behind his back.

One day, Teresa with an air of triumph, showed us a New Testament on her
return from town. Paula took it from her hand for a moment, and then
returned it to our old servant after caressing the shining cover with great
tenderness.

"Take it," said Teresa, "it's not only mine, but yours, and you will have
more time to read it than I will."

"No, Teresa dear," and Paula sighed as she put her hands behind her back.
"I know I'll get my Bible some day. That's what I've asked God for, and I
know He answers prayer."

A little later, Paula said to me, "I certainly would have loved that New
Testament, for there are two or three favorite passages with which I would
like to refresh my memory, but I simply can't deceive my uncle. But what am
I going to do, Lisita? I must never forget what I promised papa when he
died." (Never forget, never forget! was Paula's constant preoccupation.)

But in spite of these problems which seemed to confront her, her perfect
faith in God came to her aid, and seemed to give her wisdom to take the
right road through it all. At times I would surprise her on her knees with
her eyes closed and a certain strange indefinable light on her tear-stained
face. Immediately however as she sensed my presence, she would spring to
her feet and I found the same natural happy creature that I delighted to
call my companion. It was not in vain that she prayed! Her God, whom she
had not ceased to serve in the midst of the worldly atmosphere that
surrounded her, seemed to come to comfort and strengthen her.