Page:What the pine tree heard (IA whatpinetreehear00yate).pdf/14

 "Hush, Dorothy, hush!" exclaimed the frightened boy. "It is wicked—"

"I don't care if it is wicked," she broke in wildly. "I wouldn't even put out my little kitten's eyes just to make it love me and depend upon me more, I wouldn't be so cruel, and how can God possibly be good and loving if He does such awful things?"

The lady, brushing her fingers across her eyes, rose and came quickly around the tree. She sat down beside the passionately sobbing little one and gathered her into her arms, holding her tightly to her breast, and in a tone of ineffable tenderness and assurance said:

"God never did it, dear child, for God is Love."

The boy rose to his feet, staring half resentfully because of the