“But ‘Ruthie’ did not run. I sat as still as a stone. ‘Ruth!’ said my grandfather, astonished, while my cousin Stephen laid aside his book, and went toward the door: ‘I can’t open doors for her!’ I burst forth; ‘not if she burns herself up! She tore my exercise into little bits, and I hate her!’ “Children, don’t you feel ashamed of your Grandma? Was ever such a wicked and at the same time silly little burst of rage? It ended with a perfect flood of tears. Grandfather was a wise man, and felt that this was no time for explanations, but as I hurried from the room, I heard cousin Stephen’s mocking voice saying: ‘Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.’ “It dried my tears in a minute, that verse did. All the Sunday evening talk, and my boastful words, came back to me, and I just _hated_ myself, as I sat in my own little room in the dark, and went over the whole thing. How angry I had been with Priscilla; and yet, only three days before, I had wanted an enemy, that I might show everybody how noble I was! After awhile I cried again; but I don’t think there was any anger in those tears. I did feel so _ashamed_, and so disappointed in myself. To think that the Lord Jesus could wash the feet of Judas, and I could not open a door for a little girl who had torn my paper! I did want to be a good girl, and follow my Saviour’s example; and it seemed so dreadful to have failed! “It was a very meek and miserable little girl who stole around to grandfather’s side that evening, in answer to his gentle call. In a low voice, and with a few tears dropping quietly, I told him the whole sad story; and I can seem to hear his voice yet, as he said, sorrowfully, after a few minutes: ‘Yes poor little girl; you are learning how much easier it is to resolve, than to _do_. ”If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them,“ the Saviour said.’ “Mercy was at the piano again, touching the keys softly; she began to sing in a low voice: Arise, my soul, arise; Shake off thy guilty fears; The bleeding sacrifice In my behalf appears; Before the throne my surety stands, My name is graven on his hands— “‘Yes,’ said my grandfather, and he placed his dear old hand on my head, ‘little Ruth must try again; He knows all about it, and will forgive her; it was because He knew she couldn’t be gentle, and forgiving, and loving, all alone, that He came down here, and lived, and died.’ “I’ve never forgotten it, children; but I can tell you one thing; it was a long time before I did any more boasting. It was a long time before cousin Stephen could see me, without beginning, ‘Let him that thinketh,’ and laughing a little.” There was silence in the audience for a few minutes after Grandma’s voice ceased; then Ralph made his speech: “Well, I think Priscilla was a bad, wicked girl; and ought to have been punished.” PANSY. A FRIEND IN NEED.