e dresses,' said Bobby, 'then they could go in like the
others. The clergyman said in church--I 'members it quite well--that
we must have white dresses on first afore the angel would let us frough
the gates. And me and Nobbles wants to get frough!'

'Yes,' said Lady Isobel softly, 'you are quite right, Bobby, that's
what the text says, we must be washed white first before we have a
right to go in.'

'How?'

'I am trying to tell you. God wanted us to come into heaven, so Jesus
said He would come down upon earth and be punished instead of us. You
will understand when you grow older what a big thing it was for Him to
do. But He died for us, Bobby; He gave His life-blood for us; and it
is by His death our sins can be washed away and our hearts made clean.
That is what it means by washing our robes in the blood of the Lamb.
Jesus was the Lamb, and our hearts must be washed white in His precious
blood.'

'But it says robes,' said Bobby, with a puzzled frown. 'Does hearts
mean robes?'

'I think it is like this, darling. Our hearts are black and soiled
with sin. When they are washed clean it is just like a white covering
over them, a white dress; and God looks down upon them, and says "that
person can come inside the gates, because I see a clean white robe over
him."'

'I see!' said Bobby, with quick comprehension. 'My heart has to have a
white robe inside me, not outside; and the angel at the gate looks
right frough me and sees it.'

'That is it, Bobby.'

'And how can I get it white?'

'You must just ask Jesus Christ to wash it in his blood.'

'Will He do it to-day? I would like it done now.'

He eyed the picture thoughtfully, then a pleased smile crept over his
face.

'And then I shan't never, never be turned away. The angel will say,
"Come in Bobby; I'm very glad to see you." And I'll walk up the road
and be so happy!'

Lady Isobel did not speak for a moment. In explaining the old Truths
to Bobby they seemed fresh to her own soul.

Bobby had no difficulty in laying hold of them.

Even now he was clasping his hands devoutly, shutting his eyes and
bowing his head. He looked up for one moment.

'Nurse says I must say my prayers in bed. I've always said them to God
afore. I think I'll say this one to Jesus.'

'Do, dear. It will be just the same.'

So Bobby spoke aloud. He had not yet got to the stage of praying in
silence.

'Please, Jesus, I want my heart washed white, _quite_ white,