Lucy Raymond; Or, The Children's WatchwordMachar, Agnes Maule
Religion
Lucy Raymond; Or, The Children's Watchword
Machar, Agnes Maule
Children -- Religious life
Mrs. Brooke, apart from her really kind intentions towards her
sister's orphan daughter, was determined that Lucy, who was to be
Stella's constant companion, should not, by shabby or old-fashioned
dress, disgrace the family in the eyes of her critical fashionable
associates; so it was determined, without reference to Lucy, that Ada
and Sophy should take her out forthwith on a shopping excursion, to
provide her with what Mrs. Brooke considered essential for her
creditable appearance as a member of her family.
After her first uncomfortable feeling had worn off, Lucy really
enjoyed her expedition, everything--the busy streets, the crowded
buildings, the rattling carts and carriages; above all, the
gaily-decorated shop windows--having so much of the charm of novelty
for a country girl. The windows of the print-shops and book-stores in
particular she thought so attractive, that she wondered how the
hurrying passers-by could go on their way without even a glance at
their treasures.
The shopping was easily accomplished under Ada's experienced
superintendence, and might have been accomplished much more quickly,
Lucy thought, had it not been that her cousins would spend so much
time in looking over articles which they had no intention of buying,
thereby, she thought, putting the obliging shopmen to an immense deal
of trouble, and sadly wasting their own morning. But neither of her
companions had much sense of the value of time, having no higher aim
in living than that of passing it as pleasantly as possible.
At last the important business was concluded, just in time for them to
get home for lunch. Lucy felt very tired after her unwonted expedition
over the hard city streets, with their bewildering noise and
confusion, and was glad to get away as soon as possible to rest. She
soon fell asleep, and when she awoke she found Amy sitting quietly
beside her, playing with her doll.
"Won't you look at my doll, Cousin Lucy?" she said. "I got her on my
birthday. Her name is Lucy, after _you_."
"After _me_?" said Lucy, surprised. "Did you call her after me before
I came?"
"Yes," replied Amy timidly; "for Stella said you were nice, and I
should love you."
"I hope you will, dear," said Lucy, touched and gratified, and she
kissed her little cousin affectionately, looking pityingly at the
pale, delicate face and fragile form. She had always wished to have a
little sister of her own, and her heart was quite disposed to take the
little girl into a sister's place. She drew her closer, and after
talking a little about the doll, she said:
"Does Amy love the good, kind Saviour, who came to die for her?"
The child looked up with a puzzled expression.
"Jesus, you know," added Lucy, thinking that name might be more
familiar.
"That is Jesus that my hymn is about. Nurse taught me, 'Gentle Jesus,
meek and mild.'"
"Yes. Well, don't you love Him, Amy? He loves you very much."
"Does He love me?" asked Amy. "How do you know?"
"Because He says so."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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