is growth,’ [Footnote: “Science and
Health,” page 520.] and nourished by the sunlight
of divine Love, puts off, one by one, the husks, or
the mortal man’s wrong ways of thinking and
living, and, ever reaching Godward, puts on or unfolds
first the tiny leaves of living green, then the stalk
and bud, and, last, the white flower of purity, which
is the image and likeness of God; and this image and
likeness is immortal.”
“Oh, what a lovely—lovely story!”
breathed Dorothy, with luminous eyes. “Then,
if one never had any but good thoughts, perfect thoughts,
one would grow to be perfect and spiritual.”
“That is what I think the Bible teaches.”
“I think it is beautiful. I never heard
anybody talk like this before!” cried the child,
with a joyful ring in her tones. “And now
tell me how—”
Katherine laughed out musically, and, stooping, kissed
the small hand that she was still holding.
“You dear child! do you know how long we have
been talking?” she said. “I think
we must stop right here, and—I hope Prof.
Seabrook does not think I have said too much,”
she concluded, glancing at the man who stood like
a statue, with an inscrutable look on his high-bred
face.
He made no reply, and the situation might have become
awkward if Dorothy had not exclaimed:
“No, indeed; you haven’t said half enough;
and will you tell me some more things that you believe,
another time?”
“If—your father gives me permission,”
Katherine replied, with heightened color. “Now
I must go, for I am sure the bell will ring in a few
minutes.”
“Will you—may I kiss you before you
go?” begged the girl, who was used to much petting
from everyone, and lifting her pale face to the bright
one looking down upon her and which seemed to radiate
love.
“Yes, indeed,” said Katherine, and heartily
returned the caress.
“Now, good-by,” she added, and, with a
respectful bow to her principal, left the room, whispering
to herself as she tried to put out of thought the
misshapen little figure in the chair:
“God never made one of His children imperfect.
He made man upright, and there is no power apart from
God.”
Materia medica and miracles.
The days and weeks sped swiftly by, Katherine gradually
becoming mentally acclimated, so to speak, amid an
adverse environment. She did not make many acquaintances,
for most of the students still held aloof from her;
but she was content, even happy, for, with a stanch
friend in Miss Reynolds, whom she found most congenial,
and with whom she spent much of her leisure time,
she did not miss other companionship so much.
Sadie, her roommate, was an affectionate and kind-hearted
girl; but being of an indolent, ease-loving temperament,
she was often a trial to Katherine, who loved order
and system and believed it to be the duty of everyone
to maintain them.
