"As soon as you like, my dear, after you are able to read again."

"O, you must begin before that, please.--You could spare time to read a
little to me, couldn't you?" she said doubtfully, as if she feared she was
asking too much.

"Certainly, my dear; and I will begin to think about it at once."

It was in part the result of this wish of my child's that it became the
custom to gather in her room on Sunday evenings. She was quite unable for
any kind of work such as she would have had me commence with her, but I
used to take something to read to her every now and then, and always after
our early tea on Sundays.

What a thing it is to have one to speak and think about and try to find out
and understand, who is always and altogether and perfectly good! Such a
centre that is for all our thoughts and words and actions and imaginations!
It is indeed blessed to be human beings with Jesus Christ for the centre of
humanity.

In the papers wherein I am about to record the chief events of the
following years of my life, I shall give a short account of what passed at
some of these assemblies in my child's room, in the hope that it may give
my friends something, if not new, yet fresh to think about. For God has so
made us that everyone who thinks at all thinks in a way that must be more
or less fresh to everyone else who thinks, if he only have the gift of
setting forth his thoughts so that we can see what they are.

I hope my readers will not be alarmed at this, and suppose that I am about
to inflict long sermons upon them. I am not. I do hope, as I say, to teach