mouth a few months ago. But now other words, familiar from daily reading,
the words that he had repeated to Tim so short a time before, were being
whispered, as it seemed, close by his ear: 'Love your enemies; bless them
that curse you; do good to them that hate you; pray for them that
despitefully use you, and persecute you.' There was a deadly conflict
going on in the boy's soul; and Martha's angry words were helping the
tempter. He sat down despondently on the door-sill, and hid his face in
his hands, while he listened to his sister's taunts against his want of
spirit, and her fears that he would give up their home for his new
notions.

He was about to answer her at last with the passion she was trying to
provoke, when a soft little cheek was pressed against his downcast head,
and little Nan lisped in her broken words, 'Me sleepy, Stevie; me say
"Our Father," and go to bed.'

The child knelt down before him, and laid her folded hands upon his knee,
as she had done every evening since his father died, while he said the
prayer, and she repeated it slowly after him. He felt as though he was
praying for himself. A feeling of deep earnestness came over him; and,
though his voice faltered as he said softly, 'Forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that trespass against us,' it seemed as if there was
a spirit in his heart agreeing to the words, and giving him power to say
them. He did not know then that 'the Spirit itself maketh intercession
for us with groanings which cannot be uttered;' but while he prayed with
little Nan, he received great comfort and strength, though he was
ignorant of the source from whence they came. When the child's prayers
were ended, he roused himself cheerfully to action; and as long as the
lingering twilight lasted, both Stephen and Martha were busily at work in
the garden.