Your poor mother has fared still worse, we fear, as the principal injury is to the head, but we will hope for the best in her case also." Molly dropped her head on her cousin's shoulder while a burst of weeping brought partial relief to the overburdened heart.
Elsie clasped her arms about her and strove to soothe and comfort her with caresses and endearing words.
"If I could only nurse mother now," sobbed the girl, "how glad I'd be to do it.

O cousin, it most breaks my heart now to think how I've vexed and worried her since--since this dreadful trouble came to me.

I'd give anything never to have said a cross or disrespectful word to her.

And now I can do nothing for her! nothing, nothing!" and she wrung her hands in grief and despair.
"Yes, dear child; there is one thing you can do," Elsie answered, weeping with her.
"What, what is that ?" asked Molly, half incredulously, half hopefully, "what can I do chained here ?" "Pray for her, Molly, plead for her with him unto whom belong the issues from death; to him who has all power in heaven and in earth and who is able to save to the uttermost." "No, no, even that I can't do," sobbed Molly, "I've never learned to pray, and he isn't my friend as he is yours and your children's!" "Then first of all make him your friend; oh, he is so kind and merciful and loving.

He says, 'Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' 'Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.'" "Oh, if I only knew how!" sighed Molly, "nobody needs such a friend more than I.I'd give all the world to have him for mine." "But you cannot buy his friendship--his salvation; it is 'without money and without price.' What is it to come to him?
Just to take him at his word, give yourself to him and believe his promise that he will not cast you out." There was a tap at the door and Rosie came in, put her arms round Molly, kissed her and wept with her.
Then young Horace followed and after that his father.