own
a shade darker during her absence, although it was brushed a little
smoother than usual. Her bright, reddish brown eyes had their own lively
expression, and her mouth seemed as ready as ever to smile, until all
about it the tiny dimples came like little pin-pricks in her fair skin.

Hatty's face was not changed, certainly; and instead of having the grave
manner that Marcus expected, she was all joy at her return, and seemed
to have forgotten that she meant to be any better than any one else.

Hatty had not forgotten her new resolutions, and if Marcus could have
seen into her heart at the moment she stepped from the carriage, he
would have read a prayer that she might be able to live among her dear
brothers and sister like one of the lambs of the flock of Christ.

Meg and Harry had heard the sound of the carriage wheels, and were on
the door-step to receive Hatty. They first almost smothered her with
kisses; then Meg untied her bonnet strings with rough kindness, and
Harry seized her little travelling bag, as if it were his especial
property.

Hatty was a particular little soul, and the way Meg took hold of the new
blue satin ribbons of her leghorn flat, hurt her as much as if Meg had
given her one of the twisting little pinches she knew so well how to
inflict. Hatty was going to twitch away, but instead of the twitch came
a bright blush on her cheek, that she should have so soon been near
being out of patience, when again among the little ones at home. As a
kind of punishment to herself, she let Meg lay aside her bonnet, and
suffered Harry to run off with her pretty travelling bag, without saying
a word.

"Where's Mother?" asked Hatty, eagerly, passing along the hall, and
going directly up stairs.

"Here, here, my child," said the mother, as she met her on the landing,
and folded her affectionately in her arms.

Very pleasant it was to Hatty to receive that mother's tender kiss, but
dearer still were the words which were, breathed in her ear: "God bless
you, my darling, you are dearer to me than ever."

Hatty understood her mother's earnest words, and she could have echoed
them, "you are dearer to me than ever." That was exactly what she felt.
The mother who had talked to her of the blessed Jesus, and taught her
His words and ways, was dearer than ever, now that she had resolved to
follow Him.

In silence Hatty and her mother ascended the short flight of stairs that
led to the upper hall; then the little