[Elsie’s children by Martha Finley]@TWC D-Link book
Elsie’s children

CHAPTER FIFTEENTH
2/5

Mamma, don't look so sorry at me; how can I help being angry at people that say unkind things to you ?" "'Forgive, and you shall be forgiven,'" she said gently.

"'Do good and lend.' Can't you lend your mother for a few weeks, dears ?" "Weeks, mamma! oh, so long!" they cried.

"How can we?
who will take care of us, and hear our lessons and teach us to be good ?" "Dinah will wash and dress you, Elsie help you little ones to learn your lessons, and I think papa," looking at him, "will hear you recite." "Yes," he said, smiling on them, "we will do our best, so that dear mamma may not be anxious and troubled about us in addition to all the care and anxiety for the suffering ones at Roselands." "Yes, papa," they answered, returning his smile half tearfully; then questioned their mother as to when she must go, and whether they should see her at all while Aunt Enna was sick.
"I can wait only long enough to take supper with you, and have our talk together afterward," she said, "because I am needed at Roselands.

Perhaps papa will bring you there sometimes to see me for a little while if you will be very quiet.

And it may be only for a few days that I shall be wanted there; we cannot tell about that yet." She spoke cheerfully, but it cost her an effort because of the grieved, troubled looks on the dear little faces.
"But baby, mamma!" cried Vi, "baby can't do without you!" "No, dear, she and mammy will have to go with me." They were not the usual merry party at the tea-table, and a good many tears were shed during the talk with mamma afterward.
They all consented to her going, but the parting with her, and the thought of doing without her for "so long" were the greatest trials they had ever known.
She saw all the younger ones in bed, kissed each one good-night, and reminding them that their heavenly Father was always with them, and that she would not be too far away to come at once to them if needed, she left them to their sleep.
Elsie followed her mother to her dressing-room, watched for every opportunity to assist in her preparations for her absence.


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