"I wanted particularly to see him, and he should not have neglected the invitation of a woman a hundred years old." "Dear auntie, I assure you he did so only by compulsion; he would have come gladly if Uncle Sam had not ordered him off in another direction," Violet answered, with pretty playfulness of look and tone.
"Ah, then, we must excuse him.

But you brought the children, I hope.

I want to see them." "Yes; this is his son," Violet said, motioning Max to approach; "and here are the little girls," drawing Lulu and Grace forward.
The old lady shook hands with and kissed them, saying, "It will be something for you to remember, dears, that you have seen a woman who has lived a hundred years in this world, and can testify that goodness and mercy have followed her all the days of her life.

Trust in the Lord, my children, and you, even if you should live as long as I have, will be able to bear the same testimony that He is faithful to His promises.
"I say the same to you, too, Rosie and Walter, my Elsie's children," she added, turning to them with a tenderly affectionate look and smile.
They gazed upon her with awe for a moment; then Rosie said, "You don't look so very old, Aunt Wealthy; not older than some ladies of eighty that I've seen." "Perhaps not older than I did when I was only eighty, my dear; but I am glad to know that I am a good deal nearer home now than I was then," Miss Stanhope responded, her face growing bright with joyous anticipation.
"Are you really glad to know you must die before very long ?" asked Max, in wonder and surprise.
"Wouldn't it be strange if I were not ?" she asked; "heaven is my home.
"'There my best friends, my kindred dwell, There God my Saviour reigns.' "I live in daily, hourly longing expectation of the call." "And yet you are not weary of life?
you are happy here, are you not, dear Aunt Wealthy ?" asked Mrs.Keith.
"Yes, Marcia; I am happy among my kind relatives and friends; and entirely willing to stay till the Master sees fit to call me home, for I know that His will is always best.

Oh, the sweet peace and joy of trusting in Him and leaving all to His care and direction! Who that has experienced it could ever again want to choose for him or herself ?" "And you have been long in His service, Aunt Wealthy ?" Mr.Dinsmore said, half in assertion, half inquiringly.
"Since I was ten years old, Horace; and that is ninety years; and let me bear testimony now, before you all, that I have ever found Him faithful to His promises, and His service growing constantly sweeter and sweeter.
And so it shall be to all eternity.