Part 18 (2/2)
”I shall tell the teacher who is to blame for all this laziness,” said Chappi, threateningly; ”you will find out what he will do to you.”
This might have been carried on indefinitely had not the father returned from the barn. He brought two large mill sacks and asked Chappi to take his things from the table; then he spread out the sacks, folded them neatly, and laid them on the bench behind the stove.
”There,” he said, ”that is all right. Where is your bundle, little one?”
Wiseli brought it from the corner, where she had put it, and was surprised to see her uncle place it at one end of the sacks and press it flat with his hands.
”There!” he repeated as he gave the bundle a last pat. Then turning to Wiseli, he added: ”You may go to sleep now; the bundle will be your pillow and the stove will keep you from getting cold. You three boys must be off to bed!”
He took the lamp and followed the boys out, but he returned presently and said: ”I hope you will sleep well, Wiseli. Try hard not to think about what has happened to-day. It will all come right later.” Then he left her to herself.
A moment later the aunt came, carrying a small lamp, and wished to see the bed. ”Can you sleep that way?” she asked, almost kindly. ”It will be nice and warm for you. Some people haven't any bed and are cold besides. It may happen to be the case with you yet, so you better be thankful that you have a roof over your head. Good night.”
”Good night,” answered Wiseli, but the door closed too quickly for the aunt to hear.
Wiseli was glad to know that she was to be alone for the night. The moon dimly lighted the room. She had been in such constant dread of those about her that she had scarcely dared to think of herself. Now she lifted up her heart in prayer, simply saying, ”Help me, Heavenly Father, for I am afraid, and mother is not with me now.”
She felt comforted after a time because she had the a.s.surance, from her mother's teaching, that her prayer would be answered. She remembered that it was only the evening before that her mother had told her to take comfort and courage from the verses she had repeated.
The real meaning came to her now as she said the lines over.
”For thee He'll surely save A place to work His will.”
The load she had been carrying all day seemed lifted. A quiet peace filled her trusting heart, and she resolved in her new-found strength never to fear her cousins and the aunt again. She was soon sound asleep.
Wiseli dreamed that she saw a path before her which was beautiful with roses and carnations on either side, and that the sun was s.h.i.+ning pleasantly overhead. She was so happy that she danced for joy. Beside her stood the mother, holding her by the hand. She pointed down the path and said: ”See, Wiseli, G.o.d is giving that to you. Didn't I tell you he would find the place?
For thee He'll surely save A place to work His will.”
Wiseli had forgotten all her sorrow and fear, and slept as well with her head on the bundle on the hard bench as if she had been dreaming in the softest bed.
CHAPTER V
HOW LIFE CONTINUES AND SUMMER COMES
When the faithful Trina returned to The Hill with the unopened basket upon her arm, a look of anxiety came over Mrs. Ritter's countenance.
Trina explained that the mother was dead and that Wiseli had been taken to the home of her uncle Gotti. The news shocked the entire household, for none of them had realized that the sickness would terminate so suddenly.
”Here I have tried for several days to visit the poor, lonely woman, and now it is too late,” said Mrs. Ritter. ”If I had only gone I should feel more reconciled to the loss.”
”It is a shame that Wiseli must go there,” said Otto as he paced the floor with his hands clenched. ”I tell you if I catch him abusing her, he will need to count his ribs to see if any are left.”
”Of whom are you speaking in that fas.h.i.+on?” asked Mrs. Ritter.
”Of Chappi. Think of the mean things that he can do to her now that she has to live in the same house with him. It is unjust and ought not to be allowed. I'll attend to him if I find out that--”
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