and, falling on her knees and clasping her hands
precisely in the attitude of Samuel, she looked up to heaven. She spoke
no word, but her eyes glistened with a tear that stood in each. Was not
each tear a prayer? She breathed no petition, but she longed for God and
virtue. Was not that very wish a prayer? Her little, uplifted heart
throbbed vehemently. Was not each throb a prayer? And did not God in
heaven, without whom not a sparrow falls to the ground, hear and accept
that first homage of a little, untaught child; and did it not call a
blessing down?

CHAPTER VII.

TREASURED WRONGS.

"Revenge, at first though sweet,
Bitter ere long back on itself recoils."--MILTON.

The next day was Sunday. True generally went to church half the day at
least, with the sexton's family; but Gerty having no bonnet could not
go, and True would not leave her. So they spent the morning wandering
round among the wharves and looking at the ships, Gerty wearing her old
shawl over her head.

Willie came in the evening to say good-bye before returning to Mr.
Bray's. He was in a hurry, for his master had his doors closed early,
especially on a Sunday night. But Mr. Cooper made his usual visit; and
when he had gone, True, finding Gerty sound asleep on the settle,
thought it a pity to wake her, and laid her in bed with her clothes on.

She did not wake until morning; and then, surprised and amused at
finding herself dressed, ran out to ask True how it happened. True was
making the fire; and Gerty having been told all about it, helped to get
the breakfast ready, and to put the room in order. She followed Mrs.
Sullivan's instructions, and in a few weeks she learned to make herself
useful in many ways, and, as Mrs. Sullivan had prophesied, gave promise
of becoming a clever little housekeeper. Her active and willing feet
saved True many steps, and she was of essential aid in keeping the rooms
neat, that being her especial ambition. Mrs. Sullivan looked in
occasionally, to praise and assist her; and nothing made Gerty happier
than learning how to do some new thing. She met with a few trials and
discouragements, to be sure. Kate M'Carty thought her the smartest child
in the world, and would oft come in and wash the floor, or do some other
work which required more strength than Gerty possessed.

One Sunday Gerty, who had a nice little hood, bought by True, was
returning with Mr. Cooper, Mr. Flint, and Willie, from the afternoon
s