to bless for the good of at least one soul. And
he seemed so sure that his prayer would be heard. And, then, had not
her prayer been heard?--not just as she had hoped, but in a better way.
The thought filled her with a strange glad wonder. Could it be
possible? Her eye fell on the open page, and her hand trembled as she
read:

"Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."

"Effie," she said, softly, "I thank you very much. Lay it in my little
box; and good-night."

The tears that wet her pillow were very different from the drops that
had fallen on it a little while before.

"Nothing will be so bad again," she murmured. "Nothing--nothing.
Whatever happens, I can always pray!"

CHAPTER THREE.

ABOUT THE SERMON.

The next two days passed pleasantly enough; as the days always did,
Christie thought, when Effie was at home. There was plenty to do, more
than usual; but the elder sister was strong and willing, and, above all,
cheerful, and work seemed play in her hands. Even Aunt Elsie forgot to
scold when any little misfortune happened through neglect or
carelessness, and Effie's cheerful "Never mind. It canna be helped now.
Let us do the best we can," came between her and the culprit.

Effie was not so merry as she used sometimes to be, Christie thought;
and very grave indeed she looked while discussing ways and means with
Aunt Elsie. There was a good deal to be discussed, for the winter was
approaching, and the little ones were in need of clothes and other
things, and Aunt Elsie did Effie the honour to declare that her judgment
on these matters was better worth having than that of all the rest of
them put together. Certainly, never were old garments examined and
considered with greater attention than was bestowed on the motley pile
brought from "the blue chest" for her inspection. No wonder that she
looked grave over the rents and holes and threadbare places, sure as she
was that, however shabby they had become, they must in some way or other
be made to serve for a long time yet. It looked like a hopeless task,
the attempt to transform by darning and turning, by patching and eking,
the poor remnants of last winter's frocks and petticoats into garments
suitable for home and school wear.

"Surely no children ever grew so fast as ours!" said Effie, after
turning her little sister Ellen round and round, in the vain hope of
persuading her aunt and herself that the little linsey-woolsey frock