Page:The Poor Rich Man, and the Rich Poor Man.djvu/181

Rh "Aunt Lottie," said little Ruth, "don't Mr. Beckwith getting this house done so soon for father put you in mind of Mr. Barlow's story about Aladdin's lamp?"

"I never take much notice of such stories, Ruth, but it puts me in mind of those words in the Bible, 'The liberal man deviseth liberal things; and the good that he purposeth, that he doeth quickly.'"

"I never knew anybody like you, Aunt Lottie; you always remember something in the Bible that seems to suit."

"Because, dear, I read the Bible more than all other books, and there is something in it fitting all occasions."

"I love to read the Bible with you, Aunt Lottie, for it seems as if—"

"As if what?" said Ruth.

"I know what is in my mind, but I don't know as I can express it. When our schoolmistress reads it to us, it seems as if she read it because she thought she ought to; but you seem to read it because you love it."

None should attempt to impart religious sentiments to children who do not feel them. "The letter killeth, the spirit giveth life."

"Where shall we begin first," said Harry Aikin, "at the kitchen or parlour?".

"Parlour!—are we going to have a parlour? Oh, that's what mother has been making the new carpet for!"

"Well, here it is, you see, with nice blinds, and a good grate, and all finished off neatly, so that you will have good reason for keeping every thing