and think of them when I'm in bed sometimes, and I talk to God about
them. I was so glad when Jack went back to Him. I think it is worst of
all to stay a long way off from God, because He does love them so. I
wonder if it is that they don't know whether God will take them back.
Tommy seemed half afraid till he came, that his father would be angry
with him. I should like to see a prodigal son running back into God's
arms so much! But I suppose he does it very quietly, and only the angels
look down and see it!"

"And what is this young scapegrace going to do now? Live on his father
and mother, or is he going to try and do some honest work?"

Sir Edward's tone was rather impatient. Milly looked up surprised.

"Do you mean Tommy, uncle? Are you angry with him? He told me he was
going to look for work directly, and Maxwell is coming up to speak to
you about him to-morrow."

"Ah! I daresay--wants him to take the place of under-keeper, I suppose,"
and Sir Edward gave a little grunt of dissatisfaction at the thought.

CHAPTER IX.

"A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM."

When Sir Edward retired to his room that night, he paced up and down for
some time in front of his little niece's picture that she had given him.
His brow was knitted, and he was thinking deeply.

"I am longing to have peace," he muttered. "Why cannot I make up my mind
to seek it! '_I will arise_'--ay, easy to say; it's a hard and bitter
thing for a backslider to retrace his steps. How the child stabs me
sometimes, and how little she knows my past!"

He stopped and gazed at the picture. "And the Lord Himself used this as
an illustration. I could not want anything stronger."

A deep-drawn sigh followed, then a heartfelt cry rose to heaven.

"May God have mercy on me, and bring me back, for I can't bring myself!"

The next morning Sir Edward had an interview with his keeper, who
brought his son up with him, and as the tall, broad-shouldered young
fellow stood before the squire, and in earnest, humble tones asked if he
could be given a chance of redeeming his character by being employed on
the estate, Sir Edward's severity relaxed, and after a long conversation
with him he promised he would give him a trial.

He smiled grimly to himself as father and son left him with warm
expressions of gratitude.

"So that is the child's hero! One whose example I might well follow. He
has had the courage at last to take the step from which I am still
shrinking