Carol had been at the Manor a week before he received the eagerly
expected letter from Cousin Alicia. Mrs. Mandeville brought it herself
to the school-room for him.
"What a lucky little boy to get such a fat letter! I wonder the
post-office didn't decline to bring it for a penny," she said smiling at
his radiantly happy face. Then turning to Miss Markham, as lessons were
about to commence, she asked:
"May he be excused for a little time, Miss Markham? I know he will like
to take it to his room and read it quietly there."
"Oh, thank you, Auntie; thank you, Miss Markham," as the asked-for
permission was quickly accorded, and he ran off with the treasured
letter. Half an hour later he sought Mrs. Mandeville in her
morning-room.
"Auntie, would you like to read my letter?"
"Indeed, dear, I should, if you would care for me to."
"Yes, Auntie. I would like you to read it very much. I knew Cousin
Alicia would help me to understand. It has been just like having a talk
with her. She always makes me feel happy."
He gave several sheets of closely written note paper into Mrs.
Mandeville's hand.
"I must not be away any more lesson time, must I?"
He left the letter with her, and returned to the school-room. Mrs.
Mandeville opened the pages, and read:
"WILLMAR COURT,
S. DEVON.
"_My very dear Carol,_
"Until your first letter arrived it was difficult to realize that the
train had carried you so far away from us. It seemed as if a spirit of
sadness were creeping over the household, even the dogs and birds felt
the subtle influence, and I had to dispel it by realizing that there can
be no separation in Mind. Nothing can come between loving thoughts. I am
as near to you in thought, and you to me as if these human arms enfolded
you. It rejoiced me to read that you felt my thoughts like loving arms
around you.
"Your first letter was awaited with eager expectation. I had to read
parts to everyone. When Bob brought up your pony for his morning lump
of sugar, I caught him brushing a tear away with his coat sleeve, as he
asked, 'Will it be long before Master Carol comes home again?' I told
him that was a question I could not answer, but possibly you might have
the pony sent to Mandeville, and in that case he would no doubt
accompany it.
"The bright happy strain of your first letter made me glad. Before I
had time to answer it came the second in a minor key. After reading it,
a thought that something was wrong tried hard to creep in. But I knew
it could not be. 'Love governs and controls all events with unerring
wisdom.' So I just took my hat and went for our favorite walk by the
stream, to think things out. I seemed to feel your little hand in mine
as I walked. I sat down on the old tree-stump, where you used to rest
when you first began to walk; and do you remember the thrush which was
always singing on the other side of the stream, how we used to think he
sang a special song for you, and the words were, 'God is Love'? He was
there on the same branch of the tree. I feel so sure now that it is the
same bird. 'What message have you for Carol this morning?' I asked, and
it seemed that the notes changed and the message came so clearly: 'All
is right that seems most wrong.'
"Yes! I knew it I Of course it is! The bird flew off, and I walked on,
thinking of a story I read many years ago. It was, I believe, an
Eastern allegory. That story has often helped me; perhaps it will help
you. I will tell it briefly. The King of a great country had many
singing birds. They were to him as children, he loved them so. They
were quite free to fly about the palace, or in the beautiful gardens of
the palace, and when the King walked amongst them, they rested on his
shoulder, or on his hand, when he held it out to them. There was one
especial favorite--a little brown bird. It had not gay plumage like
some of its companions, but its song delighted the King, and often he
said: 'Sing--sing always.' One day the servants discovered the little
brown bird was missing. Some one had stolen it from the palace. Word
was brought to the King, and he quickly sent messengers all over his
kingdom to discover where the bird was. It was not long before the
place of confinement was known, and, to the surprise of everyone, the
King left his little favorite in captivity. But he strictly commanded
his messengers to watch over it, that no harm could come to it. Not a
feather was to be ruffled.
"In partial darkness, beating its wings helplessly against the bars of
the cage, the little brown bird yet remembered the King's command,
'Sing, sing always'; and every day it poured forth the song which the
King loved. Strangers came from far to listen to the wondrous song of
the little captive bird. Then, one day, the little bird looked up
joyfully, at the sound of a well-known voice. The King himself had come
to set the captive free. The cage door was quickly opened, and the bird
flew forth, and rested on the King's shoulder, pouring forth such a song
of joy as no one had ever heard before.
"'My priceless treasure!' the King exclaimed--the one note that was
missing has come into your song.' And great was the King's joy as he
carried the little brown bird back to his palace.
"I remember, when I read that story as a girl, being sorry that it ended
there. I wanted to know that the wicked men were punished for stealing
the bird, and that it was never separated again from the King who loved
it so. But now I understand the story better, and the lesson it
teaches. If the little bird had not been obedient to the King's command
to sing always,--even when it was in captivity, it would never have
learned that one missing note. And so, dear Carol, we have to learn
under all circumstances and at all times that we are bidden to rejoice.
The words are: 'Rejoice--again I say rejoice.'
"Having the book taken from you, as you do not yet understand the
antagonism so many people manifest towards it, was doubtless a great
surprise, when you owe so much to its teachings. But, dearie, you must
not let any thoughts of injustice, or of something not quite right,
creep in. The book will be returned to you one day. Love can always
find a way. It will not be detained one moment after it is needful for
you to have it again. You must put in practice, live up to, what you
have already learned. You have only one step to take at present, and I
think that step is '_obedience_': cheerful, willing obedience, in every
detail of your life. You see, dear Carol, we are told only one thing of
the Master when he was a boy of your age: that is, 'He was subject
[obedient] unto them.' Had it been necessary, we should have been told
more. So from you, and all children, looking unto Jesus, to follow in
his steps, one thing only is required--perfect obedience to those in
authority over you, parents or guardians.
"Try to picture that humble home at Nazareth, and the carpenter's shop.
We can never know the trials _he_ had to bear in those early years,
through those around him not comprehending his divine mission. From one
verse in St. Matthew's Gospel we learn that taunts and gibes were thrown
at him, because his spiritual birth was not understood. Yet those words
have come down through all the centuries to inspire and help the young
of all generations: _He was subject unto them_.
"The world has given an undue prominence to the wooden crucifix. The
cross that Jesus carried for us he carried for 33 long years--working
out each problem of life, and finally overcoming death, in order to show
us the way to eternal life, then bidding us take up the cross--not the
wooden crucifix--the cross of daily overcoming error with truth; and
thus to follow him.
"When you are asked anything about Christian Science, and your own
healing, if you are able, answer any questions quietly and courteously,
but never obtrude the subject on anyone; or bring it forward
voluntarily. Live Christian Science, dear Carol, not talk it. Be
careful in all things to study your aunt's wishes; and as she evidently
does not wish the subject mentioned to your cousins, do not mention it.
Following in the steps that Jesus marked--perfect obedience--can never
be denying Christ, and by perfect obedience, dear, you will understand,
loving, willing, cheerful obedience, never allowing any thought of wrong
or injustice to find a resting place in your consciousness.
"Write to me as often as you can, dear. Now that you have commenced
regular lessons, you will not have so much spare time. Your letters
will always be to me a joy, both to receive and to answer. I rejoice in
my stewardship, taking care of this beautiful home for my dear boy.
Colonel Mandeville wrote me that your dear father expressed his desire
at the last that it should be so; and he himself also wrote a letter
which was posted at Gibraltar. It had not yet reached me. I cannot
understand it, as the letter from Colonel Mandeville which was evidently
posted at the same time, bearing the Gibraltar post-mark, arrived, as
you know, before you left. But we know it cannot be lost, although it
is long over-due.
"Please convey my kind regards to Colonel and Mrs. Mandeville, and to
yourself, dear Carol, unnumbered loving thoughts, from
COUSIN ALICIA.
"_P.S._ How I should like to see the sweet Rosebud and your other
cousins!"
----
A very grave, thoughtful expression deepened on Mrs. Mandeville's face
as she gathered the loose sheets of note paper together, and replaced
them in the envelope. "Surely," she said, sotto voce, "if this is what
Christian Science teaches, Raymond does not understand the book which he
has taken away from Carol."