ease," she
answered. "I want you to take these bad orphans home with you. They're
cross and hateful and I don't want them to stay here any more."

The two orphans stood downcast, the small boy holding tight to his
sister's hand, listening in silence to their arraignment. Mrs. Procter,
shocked, interposed: "Why, Maizie, Maizie girl!"

But Maizie went on. "You can't be kind to them; they won't let you. And
I had to slap the girl orphan."

The one alluded to thrust her small fist in her eye. Her slight body
shook with sobs. Suzanna's heart was moved. She addressed her sister
vigorously. "That isn't the way to treat people who are _weary_ and
_homeless_, Maizie Procter," she began. "_You_ ought to be kindest in
the whole world to sorry ones!"

Maizie paused. She understood perfectly her sister's reference. "When
the Man with the halo picked you out of everybody and smiled on you, you
ought to be good to all little children that He loves," pursued Suzanna.

"Not to little children who won't play and who won't be kind," said
Maizie. But her voice was low. She turned half reluctantly to the
orphans and looked steadily at them, as though trying to produce in
herself a warmer glow for them.

They did not stir under the look. "But naughty children have to be made
good even if you have to slap them, Suzanna," said Maizie pleadingly.

"But not by you, Maizie," said Suzanna; "you never can slap or be cross.
I have a bad temper and sometimes get mad. But because of what you are
_You_ always have to be loving and kind."

Awe crept into Maizie's eyes. It was a great moment for her, little
child that she was. She was to remember all her days that she was as one
set apart to be loving and kind. She gazed solemnly back at Suzanna, as
she dwelt upon the miraculous truth of her heritage.

At last Maizie turned. "Mrs. Reynolds," she said, "our Suzanna once
adopted herself out to you, didn't she?"

Mrs. Reynolds bestowed a soft look upon Suzanna. "She did that, the
lamb, and often enough I've thought of that day."

"You liked her for your little girl because you haven't any of your
own?" pursued Maizie.

Mrs. Reynolds nodded, and Maizie sighed her relief.

"Well, then, we'll adopt these orphans out to you, Mrs. Reynolds. I'm
sorry for them now, and I know I ought to be kind to them, but it will
be easier for me if you have them. I think you'd be awfully happy with
two real children of your very own."

No one spoke. The little