Because of Stephen by Grace Livingston Hill

Author:Grace Livingston Hill [Hill, Grace Livingston]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-10-27T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

The healing of sleep settled down upon the little household late that Saturday night, and lasted far into the morning.

When Margaret awoke, the sun shone broad across her floor, and a sense of relief shone into her heart. As she went about her preparations for the day, an awe settled down upon her in remembering what she was going to try to do for Christ. She dared not think of any words she would speak, and she had not yet made up her mind how she would set about it to introduce her plan to the expected guests. She shrank as she remembered Byron's bold, handsome eyes, and wondered whether he would be among those invited, or whether he was Philip's friend alone. She shut her own eyes, and prayed that she might put away such thoughts and think only of the message she had to bring.

The two young men literally did as she told them, and did not awake until almost noon. Margaret had kept their breakfast waiting until it was too late, and then she hastened the dinner preparations; and so the first meal they ate together was dinner.

After dinner Philip hastened to the neglected horses, and to see after some matters at the barn, and Stephen threw himself upon the couch. The day was chilly, and Marna had kindled a fire on the hearth. It crackled pleasantly, and Stephen was feeling the relief that comes after a throbbing headache has ceased. He took up a book from his sister's case, and began to read. He seemed to have forgotten all about his company, and Margaret thought perhaps he had not invited them after all, and it would be best not to speak about it. He was tired, and it would be much better for him.

There was immense relief to her in the thought that her task, which at times assumed proportions impossible, would be put off indefinitely. And yet there came a strange pang of disappointment, for her careful study of the lesson had revealed to her hidden blessed truths which the Spirit had made her long to impart to others. She wondered whether she could muster courage to suggest to Stephen that he and she, and perhaps Philip, too, if he liked, study the lesson together. She was sitting shyly by the piano, looking at her brother behind his book, and meditating whether she should ask him about it, when the door burst open most unceremoniously, and three young men stood upon the threshold.

To be sure, they knocked uproariously upon the opening door, and their greeting was loud and hilarious. Margaret arose, startled. But they stopped as suddenly as they had begun, and looked about upon the strange, changed place. This was a room with which they were unacquainted, many times as they had ascended the hill to make good cheer for Stephen. And the woman who stood silent by the piano was a lady, and was beautiful beyond any question.

It was as if they had come expecting summer weather, and were suddenly plunged into a magnificent snow bank.

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