art all
the lessons of love and forgiveness he had been learning, and enable him
to overcome the evil spirit that had gained the mastery over him.

All the people in Botfield wished to attend little Nan's funeral, but
Stephen would not consent to it. At first he said only Tim and himself
should accompany the tiny coffin to the churchyard at Longville; but
Martha implored so earnestly to go with them, that he was compelled to
relent. The coffin was placed in a little cart, drawn by one of the
hill-ponies, and led slowly by Tim; while Stephen and Martha walked
behind, the latter weeping many humble and repentant tears, as she
thought sorrowfully of little Nan; but Stephen with a set and gloomy
face, and a heart that pondered only upon the calamities that should
overtake his enemy.

CHAPTER XVI.

SOFTENING THOUGHTS.

But God had not forsaken Stephen; though, for a little time, He had left
him to the working of his own sinful nature, that he might know of a
certainty that in himself there dwelt no good thing. God looks down from
heaven upon all our bitter conflicts; and He weighs, as a just Judge, all
the events that happen on earth. From the servant to whom He has given
but one talent, He does not demand the same service as from him who has
ten talents. Stephen's heavenly Father knew exactly how much
understanding and strength he possessed, for He Himself had given those
good gifts to the boy, and He knew in what measure He had bestowed them.
When the right time was come, 'He sent from above, He took him, He
brought him out of many waters. He brought him forth also into a large
place; He delivered him, because He delighted in him.'

After the great tribulation of those days Stephen fell into a long and
severe illness. For many weeks he was delirious and unconscious, neither
knowing what he said nor who was taking care of him. When Miss Anne sat
beside him, soothing him, as she sometimes could do, with singing, he
would talk of being in heaven, and listening to little Nan among the
angels. Bess shared many of Martha's weary hours of watching: and so
deeply had the child's death affected them, that now all their thoughts
and talk were about the things that Miss Anne diligently taught them
concerning Jesus and His salvation. It was not much they knew; but as in
former times a very small subject was sufficient for a long gossip, so
now the little knowledge of the Scriptures that was lodged in either of
their mind