"Tell me more; I see it plainer now," said John; and as he spoke a fit of coughing racked his feeble frame. Little Ben was sitting and watching first one and then the other intently. Mrs. Frankham continued, "In order to get rest and peace we need to see that we were lost; could do nothing to save ourselves; but that Jesus stretched out a strong arm to save us. He undertook our cause, and bore our sin in His own body on the cross. _There_ God punished sin. _There_ Jesus put it away, and rose without it; and from heaven He offers a free pardon to all who flee to Him--who put their trust in Him." A smile lighted up the face of the sick man, and he forgot himself and his unfaithfulness, and began to praise the Saviour. After a few more words, Mrs. Frankham said-- "Can you rest in His love now?" "Yes; I can," he replied. "Don't look into yourself then, but fix your eye on Him. Shall we pray together before we part?" "Yes, I was turning round for it," he said, trying to change his position in the bed. The lady prayed that Satan's fiery darts might be quenched by the poor sufferer keeping up the shield of faith, and that his eye might be fixed on Jesus. Then Ben and she left, both promising to come back again the next afternoon. The little boy was much concerned about poor John, and very anxious to know that he was going to live with Jesus in heaven. Next morning he rose early, and going into the field, plucked a posy of the best wild flowers he could, and then set off to Mrs. Craig's cottage and left them with her, for poor John. The old mother was delighted with the little boy's thoughtfulness, and she asked him in to see her son, who was also glad to speak a few kind words to Ben, and thank him heartily for the flowers. "I should like something with a strong smell," he said. "It refreshes me." Ben returned and searched the garden until he found a piece of Southernwood, or "old man," as it is called. Then, after school, he watched for Mrs. Frankham, and, all excitement, he cried out as soon as he saw her at the gate, "The poor sick man wanted a bit of something sweet, and I've got a bit of 'old man.' Come and see him. Do come and tell him more; I want to see him again." "I thought of going on a little farther first, Ben," she said smiling; but as he urged her to go at once, she consented, and they set off to the little red cottage. Again a warm welcome was given, and John held the Southernwood between his hands, that the scent might revive him, while Mrs. Craig took Ben into the next room to show him some of John's attempts at painting, of which the mother was very proud. Mrs. Frankham told John of Ben's anxiety to come and see him, and how he wanted to know that his soul was safe. The young man seemed much struck with the little child's desire, and it greatly pleased him. "Satan has been trying to tempt me to doubt, but my Saviour is near, and now if it pleases Him to take me I am both ready and willing to go."