him so lovingly that it was just too much for him. The tears
came into his eyes, and Arthur went sobbing up the stairs, not noticing
that he was holding the candle on one side, and that his way could be
traced along the carpet by large white spots. Somebody else noticed it the
next morning; and the housemaid thought that her mistress had done a very
foolish thing when she brought that young gentleman into her orderly
household.

Arthur's little room looked very snug as he opened the door and went in.
The firelight was dancing on the white curtains and on all the pretty
things around. But Arthur did not see any of it for the blinding tears
that were in his eyes, and fast falling down. His whole heart was longing
with one deep aching to be back again at home, and all the more that he
had been trying all the evening to keep back the tears. It seemed as if he
would cry his heart out, as he lay on the rug, sobbing so bitterly all
alone. "Oh, mamma, mamma," he sobbed "come, come!" And this was all he
said, this was what he repeated again and again; and it was very dreary
that there was no answer--it seemed as if no one heard him.

But One could hear him. Jesus wept when He was on the earth, and He does
not despise a child's first bitter grief. He knows what trouble is, and He
knows just how much each particular trouble is to each one; for He Himself
has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.

By and by Arthur remembered the text, "Come unto me, all ye that labour
and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." He knew that when the
Lord Jesus Christ said "all" that He meant all, so he lifted up his heart
to the One who alone can read hearts; and this is what he said, with the
sobs coming thick and fast--what he prayed; for real prayer is a heart
speaking to God, and calling to Him in need--

"Oh, Lord Jesus Christ, I do come to Thee! for I remember the text that
says 'Come,' and I don't know what to say except that Thou knowest, Lord
Jesus, how lonely and miserable I am. My mother is far away, and papa too,
and I do so want to feel her arms round me now; but I can't, oh, I can't!
Lord Jesus, if thou wert here on the earth, and in this room, I would come
to Thee, and sit at Thy feet; and Thou wouldst put Thine arms round me.
Oh, do it now, Lord Jesus! for I feel as if I must have somebody taking
care of me. The Bible says that Thou healest the broken-hearted, and I
feel broken-hearted to-night, Lord Jesus, so heal me. L