"God will care for us, Olive," said she with a faltering voice. "He will know and care; He who never closes the door against us." And gently we withdrew the logs which formed our protection. "Set the light in the window," Gammer said. By the window she meant a rough crevice in the wall, with a canvas curtain hung before it. Aunt Gretel ventured a little remonstrance. "Hardly that to-night," said she. "It might guide any evil-disposed people here." "It will guide her, and what does it matter for anything else?" said Gammer Grindle, almost fiercely. "She knew there was always a light burning, and if she saw none, she might think I was dead, and turn away." And the lamp was placed in the window. Then another long silence, broken again by Gammer. "What'll they think's come to you, my mistresses? What a selfish old woman I've been. Why didn't I let them do for me, and be quiet. I never knew before what fear was. I've wished to die scores of times; but when death came near, I clung to life like a drowning dog or cat, and never cared who I pulled in to save myself. I never thought I should live to be such a pitiful old coward. But the Lord's against me," she cried, going back to her old wail--"the Lord's against me. Everybody says so, and it must be true. He not only leaves me to be drowned; He leaves me also to be as selfish and wicked as I will. The Lord's against me. Why did you try to save me? I must fall into His hands at last!" This was exactly what Aunt Gretel never could hear with patience. "You are a little better than those bad men, my dear woman," said she. "You, none of you, can see the difference between the good God and the devil. You talk of falling into His hands, as if His arms were hell. And all the while He is stretching out His arms that you may fall on His heart. You slander, grandmother, you slander God!" she added. "He is not against you; you are against Him." "Much the same in the end," moaned poor Gammer, "if we're going against each other." "It is not the same," said Aunt Gretel. "You can turn and go with Him, and He will not have to drive you home. You can bow under his yoke, and you will not feel it heavy. You can bow under His rod, and you will find it comfort you as much as His staff." "Not so easy, mistress," said Gammer, after a pause. "I have turned from Him so long, how can I know if I should have a welcome?" "That is what Cicely is waiting for, Gammer," I whispered, kneeling down beside. "But the door is open and the light is burning for her. If she could only know! if she could only have a glimpse _inside_!" "If she could only know!" murmured the poor old woman, her eyes moistening as she turned from the thought of her own sorrows to those of her lost child. And she said no more. But there was something in the quiet of her face which made me hope that she herself had got a "glimpse inside." And soon afterwards she fell asleep.