human
Auntie, I have been thinking.
gpt
Well, darling, what have you been thinking about to-night?
human
I have been thinking of something I can do, Auntie, if you will let me. It is only a very little thing, but if we do not begin with little things, we shall not be able some day to do big things, shall we? I so often think about Jesus when he was twelve years old, he said, ’I must be about my Father’s business.’ I am twelve years old, and God is my Father, too. I want to be about His business. When I was talking to old Mr. Higgs this morning, he told me he cannot walk to church now, and his eyes are so bad he cannot see to read the Bible. I thought I would like to go sometimes and read it to him, and help him to understand it. Would you let me, Auntie dear? It is such a little thing.
gpt
Why, of course, dear; there can be no reason why you should not, if you wish to. I don’t think Uncle Raymond can have any possible objection. Anyway, if I give you permission, that will be sufficient, will it not?
human
Oh, yes, Auntie; thank you so very much. May I go every Sunday evening?
gpt
Yes, dear; and perhaps it may not be such a little thing as you think.
human
But, she mused,
gpt
Auntie, I often try to picture Jesus in his humble home at Nazareth. I wish we knew more. When he returned with Joseph and Mary after the visit to the Temple, and was always obedient to them, I sometimes wonder if they kept him back from going about his Father’s business, because they did not understand; and if he played on the hillsides with the other village boys, and no one knew until he was a man, that he was Jesus the Christ.
human
There are many legends of his boyhood, dear, but they are only legends. We cannot accept anything except what is narrated in the Gospels. You must read Canon Farrar’s ’Life of Christ.’ That will help you to understand that the Apostles were, without doubt, divinely instructed to record so little of the boyhood of Jesus. There is a copy in the library. I will look it out for you.
gpt
Thank you so much, Auntie. I shall be glad to read it.
human
I do love your coming to my room like this, Auntie. I always keep awake till you come.
gpt
I, too, enjoy our little talks, dear. You often give me a beautiful thought to take away with me: something I have not thought of before.
human
Teach me, Father-Mother God, the words of Truth that will help him, he prayed. Finally, he fell asleep with the words on his lips of the boy Samuel:
gpt
Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth.
human
Would you like me to read to you for a little while this evening, Mr. Higgs? My aunt has given me permission, if you would like me to,