TROUBLE BETWEEN SISTERS.
I have told you that Emma was not without her faults; and whether she
was a little lifted up by her mother's approval, so that she became
less watchful over herself, and felt less her need of the grace of
God, I cannot say: but so it was, that on the very same evening of
their mother's birthday, the sisters had a quarrel, which would
certainly have been worse, if Mrs. Western had not been sitting by.
Louisa was the first to blame; but, on the other hand, Emma did not
behave like a meek and Christian child.
It was about Louisa's old work-box that this quarrel took place. Emma
wished to have the use of it for a short time, as Louisa did not want
it herself: but Louisa, as you have seen, was not very willing to
lend; and some sharp and unkind words passed between them, such as
children too often use when they give way to angry and sinful
passions. No doubt the thought of her own work-box was in Emma's mind
when she said, "You are selfish and ill-natured, Louisa, and do not
deserve that people should give up any pleasure for you."
While she was speaking, she saw her mother's eyes turned toward her
with a look of surprise and sorrow; and at the same moment the words
of Scripture, "Be kindly affectioned one toward another," came into
her mind. She blushed and looked down while Mrs. Western reproved them
both, and told them of the grief which, she felt on account of their
sinful conduct, reminding them also of the example of the meek and
lowly Jesus, who has commanded us to live in love. Emma was soon
brought to tears, and went out of the room to weep alone, and ask
forgiveness, for her Saviour's sake, from the holy God whom she had
displeased by her sin: but Louisa, as usual, was inclined to be
sullen, and did not think that she had been at all in the wrong. Upon
this, her mother pointed out to her the unkindness of refusing so
small a favor to her sister; and in the hope of bringing her to a
sense of her fault, she told her what had passed in the morning, and
made known to her the whole affair of the work-box. Louisa was so much
struck by this proof of Emma's love, that her heart was quite
softened, and she not only owned that she had done amiss, but ran to
seek her sister, and asked her to forget their quarrel and be friends.
Emma was very glad to agree to this, and was also ready to take her
share of blame, saying that she had been very wrong in speaking so
unkindly, and she hoped never to be so naughty again. It was pleasant
after this, to see Louisa's desire that her sister should use the old
work-box, and what care Emma showed in keeping all its contents nicely
in their place.
The loss of the birthday present had a great effect upon Louisa, so
that she became more watchful over her temper and conduct. In a few
months she had improved so much, that though she was still far from
being all that could be wished, yet her mother thought she might
safely buy her the writing-desk, according to the desire of her aunt
Harding. Emma had still waited for her work-box with hope and
patience; and you may imagine the joy of both when they at last
received these long wished-for gifts. And as Emma was now not so
careless as formerly, and Louisa had grown more kind, the work-box and
the writing-desk were often lent in exchange; while the sisters soon
found out the truth of what their mother told them, that such little
frequent acts of mutual kindness do more to increase love than those
greater deeds which children sometimes talk about, but seldom have the
power to perform.
The second packet from aunt Harding was received with not less joy
than the first; for there was in it a letter for Louisa and Emma; and
that she might show no favor to one above the other, she had directed
it to both. Louisa, however, claimed and was allowed the privilege of
breaking the seal. I wish you could have seen their happy faces, as
Emma leaned upon her sister's shoulder to read the welcome letter
which had been sent to them from a country so distant, and by a friend
whom they loved so well.