"Well, you believe me? And now, my child, that is all you and I can do. And nevertheless, a time might come when you might want help and comfort, that is all I am saying; and I want to give you one or two things to remember in case such a time ever does come, and I am not at hand to ask. Get your Bible, and a pencil." He let her hand loose, and Rotha obeyed immediately. "Find the fourth chapter of John, and read to the fourteenth verse." Rotha did so. "What do you think the Lord meant?" Rotha studied, and would have said she "did not know," only she had found by experience that Mr. Digby never would take that answer from her in a case like the present. "I suppose," she said, speaking slowly, and vainly endeavouring to find words that quite suited her,--"he meant--something like-- He meant, that he could give her something good, that would last." Mr. Digby smiled. "That would last always, and never fail, nor change, nor wear out its goodness." "But, Mr. Digby, I should not want to stop being thirsty, because I should lose the pleasure of drinking." Mr. Digby smiled again. "Did you think _that_ was what the Lord promised? What would be the use of that 'well of water, springing up into everlasting life'? No, he meant only, that thirst and thirst and thirst as you will, the supply should always be at hand and be sufficient." Rotha gave one of her quick glances of comprehension, which it was always pleasant to meet. "Then go on, and tell me what is this living water which the Lord will give?" "I suppose--do you mean--religion?" she said, after another pause of consideration. "Religion is a rather vague term--people understand very different things under it. But if by 'religion' you mean the knowledge, the loving knowledge, of God,--you are right. Living water, in the Bible, constantly typifies the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart; and what He does, where he is received, is, to shew us Christ." "Then how can people be thirsty, after they have got the knowledge?" inquired Rotha. But Mr. Digby's smile was very sweet this time, and awed her. "After you have once come to know and love a friend," said he, turning his eyes upon Rotha, "are you satisfied, and want to see and hear no more of him?" "Is religion like that?" said Rotha. "Just like that. What the Lord Jesus offers to give us is himself. Now suppose the time come when you greatly desire to receive this gift, what are you going to do?" "I don't know. Pray?" "Certainly. But how? There are different ways of praying; and there is just one way which the Lord promises shall never miss what it asks for." "I don't know but one way," said Rotha. "Are you sure you know _one?_ It takes more than words to make a prayer. But turn to the second chapter of Proverbs. Read the third and fourth and fifth verses." Rotha read, and made no comment. "You see? You understand?" "Yes, Mr. Digby."