hard thoughts and speeches when they come to understand each
other in the clear light of Heaven!"

"It always seems to me," said Phoebe, diffidently, "that there are a
great many things we shall be sorry for then. But can anybody be sorry
in Heaven?"

Mrs Dorothy smiled. "We know very little about Heaven, my dear. Less
than Madam's parrot or Mrs Clarissa's dog understands about anyone
writing a letter."

"Dogs do understand a great deal," remarked Phoebe. "Our Flossie did."

"My dear, I have learned no end of lessons from dogs. I only wish we
Christians minded the word of our Master half as well as they do theirs.
I wish men would take pattern from them, instead of starving and
kicking them, or tormenting them with a view to win knowledge. We may
be the higher creatures, but we are far from being the better. You may
take note, too, that your dog will often resist an unpleasant thing--a
dose of medicine, say--just because he does not understand why you want
to give it to him, and does not know the worse thing that would
otherwise befall him. Didst thou never serve thy Master like that,
dear?"

"I am afraid so," said Phoebe, softly.

"We don't trust Him enough, Phoebe. It does seem as if the hardest
thing in all the world was for man to trust God. You would not think I
paid you much of a compliment if you heard me say, `I'll trust Phoebe
Latrobe as far as I can see her.' Yet that is what we are always doing
to God. The minute we lose sight of His footsteps, we begin to murmur
and question where He is taking us. But, my dear, I must not let you
tarry longer; 'tis nigh sundown."

"Oh, dear!" and Phoebe looked up and rose hurriedly. "I trust Madam
will not be angry. 'Tis much later than I thought."

She found Madam too busy to notice what time she returned. Rhoda's
wardrobe was being packed for her visit, under the supervision of her
grandmother, by the careful hands of Betty. The musk-coloured damask,
which she had coveted, was the first article provided, and a
cherry-coloured velvet mantle, lined with squirrel-skins, was to be worn
with it. A blue satin hood completed this rather showy costume. A
wadded calico wrapper, for morning wear; a hoop petticoat wider than
Rhoda had ever worn before; the white dress stipulated by Molly; small
lace head-dresses, instead of the old-fashioned commode; aprons of
various colours, silk and satin; muslin and lace ruffles; a blue camlet
riding-habit, laced wit