m!" he thought.
"When could she have had the time."

Marcus was going to rush to the door of Aunt Barbara's room to thank his
mother, when he saw a little note lying on the table. He broke it open
and read:

"Dear Marcus: It has made me very sad all the week to think you were
displeased with me. I love you very dearly, and cannot bear to have you
look at me as if you did not care for me. I know I made you angry by
speaking about the mark at school. If I had not cared for you I should
not have spoken as I did. I hope you will yet tell Mr. Briggs. Perhaps I
am too naughty myself to give anybody advice. Please forgive me all I
have ever done wrong to you.--I began to work these slippers as soon as I
got home from grandma's, and they were only finished this week. I hope
they will fit you.--Won't you be pleasant to-morrow morning to your
sister Hatty?"

Marcus read the note, with the slippers on his feet. He felt ashamed of
his unkindness to his little sister, and he resolved to meet her
pleasantly in the morning. Marcus did not go to sleep until late that
night, but we will not tell what was the subject of his thoughts.

The next morning Marcus' ill humor seemed to have all passed away. He
made no apology to Hatty for his late rudeness, but she was generous
enough to forget the past. She did not now in her turn sulk and pout,
and so keep up the quarrel, but she received him as cheerfully as if
nothing had happened.

Marcus wore the new slippers, and declared he had never had a present
that suited him better, and Hatty was repaid for all her trouble.

Hatty fancied that at church Marcus was more attentive than usual, and
once she thought she saw him wipe his eyes, as if he were affected by
something the clergyman said; but she was soon afraid she had been
mistaken, for he began to look about as usual, and even exchanged a
glance of recognition with one of his acquaintances in the gallery.

Hatty felt anxious for her brother, and she was particularly tender and
kind in her manner towards him all day, and in the evening, when she
went to bed, she prayed earnestly that God would soften his heart, and
lead him to do right. Hatty had not forgotten that Marcus had acted a
lie, and she remembered that our Heavenly Father is "a God who hateth a
lie."

VIII.

Monday morning rose bright and clear. For many days Aunt Barbara had
been steadily gaining, and now she was coming down stairs, for the first
time. Hatty fel