CHAPTER XIV
BETTY'S BIRTHDAY ONCE MORE
Betty's birthday has come round once more.
Autumn and winter have passed since Lucy's illness, and Clara'sconversion. Save for a slight limp, father's knee is well again, andBob's progress with his music is quite wonderful. But the most wonderfulthing that has taken place in the whole year, is the change in Bettyherself. She _was_ one of the most discontented girls to be foundanywhere, now she is one of the happiest.
Directly she wakes up this morning she sees that her room is full ofbright spring sunshine, and straightway begins planning a little treatfor her brothers and sisters.
"Jennie and Pollie have a half-holiday to-day. How fortunate! We'll allgo out together this afternoon. A walk in the park among the springflowers would be just the thing for Lucy. If I could only get mother tocome too----"
"Many happy returns of your birthday, my dear, dear Betty!" Lucy's armsare suddenly flung round her neck, Lucy's lips pressed to her cheek. Herbirthday! In her planning for other people's pleasure Betty had actuallyforgotten the day altogether.
It is delightful that Lucy has remembered it, though; and with a littlelaugh of genuine joy Betty returns her sister's kiss, and then devotesherself to the business of dressing.
Betty rather makes a point of being the first downstairs in the morning;then she is sure that father's breakfast is just as he likes it, and thechildren's porridge properly made. But this morning, as she passes Bob'sdoor, she notices that the room is empty. Bob up already! Mother'sroom-door standing wide. Are they _all_ up before her? Oh, she must havemistaken the time! No, seven o'clock is only just striking. What can itbe?
She hurries downstairs, and now Lucy is close behind her.
Yes, they _are_ all up. The sitting-room is full of people. Father,mother, Bob, Harry, Jennie, Pollie, even Clara! For one instant Bettystares at them in utter bewilderment, and then they all make a rush ather, and she understands.
"Many happy returns of the day! Many happy returns of the day!" andfather and mother are kissing her, and the boys have hold of her hands,and the younger children are shouting and dancing wildly about her.
Surprise and delight quite take Betty's breath away; indeed it is notuntil they all draw back a little, and begin holding up various prettygifts, that she can find a voice to utter a single word. Even then shecan only gasp out:--
"Father, mother--Oh, to think you should all remember my birthday likethis! I shall never forget this morning--never!" and there are tears oflove and joy in her eyes.
"_I_ shall never forget how bravely my lass took over my work while Iwas laid up in the hospital," says father, proudly, as he fills her armswith flowers.
"_I_ shall never forget how patiently and unselfishly my little daughterworks in the home," whispers mother.
"I'm not the sort of fellow to forget a good sister when I've got one, Ishould hope," says Bob, in his manliest voice. "Look, Betty, I've gotyou a little present; it isn't half bad, though, is it?" and Bob pullsout a showy photo-frame for which he has been saving up his pocket-moneyfor some months past.
"Betty, Betty, we've hemmed you four handkerchiefs--and, Oh, we've hadsuch a trouble to get them done without letting you know!" cry Pollieand Jennie. Even Harry has bought her a bag of chocolates; and here ispoor little Clara, with a pair of mittens knitted by herself. "Do takethem, miss--please. You said we were comrades, you know, and your handsdo get so cold sometimes."
So they surround her with birthday gifts, and warm, loving looks; andBetty's heart is full of joy--almost too full to let her speak.
Last year Betty thought of little save herself--of her own woes, her owndifficulties, and her birthday was almost forgotten. This year shethinks for others, she forgets herself. Betty--what would they dowithout dear Betty? There is no fear that her birthday will be forgottenany more by any of them!
Betty thanks Him with a grateful heart.]
Of course, Grannie's letter and parcel arrive by the next post. Bettymanages to steal away to her room for a few moments to read the letterall alone. After a loving greeting, Grannie writes:--
"Last year I was anxious about you, my Betty; last year I sent you thatlittle story of the Love-bird, hoping that it might open your eyes tothe power love should be in the home. I knew that the light had comeinto your heart, but I feared that it had not yet found its way into allthe corners and crooks of your character. You could not be happy, youcould not really help those at home, whilst one little spot of darknessremained. No, you could never _live_ the love we spoke about the morningyou left me, until your heart was all pure love. For, Betty, my dear, Iknow well that your life is full of many trials.
"And now I am anxious no longer. With what a thankful heart I write thewords! Yes, now indeed, I see that the Lord Jesus Christ reigns alone inyour heart; now I know that you are happy, and making those around youhappy also. Thank the Lord, Betty, for the blessing He is sending onyour work in your home!"
And Betty does thank Him with a grateful heart. She feels indeed likethe Psalmist, that her cup runs over with blessings; her home seems tobe now most beautiful.
"Betty, what would you like best in all the world--that is, of all thethings I could give you?" whispers mother that night.
Betty knows the answer to that question well enough. "To--to be allowedto go to The Army Meetings," she says, in a husky voice, her heartbeating thickly.
"I thought so. Well, father and I have decided to let you go, if youstill really wish it."
"You'll let me go? Oh, mother--mother!" and Betty's hands are tightlyclasped about her mother's neck.
THE END