“Did you know there was a God?” he asked earnestly.

“To be sure, lad,” replied the old woman, surprised.

“I’ve just learned about Him in this wonderful book; the Book of Life is its name.  Saw you ever one like it?”

The boy placed the rusty little volume in her hands.

“Ay, lad, many times.”

“Does every one know it?” he asked incredulously.

“Most people do.”

“Then why is not every one happy?” asked Gabriel.  “There is a God and He is love.  Do people believe it?”

“Ah,” returned the old woman dryly, “that is a different thing.”

Gabriel scarcely heard her.  He opened his precious book.

“There,” he cried triumphantly, “see the living words:—­

“’Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’”

“H’m,” said the old woman.  “The print is too fine for my old eyes.”

“Yes, perhaps ’tis for that that the letters flame like threads of fire.  You see them?”

“Ahem!” returned Mother Lemon, for she saw no flaming letters, and she looked curiously at the boy’s radiant face.  Moreover, Tommy suddenly leaped from her shoulder to his.  All signs of the cat’s fear and anger had vanished, and as it rubbed its sleek fur against Gabriel’s cheek, it purred so loudly that Mother Lemon marveled.

“Had my father studied this book he might have been happy,” continued the boy; “but he is offended with me and has sent me out into the world, and well I know that an unhappy heart drives him.”

“Go back, boy, and make your peace with him,” cried Mother Lemon excitedly, “or you will get nothing.”

“Oh, I have received what I asked for.  I asked to have this cottage, and he gave it to me, and I have come now to give it to you, Mother Lemon.”

“My lad!” exclaimed the amazed woman, and her eyes swam with sudden tears.

“You will have no more rent to pay,” said Gabriel, stroking the cat.

“And what is to become of you?” asked the woman, much moved.

“I cannot go home,” replied the boy quietly; “and in any case I have to give Topaz, the dog, back to his owner.  Why do you weep, Mother Lemon?  Haven’t I God to take care of me, and isn’t He greater than all men?”

“Yes, lad.  The Good Book says He is king of heaven and earth.”

“Then if you believe it, why are you sad?”

Mother Lemon dried her eyes, and at this moment they heard a great scratching on the door of the shed; for Topaz had wakened from a nap and heard Gabriel’s voice.

“Ah, that I had never given you the penny!” wailed the old woman, “for then you would not have bought the yellow dog and gone away where I shall see you no more.”

Gabriel’s sober face smiled.  “Yes, you will see me again, Mother Lemon, when my fortune is made.  You have God, too, you know.”