CHAPTER XIV.--"HE GIVETH HIS BELOVED SLEEP."
Softly and lightly as Mrs. Mandeville re-entered Carol's room, he heardher. He had been listening for her footsteps, whilst obedient to herdesire, lying with closed eyelids.
She was spared the pain of telling him she had been unsuccessful. Heread it in her face.
"Auntie, dear, please don't look so troubled. Uncle Raymond does notunderstand. It is quite all right. Love can always find a way." Mrs.Mandeville almost smiled through her unshed tears. How great was herlove for the boy, yet she could think of no way by which what he wantedcould be immediately procured. Even she did not fully realize how hewas waiting and yearning for that healing touch, which comes
'More softly than the dew is shed Or cloud is floated overhead.'
Nurse left the room, and Mrs. Mandeville again took her place by thebedside.
In less than an hour a maid came to the bedroom door, asking in awhisper, "Can I speak to you a moment, ma'am?"
"What is it, Withers?" Mrs. Mandeville asked.
"A Mr. Higgs from the village is downstairs. He came to inquire afterMaster Carol. He said he would like the young gentleman to know he haswalked from the village to the Manor."
The words were spoken at the door very softly, but Carol heard.
"Oh, Auntie, I am glad!" he said. "Could Mr. Higgs come here? I shouldlike to speak to him."
"Darling, I am afraid it will excite you to see him. The doctor'sorders are that you are to be kept perfectly quiet."
"It won't excite me, Auntie; and what makes me very happy cannot hurtme."
"You may bring Mr. Higgs to see Master Carol since he wishes it so much,Withers."
No one but those who were nursing him had been admitted to the room.The maid was surprised as she took the message, and then brought the oldman to the room.
"God bless 'ee, Master Carol, God bless 'ee. Aye, I don't know how tosay it often enough, when I think it's all along o' the blessed truthyou taught me I'm free of the rheumatiz. I met Farmer Stubbins on myway, and he says, 'Why, Higgs, you're walking along quite spry. What'sbecome o' your rheumatiz?' 'Gone, thank the Lord,' says I, 'never toreturn.' 'Oh! and what may you have done to get rid of it?' he asks,being crippled himself with the same. 'I ain't done nothing,' Ireplied. Then I says, 'Farmer Stubbins, you and me was boys together,and we sang in the village choir. Do you mind there's a verse in thePsalms--aye, we've sung it many a time; but we just didn't think o' thewords--it was the music we thought about. "He sent His word and healedthem." That's just what the Lord has done. He has sent His word andhealed me, and He sent it by the mouth of one of His dear children.'"
Carol's face was radiant with joy. Anxiously watching him, Mrs.Mandeville could not fear that the old man's talk could harm him.
Then, after fumbling in his coat pocket, he drew forth a little bookcarefully folded in soft paper.
"I've got it, Master Carol. It came this morning--the little bookyou've told me about. My daughter wrote for me. We didn't quite knowwhere to write, so we just addressed the letter: 'Christian ScienceChurch, London,' and a kind lady has sent me this book. It isn't quitenew, and she writes that I shall value it more if it costs me something.I am just to pay what I can, and send the money as I am able."
He was unfolding the paper covering as he spoke, and then held out asmall copy of _Science and Health_.
"Oh, Auntie, isn't Love beautiful! You see Love _has_ found a way. Mr.Higgs will lend it to you to read to me a little time--won't you, Mr.Higgs?"
"I'll be very happy to, Master Carol."
Mrs. Mandeville took the book with almost a feeling of awe. It had comeso wonderfully, yet so simply. She thought of the words: "He sent Hisangel."
She pointed to a chair, saying, "Please be seated, Mr. Higgs, whilst Iread. Is there any particular part you would like me to read, Carol?"she asked, turning over the pages.
"No, Auntie--just open the book; let Love find the place."
"Carol, you so frequently speak of Love as of a personality. What doyou mean, dear?"
"Auntie, God is Love. But when we speak of God, it seems we must bowour head, and think reverently of the great 'I Am.' But when we speakof Love--we can just creep into Love's arms, and ask Love anything."
"Even to find a place in a book," Mrs. Mandeville said with a smile.
"Yes, Auntie--even that."
Then she opened the book. It opened at page 494, and the first sentenceshe read was: "Divine Love always has met and always will meet everyhuman need."
A smile rested on the boy's face, his sufferings were forgotten, as thedear familiar words fell on his ear. Love had not failed him.
Mrs. Mandeville never knew afterwards how long she read. She becameentranced, absorbed.
When she turned to look at him, he was asleep. She quietly rose, andwith one whispered word asked Mr. Higgs to follow her.
Withers was still waiting without.
"Take Mr. Higgs to the housekeeper's room, Withers, and ask her to givehim a substantial tea. Then send word to the stables--when he isready--I wish Parker to drive him to his home in my basket chaise. It isonly a step from the ground. You will easily get in and out. I amdeeply indebted to you for coming this afternoon, Mr. Higgs. My dear boyneeded sleep so much. It was vitally necessary for him. He was so surehe would sleep, if I could read _Science and Health_ to him, and I didnot know how to procure a copy of the book."
"May I leave this with you, ma'am?"
"If you will be so kind for a day or two."
"Isn't Love beautiful!" the old man said to himself, repeating Carol'swords, as he followed the maid to the housekeeper's room.
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