"
"I had rather he was like you, Papa," sighed Kate. "Oh, if I was but
your child!" she added, led on by a little involuntary pressure of
his encircling arm.
"Don't let us talk of what is not, but of what is," said Mr. Wardour;
"let us try to look on things in their right light. It has been the
will of Heaven to call you, my little girl, to a station where you
will, if you live, have many people's welfare depending on you, and
your example will be of weight with many. You must go through
training for it, and strict training may be the best for you.
Indeed, it must be the best, or it would not have been permitted to
befall you."
"But it does not make me good, it makes me naughty."
"No, Kate; nothing, nobody can make you naughty; nothing is strong
enough to do that."
Kate knew what he meant, and hung her head.
"My dear, I do believe that you feel forlorn and dreary, and miss the
affection you have had among us; but have you ever thought of the
Friend who is closest of all to us, and who is especially kind to a
fatherless child?"
"I can't--I can't feel it--Papa, I can't. And then, why was it made
so that I must go away from you and all?"
"You will see some day, though you cannot see now, my dear. If you
use it rightly, you will feel the benefit. Meantime, you must take
it on trust, just as you do my love for you, though I am going to
carry you back."
"Yes; but I can feel you loving me.
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