While she was speaking, she saw her mother’s eyes turned toward her with a look of surprise and sorrow; and at the same moment the words of Scripture, “Be kindly affectioned one toward another,” came into her mind.  She blushed and looked down while Mrs. Western reproved them both, and told them of the grief which, she felt on account of their sinful conduct, reminding them also of the example of the meek and lowly Jesus, who has commanded us to live in love.  Emma was soon brought to tears, and went out of the room to weep alone, and ask forgiveness, for her Saviour’s sake, from the holy God whom she had displeased by her sin:  but Louisa, as usual, was inclined to be sullen, and did not think that she had been at all in the wrong.  Upon this, her mother pointed out to her the unkindness of refusing so small a favor to her sister; and in the hope of bringing her to a sense of her fault, she told her what had passed in the morning, and made known to her the whole affair of the work-box.  Louisa was so much struck by this proof of Emma’s love, that her heart was quite softened, and she not only owned that she had done amiss, but ran to seek her sister, and asked her to forget their quarrel and be friends.

Emma was very glad to agree to this, and was also ready to take her share of blame, saying that she had been very wrong in speaking so unkindly, and she hoped never to be so naughty again.  It was pleasant after this, to see Louisa’s desire that her sister should use the old work-box, and what care Emma showed in keeping all its contents nicely in their place.

The loss of the birthday present had a great effect upon Louisa, so that she became more watchful over her temper and conduct.  In a few months she had improved so much, that though she was still far from being all that could be wished, yet her mother thought she might safely buy her the writing-desk, according to the desire of her aunt Harding.  Emma had still waited for her work-box with hope and patience; and you may imagine the joy of both when they at last received these long wished-for gifts.  And as Emma was now not so careless as formerly, and Louisa had grown more kind, the work-box and the writing-desk were often lent in exchange; while the sisters soon found out the truth of what their mother told them, that such little frequent acts of mutual kindness do more to increase love than those greater deeds which children sometimes talk about, but seldom have the power to perform.

The second packet from aunt Harding was received with not less joy than the first; for there was in it a letter for Louisa and Emma; and that she might show no favor to one above the other, she had directed it to both.  Louisa, however, claimed and was allowed the privilege of breaking the seal.  I wish you could have seen their happy faces, as Emma leaned upon her sister’s shoulder to read the welcome letter which had been sent to them from a country so distant, and by a friend whom they loved so well.