Well, that was out of the question—­Stevie sighed heavily—­Jesus was in heaven now, and He didn’t do those miracles any more; but—­since He had been a Boy Himself He must know just how hard it was for some boys—­like Dave and himself, for instance—­to be good; perhaps He would help them if they asked Him.  Stevie had his doubts whether Dave would ask; he made fun of Stevie whenever he said anything of that kind—­which wasn’t often; but he (Stevie) could ask for both, and particularly that Jesus would put it into Dave’s heart to make up this quarrel—­he did so hate to be the first to give in.

Then, all at once, the eyes that were staring so steadily up at the blue sky grew very tender, and Stevie’s lips moved.

What he said I do not know; but after that he sprang up and ran quickly into Dave’s room, up to his couch.  “Say, Dave,” he remarked, in the most off-hand way, “I’ll fix up your pillows, then you tell me all about that base-ball team you used to belong to; you said you would—­you know, the one that knocked spots out of those other fellers.”

Dave lay with his head turned to the wall, his eyes closed; but as Stevie spoke he opened them and looked up, a bright smile flashing over his pale face.  “All right, sir, I’m your man,” he answered, readily.  “Pick up the things round the room first, so the ‘dragon’ won’t know we’ve had a fight, and then I’ll begin.  And—­I say, Stevie—­I—­I’m going to turn over a new leaf—­sure, and the next time I act as I did this morning just hit me on the head, will you?  I’ll deserve it.”  Which from Dave was a full, ample, and most honorable apology, and as such Stevie took it.

A few days later Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence returned home, much to the satisfaction and happiness of the children, who had, as Eva said, “lots and lots” to tell them.  Then when the three older folks were alone together, Miss Higginson told her story.  “I’ve watched ’em close, and seen and heard more than those boys ever dreamed I did,” she finished up, “and I say that our Stevie’s a hero—­though he doesn’t know it.  What he’s stood with that Dave can’t be told, and never a word of complaint out of him.  And, do you know, I really think he’s improved Dave as well as himself in the matter of temper.”

“A Christian and an American,” Mr. Lawrence said, with a glad thrill in his voice, smiling over at Stevie’s mamma, whose shining eyes smiled back at him.  “Thank God, our boy is rising to his responsibilities.  But don’t let him know he’s done anything wonderful, Hitty.”

“I’ll not tell him,” promised the old housekeeper.  “But the good Book tells us, ’He that ruleth his spirit is greater than he that taketh a city;’ and seeing that’s so, America’s got no call to be ashamed of Stevie, for though he’s not an angel by any means, yet in his way he’s a hero as sure as was ever George Washington or Paul Revere, or my name’s not Mehitabel Higginson!”

***End of the project gutenberg EBOOK the children’s portion***