On this particular afternoon he felt more than usually dull. The glimpse he had got of Robin and his happy home interests made him long to share again in the latter’s pursuits. Neither his rabbits nor his dog seemed altogether satisfying after having once tasted the joy of a congenial friend. "I’ll go down to the Cottage," he said to himself, "and see how Peter is getting on in his new hutch. I know father’s gone off in the motor to call at the earl’s, and he can’t be back for an hour at least, so I’m pretty safe not to be caught." There was no one in the garden as he walked up the little path, but just as he reached the door of the house Robin rushed out with a paint-box in his hand. "Hullo, Julius, is that you?" he said, coming suddenly to a stand. "Hullo, Robin," was the reply. "How’s Peter?" Without more ado the two boys made their way to the rabbit’s dwelling, and stood for a few moments wrapt in contemplation of their joint handiwork. "I mustn’t keep mother waiting any longer," said Robin at last. "I’m going to paint a text while she reads to me. We’re sitting in the summer-house, as it’s so hot in the sun." "What do you mean by painting a text?" asked Julius. "I thought texts were in the Bible." "You _are_ funny, Julius," replied Robin. "Of course they’re in the Bible, but these are printed on cards in nice big letters with borders and flowers. I’m allowed to paint them on Sunday, and they’re really jolly to do." It was not long before Julius was introduced to the series of large outline texts which Robin displayed with pride and the eager energy which characterized his every action. "If you like," he said, "perhaps mother will let you paint one with her colours. She’s lent me her paint-box as it’s so much better than mine." "I’ve got a far finer one than that," remarked Julius, "with ever so many more paints in it." Robin looked up in surprise at the unmannerly comment, but his mother signed to him to pass it by, and spread out the texts for the boys to choose. "I find there are two exactly alike," she said, "suppose you each take one, and we’ll see who gets on the better." Robin read out the words as she held them up for him to see. "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." "That’s my favourite verse," he added. "Let’s paint that." "I don’t think that’s at all a nice one," said Julius. "I don’t want God’s eyes to be always looking down at me, seeing everything I do." "It just depends on how you feel about God," said Mrs. Power, "whether you look upon Him as your enemy or as your friend. You remind me of two little stories I once heard. I’ll tell them to you and then you’ll understand what I mean.