e pictured, and Stevie knew
that He had not loved His own way, for He "pleased not Himself." He
wouldn't have quarreled with Dave! He had been a real Boy, too; He
knew just what other boys had to go through, all their trials and
temptations, and mamma had said over and over that she knew He just
loved to help those other boys to be good and unselfish and patient.

Then He must know all about poor Dave's having to lie helpless all the
time. A wistful look came into Stevie's eyes. Oh, if Jesus were only
on earth now, he thought, how quickly they would all take Dave to Him
to be healed! Or perhaps He would come to the sick boy, as He did to
some of those others in the Bible. Stevie pictured to himself the
tall, gracious figure, clad in long, trailing robes, the holy face, the
tender eyes. He would lay His hand on Dave and say: "Son"--Stevie
thought that was such a beautiful word--"Son, rise up and walk." And
immediately Dave would spring to his feet, well and strong. And then
after that, of course, they--for he, too, would be present--would be so
good and kind and patient that they wouldn't think of quarreling and
throwing things at each other.

Well, that was out of the question--Stevie sighed heavily--Jesus was in
heaven now, and He didn't do those miracles any more; but--since He had
been a Boy Himself He must know just how hard it was for some
boys--like Dave and himself, for instance--to be good; perhaps He would
help them if they asked Him. Stevie had his doubts whether Dave would
ask; he made fun of Stevie whenever he said anything of that
kind--which wasn't often; but he (Stevie) could ask for both, and
particularly that Jesus would put it into Dave's heart to make up this
quarrel--he did so hate to be the first to give in.

Then, all at once, the eyes that were staring so steadily up at the
blue sky grew very tender, and Stevie's lips moved.

What he said I do not know; but after that he sprang up and ran quickly
into Dave's room, up to his couch. "Say, Dave," he remarked, in the
most off-hand way, "I'll fix up your pillows, then you tell me all
about that base-ball team you used to belong to; you said you
would--you know, the one that knocked spots out of those other fellers."

Dave lay with his head turned to the wall, his eyes closed; but as
Stevie spoke he opened them and looked up, a bright smile flashing over
his pale face. "All right, sir, I'm your man," he answered, readily.
"Pick up the t