been to me, this
winter."

"Oh, he meant that I was not brave and cheerful, like Effie; and I am
not."

"It is pleasant to have these tokens of your friend, any way," said Mrs
Lee, musingly.

"There are other of his marks:--`Under the shadow of Thy wings will I
make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast,'--and another about
rejoicing under the shadow of His wings."

It was a troubled, tearful face that Christie laid down on her hands as
she said this. Mrs Lee was still turning over the leaves, and took no
notice of the sigh that escaped the little nurse.

"You read it to please your sister and your friend, do you? Or do you
really love to read it? I have heard of those who find their chief
happiness in believing what the Bible teaches. Do you?"

There was a pause, during which Christie slowly raised her face from her
hands and turned it towards Mrs Lee. Then she said, with some
hesitation:

"I don't know. I wouldn't be without the Bible for all the world; and
yet I know I don't find all the comfort in it that some people do. I
suppose it is because I am not sure that I am a Christian."

"A Christian?" repeated Mrs Lee.

"Yes; a child of God," said Christie, with a sigh. "If I were sure that
I am a child of God, then all the promises in His Holy Word would be
mine."

"I suppose you mean if you were always good and never committed any
sin?" said Mrs Lee, inquiringly.

"No; not that, exactly. Even God's people fall into sin sometimes."

"What do you mean by being a child of God, then? We are all His
children in a certain sense, are we not?"

Christie glanced doubtfully at Mrs Lee.

"I mean one who loves God supremely--one who is at peace with God, who
has no will but His--one whose sins are forgiven for Jesus Christ's
sake."

"And you think you are not one of these?" said Mrs Lee.

"I don't know. Sometimes I hope; but I am afraid not. I am sure I wish
to be."

Mrs Lee looked as though she did not quite understand her; but she said
nothing more. She laid down the book and rocked the baby gently on her
knee. Her thoughts were not very happy, Christie fancied, if she might
judge by her face, which grew grave and sad as she gazed on the child.
One of the little boys made a sudden movement. Christie rose to replace
the coverlet on him.

"How peacefully they sleep!" said their mother. "Ah me!" she added; "if
they could always be as free from care! If I could get but one glimpse