Lord carveth out one great heavy
cross; but for others He hath, as it were, an handful of little light
ones, that do but weigh a little, and prick a little, each one. And he
knoweth which to give."

"I think," said Christie, with an air of profound meditation, "I must
have the little handful. But then, must I carry them all at once?"

"One at once, little Christie--the one which thy Father giveth thee; let
Him choose which, and how, and when. By times he may give thee more
than one, but methinks mostly 'tis one at once, though they may change
oft and swiftly. Take _thy_ cross, and follow the Lord Jesus."

"There's banging doors," pursued Christie with the same thoughtful air;
"that's one. And when my back aches, that's another, and when my head
is so, _so_ tired; and when I feel all strings that somebody's pulling,
as if I couldn't keep still a minute. That last's one of the biggest, I
reckon. And when--"

The little voice stopped suddenly for a moment.

"Father, can folks be crosses?"

"I fear they can, dear heart," replied her father, smiling; "and very
sharp ones too."

Christie kept her next thoughts to herself. Aunt Tabitha and Cousin
Friswith certainly must be crosses, she mentally decided, and Uncle
Edward must have been dear Aunt Alice's cross, and a dreadful one. Then
she came back to the point in hand.

"How must I `take up' my cross, Father? Doth it mean I must not grumble
at it, and feel as if I wanted to get rid of it as fast as ever I
could?"

Roger smiled and sighed. "That is hard work, Christie, is it not? But
it would be no cross if it were not hard and heavy. Thou canst not but
feel that it will be a glad thing to lay it down; but now, while God
layeth it on thee, be willing to bear it for His sake. He giveth it for
thy sake, that thou mayest be made partaker of His holiness; be thou
ready to carry it for His. `The cup which My Father hath given Me,
shall I not drink it?'"

"There'll be no crosses and cups in heaven, will there, Father?"

"Not one, Christabel."

"Only crowns and harps?" the child went on thoughtfully. "Aunt Alice
has both, Father. I think she must make right sweet music. I hope I
sha'n't be far from her. Perhaps it won't be very long before I hear
her. Think you it will, Father?"

Little Christabel had no idea what a sharp cross she had laid on her
father's heart by asking him that question. Roger Hall had to fight
with himself before he answered