 CHAPTER 7 I'm going upstairs to put on that Calico rapper you learned me, and Jewel. CHOUTED LESLEY, PUTTING A ROSY FACE INTO THE DINING ROOM FOR AN INSTANT AND DINNED VANISHING. I PUT A PAIR OF OVERALLS AT STORA AS IT SUGESTED, CLOUDY, PUTTING ELLISON, LEAVING A PAIR OF BLUE GENES AT HER AND VANISHING ALSO. ELLEN ROBBINSON STOOD MOPPING HER EYES AND STIRING OUT FROM THE DINING ROOM WINDOW, NORTED ELLES AND SNIFFING. I should think it stopped and calling you that ridiculous name," she snorted. It isn't respectful. It sounds like making fun of family. Poor Ellen Robinson. She had her good points, but a sense of humor wasn't one of them. Also it went against the grain to give up her own way, and she couldn't remember when she hadn't planned for the freedom she would have when Julia came to live with her. Having an entirely different temperament from Julia's and no spiritual outlook whatever on life, she was unable to understand what thralldom she had been preparing and planning for her patient elder sister. A little of this perhaps penetrated to Julia Cloud's disturbed consciousness as she watched her sister's irate back, for, when she spoke again, it took in a gentle, soothing tone. There now, Ellen, let's forget it all and just put it away. I shall be coming back to see you now and then, perhaps, and you can come and see me. There'll be something new to look forward to. Suppose now we just get to work and see what's to be done. Have you decided what you want to have taken over to the house? It is doubtful where Ellen would have succumbed so easily if not the two young people returned just then and demanded that they have something to do. As quietly as if she were used to packing and moving every year of her life, Julia Cloud gave them each a pile of newspapers and set them to wrapping and packing dishes in a big barrel. And Ellen was forced to join in and say what she wanted to have of her mother's things. Without a word, Julia set aside anything Ellen asked for, even when it was something she would have liked to keep herself. And Ellen, her lips pursed and her eyes bright with the feet, went from room to room, picking and choosing as if she were at an auction. Alison, still in overalls, rushed out in the car and got a man of the moving wagon. And before twelve o'clock, Ellen Robinson saw a good load of household furniture start from her own home. Despite being somewhat anxious as to how it would be disposed on its arrival, she took the car and sped the way to blockade Herbert. She really felt quite triumphant at ease with which she had secured several valuable pieces of mahogany which she knew had always been a favorite with Julia. Gee! said Alison as the car vanished out of sight. Isn't then Ellen some depressor? Was she only so awfully grown up? I say, Claudie, you won't get that way, will you, when we get you off in our house. If you do, take poison or get married or something. Say, Claudie Jewel, you're twenty years younger than she is, do you know it? No, what will I do next? That closet is all empty. Shall I begin on this one? You want this barrel up in the attic, you say? All right, here goes. No, I won't hurt my back, I'm strong as a horse. I know how to lift things without hurting myself. Open the door, Leslie, and move that chair out of my way. Which corner shall I stow with, Claudie? South-west? All right. And he finished upstairs with this barrel. At half-past twelve, a man and a woman arrived, whom Julia and Claudette hired to help. And the house was like a boozy hive, not a drone among them. It really was wonderful how short a time it took to dismantle a home that had been running for years. But the hands were wonderfully eager, they took hold of the work, and they went to the things with the will. Moreover, Julia Claud's domain was always in perfect order, which made a big difference. They ate their lunch from the pantry shelf, because Ellen had taken the dining-room table. But it was a good lunch, bread and butter, apple butter, cookies, half a custard pie, and glass of rich, foamy milk. Then they went to work again. The children were smudged with dust and tumbled and happy. They were doing real things for the first time in their lives, and they liked it. Moreover, they were bringing to pass a beloved blend that had seemed at first impossible. And they wanted to hustle it through before anything spoiled or delayed it. There was Anne's Ellen. There was no telling what she might not do to Inder, and Julia Claud was easily troubled by her sister. They could see that, why children that they were. So they worked with all their might and main. Two more men were requisitioned, and the furniture began a steady march up to the attic, where it was to be stored. Leslie developed a tent for finding the place where she was most needed, and getting to work. She put sideboard drawers in order, and then went to packing away garments from the closets in drawers and trunks and chests. Until by four o'clock a great many little nooks and corners in the house were absolutely clear and empty, ready for the cleaning before the new tenants arrived. Although to tell the truth, there was scarcely a spot in Julia Claud's house that needed much cleaning, because it had always been kept immaculate. When Ellen Robinson in her car arrived inside of the house at half past four, she identified the parlor and dining-room carpets hanging on a line strong across the backyard, and two bedroom carpets being beaten inside the yard. Mrs. Perkins from her patient watchtower had also identified them, and hurried out to greet her friend and get more accurate information. But Ellen was in too much of a hurry to get inside and secure several other articles, which she had thought of and desired to have to spend much time in gossip. Besides, if Julia was really going, it was just as well to make as much of it as possible. So she greeted Mrs. Perkins, as one too busy with important affairs to tell the tales, and hurried into the house. Standing within the all-all way, she gazed about, startled, how on earth had Julia managed to cheer up things in such a hurry. The pictures had all vanished from the walls, the books were gone from the old bookcase, the furniture itself was being carried away, the marble-topped table being the last piece left. The woman was washing the parlor floor, slopping on sloppy water with that airy finality that made Ellen Robinson realize that old home was broken up at last. Grimly she walked into dining-room, and saw immaculate empty closets and clean and shiny windowpains. As far as the work had progressed, it had been done thoroughly. Upstairs a cheery chatter came from the rooms, and Ellen Robinson experienced a pang of real jealousy of these truly young things who had swept in and character-neglected sister by storm. Somehow it seemed to her that they had taken something that belonged to her, and she began to feel bereft. Julia actually loved her better than these two young strangers. Why didn't she? Why didn't those two children make such a fuss over her as they did over Julia? It certainly was strange. Perhaps some gleaming of perception that it might all be her own fault began to filter to Ellen Robinson's consciousness as she stood there on stairs and listened to the pleasant chatter. Oh, Cloudy dear, is this really Daddy's picture when he was a little boy? What a funny color and egg-tie! But wasn't he a darling? I love the way his hair is curled around his face. I can remember Daddy quite well. Mother used to say he was a wonderful man. I think he must have been a good deal like you. Our old nurse used to say that families went in strikes. I guess you and Daddy were of the same strike, weren't you? I hope Alice and I will be too. Say, Cloudy, can't have this picture of Daddy to hang in my room in our new house. I love it. Ellen Robinson wondered whether they had classified her as another strike, and somehow thought was unpleasant. It was like one of those little rare mirrors that flash as a look now and then in which we see ourselves as either seers and are warm to take account of stock. As she climbed the old stairs, Ellen Robinson took account of herself as it were and resolved to show a better side to these children than she had shown her to four. And so, when she appeared among them, she put aside a grim aspect for a while and spoke in quite an affable tone. Well, you certainly can work! The contrast was so great that both the young people blinked at her in wonder and the smile broke out on Les' lovely face. Somehow it worked on Ellen's heart and she went on. But you all must be tired. You better come up to our house for supper tonight. You won't have any chance to get it here. Oh, we don't mind picnicking, said Leslie hastily. Then she got a glimpse of her aunt's face and her natural kindness came to the front. But of course it would be lovely if it won't be in too much trouble for you. She added pleasantly, with one of her brilliant smiles, although she could see Ellen's making violent motions and shaking his head at her from the other room, where he was out of his aunt Ellen's sight. Leslie really had a lovely nature and was always quick to discern it when she had hurt anyone. Ellen promising looked at her suspiciously, alert from the insults always, but yielded suddenly and unexpectedly to the girl's loveliness. Was it something in Leslie's eyes that reminded Ellen of her big brother, who used to come home now and then and tease her and bring her lovely gifts? She watched Leslie a moment wistfully and then with the sight turned away. She wished one of her little girls could look like that. Well, I've better go right home and get supper ready," she said alertly. And there was a note of almost pleased eagerness in her voice that she was included in this function of packing and moving that seemed somehow to have turned into a delightful game in which awareness and care were forgotten. I'll have supper ready to dish up by seven o'clock. She admonished her astonished sister as she swept the best bedroom, where she was at work putting away blankets and pills in can for. You won't be ready much before that, but don't you be a minute later or the supper will be spoiled. By which admonition Juliet Cloud became aware that Ellen was going to favor them with some of her famous chicken pot pie. She stood still for a whole minute with a light in her eyes and a smile on her face, listening to Ellen's retreating footsteps downstairs. Then, as four set up its churning letter, she turned back to her desk and murmured softly, for Ellen. The supper passed off very well. Her word was a trifle gruff and silent, but it was plain that Alison's tourism used them for no one, then, a half-smile crept into its solid continents. Juliet Cloud was so glad that she could have cried. She hated scenes and she dreaded being at out to the relatives. So she ate her chicken pot pie and fresh pumpkin pie, thankfully, and forgot how weary she was. After supper Leslie sat down at piano and rattled off right time, and she and Alison sang song after song while the children stood about admirably, and even Herbert sat by as at the social function and listened. The atmosphere was really quite clear when at last they had prepared to leave and Juliet Cloud had an inkling that big blue car had something to do with it. That's some car you've got, said Herbert patronizingly, as he held the lantern for them to get down steps. Get it this year? Would you have to pay for that make now? I'm thinking of getting a new one myself pretty soon. Down up from their knees in the lantern light went two men of the party, examining this and that point of interest, their noses turned mysterious inner working of the wonderful mechanism, while Juliet Cloud sat and marveled that here at last was something which Herbert Robinson respected. And Alison stood up and steps, really smiling, saying how nice it had been to have them for all the world as if they were company, all the hard lines of a rapidly maturing face softened by kindness. It seemed like a miracle. Juliet Cloud settled back into the deep cushions and lifted her eyes to the dark line of the hills against the sky. From hence cometh my help, trail the world's retired brain and her heart murmured, God, I thank thee. Cloudy Jewel by Grace Livingston Hill, Chapter 8 They all slept very late the next morning, being utterly worn out from the unaccustomed work, and when they finally got downstairs they took a sort of lunch breakfast off the pantry shelves again. It was strange how good even shredded wheat, biscuit, and milk can taste when one has been working hard and has a young appetite, although Leslie and Alison had been known to scorn all cereals. Still, there were cookies and wonderful apples from the big tree in the backyard for dessert. When are those men coming back to finish up, suddenly demanded Leslie, poising a glass of milk and a cookie in one hand and taking a great bite from her apple? Not till tomorrow, said Juliet Cloud, looking around the empty kitchen speculatively and wondering how in the world she was going to cook with all the cooking utensils packed in the attic. We ought to have left the kitchen till last, she added with a troubled look. You crazy children! Didn't you know we had to eat? I told that man not to take any of those things on the kitchen table, that they were to stay down until the very last thing, and now he has taken the table even. I went upstairs to see if I could get at things and I find he has put them away at the back and piled up all the chairs and some bed springs in front of them. I'm afraid we shall have to get some things out again. I don't see how we can get along. Not a bit of it, Cloudy, said Leslie, giving a spring and perching herself on the drain board of the sink where she sat swinging her dainty little pumps as nonchalantly as if she were sitting on a velvet sofa. See, here's my plan. I woke up early and thought it all out. Let's see, consulting her wee wristwatch. It's nine o'clock, that isn't bad. Now we'll work till twelve. That's long enough for today because you got too tired yesterday. And besides, we've got some other things to attend to. Then we'll hustle into the car and get to town and do some shopping, ready for our trip. That will rest you. We'll get lunch at a tea room and shop all the afternoon. We'll go to a hotel for dinner and stay all night. Then in the morning, we can get up early, have our breakfast and drive back here in time before the men come. Now isn't that perfectly spic and span for a plan? Leslie, but dear, that would cost a lot. And besides, it isn't in the least necessary. Cost has nothing to do with it. Look, and Leslie flourished a handful of bills. But Guardi Led gave me, and Allison has another just like it. He said particularly that we were not to let you get all worked out and get sick so you couldn't go with us. And he particularly told us about a lot of things he wanted us to buy to make things easy on the way. After he leaves us and goes back to California, we're in your charge, I know, but just now you're in ours. You dear, unselfish darling, and we're going to run you. Oh, we're going to run you to beat the band, laughed Leslie, and jumped down from her perch to squeeze the breath out of Julia Cloud. But child, dear, said that good woman when she could get her breath to speak, you mustn't begin in that extravagant way. But they put their hands over her lips and laughed away her protests until she had to give up for laughing with them. Well then, she said at last, when they had subsided from a regular rough-house frolic for all the world as if they were children, we'll have to get to work in good earnest, only it doesn't seem right to let you work so hard when you are visiting me. Visiting nothing, declared Allison, we're having the time of our lives, and I haven't been in a place where I could do as I pleased since I was eight years old. This is real work, and I like it. Come now, don't let's waste any time. What can I do first? Wouldn't you like to have me take down all the pictures on the second floor, stack them in the attic, and sweep down the walls the way we did down here yesterday? Yes, said their aunt, with an affectionate homage in her eyes for this dear, capable boy who is so eager over everything, as if it were his own. And those big bookcases, what are you going to do with the books? Do you want any of them to go with you, or are they to be packed away? No, I won't take any of those books. They'll need to be dusted and put in boxes. There are a lot of boxes in the cellar, and there's a pile of papers to use for lining the boxes, but you'll have your hands full with pictures, I think. Let the books go till tomorrow. Allison went whistling upstairs and began taking down the pictures, but anybody could see by the set of his shoulders that he meant to get the books out of the way too before noon. Now what can I do, said Leslie, whirling around from wiping the last cup and plate they had used? There is one more bureau beside yours. Does it need emptying out? No, dear, that has your grandmother's things in it and is in perfect order. She had me fix up the things several months ago. Everything is tied up and labeled. I don't think we need to disturb it. The men can move it up as it is. But we need to get the rest of the bed clothes out on the line for an airing before I pack them away in the chest upstairs. You might do that. So Leslie went back and forth carrying blankets and quilts and hanging them on the line till Mrs. Perkins had to come over to see what was going on. She came with a cup in her hand to ask for some baking powder, and Julia Cloud gave her the whole box. No, you needn't return it, she said, smiling. I shall not need it. I've rented the house and am going away for a while. Mrs. Perkins was so astonished that she actually went home without finding out where Julia Cloud was going and had to come back to see whether there was anything she could do to help in order to get a chance to ask. It was really quite astonishing what a lot could be done in three hours. When twelve o'clock came, the two children descended upon their aunt with insistence that she wash her hands and put on her hat. The rooms had assumed that cleared up ready look that rests the tired worker just to look around and see what has been accomplished. With a conviction that she was being quite a child to run away this way when there was still a lot to be done, but with an overwhelming desire to yield to the pressure Julia Cloud surrendered. When she came downstairs five minutes later in her neat black suit and small black hat with the mourning veil about it that Ellen had insisted upon for the funeral, the car was already at the door and she felt almost guilty as she locked the door and went down the path, but the beauty of the day intoxicated her at once and she forgot immediately everything but the joy of riding out into the world. Leslie was a bit quiet as they glided down the road out of town and kept eyeing her aunt silently. At last, as Julia Cloud was calling attention to a wonderful redwood vine that had twined itself about an old dead tree and was setting the roadside ablaze with splendor, Leslie caught her eye. What is it, dear? Does something trouble you? Is anything wrong with me? asked Julia Cloud, putting up a prospecting hand to her hair and hat. Leslie's cheeks went rosy red. Dear, said Leslie, I was just wondering, but I'm afraid to say it. Maybe it will make you feel bad. Not a bit, dear, what is it? Well then, Cloudy, do you think grandmother would care very much if you didn't wear black? Do you like it yourself or feel it wouldn't be right not to wear it? I don't mean any disrespect to grandmother, but oh, you would look so sweet and gray, gray and lavender and soft pink or just gray now for a while. Are you very mad at me for saying it? Julia Cloud reached over and patted the young hand that lay near her on the seat. Why, no, dear, I'm not mad, and I don't care for black myself. I don't believe in wearing black for the people who have left us and gone to heaven. It seems to me white would be a great deal better, but I put on these things to please Ellen. She thought it would be showing great disrespect to mother if I didn't, and rather than argue about it, I did as she wanted me to. But I don't intend to darken the place around me by dressing in mourning-child, and I don't want me to. I like bright, happy things, and besides, Leslie, dear, your grandmother was a bright, happy woman herself once when she was young, before she was sick and had trouble, and I like to remember her that way because I'm sure that is the way she looks now in heaven. Oh, I'm so glad, side Leslie, that makes the day just perfect. I think I'll wait until I get a way to change, however, said Julia Cloud thoughtfully. It would just annoy Ellen to do it now, and might make such people as Mrs. Perkins disagreeable things that would make it unpleasant for your aunt. Of course said Leslie, nestling closer, her eyes dancing with some secret plans of her own. That's all right, Cloudy, how dear and sort of understanding you are, just like a real mother. And somehow Julia Cloud felt as if she was entering into a new world. Allison seemed to know by intuition just where to find the right kind of tea room. He ushered them into the place and found a table in a secluded nook, a fountain playing nearby over ferns and ivy climbing over a mimic pergola. There were not many people eating for it was past one o'clock. There were little round tables with high back chairs that seemed to shut them off in a corner by themselves. This is nice, he sighed. We're a real family now, aren't we? And he looked over at Julia Cloud with that fine homage that now and then a boy just entering manhood renders to an older woman. Cream chicken on toast, fruit salad, fried muffins and ice cream with hot chocolate sauce. Ordered Allison after studying the menu card for a moment. You like all those, don't you, Cloudy? Oh, but my dear, you mustn't order all that. A sandwich is all I need. Just a tongue sandwich. You must not begin by being extravagant. This is my party, Cloudy. This goes under the head of expenses. If you can't find enough you like among what I order, I'll get you a tongue sandwich too. But you've been feeding us out of the cookie jar and I guess I'll get the finest I can find to pay you back. I told you this was my time. When we get settled you can order things but now I'm going to see that you get enough to eat while you're working so hard. Leslie's eyes danced with her dimples as Julia Cloud appealed to her to stop this extravagance. That's all right, Cloudy. I heard Gardy Ludd tell Al not to spare any expense to make things comfortable for you while you were moving. So Julia Cloud settled down to the pleasure of the store's combination of foods and thoroughly enjoyed it all. Now said Leslie as the meal drew to a close, we must get to work. It's half past two and the store's close at half past five. I have a lot of shopping to do. How about you, Cloudy? I must buy a trunk, said Julia Cloud thoughtfully and a handbag and some gloves. I ought to get a new warm coat but that will do later. Leslie eyed her thoughtfully and raised one brow intensively at her brother table. Allison landed them at a big department store and guided his aunt to the trunk department with instructions to stay there until he and Leslie came back. Then they went off with great glee and many whisperings. It is a curious thing how easily and quickly young people can shop provided they have plenty of money and no older person buy to hamper them. Allison and Leslie were back within the time they had set, looking very meek and satisfied. She said, You said you needed a handbag, she said and I came on a place where they were having a sale. I thought this was a peach so I bought it. If you don't like it, we can give it to Aunt Ellen or someone. Julia Cloud's cheeks grew pink with pleasure and she felt like a very young, happy child as she opened the parcel to find a lovely grey suede handbag with silver clasp and fittings containing quite a little outfit of toilet articles and brushes in neat form. She caught her breath with delight as she touched the soft white leather lining and noticed the perfection and finish of the whole. It seemed fit for a queen, yet was plain and quiet enough on the outside for a dove to carry. She looked up to see the two pair of eager eyes upon her and could hardly refrain from throwing her arms about the children right there in the store. But she stopped in time and let her eyes do the caressing as she said with a tremble and her low sweet voice, Oh you dear children how you are going to spoil me I see I must get settled quickly so that I shall have the power to restrain you. They were all at fourth in and bought several things a big steamer rug for the car a pair of long grey mocha gloves to match the handbag, a silk umbrella and for Aunt Ellen a shiny black handbag with a number of conveniences in it. And a pair of new black gloves with long warm wrists tucked inside of it. Then Allison thoughtfully suggested a handsome leather wallet for Uncle Herbert and Julia Cloud lingered by the handkerchief counter and selected half a dozen new fine handkerchiefs. It all seemed just like a play to her it was so very long since she had been shopping herself. Ellen had bought everything for her for years because she was always too busy or too burdened to get away. When they were out in the street again it was still too early to think of going to the hotel for dinner. How about a movie Cloudy asked Allison shyly there's a pippin down the street a ways I saw it as we came by or don't you like movies perhaps you'd rather go to the hotel and lie down I suppose you are maybe worn out I ought to have thought of that not a bit of it said the game little woman I should love to go maybe you won't believe it but I never went to a movie in my life and I've been wanting to know what they were like for a long time never went to a movie in your life why Cloudy you poor deers at Allison who had been fairly fed on movies why how did it happen don't they have moving pictures in your town yes they have them now though only a year or so ago but you know I've never been able to get away even if they had been all about me besides I suppose I should have been considered crazy if I had gone me an oldest woman if there had been children to take it would have been different I suppose it is a childish desire but I always love pictures well we're going said Allison get in quick and I'll have you there before you can say Jack Robinson and so in the restful cool of a flower laden atmosphere in one of the finest moving picture places in the city Julia Cloud sat with her two children and saw her first moving picture holding her breath in wonder and delight as the people on the screen lived and moved before her I'm afraid I'm having too good a time she said quietly as she settled back in the car again and was whirled away to the hotel I feel as if a child again if this keeps on I won't have dignity enough left to chaperone you properly oh but cloudy dear that's just why we want you because you know how to be young and play with us clamored both of them together then after a good dinner they went up to their rooms and there was Julia Cloud's shining new trunk that had to be looked over and there on the floor beside it stood two packages big boxes both of them this must be a mistake said Julia Cloud looking at them curiously Allison you better call the boy and have him take them away to the right room Allison picked up the top package a big square box why this is your name cloudy jewel he exclaimed it must be yours open it but how could it be said Julia Cloud perplexedly open it cloudy I want to see what's in it Julia Cloud was bending over the long pasteboard box on the floor and finding her name on that too it's very strange she said her cheeks beginning to grow pink like those of a child on her first Christmas morning I suppose it's some more of your extravagant capers I don't know what I shall do with you but her eager fingers untied the string while Leslie and Allison executed little silent dances around the room and tried to stifle their mirth the cover fell off at last and the tissue paper blew up in a great fluff and out of it rolled a beautiful long soft thick gray cloak of finest texture and silk and lining with a great puffy collar and cuffs of deep soft silver gray fox oh was all Julia Cloud could say as the wonderful garment slipped out and spread about over the box and floor and then the two children caught it up and enveloped her in it buttoning it down the front and turning the collar around her ears it's yours cloudy to keep you warm on the journey cried Leslie dancing around and clapping her hands doesn't she look lovely in it Allison oh isn't she dear and Leslie caught her and world her around the room then Allison brought the big square box and demanded that it be opened and out of it came a small gray hat and soft silky beaver with a close gray feather curled quietly about it that settled down on Julia Cloud's lovely white hair as if it had been made for her you don't mind do you cloudy dear you don't think I'm a vicious or impertinent beg Leslie anxiously it was Allison's idea to get the hat to match the coat and it was such a dear we couldn't help taking it but if there's anything about them that you don't like we got special permission for you to exchange them tomorrow morning like them Julia Cloud settled down in a chair and looked at herself in helpless joy and admiration like them but oh children you ought to have got such wonderful expensive things for me I'm just a plain simple woman you know and it's not fitting then there arose a great clamor about her she who had given her life for others why should she not have some of the beautiful comfortable things of earth it wasn't sensible for her to talk that way that was being too humble and besides weren't these things quite sensible and practical weren't they warm and wouldn't they be convenient and comfortable and neat well then good night finished Allison and so at last they said good night and went to their beds but long after the children were asleep Julia Cloud lay awake and thought it out God had been good to her and was leading her into green pastures beside quiet waters but there were things he was expecting of her was she going to be able to fulfill them these two young souls were hers to guide which she have the grace to guide them into the knowledge of God in Christ and then she lay praying for strength for this great work until the peace of God sleep dropped down upon her End of Chapter 8 Chapter 9 of Cloudy Jewel This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Yvonne Smith Cloudy Jewel by Grace Livingston Hill Chapter 9 The next two days were busy ones there were a great many last little things to be done and Julia Cloud would have worked herself out had not the children interfered and carried her ride every little while the intervening Sabbath was spent at Ellen Robinson's the handsome handbag and wallet served to keep Ellen from being very disagreeable in fact at the last when she began to realize that Julia was really going away and would not be down at the old house anymore for her to burden and torment she really revealed a gleam of affection for her and quite worried poor Julia with thinking that perhaps after all she ought not to go away so far from her only sister when Ellen sat down on the bare stairs in the old hall Monday morning and gave vent to a real sob at parting Julia had a swift vision of her little sister years ago sitting on that same stair weeping from a fall and herself comforting her and she put her arms around Ellen and kissed her for the first time in many reticent years but at last they were off having handed over the keys to the new tenant and Julia Cloud leaned back on the luxurious cushions and laughed not from mirth for there were tears in her eyes and not from nervousness for she was never subject to hysteria but just from sheer excitement and joy to think that she was really going out in the world at last to see things and live a life of her own the two young people felt it and laughed with her until the black bird swirling in a rustling chorus overhead on their way south seemed to be joining in and a cross the road and sat up inquiringly on her log framed in scarlet leaves they went straight to the city for Mr. Luddington had promised to meet them there and confer with them further about their plans but when they reached the hotel they found only a telegram from him saying that business had held him longer than he expected and that he should have to arrange to meet them farther along in their journey he suggested three colleges either one of which he should favor and another journey to take in a stop at each he promised to communicate with them later and gave his own address in case they decided to remain it either the first or the second place visited now said Julia cloud after the telegram was disposed of I want to get a new dress and a few things before we go any farther I know your children don't like these old block things and we might as well start outright it won't take me long and I shall be ready to go on my way right Leslie was delighted and the two spent two hours of happiness and shopping while Allison drove to a garage to have his car looked over thoroughly and laid in a supply of good things for the journey he also spent a profitable half hour studying a road map and asking questions concerning the journey they tried to make Julia cloud take a nap before they started but she declared she would rather rest in the car and so they started off feeling like three children going to find the end of it was a wonderful afternoon the air was like wine and the autumn foliage was in all its glory as they flew along it seemed as if they were leaving all care behind a soft pink color grew in Julia clouds cheeks and she sat with her hands folded and her eyes bright with the beauty of the day oh but your beauty cloudy deer exclaimed Leslie suddenly see her Allison just look at her isn't she great she was all right in those black things of course but she's wonderful in the gray things for Julia cloud had laid aside in the very bottom of her new trunk the prim black surge that Ellen had bought and the black funeral gloves and coat and hat and she was wearing a lovely soft gray wool jersey dress with white collar and cuffs the big gray coat was nestled by her side ready for use when the wind grew colder and she was wearing the new gray hat and gloves and looked a lady every Allison turned slowly and gave her look that made her blush like a girl I should say she is great she's a peach he agreed that hat is a crackerjack it looks like a pigeons wing I like it don't you cloudy but say Leslie she's something more than a beauty she's a good scout that's what she is do you realize she hasn't opened her lips about the car once remember the time I took Mrs. Luddington down to the office for Gardi how she squeaked every time another car went by and cautioned me to be careful and go slow and asked me how many times I had ever driven before and if I wasn't exceeding the speed limit and no end of things but cloudy hasn't batted an eye she just sits there as if she was riding a cloud and enjoyed it well I do said Julia cloud laughing and I never thought of being afraid I didn't know enough to ought I to because I'm having such a good time that I'm afraid I'd forget to be frightened that's what I said you're a good sport I believe you like to go fast Julia cloud admitted shameedly that she did he's a splendid driver and so my Leslie explained earnestly Gardi had us taught ages ago and we're driven a lot only of course we didn't have our own car we just have the regular car that belongs to the house but we made that work some and Allison took a full course in cars he knows how to repair them put them together and everything shall I let her go cloudy asked Allison eagerly will you be afraid I should love it said Julia cloud eagerly and then with a sober look at the boy don't do anything crazy dear don't do anything that you ought to do of course not said Allison gravely sitting up with a manly look in his handsome young face and by the look he gave her she knew that she had put him upon his honor and she knew that he would take no risk to trust him if she had been a squealing hectoring kind of woman he might have been challenged into taking risks but not here when she trusted him and the responsibility was all his Julia cloud as she drew a long breath and prepared to enjoy the flight down the white ribbon of road up a hill and down another registered the thought that here was a clue to this boy's character trust him and he would be faithful distrust him and you wouldn't be anywhere it did not come to her that way but rather as a subconscious fact that was incorporated into her soul and gave her a solid and sure feeling about her boy she had seen all that in his eyes he turned around presently and told her how fast they had been going and her eyes were shining as brightly as Leslie's you're a pretty good part cloudy he said we'll make you a member of the gang and take you everywhere see you're being initiated now and you're making good right along I knew we did a good thing when we came after you didn't we less and Leslie turned and flung herself into Julia clouds arms with one of her enthusiastic hugs it was just evening when they entered the little town about 20 miles from a larger city where was located a seat of learning coeducational which had been highly recommended to Mr. Luddington and which seemed to him to have a great many good points in its favor the signpost warned them of their approach and the three sat silently watching judging the place from the outskirts big square houses and lawns multiplied as they progressed some streets had fences substantial churches rose here and there and that college grounds became visible as they neared the center of the town the buildings were spacious and attractive with tall old elms and maple shading the broad walks there was an ideal chapel of dark red stone with arches and a wonderful belfry and one could easily imagine young men flitting here and there the two young people studied the scene as the car drove slowly by and said nothing Allison went on to the other end of town till the houses grew farther apart and nothing had been said then Leslie drew a big sigh turn around brother and let's go back past there again Allison turned around and drove slowly by the college grounds again there are tennis courts at the back said Leslie and that looks like a gym over there do you suppose that's the athletic field over at the back they drove slowly around the block and Julia Cloud sat silently trying to think of herself in this strange environment and feeling suddenly chilly and alone there would be a lot of strange people to meet and the children would be off at college all day she hadn't thought of that try some of the side streets ordered Leslie I haven't seen our house yet they came to the business part of the town and found the stopping place suggested in Mr. Luddington's directions I wish about it tonight said Allison gravely I guess we better get some supper and let Cloudy Jewel get rested for a while then tomorrow we can look around they were wise words and Julia Cloud assented at once but it was quite plain that neither he nor Leslie was much elated at the place Allison slipped out for a walk through the college grounds after the others had gone to their rooms and came back whistling gravely he doesn't like it Cloudy whispered Leslie as the sound floated in through the transom he won't have anything to do with it you see what makes you think so dear he's whistling that sounds as if he liked it yes but look what he's whistling he always begins on the long long trail if he isn't pleased or has to wait when he's in a hurry to get anywhere now if he had been pleased you would have heard one grasshopper hopped right over the other grasshoppers back I can always tell well I don't care do you Cloudy there's plenty of other colleges and I didn't see your house in any of the streets we went through did you Julia Cloud had to confess that she had not been in love with anything she had seen yet well then what's the use of going over the old college I say let's beat it in the morning but Julia Cloud would not hear to that she said they must be fair even to a college and Mr. Luddington would want them to look the place over thoroughly while they were there so after breakfast the two reluctant young people went with Julia Cloud to make investigation they went through the classrooms and the chapel and the library and gymnasiums they visited science halls and workshops they even climbed up to the observatory and took a squint at the big telescope and then they came down and went with a real estate dealer to see some houses but at 12 o'clock they came back to their boarding house with a sigh of relief ate a good dinner and climbing into their car shook the dust of the town as it were from their feet it may be a very nice town but it's not the town for me chanted Leslie wrestling back among the cushions here to sit Allison letting the car ride out under full power over the smooth country road but though Julia Cloud questions several times she could get no explanation except Allison's terse true provincial whatever he meant by that she doubted whether he knew himself she wondered whether it were that they each felt the same homesick feeling that she had experienced they stayed that night at a little country in and started on their way again at early morning for they had a long journey before them to reach the second place that Mr. Lightington had suggested late that afternoon they stopped in a small city and decided to rest until morning for the children wanted to stretch their limbs and they felt that their aunt was very weary though she declared she was only sleepy the sun had quite gone down the next evening and the twilight was beginning to settle over everything as they drove at last into the second college town of their tour and the church bells were peeling for prayer meeting church the thought of them sent a thrill through Julia Cloud's heart there was somehow a familiar home like sound to them that made her think of the prayer meetings that had cheered her heart through many lonely days it had really been for many years her one outing to go to prayer meeting even after her mother had become bed ridden she had always insisted on Julia going off to prayer meeting and a neighbor who was lame and sometimes stayed with her would come hobbling in and send her off the church bell at home had always sounded sweet to her ears because it meant that this hour was her own quiet time to go away alone and rest and it had been real heart rest always even though sometimes the meetings themselves had been woefully prosy there had always been the pleasant little chat and the warm handshakes afterwards and then the going home again beneath the stars with a bit of the last hymn in one soul to sing one to sleep with nearer my god to thee even though it be a cross that raiseth me and the burden had grown less and her heart had grown light with a promise of her father those meetings had been to Julia cloud very real meetings with her Christ and now as the evening bells peeled out her heart leaped to meet and answer the call oh I'd like to go to prayer meeting she said impulsively as they passed the lighted church and saw a few faithful going in at the door do you mean it asked Allison bringing the car to a stop do you mean it cloudy then let's go we can size the people up and see if we like their looks I guess we can stand a prayer meeting unless you are too tired with the eagerness of a child Julia cloud got out of the car and went into the house of the Lord it was like a bit of heaven to her she didn't realize what a bore it might be to her two companions it was a good little meeting as such meetings go very little enthusiasm very few present mostly elders and their wives with an old saint or two almost at the journey's end and a dignified white haired minister who said some good things in a droney sleepy voice the piano was played by a homely young woman who wore unfashionable clothes and made frightful mistakes in the base occasionally but that did not seem to trouble the singers who sang with the heart rather than with their voices Allison sat solemnly and refrained from looking at a sister but both stole occasional glances at their aunt and admired her new clothes and the beautiful light on her face for Julia cloud felt as if she were glimpsing into heaven and seeing her Lord in this bit of communion with some of his saints and when she bowed her head in the closing prayer she was thanking him for all his mercies in bringing this wonderful change into her gray life and giving her these two dear children to love her and be loved by her as she rose to come out her face was glorified by that vision on the mount the gentle face minister came and spoke to them and welcomed them to the church although Allison told him quite curtly that they were only passing through the town but Julia cloud trod the neat brown ingrained carpet of the aisle as if it were golden pavement of all the stupid places at Allison as they got into the car what do they have prayer meetings for anyway did you manage to keep awake cloudy suddenly like a pall there fell upon Julia cloud's bright soul the realization that these children did not would not feel as she did about such things they had probably never been taught to love the house of God and how was she ever to make them see perhaps it had been prosy and dull to one who did not hear the Lord's voice behind the Bible words perhaps the old minister had been long and tiresome and the children were weary with the journey and sleepy she ought not to have let them stop now and she began to say how sore she was but when they saw from her words that she had really enjoyed that dull little meeting they were silent well cloudy I'll hand it to you said Allison at last if you could stand that meeting and enjoy it you're some Christian but I'm glad for one that we went if you liked it and I guess if you can go to a football game now and then I ought to be able to stand a prayer meeting so now here goes for seeing the town it's only one o'clock and I believe that's the college up there on the hill where all those lights are shall we drive up there the car slipped through the pleasant evening streets turning a corner slowing up at a crossing to take a view of the town and keeping all the time in view the clusters of lights on the hill which Allison conceived to be the college suddenly Leslie leaned forward and cried oh Allison stop stop there it is just there on the right and it's for sale too well let's get right out and get the name of the agent so we won't lose it again Allison stopped the car suddenly and turned to look there in the full blaze of an electric arc light nestled among shrubbery and tall trees with a smooth terrace in front was a beautiful little cottage of white stone with a pink roof and windows everywhere why that's not the college less what's the matter with you said Allison putting his hand on the starter again better wake up don't you know a college see one college nothing said his sister that's our house that's our home Allison the very house I've dreamed of it looks a little like the houses in California and it is a very thing now there's no use you've got to get out and get that agent's name or I'll jump out myself and get lost and walk the rest of the way it is lovely said Julia cloud leaning over to look but it looks expensive and you wouldn't want to buy a house you know dear for you might not stay oh yes we would if we liked it and besides houses can be sold again when you get done with them though I'd never want to sell that it's a perfect little duck Allison will you get out or shall I oh I'm game said Allison getting out and jumping the hedge into the pretty yard he took out his pencil and wrote down the address in his notebook stepped up the terrace and glanced about then went close to the street sign and found out what corner it was near it is a pippin sure thing to the car again but Leslie for the love of Mike don't find any more houses tonight I'm hungry as a bear that prayer meeting was one too many for me I'm going to make for the nearest restaurant and then if you want to go house hunting after that all right but I'm going to find the eats first they asked a group of boys where the restaurant was and one pointed to an open door from which light was streaming forth there's the pie shop they said and the party descended hungry and happy with the delicious uncertainty they found a dream of a house in the dark and wondering what it would turn out to be in the daytime they inquired the way to the end and decided to stop further investigations until morning end of Chapter 9 Chapter 10 of Cloudy Jewel this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Tara Mendoza Cloudy Jewel by Grace Livingston Hill Chapter 10 they were all very weary and slept well that night but strange to say Allison who was the sleepyhead awoke first and was out looking the town over before the others had thought of waking he came back to breakfast eager and impatient we don't need to go any farther he declared it's a peach of a place there's a creek that reaches up in the woods for miles and they have canoes and skating whole and there are tennis courts everywhere and it's only 11 miles from the city I say we just camp here and not bother about going on to the other place I'm satisfied if that house is big enough it's just the thing but have you been to the college no but I asked about it they have intercology at games and frats and I guess it's all right it has a peach of a campus too and a Carnegie library with chimes well but dear you aren't going to college just for things oh the college will be all right Gartie wouldn't have suggested it if it wasn't but we'll go up there this morning and look around now children don't get your heart set on it before you know all about it you know that house may be quite impossible now cloudy put in Leslie you know Allison told you you were a good sport you mustn't begin by preaching before you find out if it isn't all right white of course we don't want it so let's have the fun thinking it is till we prove it isn't or it is Julia cloud looked into the laughing happy eyes and yielded with a smile of course she said I'm agreed to that but there's one thing you know we're bound to go on to the other college because Mr. Luddington expects us and we can come back here again if we like this better oh we can wire him to come here said Leslie now let's go first to that house please because I'm so afraid somebody will buy it the option on it I've heard that houses are very scarce in the east just now and people are snapping them up I read that on the back of that old man's paper at the next table to ours this morning all three of them having the hearts of children they went at once to hunt up the agent before ever they got even a glimpse of the halls of learning standing brave and fair on the hillside in the morning sunshine because there are plenty more colleges said Leslie there's only one home for us and I believe we found it if it looks half as pretty in the daylight as it did at night it took only a few minutes to find the agent and get the key of the house and presently they were standing on the terrace gazing with delight at the house it was indeed a lovely little dwelling it was built of stone and then painted white but the roof and gables were tiled with great pink tiles giving an odd little foreign look to it something like Anne Hathaway's cottage in general contour Leslie declared the top of the terrace was pink tiled too and all the porches were paved with tiles the house itself seemed filled with windows all around Allison unlocked the door and they exclaimed with pleasure as he threw it wide open and they stepped in the sunshine was flooding the great living room from every direction it seemed to begin with the room was very large and gave the effect of being a sun parlor because of its white paneled walls and its many windows straight across from the front door on the opposite side of the room opened a small hallway or passage with stairs leading up to a platform where more windows shed a beautiful light down the stairs on walls papered with strange tropical birds in delicate old-fashioned tracery to the right through a wide white arch from the living room was a charming white dining room with little high leaded paint windows over the spot for the sideboard and long windows in front to the left was an enormous stone fireplace with high mantle shelf of stone the fire opening was wide enough for an old yule log and on either side of it were double glass doors opening into a long porch room which also had a fireplace on the opposite side of the chimney and was completely shut in by long casement windows upstairs there were four large bedrooms and a little hall room that could be used for a sewing room or den or an extra bedroom besides a neat little maids room in a notch on the halfway landing and two bathrooms white tiled and delightful tucked away in between things then Leslie opened a glass door in the very prettiest room of all which she and Allison immediately decided must belong to their aunt and exclaimed in delight for here nestled between the gables with a tiled wall all about it was a delightful house top or uncovered porch so situated among the trees that it was entirely shut in from the world it was perfect they stood and looked at one another in and for the time the college was forgotten then Allison dashed away and came back eagerly almost immediately there's a garage he said just behind the kitchen a regular Robin's nest of one white with pink tiles just like the house and a pebble drive say it must be some fool of a guy that would sell this isn't it just a cracker jack my dear put in Julia cloud it can't help being very expensive now cloudy remember said Leslie holding up her finger and mock rebuke just wait and see and anyhow you don't know Gardie Ludd if he could see us located in a peach of a home like this he go back to his growly old dear of a wife with happy tears rolling down his nice old cheeks Allison you go talk to that agent and you give him a hundred dollars if you've got it left here I guess I've got some too just to bind the bargain till Gardie gets here and say you go see if you can't get Gardie on the phone I don't want farther couldn't you be happy here cloudy with that fireplace and that prayer meeting to go to I wouldn't mind going with you sometimes when I didn't have to study Julia cloud stooped and kiss the eager face and whispered very happy darling and then they went to the agent again and the telephone Gardie Ludd proved himself quite equal to the occasion by agreeing to come on at once and approve their choice and promise to be there before evening I knew he would happily as they seated themselves in the car again for the pleasant run to the college they found the dean in his office and Allison was taken with him at once he isn't much like that musty little guy in the other college he looked like a wet hen growled Allison in a low tone to his sister and aunt why the dean was out in the hall talking to a student I like him don't you and Julia cloud sat wondering what the boy's standards could be that he could judge so suddenly and enthusiastically yet she had to admit herself that she liked this man tall and grave with a pleasant twinkle hidden away in his wine brown eyes and around the corners of his firm mouth she felt satisfied that here was a man who would be both wise and just they made the rounds of the college buildings and campus with growing enthusiasm and then drove back to the end to lunch with hearty appetites let's go down to the house and measure things and look around once more proposed Leslie then we can come back and wait here for Gardie we mustn't be away until he arrives for he'll want to get everything fixed up and get away I know him Allison did you get a timetable Allison produced one from his coat pocket and they studied the trains and decided that there was no possibility of the arrival of their guardian until three o'clock and probably not until five that's all right said Leslie cloudy and I'll stay here from three to five and you can meet the trains but first I want the dimensions of those rooms so cloudy and I can plan we've got a whole lot to do before college opens and we can't spare a minute oh cloudy I'm so happy isn't that house just a duck they went to the village store bought a foot rule a yardstick and a tape measure and repaired to the house Allison took the foot rule by masculine right Julia Cloud said she felt more at home with the tape measure and Leslie preferred the yardstick with pencil and paper they went to work making a diagram of each room with spaces between the windows and doors for furniture taking it room by room we've got to know about length of curtains and whether furniture will fit in declared Leslie wisely I thought it all out nights in the sleeper on the way over here just think isn't it going to be fun furnishing the whole house you know cloudy I didn't have hardly anything sent because it really wasn't worthwhile we sort of wanted to leave the house at home just as it was when mama was living to come back to some times and so we let it to an old gentleman a friend of grandfathers and guardies who is only his wife and servants and will take beautiful care of it but I went around and picked out anything I wanted rugs and pictures and some bric-a-brac and a few bits of old mahogany that I love just small things that would pack easily guardie said we might buy our own things he said a limit on our spending of course but he said it would be good experience for us to learn how to buy wisely inside a certain some Julia Cloud went around like one in a dream with her new tape measure setting down careful figures and feeling like a child it was almost three o'clock when they finally finished their measurements in Allison hurried them back to the inn and repaired to the station to meet trains Leslie made her aunt lie down on the bed supposedly for a nap but no one could have taken a nap even if he had wanted to which Julia Cloud did not with an eager excited girl sitting beside the bed just fluttering with ideas about couches and pillows and furniture and curtains we'll have a great deep couch with air cushions on the seat and put it in the middle of the living room facing the fireplace won't we cloudy and what color do you think would be pretty for the cushions I guess blue deep dark blue brocaded velvet or something soft that will tone well with the mahogany woodwork I love mahogany in a white room don't you cloudy and I had a great big blue Chinese rug sent over that I think will do nicely for there you like blue don't you cloudy she finished anxiously because I want to have you like it more than even we do oh I love it guest Julia Cloud trying to set her mind to evil and extravagant desires without compunction she was not used to considering life in terms of Chinese rugs or mahogany and brocade velvet I'd like the curtains next to the windows to be all alike all over the house wouldn't you just sheer soft creamy white and then inner curtains of Chinese silk or something like that we'd want blue in the living room of course if we had the blue rugs and couch and oh old rose I guess in the dining room or perhaps mahogany color or tan green for that sun porch room that's it and lots of willow chairs and tables and rush mats on the tile floor oh aren't we having fun cloudy dear now I'll write out a list of things we have to buy while you take a nap and so it went on the whole afternoon until the sound of a distant whistle warned them that the five o'clock train was coming in and they must be prepared to meet Mr. Luddington according to program they hurried into their wraps and went down to the Piazza to wait for the car none too soon for Allison was already driving around the curb in front of the door and Mr. Luddington sat beside him radiating satisfaction anything that pleased his adorable wards pleased him but this especially so for he was in a hurry to respond to the many telegrams summoning him home to California and the quicker this little household was settled the sooner he might leave them they drove it once of course to the house Allison and Leslie talked fast and eagerly every minute of the way their eyes bright and their faces beautiful enthusiasm and Mr. Luddington could only sit and listen and smile over their heads at Julia Cloud who was smiling also and who in her new silvery garments looked to him all the more lady and fit to play mother to his wards well now now now said Gardilud after they had gone carefully over every room and were coming downstairs again this is great this is certainly great I couldn't have had it better if I'd made it to order could I settled here and I could stay long enough to take breakfast with you and enjoy some more of your excellent buckwheat pancakes Ms. Cloud he turned with a gallant bow to Julia I hope you'll teach my little girl here to bake them just like that so she can make some for me when she comes back to California to visit us again they wrote him around the town through the college grounds and then back to the inn for dinner that evening they spent in discussion and business plans for the winter for the young people to be entered as students and afterwards drove to the city Mr. Luddington had one or two friends there to whom he wished to introduce them that they might have someone near at hand to call upon in a time of need he also took them all to a bank and arranged their bank accounts so that they might draw what they needed at any time after lunch he went with them to several of the largest stores and opened a charge account for them then with a warm handshake for Julia Cloud and an emotional goodbye for the young people he left them to rush for his train we might stay in town tonight and be ready to shop early in the morning proposed Leslie no said Allison decidedly cloudy looks worn to a frazzle and I'm sick to death in the city let's beat it back to where they have good air we can go right to bed after dinner and get up good and early and be here as soon as the stores are open they don't open till nine o'clock I saw the signs on the doors everywhere so back they went for a good night's rest and add it early in the morning scarcely noticing the way they rode so interested were they in deciding how many chairs and beds and tables they needed to buy let's get the curtains first and then we can have the windows washed and put them right up said Leslie and nobody can see it I'm crazy to be shut into our own house and feel that it belongs to us we can select them while Allison's gone to see what's the matter with his engine but when Julia Cloud heard the curtains made to order with fixtures and installation she exclaimed in horror Leslie this is foolish we can easily make them ourselves and put them up for less than half the price if I had only brought my sewing machine but it was all out of repair could we really make them ourselves cloudy wouldn't that be fun we'll get a sewing machine of course we'll need it for other things too sometimes won't we of course we'll get one we'll buy that next now how many yards each of these do we need in a few minutes the salesman had figured out how much was needed counted the number of fixtures for doorways and windows and arranged to send the package down to the car at a certain time later in the morning then they went and bought a sewing machine one that Claudia Joule knew all about and said was the best and lightest on the market Leslie was as pleased with the idea of learning to run it as if it had been a new toy and she a child we'll have it sent right to the little new house and then we can go there evenings after we're through shopping and so you can cut and I can put in the hems if you think I can do them all enough we must get scissors and thread a lot of it and silk to match the colored curtains too they took the rooms one at a time and furnished them Allison joining them and taking as much interest in the design of the furniture as if he had been a young bridegroom just setting up housekeeping for himself they had set aside a certain sum for each room so that they would not have to go through the whole limit and with Julia cloud to put on the brakes and suggest simplicity and decide what was in good taste for such a small village house they easily came within the generous limit allowed them it was a great game for Julia cloud to come out of her simple country life and plunge into this wholesale beautiful buying untroubled by a continual feeling that she must select the very cheapest without regard to taste or desire and so the little house was not all furnished in a day well the living rooms done anyway and the willow set for the porch room sighed Leslie leaning back with a fling of weariness now tomorrow we'll do the dining room tomorrow Sunday less the stores aren't open use your being a little child Sunday Leslie's beautiful face drew itself into a snarl of impatience the first really that Julia clouded oh darn said Leslie's pretty lips isn't that too horrid I forgot all about it I wonder what they have to have Sunday for anyway it's just a dull bore oh Leslie darling said Julia cloud a gasp something in her heart growing suddenly heavy and sinking her down down so that she felt as if she could hardly hold her head up another minute well cloudy dear don't you think it's a bore yourself truly come now own up I don't see what's the use of it to you one can't do a thing that's nice but I'll tell you what we can do her eyes growing bright with eagerness again we'll measure and cut all the curtains and turn the hems up and Allison you can put up the fixtures if only the machine could have been sent up today we could have had the curtains all done couldn't we cloudy the Julia cloud's lips were white and trembling and her sweet eyes had suddenly gone dark with trouble and apprehension oh Leslie darling she gasped again you don't mean you would work on the Sabbath day why why not cloudy dear is there anything wrong about that end of chapter 10 recorded by Tara Mendoza Phoenix Arizona April 2011 chapter 11 of cloudy jewel this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by James O'Connor cloudy jewel by Grace Livingston Hill chapter 11 Julia cloud had a sudden feeling that everything was whirling beneath her the very foundations of the earth she drew a deep breath and tried to steady herself thinking in her heart that she must be very calm and not make any mistakes in this great crisis that had arisen it flashed across her consciousness that she was a simple old-fashioned woman accustomed to old-fashioned ideas living all her life in a little town where the line between the church and the world was strongly marked where the traditions of Christianity were still held sacred in the hearts of many and where the customs of worldliness had not yet noticeably invaded all the articles she had read in the religious press about the wordliness of the modern Sabbath the terrible desecration of the day that had been dear and sacred to her all her life as being the time when she came closest to her Lord all the struggle between the church and the world to keep the old laws rigidly and all the sneers she had seen in the secular press against the fanatics who were trying to force the world back to Puritanism came shivering to her mind in one great thrill of agony as she recognized that she was face to face with one of the biggest religious problems of the day and must fight it out alone the beautiful life that had seemed to be opening out before her was not then to be all beauty behind the flowers of this new Eden there hid a serpent of temptation and she Julia Cloud disciple of the Lord Christ was to be tried out to see what faith there was in her for a moment she faltered and closed her eyes shuddering how could she face it she who knew so little what to say and how to tell her quiet hot beliefs why had she been placed in such a position why was there not someone nicer than she to guide the feet of these children into the straight and narrow way but only a moment she shrank thus the voice of her master seemed to speak in her hot as the wind whirled by the car and stirred the loose hair on her forehead the voice that had been her guide through life was requiring her now to witness to these two whom she loved to it be they ever so wise just because she loved them and loved him and was not pretending to be wise only following then she drew a deep breath reminded herself once more that she must be careful not to antagonize and sat up gravely dear it is God's day and I have always felt that he wanted us to make it holy for him to keep worldly things out of it you know I wouldn't feel that I could work on that day of course I have no right to say you shall not I'm only your advisor and friend you know but I'd rather you wouldn't because I know God would rather you wouldn't Leslie pouted uneasily how in the world could you know that she said almost crossly she did love to carry out her projects Julia cloud had put no hindrance in her way why he said so in his book he said thou shalt not do any work thou nor thy son nor thy daughter well those are the old commandments cloudy dear and I've heard people even ministers say that they are out of date now they don't have anything to do with us nowadays Julia cloud looks still graver God doesn't change Leslie he is the same yesterday and today and forever and he said that whoever took away from the meaning of the words of his book would have some terrible punishment so that it were better that a millstone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned well I think he'd be a perfectly horrid God to do that said Leslie I can't see how you can believe any such old thing like you cloudy dear it's just some old thing you were taught you don't like to be long faced and unhappy one day in the week you know you don't long faced unhappy why dear child God doesn't want the Sabbath to be that he wants it to be the happiest day of all the week I'm never unhappy on Sunday I like it best of all suddenly Allison turned around and looked at Julia cloud a strange look around her lips the yearning light in her eyes and had some swift man's intuition about the true woman's soul of her for men especially young men do have these intuition sometimes as well as women Leslie he said gently as if he had suddenly grown much older than his sister can't you see you're hurting cloudy cut it out if cloudy like Sunday she shall have it the way she wants it Leslie turned with sudden compunction oh cloudy dear I didn't mean to hurt you indeed I didn't I never thought you'd care it's all right dear said Julia cloud with her gentle voice and just the least might have a gas you see Sunday has always been very dear to me I hadn't realized you wouldn't feel the same she seemed to shrink into herself and though the smile still trembled on the lips there was a hovering of distress over her fine brows we will feel the same to clad Allison if you feel that way so much we'll manage somehow to be loyal to what you think you always do it for us and if we can't be as big as you are we haven't got the gang spirit it's teamwork Leslie cloudy goes to football games and makes fudge for our friends we go to church and help her keep Sunday her way see well of course sure said Leslie half a villain I didn't mean not to of course if cloudy like such things only she'll have to teach me how for I never did like those things well I say let's get cloudy to spend the first Sunday telling us how she thinks Sunday ought to be kept and why is that a bargain cloudy but I'm afraid I wouldn't be wise enough to explain falter Julia cloud distress in her voice I could maybe find something to read to you about it oh preserves cloudy we don't want any old dissertations out of the book if we can't have your own thoughts that make you live it the way you do we haven't any use for any of it see Julia cloud forced a trembling little smile and said she saw and would do her best but her hot sank at the prospect what a responsibility to be put upon her ignorant shoulders the Lord Sabbath in her bungling hands to make or to Ma for these two young souls she must pray oh she must pray continually that she might be led and then there came swiftly to her mind one of the verses that had become familiar to her through the years as she read and re-read her Bible and when they bring you unto the synagogues and under magistrates and powers taking no thought how or what thing ye shall answer or what ye shall say for the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say this was not exactly being brought before magistrates but it was being challenged for a reason for the hope that was in her and perhaps she could claim the promise surely if the Lord wanted her to defend his Sabbath before these two he would give her wise words in which to speak anyhow she would just have to trust him for she had none of her own now see what you've done Leslie said her brother Shopley cloudy hasn't looked that way once before next thing you know she'll be washing her hands of us and running off back to Sterling again oh cloudy said the penitent Leslie flinging herself into her aunt's arms and nestling there beseechingly you wouldn't do that would you cloudy dear no matter how naughty I got because you would know I wouldn't mean it ever even if I was real bad no dear said Julia Cloud kissing her fair forehead this is just one of those things that I meant when I was afraid to undertake it you see there may be a great many things you will want to do on Sunday that I would not feel it right for me to do and I may be a hindrance to you in lots of ways I shouldn't like to get to be a sought of burden to you and it isn't as if they were things that I could give up you know this is a matter of conscience that's all right cloudy put in Allison you have your say in things like that we aren't so selfish as all that and besides if it's wrong for you who knows but it's wrong for us too we'll look into it Julia Cloud went smiling through the rest of the evening but underneath was a tugging of strange dread and fear at her hot it was all so new this having responsibility with souls she had always so quietly trusted her Bible and tried to follow her Lord she had never had to guide others there had not been time for her even to take a class in Sunday school and she knew her religion only as it applied to her one little narrow life she thought not realizing that when one has applied a great faith to the circumstances of even a narrow life and applied it thoroughly through a lifetime one has learned more theology and one could get in years of a theological seminary theories after all are worth little unless they have been worked out in experience and when one has patiently even happily given up much of the joy of living to serve has learned to keep self under and love even the unlovable has put to the test the promises of the Bible and found them whole true in time of need and has found the Sabbath day an oasis in the desert of an otherwise dreary life even an old theologian wouldn't have much more to go on in beginning a discussion on Sabbath keeping quite early the next morning before Leslie had awakened Julia Cloud had slipped softly to her knees by the bedside and was communing with her concerning her need of guidance when Leslie awoke her aunt was sitting by the window with her Bible on her knee and a sweet look of peace on her face morning sunlight resting on the silvery whiteness of her hair like a benediction it was perhaps the soft turning of a leaf that brought the girl to wakefulness and she lay for some time quietly watching around and thinking the deep perhaps nothing could have so well prepared her for the afternoon talk as that few minutes of watching Julia Cloud's face as she read her Bible glancing now and then from the window thoughtfully as if considering something she had read Julia Cloud was reading over everything that her Bible said about the Sabbath and with the help of her concordance she was being led through a very deep stream of thought although she did not know it if you had asked her she would have said that she had not been thinking about what she would say to the children she had been deep in the meaning that God sent to her own soul but when Leslie finally stirred and greeted her Julia Cloud looked up with a smile of peace and there was no longer a little line of worry between her straight brows she glasted all through the morning and went with her down to breakfast and something of her enjoyment of the day seemed to pervade the atmosphere about her and extend to the two young people they hovered about her anxious to please and a trifle illidease at first lest they should make some mistake about this day that seemed so holy to their aunt and had always been to them nothing but a bore to get through in the jolliest way possible there was no question about going to church they just went Leslie and Allison had never made a practice of doing so since they had been left to themselves it had not been necessary in the circle in which they moved when they went to school and had to go to church they evaded the rule as often as possible but somehow they felt without being told that if they were to remain away now it would hurt their aunt more than anything else they could do and while they were usually outspoken and frank they both felt that here was a time to be silent about their habits we're going to church said Allison in a low tone as he drew his sister's chair away from the breakfast table his tone had the quality of command of course responded Leslie quietly it was so that Julia allowed was spared the knowledge that her two dear young people did not consider it necessary to attend church every Sabbath and her peace was not disturbed the sermon in the little stucco church where they had gone to prayer meeting that first night was not exceedingly enlivening nor uplifting the minister was prosy with dignity soaring into occasional flights of eloquence that reminded one of a generation ago there was nothing about it to bring to mind the sweetness of a Sabbath communion with Christ nothing to remind the young soul that Christ was ready to be friend and savior it was rather a dissertation on one of the epistles with a smack of modern higher criticism the young people watched the preacher a while listlessly and wished for the end but a glance at the quiet worshipful face that kept them thoughtful Julia Cloud evidently had something that most other people did not have they said to themselves some inner light that shone through her face some finer sight and keener ear that made her see and hear what was not given to common mortals to comprehend and because she sat thus with the light of communion on her face they too sat with respectful hearts and tried to join lustily in the hymns with their fresh voices the minister came down and shook hands with them welcoming them kindly he seemed more human out of the pulpit and asked quite interestingly where they were to live and whether he might call he mentioned Sunday school and Christian endeavor and said he hoped they would cast in their lot among them and the young people all little smiles and withdrew into themselves while their aunt did the talking they were willing she should have her Sabbath and they would do all in their power to make it what she wanted but they were hostile toward this church and this minister and all that it had to do with it simply did not interest them Julia Cloud saw this in their eyes as she turned to go away inside herself how much there was to teach them could she ever hope to make them feel differently in two short weeks the college would open and they would be swept away on a whirl of work and play and new friends and functions was she strong enough to stem the tide of worldliness that would engulf them no not of herself but she had read that very morning the promises of her lord surely I will be with thee I will help thee and she meant to lay hold on them closely she could do nothing of herself but she with her lord helping could do anything he wanted done that was enough Leslie turned longing eyes toward the winding creek and an alluring canoe that lauled idly at the bank down below the inn as she stood on the piazza after dinner waiting for her aunt but Alison saw her glance and shook his head better not suggested he said there are a lot of picnickers down there carrying on high she would not like it I'm sure if it were all quiet and no one about it would be different well there are a lot of people around here on the piazzas said Leslie disconsolently I don't see the difference but when Julia Cloud came with her Bible slipped unobtrusively under her arm she suggested a quiet spot in the woods and so they wanded off through the trees with a big blanket from the car to sit on and found a wonderful place high above the water where a great rift of rocks jetted out among grouping hemlocks and was carpeted with pine needles it would please me very much said Julia Cloud as she sat down on the blanket and opened her Bible looking up wistfully at the tomb if you two would go to that Christian endeavor meeting tonight I hate to ask you to do anything like that right away but that minister begged me to get you to come he said they were having such a struggle to make it live and that they needed some fresh young workers he asked me if you didn't sing and he said singers were very much needed there was a heavy silence for a moment while the two young things looked at each other aghast across her Julia Cloud kept her eyes on the floating clouds above the hemlocks she still had that softened look of being within a safe shelter where storms and troubles could not really trouble her yet there was a dear eagle look in her eyes both children saw it and with wonderful intuition interpreted it and because their hearts were young and tender they yielded to its influence Leslie swooped down upon her aunt with an overwhelming kiss and Allison dropped down beside her with a sure will go cloudy if that will do you any good I can't say I'm keen about pleasing that stiff old parson guy but anything you want is different I don't know just what you're letting us in for but I guess we can stand most anything once Julia Cloud put out a hand to grasp a hand at the beach and looking up they saw that there were tears in her eyes are those happy tears cloudy or the other kind tell us quicker we'll jump in the creek and ground ourselves Laugh Leslie and then two white handkerchiefs one big and one little came swiftly out and dabbed at her cheeks until there wasn't a sign of a tear to be seen I think I'm almost too happy to talk said Julia Cloud I'm just a tree and looking up into its lacy green branches it seems as if I was just beginning my life over and being a child again for a few minutes they sat so looking up into the changing autumn sky listening to the soft tinkle of the water running below the dip of anore the swirl of a blue heron's wing as it clove the air the distant voices of the picnickers of the creek the rustle of the yellow beach leaves as they whispered of the time to go and how they would drip down like little brown boats to the stream and lied away to the end now and then a nut would fall with a tiny crisp bud and a squirrel would whisk from a limb overhead they were very quiet and let the beauty of the spot sink deep into their souls then at last Julia Cloud began to talk End of Chapter 11 Recording by James O'Connor Randolph, Massachusetts March, 2011 Chapter 12 of Cloudy Jewel This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by James O'Connor Cloudy Jewel by James O'Connor Cloudy Jewel by Grace Livingston Hill Chapter 12 There were tiny slips of paper in Julia Cloud's well-worn Bible and she turned to the first one shyly It was such new work to her to be talking about these things to any but her own worshipful soul The two young people settled back in comfortable attitudes on the blanket on the far sky overhead They were embarrassed also but they meant to carry this thing through Thus the heavens and the earth were finished and all the host of them read Julia Cloud and straight away the shining blue above them took on a personality and became a witness in the day's proceedings It was as if someone whom they had known all their lives quite familiar in their daily life should suddenly have stood up and declared himself to have been an eye witness to most marvelous proceedings The hazy blue with its floating clouds was no longer a diversion from the subject in hand Their eyes were riveted with mysterious thoughts as they lay and listened astonished, fascinated It was the first time it had ever really entered into their consciousness that there had been a time when there was no blue no firm earth no anything Whether it were true or not had not as yet become a question with them They were near enough to their fairy story days to accept a tale while it was being read and revel in it The quiet voice went on and on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made and God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it because in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made What did he have to rest for? A God wouldn't get tired would he burst forth Leslie turning big inquiring eyes on Julia Cloud I don't know unless he did it for our sakes to set us an example she answered slowly although that might mean he rested in the sense of stop doing it you know that would imply that he had some reason for doing so I'm not very wise you know because I may not be able to answer your questions doesn't mean they can't be answered by someone who has studied it all out I've often wished I could have gone to college and studied Greek in Hebrew so I could have read the Bible in the original said Allison thoughtfully that would be interesting wouldn't it I always wondered why they did it but I don't know but I'll study them myself I think I'd enjoy it if there was a real reason besides just the discipline of it they are always talking about when you kick about mathematics and languages well said Leslie sitting up interestedly is that all there is to it did someone just up and say do I keep Sunday because God did I think that is a kind of superstition I don't see that God would want to make us do everything he did we couldn't I wouldn't unless he said to anyhow unless you're way off fluffed her brother God did he said remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy six days shall thou labor and do all thy work but the seventh day is the Sabbath thou shall not do any work thou nor thy son nor thy daughter thy manservant nor thy maid servant don't you remember the ten commandments no I guess you were too little to learn them but I got a testament for learning them once say cloudy when did he give that command right away after he made Adam and Eve I'm not sure said Julia cloud fluttering the leaves of her Bible to the second slip of paper I don't find any reference to it in my concordance till way over here in Exodus after the children of Israel had been in Egypt so many years and Moses led them out through the wilderness and they got fretful because they had any bread such as they used to have in Egypt so God sent the manna that fell every morning but he told them not to leave any over for the next day because it would gather worms well bad except on Saturday when they were to gather enough for the Sabbath listen and they gathered it every morning every man according to his eating and when the sun waxed hot it melted and it came to pass that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread two omars for one man and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses and he said unto them this is that which the Lord hath said tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord bake that which he will bake today and seek that ye will see and that which remained over lay up for you to be kept until the morning and they laid it up till the morning as Moses bade and it did not stink neither was there any worm therein and Moses said today for today is the Sabbath unto the Lord today ye shall not find it in the field six days ye shall gather it but on the seventh day which is the Sabbath in it there shall be none and it came to pass that they went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather and they found none and the Lord said unto Moses how long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws see for that the Lord hath given you the Sabbath therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days abide ye every man in his place let no man go out of his place on the seventh day so the people rested on the seventh day it looks as though the people had been used to the Sabbath already for the commandments given on the mount come three whole chapters later it looks to me as if God established the Sabbath right at the beginning when he rested from his own work and that's what it means when it says he sanctified it what do you suppose he said I have given you a Sabbath for it looks as if it were meant for a benefit for the people and not for God doesn't it said Allison sitting up and looking over his aunt's shoulder why I always suppose God wanted the Sabbath for his own sake so people would see how great he was Julia Cloud's cheeks grew red with a flash of distress as if he had said something against someone she loved very much oh no she said earnestly God isn't like that why he loves us he wouldn't have given a Sabbath at all if it hadn't been quite necessary for our good besides in the New Testament Jesus said the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath oh he made it for us to be happy in I'm sure and perhaps he rested himself so that we might understand he had set apart that time of leisure in order to be everything to us on the day when we had most time for him I've read somewhere that God had to teach those early people little by little just as we teach babies a few things each year and over in the New Testament it says that all these things that happened in the Old Testament those children of Israel happened and were written down for an example to us who should live in the later part of the world so little by little by pictures and stories he taught those people what he wanted all of us to know as a sort of inheritance and he took the things first that were of the most importance it would seem as if he considered this matter of the Sabbath very important but as if he had it in mind right away at the first when he made the world and intended to set apart this day out of every seven because he stopped right off the very first week himself to establish a precedent and then he sanctified it which must mean he set it apart in such a way that all the world should understand what is a precedent asked Leslie Sharply oh you know less nothing you have to do just like because you always have done it that way said Allison waving her aside but cloudy what I can't get at all is why he wanted it in the first place if he didn't want it just entirely for his own glorification why dear I'm not sure but I think it was just so that he and we might have a sort of tristing time when we could be sure of having nothing to interfere between us to be the sign between himself and those who really loved him and were his children a sign that should show to the world who were his he said so in several places listen to this she turned the leaves quickly and the Lord spake unto Moses saying speak thou also unto the children of Israel saying verily my Sabbath she shall keep for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations that he may know that I am the Lord that does sanctify you ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore for it is holy unto you every one that defile it that shall surely be put to death for whosoever do with any work therein that soul shall be cut off from among his people six days may work be done but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest holy to the Lord whosoever do with any work in the Sabbath day ye shall surely be put to death wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations for a perpetual covenant it is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth and on the seventh day he rested there now said Leslie sitting up that's just what I thought that was only for the children of Israel it hasn't the least bit to do with us those with Jews and they keep it yet on Saturday wait dear Julia Cloud turn the leaves of her Bible rapidly to Corinthians listen more over brethren I would not that ye should be ignorant how that all our fathers were under the cloud and all passed through the sea and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea and did all eat the same spiritual meat and did all drink the same spiritual drink for they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them and that rock was Christ but with many of them God was not well pleased for they were overthrown in the wilderness now these things were our examples to the intent we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted neither be ye idolaters as were some of them as it is written the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play neither let us tempt Christ as some of them also tempted and were destroyed of serpents neither murmur ye as some of them also murmured destroyed of the destroyer now all these things happened unto them for in samples and they are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come wherefore let him that think at the stand take heed lest he fall doesn't that look as though God meant the Sabbath for us too Leslie Leslie dropped back on her pillow of moss with a sigh I suppose it does she answered somewhat disconsolately but I never did like Sundays anyhow and she drew a deep breath of unrest but dear Julia Cloud's hand rested on the bright head lovingly there's a closer sense than that in which this belongs to us if we belong to Christ we are Israel ourselves I was reading about it just this morning how all those who want to be Christ's chosen people and are willing to accept him as their savior are Israel just as much as a born Jew I think I can find it again yes here it is in Romans for they are not all Israel which are of Israel neither because they are the seed of Abraham are they all children but in Isaac shall thy seed be called that is they which are children of the flesh these are not but the children of the promise accounted for the seed that means the promise that was given to Abraham that there should be a Messiah some time in his family who would be the savior of the world the idea is that all who believe in that Messiah are the real chosen people it was to the chosen people God gave these careful directions commands if you like to call them to help them be what a chosen and the Sabbath rest and communion seems to be the basis of the whole idea of a people who are guided by God it is the coming home to God after the toil of the week they had to have a time when other things did not call them away from spending a whole day with him and getting acquainted from getting to know what he wanted and how to shape their lives or they would just as surely get interested in the world and forget God well I don't see why we have to go to church anyway declared Leslie discontentedly this is a great deal better out here under the trees reading the Bible yes said Allison cloudy that ministers dull I know I wouldn't get anything out of hearing him chew the rag oh Allison dear don't speak of God's minister that way why not cloudy maybe he isn't God's minister how did he get there anyway just decided to be a minister and studied and got himself called to that church didn't he oh no dear I trust not that is terrible where ever did you get such an idea there may be some unworthy men in the ministry of course there must be for the Bible said there would be false leaders and wolves and sheeps clothing but surely surely you know that the most of the men in the pulpit are there because they believe that God has called them to give up everything else and spend their lives bringing the message of the gospel to the souls of men the office is a holy office and must be reverenced even if we do not fancy the man who occupies it he may have a message if you listen for it even though he may seem dull to you if you knew him better could look into his life and see the sacrifices he has made to be a minister see the burdens of the people he has to bear oh cloudy come now most of the ministers I ever saw have automobiles and fine houses and about as good a time as anybody they get big salaries and don't bother themselves much about anything but church services and getting people to give money honestly now cloudy jewel I think they're putting it over on you I'll bet not half of them are sincere in that sacrifice stuff they put over it may have been so long ago but ministers have a pretty soft snap nowadays in cities anyhow Allison didn't you ever see any true sincere ministers child there are so many many of them to tell you the truth cloudy I never saw but one that didn't have shifty eyes he was a little missionary chap that worked in a slum settlement and would have taken his eye teeth out for anybody oh I don't mean that old guy today shifty I should say he was just dull and uninteresting he may have thought he had a call long ago but he's been asleep so long he's forgotten about it oh Allison this is dreadful Julia cloud closed her Bible and looked down in horror at the frank young face of the boy who mints no words in saying what he thought about these holy things that had always been so precious and sacred to her she felt like putting her hands over her ears and running away screaming her very soul was in agony over the desecration the children looked into her face saw the white scared look and took warning there now cloudy don't worry said Allison leaning over and patting her hand awkwardly I didn't mean to hurt you honest I didn't perhaps I'm wrong of course I am if you say so I don't really know any ministers anyhow I was just saying what is the general impression among the fellows I didn't realize you would care do the young men all think that Julia clouds lips were white and an agonized expression for the church of God had grown in her eyes she searched the boy's face with a look he did not soon forget it made an impression that stayed with him always at least there was something in religion if it could make her look like that to hear at least spoken of at least this one woman was a sincere follower of Christ there now cloudy I tell you I'm sorry I said that and just to prove it I'll go to that old Christian endeavor tonight and try to find something interesting I will truly unless we'll go to of course said Leslie nestling close forget what he said and tell us why we have to go to church cloudy dear Julia cloud tried to recall her trouble thoughts to the subject in hand well God had them build a tabernacle for worship you know dear told them how to make everything even to the minutest details an established worship that was to be part of the Sabbath day a place to worship and a promise that he would be there to meet anyone who came that promise holds good today you needn't ever think about the minister just fancy you see Christ in the pulpit he is there come to meet his own you know he'll be in that Christian endeavor tonight he was in the tabernacle of old there was a brightness in the cloud of his presence to show the people that God had come down to meet them they were children and had to be helped by a visible manifestation yes that would be something like said Allison if we could see something to help us believe those who truly believe with the hot will have the assurance said Julia cloud earnestly I know there was something inner tone in the look of her eye that added for I have experienced it the young people looked at her and were silent there was a long quiet pause in which the sounds of the falling nuts and the whispering of the hemlocks posed in about them and made the day and hour a sacred time that last Leslie broke the silence well cloudy suppose we go to church in Christian endeavor what can we do the rest of the day we don't have to go to church every minute do we I don't really see how it's going to do me any good I don't indeed Julia cloud smiled at her wistfully it was so wonderfully sweet to have this bright beautiful young thing asking her these vital questions why dearie it's just today to spend with God and get to enjoy his company she said let me read you this verse in Isaiah lesson that means oh the happiness of I'll read it so all the happiness of the man that do with this and the son of man that layeth hold on it that keep at the Sabbath from polluting it and keepeth his hand from doing any evil neither let the son of the stranger that hath joined himself to the Lord there Leslie that means us for any Gentiles that want to be Christ speak saying the Lord hath utterly separated us from his people of us say at the Lord to them that keep my Sabbaths and choose the things that please me and take hold of my covenant even unto them will I give in my house and within my walls of place and a name better than of sons and of daughters I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off also the sons of the stranger that join themselves to the Lord to serve him and to love the name of the Lord to be his servants every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it and takeeth my covenant even them will I bring to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer you see Allison there's a promise that will secure you from feeling the service dull and dry if you are willing to comply with its conditions there burned offerings in their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar for mine house shall be called a house of prayer for she turned the leaves quickly again and now I want to read you the verse that seems to me to tell how God likes us to keep the Sabbath if thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the Sabbath a delight you see Leslie he doesn't want it to be a dull pokey day he wants us to call it a delight and yet we ought to find our pleasure in him and the things that belong just to ourselves listen a delight the holy of the Lord honorable and shalt honor him not doing nine own ways nor finding nine own pleasure nor speaking nine own words then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father for God hath spoken it Leslie suddenly threw her head in Julia Cloud's lap right over the Bible and looked up into her face with an exquisite earnestness all her own cloudy jewel it sounds all different from anything I have ever heard of and I don't know how to do it but something inside says it ought to be true and I'm going to try it she said anyhow we've had a grand time this afternoon a bit dull do you suppose maybe we've been delighting in him this afternoon but there goes the supper bell and I'm hungry as a bear how about that cloudy is it right to cook on Sunday that place you read about the man who picked up sticks to make a fire in camp doesn't sound like it well dear you know in the old times we always got the Sunday cooking and baking done on Saturday just as the Lord told the Israelites to do they haven't any business to judge other people and everyone must decide for himself what is necessary and what is not I suppose but as for me I like to do as mother always did I always have the cake box and bread box full of nice fresh things and make a pie perhaps and cook a piece of meat or have some salad in the ice box and then it is the work of but a few minutes to get the nicest kind of a meal on Sunday it is easy to have a beef steak to broil or cold meat or something to warm up in a minute if one cares enough to get it ready and it really makes a lovely restful time on Sunday to know all that work is done besides it isn't any harder I like it Allison gathered up the rugged books and they walked slowly toward the inn watching the wonderful colorings of the foliage they passed and drinking in all the woodsy odors and gentle sounds of dying leaves and dropping nuts say cloudy said Allison suddenly out of the midst of his thoughtfulness why don't the ministers preach about all this I had to go to church a lot when I was in prep school and I never yet heard a sermon on it or if I did it was so dull I didn't get the hang of it but I should think if they preached about it just as you've done it made it plain so people could understand but most folks that is the ones who wanted to do half right would see to it that Sunday wasn't so rotten well Allison said Julia Cloud a soft smile playing greenfully about her lips perhaps they don't realize the need perhaps it's up to you as you say to somehow wake them up and set them at it Allison drew a long whistle and grinned as they went into the house End of Chapter 12 Recording by James O'Connor Randolph, Massachusetts March 2011