lf-wrapped in the veil of sleep. He leaned to
her, holding the little hand up against his cheek.

"Almost, my princess," he said.

She nestled to him snuggling her fair head into his shoulder. "I've been
dreaming," she whispered.

"Have you, my darling?" He gathered her close with a compassionate
tenderness for the frailty of the little throbbing body he held.

Tessa's arms crept round his neck. "I dreamt," she said, "that you and
I, Uncle St. Bernard, were walking in a great big city, and there was a
church with a golden spire. There were a lot of steps up to it--and
Scooter--" a sob rose in her throat and was swiftly suppressed--"was
sunning himself on the top. And I tried to run up the steps and catch
him, but there were always more and more and more steps, and I couldn't
get any nearer. And I cried at last, I was so tired and disappointed.
And then--" the bony arms tightened--"you came up behind me, and took my
hand and said, 'Why don't you kneel down and pray? It's much the
quickest way.' And so I did," said Tessa simply. "And all of a sudden
the steps were gone, and you and I went in together. I tried to pick up
Scooter, but he ran away, and I didn't mind 'cos I knew he was safe. I
was so happy, so very happy. I didn't want to wake again." A doleful
note crept into Tessa's voice; she swallowed another sob.

Bernard lifted her bodily from the bed to his arms. "Don't fret, little
sweetheart! I'm here," he said.

She lifted her face to his, very wet and piteous. "Uncle St. Bernard,
I've been praying and praying--ever such a lot since my birthday-party.
You said I might, didn't you? But God hasn't taken any notice."

He held her close. "What have you been praying for, my darling?" he
said.

"I do--so--want to be your little girl," answered Tessa with a break in
her voice. "I never really prayed for anything before--only the things
Aunt Mary made me say--and they weren't what I wanted. But I do want
this. And I believe I'd get quite good if I was your little girl. I told
God so, but I don't think He cared."

"Yes. He did care, darling." Very softly Bernard reassured her. "Don't
you think that ever! He is going to answer that prayer of yours--pretty
soon now."

"Oh, is He?" said Tessa, brightening. "How do you know? Is He going to
say Yes?"

"I think so." Bernard's voice and touch were alike motherly. "But you
must be patient a little longer, my princess of the bluebell. It isn't
good for us to have things