CHAPTER VII.--"I KNOW."
Carol bounded through the park with a light, joyous step. On reachingthe Manor House, he would have gone straight to his aunt, but there werevisitors with her. So he rejoined his cousins in the school-room.
"Where ever have you been, Carol?" they questioned, as he entered.
"Somewhere Auntie gave me permission to go," he replied quietly.
Miss Markham looked at the boy's beaming face, and she too wondered. Hehad been absent from the Scripture lesson, which she, and sometimes Mrs.Mandeville, gave the children every Sunday evening. She felt a littleremorse that she had been conscious during the lesson of a feeling ofrelief, on account of the boy's absence. Carol so often asked aquestion in a quiet, thoughtful manner, which she was unable to answer:and the question would often recur to her afterwards. She had anintuition that the boy had a firmer grasp of spiritual truths than sheherself possessed. Many times she would have liked to discuss a subjectwith him. But Mrs. Mandeville had warned her that the boy had beentaught much that was unorthodox, she therefore refrained fromdiscussion.
Though it was much later than usual, Carol was wide awake when Mrs.Mandeville came to his room that night. She had found all the otherchildren fast asleep.
"Auntie, I did want to tell you, I had a very happy time with Mr. Higgs.He's such a nice, interesting old man. I was able to tell him so muchthat he had never thought about before. Thank you again for letting mego. He will like me to go next Sunday--I may--mayn't I?"
"Of course, dear; as it seems to make you so happy; and I am sure itmust be very nice for Mr. Higgs to have you read to him, as he is sotroubled with rheumatism. But you must really settle down to sleep now,Carol. You have no idea how late it is."
"Yes, Auntie, I shall soon be asleep, I wanted to tell you first. Ifeel so happy now, I can say one verse of Mrs. Eddy's beautiful hymnto-night which commences:
'My prayer some daily good to do, 'To thine for Thee;'
"Cousin Alicia used to sing it to me every night when I was ill. Iloved it so much, because its measures _did_ bind the power of pain.Often I had fallen asleep before she came to the end."
"You must repeat all the hymn to me some time, Carol, I shall like tohear it."
"Yes, Auntie, in the morning. I have been thinking whilst I was waitingfor you to come that when we want to do something for Truth very, verymuch, Love finds the way. When I am a man, I shall want, more thananything in all the world, just to do what Jesus said, those that lovedhim were to do, 'Go ye into all the world, preach the Gospel, and healthe sick.' I cannot help remembering there are so many little childrenlying now, just as I used to lie, always in pain; and they could behealed, just as I was healed, if there were more people who understoodwhat Jesus meant by 'The truth shall make you free."
"And you are quite sure, Carol, it is that which has made you free?"
"Oh, Auntie, dear, I can never let even the tiniest thought of doubtcreep up and make me question that. I _know_. When Uncle Raymond readin church last Sunday 'I know that my Redeemer liveth,' I felt I wantedto stand up and tell all the people _because_ He liveth, I am well.That is 'knowing.' I do long for the time to come when I shall be ableto tell them so, and I can give all my time and my money to spread theglad tidings, to fight for Truth."
"Maybe there is a great work, a great future before you, dear boy,surely the instrument has been prepared in a fierce fire, and has comeforth strong for the battle. Now, good-night, and God bless you,darling." He clasped both his arms round her neck, holding her tightly,as in earlier years he used to cling to his mother.