nt some
time, while the birds sang on.

"Father," said Nettie.

He turned instantly, and asked her what she wanted.

"Father," said Nettie, "the streets of the city are all of gold."

"Well," said he, meeting her grave eyes, "and what then, Nettie?"

"Only, I was thinking, if the _streets_ are gold, how clean must the
feet be that walk on them!"

He knew what her intent eyes meant, and he sat down by her bedside and
laid his face in his hands. "I am a sinful man, Nettie!" he said.

"Father, 'this is a faithful saying, that Jesus Christ came into the
world to save sinners.'"

"I don't deserve he should save me, Nettie."

"Well, father, ask him to save you, _because_ you don't deserve it."

"What sort of a prayer would that be?"

"The right one, father; for Jesus does deserve it, and for his sake is
the only way. If you deserved it, you wouldn't want Jesus; but now '_he_
is our peace.' O father listen, listen, to what the Bible says." She had
been turning the leaves of her Bible, and read low and earnestly--"'Now
we are ambassadors for God, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray
you, in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.' Oh, father, aren't you
willing to be reconciled to him?"

"God knows I am willing!" said Mr. Mathieson.

"_He_ is willing, I am sure," said Nettie. "'He was wounded for our
transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of
our peace was upon him.' He has made peace; he is the Prince of Peace;
he will give it to you, father."

There was a long silence. Mr. Mathieson never stirred. Nor Nettie,
hardly. The words were true of her,--"He that believeth shall not make
haste." She waited, looking at him. Then he said, "What must I do,
Nettie?"

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ."

"How, child?"

"Father, the best way is to ask him, and he will tell you how. If you
are only willing to be his servant--if you are willing to give yourself
to the Lord Jesus--are you willing, father?"

"I am willing, anything!--if he will have me," said Mr. Mathieson.

"Then go, father!" said Nettie, eagerly;--"go and ask him, and he will
teach you how; he will, he has promised. Go, father, and ask the
Lord--will you? Go now."

Her father remained still a moment--then he rose up and went out of the
room, and she heard his steps going up to the unused attic. Nettie
crossed her hands upon her breast, and smiled. She was too much
exhausted to pray, otherwise than with a thought.