They got into each other’s arms at last, and pressed cheek to cheek and kissed each other many times; but the first word was Mrs. Landholm’s, saying,

“Come —­ we had better go and get tea —­ Asahel will be back directly.”

Asahel came back in good spirits, having had his cry on the road, and they all took tea with what cheerfulness they might.  But after tea Winifred sat in the chimney corner gazing into the fire, very still and pale and worn-looking; her sober blue eyes intently fixed on something that was not there.  Very intently, so that it troubled her mother; for Winifred had not strength of frame to bear strong mind-working.  She watched her.

“What, mamma?” said the little girl with a half start, as a hand was laid gently and remindingly upon her shoulder.

“I should rather ask you what,” said her mother tenderly.  “Rest, daughter, can’t you?”

“I wasn’t worrying, mamma.”

“Wa’n’t you?”

“I was thinking of ’They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.’”

“Why, dear?”

“I am so glad I can wash mine, mother.”

“Yes —­ Why, my dear child?”

“There are so many spots on them.”

Her mother stooped down beside her and spoke cheerfully.

“What are you thinking of now, Winnie?”

“Only, mamma, I am glad to think of it,” she said, nestling her sunny little head in her mother’s neck.  “I wanted yesterday that Will and Governor should have better clothes.”

“Well, Winnie, I wanted it too —­ I would have given them better if I had had them.”

“But mamma, ought I to have wished that?”

“Why yes, dear Winnie; it is a pleasant thing to have comfortable clothes, and it is right to wish for them, provided we can be patient when we don’t get them.  But still I think dear Governor and Will will be pretty comfortable this winter.  We will try to make them so.”

“Yes mamma, —­but I wanted them to be smart.”

“It is right to be smart, Winnie, if we aren’t too smart.”

“I wish I could be always just right, mamma.”

“The rightest thing will be for you to go to sleep,” said her mother, kissing her eyes and cheeks.  “I’ll be through my work directly and then you shall sit in my lap and rest —­ I don’t want to sew to-night.  Winnie, the good Shepherd will gather my little lamb with his arm and carry her in his bosom, if she minds his voice; and then he will bring her by and by where she shall walk with him in white, and there will be no spots on the white any more.”

“I know.  Make haste, mother, and let us sit down together and talk.”

So they did, with Asahel at their feet; but they didn’t talk much.  They kept each other silent and soft companionship, till Winifred’s breathing told that she had lost her troubles in sleep on her mother’s bosom.

“Poor little soul! she takes it hard,” said Karen.  “She’s ’most as old as her mother now.”