y,
and she is to help you dress, and to be very kind to you. I want you to
be very careful not to hurt any of Hatty's things, and to mind her, when
I am not with you. If you do as I say, you will be sure to get on well."

Meg gave a little jump, and perched herself on the edge of the bed, as
she said, "O how nice, Mother! I am so glad. It is a great deal
pleasanter than being in the old nursery with Jane."

"Don't sit on the bed, Meggy," said Mrs. Lee, helping the little thing
gently down--and smoothing the tumbled place she had made on the clean
counterpane; "You know Hatty likes to keep her bed very nicely."

"Hatty can't lock the door now--and say, 'You can't come in, Meg.' It is
my room, too, now," said Meg, "and I shall have a right to come in."

"I hope my little girls will get on very pleasantly together," said Mrs.
Lee, gently. "Jesus' little children never quarrel, never speak bad,
angry words."

"Well, I won't, Mother, if I can help it," said Meg, and she put up her
mouth to be kissed, as if that mother's kiss could ensure her doing
right.

While this conversation was going on up stairs, Marcus had stopped in
the midst of his work, and was actually still, for a moment, while his
face bore the marks of deep thought.

Marcus did not feel altogether comfortable about the way he had spoken
to Aunt Barbara that morning; he knew he had done wrong, and that
brought to his mind a letter his mother had received from Hatty during
her absence. Hatty had written that she was very sorry for all the
naughty things she had ever done, and that she had made up her mind to
be one of Jesus' little children, and that she believed He had forgiven
her for all the past, and would help her to be a better girl. She sent
much love to her brothers and sisters, and said she wanted them to
forget every unkind word she had ever spoken to them, for she was very
sorry, and never meant to do so again.

Ever since Hatty could speak, her mother had been teaching her about her
Heavenly Father, and trying to make her love Him and wish to serve Him.
The little girl had always listened patiently, but Mrs. Lee had never
been satisfied that Hatty had made her choice to be among the lambs of
Jesus' flock, who love to hear their Shepherd's voice, and try to follow
Him. This letter, therefore, written in the frankness and simplicity of
childhood, had brought joy to the mother's heart. She believed that the
love of Christ had taken root in the s