A band of bilberry-gatherers was coming down
the hill with songs and shouts of laughter; and the frightened flocks of
sheep stood motionless on the hillocks, ready to flee away in a moment
at their approach. Both Miss Anne and Stephen felt a crowd of thoughts,
sorrowful and happy, come thronging to their minds.
'Stephen,' said Miss Anne solemnly, 'our Lord says, "When ye shall have
done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable
servants: we have done that which was our duty to do."'
'Yes, Miss Anne,' said Stephen, looking up inquiringly into his
teacher's face.
'My dear boy,' she continued, 'are you taking care to say to yourself,
"I am an unprofitable servant"?'
'I have not done all those things which are commanded me,' he said
simply and earnestly; 'I've done nothing of myself yet. It's you that
have taught me, Miss Anne; and God has helped me to learn. I'm afeared
partly of going away to Netley; but if you're not there to keep me
right, God is everywhere.'
'Stephen,' Miss Anne said, 'you have forgiven all your enemies: Tim, who
is now your friend, and the gamekeeper, Black Thompson, and my poor
uncle; when you are saying the Lord's Prayer, do you feel as if you
should be satisfied for our Father to forgive you your trespasses in the
same measure and in the same manner as you have forgiven their
trespasses against you?'
'Oh no!' cried Stephen, in a tone of some alarm.
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