ted, for a time. Yet the
feeling of the two, like as it seemed outwardly, was far
unlike within. In the child it was the spring flood of a
little brook, bringing, to be sure, momentary desolation; in
the mother it was the flow of the great sea, still and mighty.
And when it grew outwardly quiet, the same depth was there.

They got into each other's arms at last, and pressed cheek to
cheek and kissed each other many times; but the first word was
Mrs. Landholm's, saying,

"Come -- we had better go and get tea -- Asahel will be back
directly."

Asahel came back in good spirits, having had his cry on the
road, and they all took tea with what cheerfulness they might.
But after tea Winifred sat in the chimney corner gazing into
the fire, very still and pale and worn-looking; her sober blue
eyes intently fixed on something that was not there. Very
intently, so that it troubled her mother; for Winifred had not
strength of frame to bear strong mind-working. She watched
her.

"What, mamma?" said the little girl with a half start, as a
hand was laid gently and remindingly upon her shoulder.

"I should rather ask you what," said her mother tenderly.
"Rest, daughter, can't you?"

"I wasn't worrying, mamma."

"Wa'n't you?"

"I was thinking of 'They have washed their robes and made them
white in the blood of the Lamb.'"

"Why, dear?"

"I am so glad I can wash mine, mother."

"Yes -- Why, my dear child?"

"There are so many spots on them."

Her mother stooped down beside her and spoke cheerfully.

"What are you thinking of now, Winnie?"

"Only, mamma, I am glad to think of it," she said, nestling
her sunny little head in her mother's neck. "I wanted
yesterday that Will and Governor should have better clothes."

"Well, Winnie, I wanted it too -- I would have given them
better if I had had them."

"But mamma, ought I to have wished that?"

"Why yes, dear Winnie; it is a pleasant thing to have
comfortable clothes, and it is right to wish for them,
provided we can be patient when we don't get them. But still I
think dear Governor and Will will be pretty comfortable this
winter. We will try to make them so."

"Yes mamma, --but I wanted them to be _smart_."

"It is right to be smart, Winnie, if we aren't _too_ smart."

"I wish I could be always just right, mamma."

"The rightest thing will be for you to go to sleep," said her
mother, kissing her eyes and cheeks. "I'll be through my work
directly and then you