course, and been thankful." Sylvia's angry eyes grew
moist.

"That would have been a happier state of mind than what you have now,
wouldn't it?"

"Of course." All the girl's sore spots were aching. "Why do you ask
such a question?"

"Just to remind you of the fact. Now why should you let them make you
lose the joy of being loving and thankful?"

"Why--how unreasonable! I can't help it, of course."

"Yes, you can. It's wonderful, Sylvia, but yes, you can. Think of being
able to get out of the heat and turmoil of resentment and anger into
the kingdom of heaven! You know where Jesus said it was?"

"No, I don't."

"Within you. The kingdom of heaven is within you."

"I guess not," returned Sylvia, with heaving breast. "Father always
said there was plenty of old Adam in me, and I know it isn't human
nature to be loving toward people that have treated me as they did."

"No, indeed it isn't. Your only chance is in finding out that you have
a higher nature inherited from our Father in heaven, who the Bible
declares is Love. When you allow that nature to have sway you will, as
somebody has beautifully put it, 'think God's thoughts after him.' You
will think mercifully and lovingly of your uncle and aunt, and forgive
them as you would be forgiven. That way lies happiness."

The girl raised her blue eyes to his curiously. "So you consider it
thinking right to live in a sort of a fools' paradise?"

Her companion smiled at her and his eyes shone. "I leave it to you if
it isn't better than yours," he returned. "You believe in God, don't
you, Sylvia?"

She cast down her glance. "I've thought lately sometimes that I'd like
to; but he's so far away, on the outest edge of the universe."

"Why, what's the name of the place he lives in?"

"Heaven, I suppose."

"Well, where did I just remind you is the kingdom of heaven?"

Sylvia shrugged her shoulders. Thinkright's voice had again that tone
that tapped at her heart as at a closed door, and instinctively she
resisted it.

"Within you, little child," went on her companion, after a waiting
pause. "God far away? 'Nearer than hands and feet,' Sylvia, 'nearer
than hands and feet.'"

"I don't understand anything of what you're saying," returned the girl
abruptly.

"Well, isn't this a pretty path?" asked Thinkright, looking about them.
"It seems only yesterday that all these evergreens were loaded with
snow." As he spoke, a song-sparrow near by poured out a flood of
melod