Part 4 (1/2)
”I was longing to walk in the garden.”
”And why not?”
”It is the Sabbath.”
”All days are Sabbath to the grateful heart.”
”Yes, but this is the Kirk Day, and I was wondering how we were to get there. Aileen says it is near two miles away. I can walk two miles, but you----”
”I can walk as well as you can, but I'm not going to try it. I'm not going to the Kirk at all to-day--walking or riding.”
”Not going to Kirk, Aunt!”
”No. I have made up my mind to have one long, sweet, quiet day, and to keep it with none present but G.o.d. As soon as I opened my eyes this morning I heard larks singing up to the very gate of heaven. I saw one rise from the brae just outside. I'll warrant you his nest was there.
Marion, he was wors.h.i.+ping before any of our Glasgow burghers were out of their beds. I sent a prayer up with his song. G.o.d bless the bird!”
”What will Father say?”
”Just what he wants to say. I'll not hinder him. When you have eaten your breakfast go into the garden and say a prayer among the flowers.
You'll be in one of G.o.d's own kirks. Open all your heart to Him.”
”And you?”
”I'll be mostly in my room. It is long, long years since I had a Sunday that rested me. I have made up my soul and my heart to have one this day.”
”And Aileen and Kitty?”
”They can walk to the Kirk. It will do them good. A mile or two is nothing.”
”I heard Aileen say there was a Victoria and a light wagon in the carriage house, and she supposed the wagon would be for the servants.”
”It may be so and it may not. I heard nothing about vehicles, and I am not going to discuss them in any kind or manner. The girls can walk to Kirk if they want to go; if not, they can bide in their place here. And I'll tell them that plainly, as soon as I have finished my breakfast.”
It is likely Mrs. Caird kept her word; for Sunday's dinner, always prepared on Sat.u.r.day, was laid on the table immediately after breakfast and then the girls disappeared, and were not seen until it was time to prepare supper. They looked dissatisfied and disappointed, and Aileen admitted they were so.
”Cramer Kirk is a poor little place,” she said, ”and the Minister no better than the Kirk. Master always makes a great gulf between the good and the wicked, and his sermons hae some pith in them--the good get encouragement, and the wicked are plainly told what kind o' a future they are earning for themselves. But, with this man, it was just 'Love G.o.d! Love G.o.d!' as if there was any use in loving G.o.d if you didna serve Him. It was a poor sermon, Ma'am. Master would not like such doctrine, and I came hungry away from it. So did Kitty. Kitty was saying you were not in the Kirk. Were you sick, Ma'am?”
”Oh, no, Aileen! I was just loving G.o.d at home.”
Aileen was amazed at the avowal. She looked at her mistress with wondering eyes, and, though she did not venture to blame, there was distinct disapproval in her att.i.tude.
Mrs. Caird had spent the day in her room and in the summerhouse in the garden, and this day the wonderful garden paid for its making; for in the evening, as she was walking there with Marion she pointed to an inscription above the entrance to the jasmine-shaded bower, and said, ”Read it to me, Marion.” And Marion read slowly, as if she was tasting the sweet flavor of the words:
”_Christ hath took in this piece of ground, And made a garden there, for those Who want herbs for their wounds._”
The two women looked at each other. Their eyes were s.h.i.+ning, but they did not speak. There was no need. That day Jessy Caird had found herbs in the sweet shadowy place for all her unsatisfied longings, her fears and anxieties, and received full payment for her long, unselfish love and service.
The next afternoon the Minister joined his daughter and sister-in-law.
He was very cheerful and happy as he sat drinking a cup of tea. His daughter was at his side, and Mrs. Caird's presence added that sense of oversight and of ”all things in order” which was so essential to his satisfaction. However, Mrs. Caird had a way of asking questions which he would rather not answer, and he felt this touch of earth when she said: