esther, fast asleep, with her little brother's arms flung about her neck. Close beside them, and still fastened by golden links to their waists, stood the two Golden Lamps, burning brightly and steadily, while a King's Messenger, arrayed in white apparel, waited near, guarding the sleepers and the Lamps with watchful care. Long did I look, and was at last turning away, when a strange sound startled the midnight air: "Your King cometh! your King cometh!" At the words, so long looked for, so eagerly expected, Esther sprang from her rest, caught her Lamp in her hand, looked round with joyful eyes for her little brother, who had also heard that cry, and then both ran out to meet the King. Did I see their companion of the evening before, holding aloft a Golden Lamp too, to welcome Him? And then I thought I heard confused tones of regret, and sorrow, and wailing disappointment, as one and another, awakened by the lights and glad sounds, hastened from their couches--not to meet the King; alas! no--but to find He had come, and had taken those who were ready, into His glorious Palace, to go no more out for ever. * * * * * "Agnes," said Minnie, looking up solemnly into her sister's face, "I think I know, but isn't the Oil in that story meant for the Holy Spirit?" "Yes, darling, and the promise stands fresh and sure now, as it did eighteen hundred years ago, 'If ye...know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him.'" [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER XI. _A CUPBOARD OF RUBBISH._ "What are you searching for?" asked Agnes, entering the schoolroom the next morning, which was littered over from end to end. Her brothers and sisters were busily engaged in turning out a large cupboard, and the contents were scattered all over the room. They looked up with rather flushed faces. "Oh, Agnes," exclaimed Minnie eagerly, "we are sorting my old toys over, to see what I can spare." "What for?" asked Agnes. "Don't you know? Why, for those poor little children who haven't any toys or pleasures!" "Which children? I never heard." "Didn't you? not what mother told us the other day?" "No," said Agnes, sitting down by the fire and surveying the confusion with some curiosity. "Then _I'll_ tell you," burst out Hugh. "Yes, you tell her," said Minnie.