always does so."

"What do you think," I said, "has Catalina received a new heart?"

"I don't know," and Paula hesitated, "but I don't think so. She torments
herself so, and seems so afraid to die."

"Oh, Paula, how I wish she would get well! Before she became so ill, I
didn't care for her a bit, and I believe she didn't care for me either. But
after having said good-bye to her that afternoon, I certainly do love her.
Poor Catalina! In the middle of the school session, many times it comes to
me, 'Suppose that Catalina should die today!' Then I do not seem to be able
to pay any more attention to the lessons. It seems as if Catalina was
there, dead in her bed, and I hardly dare to come home. If I had not been
so wicked to her before she became so ill, I know I would not feel so."

"Now listen, Lisita! This is what you ought to do. You ought to ask the
Lord Jesus to heal Catalina."

"He'd never do it for me," I said.

"And why not?" asked Paula.

"Because I'm sure God doesn't hear the prayers of wicked people."

For a while Paula did not answer me. I saw that she was thinking about what
I had just said. Suddenly, a ray of happiness illumined the dear face with
its great dark eyes, as-she exclaimed, "Yes, He does hear wicked people."

"How do you know that?" I said.