Perhaps, by and by, strength may
come to endure the trial more patiently; but now--I _dread_ it. I would
_fly_ from it if I could; I would _die_ rather than face those awful
years of helplessness! See what a poor creature your 'brave boy' is,
Jack." His lips were quivering, and he folded one arm over his eyes.
Then all at once there came back to me a talk which mamma and I once
had, and I thought perhaps 'twould comfort poor Felix, so I tried to
tell him as well as I could. "Fee, dear," I said, holding his hand tight
in mine, and snuggling my head close up to his on the pillow, so I could
whisper, "once, when mamma and I were talking, she said always to
remember that God knows it's awfully hard for people to bear suffering
and trouble; and that He always helps them and makes allowances for
them, because He's our Father, and for the sake of His own dear Son, who
had to go through so much trouble here on earth.
"And _He_ knows, too, Fee,--Jesus knows _just_ how you feel about this;
don't you remember how He prayed that last night in Gethsemane that--if
God would--He might not have to go through the awful trial of the cross?
He meant to carry it right through, you know, all the time,--that's what
He came on earth for; He meant to do every single thing that God had
given Him to do, and just as _bravely_! But, all the same, He felt, too,
how _awfully_ hard 'twas going to be, and just for a little while
beforehand He _dreaded_ it,--just as you dread the years that'll have to
pass before you can be well.
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