“I now am of that little flock
   Which Christ doth call His own,
For all His sheep He knows by name,
   And He of them is known."’

‘Let us call upon your good Shepherd, Agnes,’ said the pastor, and the child turned her face towards him as if she understood him.  Kneeling down, he repeated the Lord’s Prayer, and the feeble voice followed his.  He then read the prayer for a sick child, and left the room, for he saw that Lily would be quite overcome if she remained there any longer.  Mrs. Eden followed them downstairs, and again stung poor Lily to the heart by thanks for all her kindness.

They then left the house of mourning; Lily trembled violently, and clung to her cousin’s arm for support.  Her tears streamed fast, but her sobs were checked by awe at Mrs. Eden’s calmness.  She felt as if she had been among the angels.

‘How pale you are!’ said her cousin, ’I would not have taken you there if I thought it would overset you so much.  Come into Mrs. Grey’s, and sit down and recover a little.’

‘No, no, do not let me see any one,’ said Lily.  ’Oh! that dear child!  Robert, let me tell you the worst, for your kindness is more than I can bear.  I promised Agnes a blister and forgot it!’

She could say no more for some minutes, but her cousin did not speak.  Recovering her voice, she added, ‘Only speak to me, Robert.’

‘I am very sorry for you,’ answered he, in a kind tone.

‘But tell me, what shall I do?’

‘What to do, you ask,’ said the Rector; ’I am not sure that I know what you mean.  If your neglect has added to her sufferings, you cannot remove them; and I would not add to your sorrow unless you wished me to do so for your good.’

‘I do not see how I could be more unhappy than I am now,’ said Lily.

’I think if you wish to turn your grief to good account you must go a little deeper than this omission.’

‘You mean that it is a result of general carelessness,’ said Lily; ’I know I have been in an odd idle way for some time; I have often resolved, but I seem to have no power over myself.’

’May I ask you one question, Lily?  How have you been spending this Lent?’

‘Robert, you are right,’ cried Lily; ’you may well ask.  I know I have not gone to church properly, but how could you guess the terrible way in which I have been indulging myself, and excusing myself every unpleasant duty that came in my way?  That was the very reason of this dreadful neglect; well do I deserve to be miserable at Easter, the proper time for joy.  Oh! how different it will be.’

‘It will be, I hope, an Easter marked by repentance and amendment,’ said the Rector.